Connecticut Route 169

Route 169 is Connecticut's second most prestigious scenic road, after the Merritt Parkway. Both have nationwide prominence.

The Danbury News-Times writes:

"This 32-mile drive, from Lisbon through Woodstock, gives you a glimpse of what life was like for Yankee farmers. Gentle, rolling fields covered with corn stalks and apple orchards stretch as far as the eye can see. And beautiful old barns with towering grain silos still remain. Stop by Woodstock's Roseland Cottage - a national historic landmark. Or enjoy a sweet cup of cider from a roadside stand. Experience Route 169 and you'll understand why it was voted one of the top 10 scenic roads in the country by Scenic America."

CT 169 Turnpikes

Route 169 follows the old Norwich and Woodstock Turnpike, which was incorporated in 1801. In 1846, the corporation reported that it was losing money and had paid no dividend in six years, partially because of opening of the Norwich and Worcester Railroad a decade earlier. At this time, the corporation was relieved of obligation and the road was made free.

CT 169 History

The original Route 169, commissioned in 1932, was 3.07 miles long, following today's Route 27 from 0.3 miles north of US 1 to state route 84 (now Route 184). The short gap might have been a maintenance or routing dispute between the state and the city of Mystic.

In 1949, Route 27 was created, leading from Route 84 in Groton to Route 12 in Preston. In 1951, Route 27 was extended south, replacing the original Route 169.

The modern Route 169 was originally called Route 93, which was also commissioned in 1932. The number was changed in both Connecticut and Massachusetts to 169 in 1959, to avoid conflicts with planned Interstate 93.

CT 169 Sources

Wood, Frederic J. "The Turnpikes of New England." Pepperell, Mass.: Branch Line Press, 1997. (reprint of 1909 edition)
Untitled correspondence, Executive Secretary of AASHO, to Conn. State Highway Commissioner William J. Cox, dated July 25, 1938. Contains a terse log of existing state routes.
"Route 169 makes national scene." Norwich [Conn.] Bulletin, Mov. 13, 1992. (Thanks to the Lisbon Historical Society)
"Road is trip to yesteryear: Scenic Route 169 shows off the beauty of eastern Connecticut's countryside." Norwich [Conn.] Bulletin, Aug. 4, 2003. (Thanks to Wm. F. Yurasko)
"Scenic designation means road is special." Norwich [Conn.] Bulletin, Aug. 4, 2003. (Thanks to Wm. F. Yurasko)
Connecticut Department of Transportation. "Route change table.xls". Microsoft Excel spreadsheet file, received April 4, 2008.

CT 169 Turnpikes

CT 169 History

CT 169 Sources

CT 169 Links