Sprague is number 20 in my project to visit all of Connecticut’s towns.
Situated in New London County, Sprague covers 13.21 square miles and has 2,967 residents. Sprague was founded in 1861.
Sprague is a very typical example of an old Connecticut mill town, after the mill has gone. The Baltic Mill, once the largest textile mill in the nation, halted production in the 1960s when the textile industry began to wane. The old mill burned down in 1999.
For a town of fewer than 3,000 residents, Sprague has its own unique charm. How many towns of this size have a big, old, Victorian-looking clock? Not many that I’ve seen! And it appeared to actually be working, although about ten minutes behind — this picture was taken at 12:06.
They also have a very nice little park with an impressive war memorial.
They also have what appears to be a somewhat newer statue installation.
The bricks around the statue have the names of fallen residents.
I had selected Moore Pizza for lunch, not knowing that it was takeout only. I have to admit that the front looked a little dubious to my wary eye, but in I ventured.
Inside is a modest little pizza and grinder shop. For anyone not from Connecticut, a grinder is what we call a hoagie or subway sandwich. Not to be confused with Grindr.
The pizza here is not unlike any other Greek-style pizza that is ubiquitous in New England. It definitely reminds me of what I grew up with.
When I say “Greek-style”, I don’t mean the pizza has Greek toppings. I’m referring to the fact that historically, any restaurant in New England that has the word “Pizza” at the end of its name is almost certainly owned by a Greek family, and they all make a similar pan-style pizza, with a crust that has been given time to rise.
I drove straight to the old grist mill with my piping hot pizza. They have a nice little spot behind the building with what appears to be a brand new picnic table. I tried to sit there to eat lunch, but the cold drove me back to my car, where I ate like someone who doesn’t want his partner to know he’s cheating on his diet.
The former grist mill is a remarkably handsome and sturdy old building. In case you were wondering, grist is grain that has been separated from its chaff in preparation for grinding. Not to be confused with Grindr.
The building has been refurbished and repurposed as the town’s library, as well as the community center, and I think the historical society may be up on the third floor as well. This is the smallest library I have ever seen, aside from the ones people put at the end of their driveways.
They had some historical pictures up, including a shot of the old Baltic Hotel, and one of the cotton mill before it burned down.
As I was leaving the library, I spotted the chimneys across the river, still standing from the old mill.
And that concludes my visit to Sprague. A cool little town that seems to have a great community, a good vibe, and the world’s cutest library.
See you in the next town, when I break 3,000!