Scrap Book of North Canaan

-- historic and now very scarce -- was written circa 1898 by John Rodemeyer, Jr. 

The author was once the Editor of The Connecticut Western, a newspaper of the day.  The book was originally published by C. H. Pease, a familiar North Canaan name even today. 

Containing maps and abundant photographs in its eighty-odd pages, Scrap Book of North Canaan is a well-written depiction of the town over the years.  Although it modestly denies being a history of the community, in fact it is just that. Over 100 years later the distinction of being THE history of that community still belongs to this thin volume.  Written only 40 years after that township separated from Falls Village (a/k/a Canaan), it captured memories of people who remembered "the old days."  It also included many photographs of Canaan at the turn of the 20th century.

We have indexed the book.  The index is available on this website.  If you are fortunate enough to have access to a copy of Scrap Book of North Canaan, this index may help you find people and places in it more easily.  

The Litchfield County Times:  "...a treasure trove for local historians and genealogists."

S. P.: "Thank you so much.  My dad loves it!"

Canaan is the name of a village in the township of North Canaan, Litchfield County, CT.  

To thoroughly confuse matters, there is a much better known place in Connecticut called New Canaan -- but New Canaan is in Fairfield County, around 50 miles south of the Northwest Corner's two Canaans.

North Canaan is one of the fortunate small towns that had a citizen -- a local newspaper editor -- who actually wrote a book about it.  You can check the index to that book if you . 

North Canaan's newer (of what were once two) Congregational Churches published a series of "Manuals" at intervals in its past.  We've indexed two of these manuals -- summaries of the church records -- the 1912 edition and the 1937 edition.  There's more about the Pilgrim Church Manuals later on this page. 

We've also collected some century-old topographic maps of the Canaans -- because it's useful to see how things looked then.  The land forms did not significantly change, but the indications on the map of development (roads, railroads, and buildings, most notably) certainly do.  

Finally, we've found that most people with an interest in a community's past are also interested in what the community looks like in the present.   A few current pictures of Canaan are below.  Many more photos are on the CD-ROM. Also on the CD-ROM is a slide show comparing what things looked like in Canaan circa 1900 and what they look like in 2003.

The CD-ROM containing the scans, the indexes, the photos, the maps, and the slide show is now available.  for ordering information.

We have scanned and indexed two editions of the Pilgrim Church's "Manuals" -- the 1912 and 1937 editions of these historic church directories.  Each around 40 pages long, they contain membership rolls, history of the church, and other information that may be of interest.  The indices to the two manuals are on-line now.  to view the index of the 1912 Manual, or to view the index of the 1937 Manual.  Scans of the complete manuals and their indexes are on the CD-ROM.

Here are a few pictures of North Canaan today.  

Many more pictures, both current and historical, including some of Falls Village and Twin Lakes, are available on the CD-ROM.  Also on the CD-ROM is a slide show, comparing the way many  Canaan landmarks looked in 1898 with the way they look in 2003.  

Of particular interest on the CD-ROM for students of railroading history are both pre- and post-fire photos of the famed and historic Canaan Union Station.  

(Click on any of these samples to see them larger.) 

Former Barnum,  Richardson Co. facility (Beckley Furnace) in East Canaan

One of several historic houses at the "Lower Crossing"

Remains of historic Canaan Union Station after the fire.  There's an active campaign to rebuild this historic building.

Christ Church, Episcopal

Head Office of Canaan National Bank, merged, soon after the picture was taken, into the Salisbury Bank and Trust Company

The former Pilgrim Church (Congregational); now a Baptist congregation

Douglas Library (Pease Museum is located on the second floor in rear)

Bob's Clothing and Shoes

Looking north on Railroad Street from the intersection with Main Street

Collin's Diner (no, that is NOT a spelling error!  The diner was founded by a member of the Collin family!)

"Scrap Book of North Canaan" is now available on CD-ROM. 

Please for ordering information.

Are you interested in joining a free e-mail discussion group about Canaan, North Canaan, Union Station, the iron industry, and all the other aspects of the history of the area?  

QUERY:  Steam irons made in Falls Village?  The Blakeney Cooperative Co.?

Recently we saw what we think is a real oddity:  a "steam iron" that isn't electric -- one that, like other old irons one sees at antique shows and tag sales, was heated on the family range before ironing with it.  Making this even more interesting is the fact that this iron was manufactured in Falls Village!  The owner of the iron would like to learn more about it, so would we -- and so would the Falls Village -- Canaan Historical Society!!

to see pictures of the iron

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This website was last updated 07/22/2008