Workshop Agenda & Overview | Story Map sections & text | Final story maps
The content below is referenced by the workshop manual which provides step-by-step instructions for creating a Story Map Journal. Normally, you would spend a significant amount of time doing your own research and planning for a story map. For the purposes of this workshop, we did that work for you. Below is a link to the final story map as an example. Use it as a reference while building your story map.
The story map journal content follows. Each heading represents a different section of the Map Journal. Follow the guided exercise in the workshop manual to get started.
The title of the Map Journal story map is: The Connecticut Valley Railroad: Then to Now.
LINK: train on bridge image
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/VALE_3025.jpg/1920px-VALE_3025.jpg
Descriptive Text:
The introduction of the Connecticut Valley Railroad in 1871 offered a faster and more efficient way to transport both goods and people through the Connecticut River Valley.
During the 19th century, Hartford, Connecticut was one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. Goods and people traveled daily from the city to seaports on the coast primarily by steamboat. The introduction of the Connecticut Valley Railroad offered a faster alternative for both. Although the line is now used exclusively for tourism and recreation, the Connecticut Valley Railroad remains an important part of Connecticut's history.
Story Map How To
Keep an eye out for underlined clickable links. Maps are interactive.
End Descriptive Text
LINK: "underlined, clickable text"
https://clear.uconn.edu/geospatial/workshops/storymaps/index.htm
LINK: historic map of Hartford
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/OldHartfordMap.jpg/1280px-OldHartfordMap.jpg
Descriptive Text:
By the the middle of the 19th century, Hartford was one of the wealthiest cities in the United States, primarily due to the manufacturing of Colt Firearms and the Pratt & Whitney Company. Advances in manufacturing allowed for large increases in production that lead to exponential economic growth.
Until the 1870's, products and people moved along the lower Connecticut River valley by steamboat and stage coach. As production of goods and demand for workers increased, so did the need for efficient means of transporting them. By this point, the American railroad system was booming and steam engine trains were faster and more reliable than any other form of transportation. The Connecticut Valley Railroad (CVRR) joined the nationwide railroad when the new line from Hartford south to Old Saybrook was opened in 1871.
End Descriptive Text
LINK: steam engine trains
https://www.american-rails.com/images/712xNxEARY70SRR.jpg.pagespeed.ic.CMG9HX_aUb.jpg
LINK: Colt Factory
https://www.courant.com/resizer/7ycQ-QueIfHifxaUlr9W7a2C7_8=/800x0/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/UU7L66IHMBBWDHAZSUH5Z6MQZE.jpg
LINK: image of a Valley Railroad Company train car:
https://clear.uconn.edu/geospatial/workshops/storymaps/images/valley_railroad_car.jpg
Descriptive Text:
The Connecticut Valley Railroad included 44 miles of single line track from Hartford to Old Saybrook along the western side of the Connecticut River. The line offered multiple trips daily and made 15 stops. In 1892, the CVRR was absorbed by the New Haven Railroad and shortly after reached it's peak use.
After World War I, automobile and highway systems improved and the demand for railroad service decreased. In 1933, the commuter train made its last run to Hartford. In 1961, the New Haven Railroad was bankrupt and the last freight train ran through Essex, Deep River and Chester in 1968.
End Descriptive Text
LINK: 15 stops (image of 1871 train schedule)
https://connecticuthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/valleyrailroad-e1338218646223.jpg
LINK: YouTube video of the Valley Railroad:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFMmj6Y1v-Q
Descriptive Text:
In 1969, the line was turned over to State of Connecticut. It is now a State Park Trail managed by CT DEEP. The southern 22.6 miles of track was leased to the Valley Railroad Company in 1970. The first train of the the new railroad steamed from Essex to Deep River Station of July 29, 1971, exactly 100 years to the hour of the first train in 1871. The Valley Railroad Company is thriving and continues to operate Essex Steam Train & Riverboat excursions, dinner trains, charters and seasonal events along 12 miles of track from Essex Station to Goodspeed Station in Haddam.
There are four historic stations along the operational 12 mile railroad line.
End Descriptive Text
LINK: CT DEEP
https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=433674&deepNav_GID=1650
LINK: Valley Railroad Company
https://essexsteamtrain.com/
LINK: family hiking image (download)
https://clear.uconn.edu/geospatial/workshops/storymaps/images/trackwalk1.jpg
Descriptive Text:
While the southern part of the Connecticut Valley Railroad is maintained as an historic railway, the northern section is used for recreation.
Walkers, runners and hikers pass sites where train stations once existed. For example, Arnolds Station, in Haddam has a commemorative sign to mark the former station.
The railroad passes through Haddam Meadows State Park offering river access and a boat launch. The scenic State Park Trail Railway and nearby open space along the Connecticut River make it a prime recreation destination all year long.
End Descriptive Text
LINK: Trees along railway image
https://clear.uconn.edu/geospatial/workshops/storymaps/images/rail_ew.jpg
Descriptive Text:
The Connecticut Valley Railroad was once a bustling commercial railroad that provided fast and efficient service for both people and goods through the Connecticut River Valley. Although no longer used commercially, the scenic railway is still enjoyed by many both in railroad cars and on foot.
SOURCES and More Information
Along the Valley Line: The history of the Connecticut Valley Railroad
https://www.amazon.com/Along-Valley-Line-Connecticut-Railroad-ebook/dp/B073S32PZ9
Valley Railroad history
http://essexsteamtrain.com/about/history/
The Essex Steam Train run by the Valley Railroad Company
http://essexsteamtrain.com/
Connecticut Valley Railroad State Park (CT DEEP)
https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=433674&deepNav_GID=1650
Haddam Meadows State Park (CT DEEP)
https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325206&deepNav_GID=1650
History of Hartford (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartford,_Connecticut#19th_century
Author Information
The story map was created by {insert your name here} as part of the UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) Geospatial Training Program's ArcGIS Online and Story Maps workshop.
Center for Land Use Education and Research
https://clear.uconn.edu
End Descriptive Text
LINK: CLEAR logo:
https://clear.uconn.edu/images/templates/clear-logo.png
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