Guilford Salt Meadow
When the early colonists came to Guilford, one of the natural resources exploited was cordgrass growing in the salt meadows. The cordgrass was harvested each year and used to thatch roofs and provide animal bedding. Dams were built to hold back the tidewater so harvests could be made. The meadows were also a environment for much aquatic and bird life, providing food for native Americans and colonists. Today the salt meadows are protected in Guilford by the Guilford Land Trust and the Audubon Society.
Encroaching Phragmites
A tropical invasive species, Phragmites australis is taking over large areas of salt meadows, all over the world. I saw evidence of that here. many spots contained nothing but Phragmites.
Thin leaved Cattails
Brackish water
Further up East River, but still tidal, the river narrows enough for colonists to have built a bridge. It is speculated that this is the original site of the bridge used by the Post Road. There were several "Post Roads" over time. It quite possibly changed as bridges were built and towns expanded. It makes sense the earliest route would be at the narrowest point of the river. Bridges downstream of here would have had much wider spans and most likely would have been built later than the mid 1600's. Boston was founded in 1630, New Amsterdam in 1625, New haven in 1638 and Guilford in 1639. Roads connecting these places, running along the Connecticut shore were built during this time.
Historic Foote Bridge
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