Historical Markers and War Memorials in Groton, Connecticut
New London is the county seat for New London County
Groton is in New London County
New London County(421) ► ADJACENT TO NEW LONDON COUNTY Hartford County(503) ► Middlesex County(166) ► Tolland County(141) ► Windham County(94) ► Suffolk County, New York(495) ► Kent County, Rhode Island(21) ► Washington County, Rhode Island(78) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
As part of New London Plantation, Groton was settled in 1646 by John Winthrop, the younger, and a band of Puritans from Massachusetts. The town separated from New London in 1705, and was named for the Winthrop manor in England. One of the last . . . — — Map (db m66439) HM
On N Road (Connecticut Route 117) 0.1 miles Newtown Road (Connecticut Route 117), on the right when traveling north.
Jabez Smith
House
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
in 1981
by the United States
Department of the Interior — — Map (db m227184) HM
On Crystal Lake Road west of Connecticut Route 12 when traveling west.
Forty-One
for
Freedom
USS George Washington
(SSBN 598)
USS Patrick Henry (SSBN 599) · USS Theodore Roosevelt (SSBN 600) · USS Robert E. Lee (SSBN 601) · USS Abraham Lincoln (SSBN 602) · USS Ethan Allen (SSBN 608) · USS Sam Houston (SSBN . . . — — Map (db m206627) WM
Near Crystal Lake Road west of Connecticut Route 12 when traveling west.
During World War II, the
Japanese "Type A" two-man
mini-sub was carried "piggy back"
by a mother ship, usually another
submarine, to its area of operation.
Type A submarines were used during
the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
and . . . — — Map (db m206621) HM WM
Near Crystal Lake Road west of Connecticut Route 12 when traveling west.
In her nearly forty years of service, NR-1 was involved in a number of important missions, many of which may remain classified for years to come. Those that have beed revealed include:
1976 Recovery Effort Phoenix Missile
October 1976 . . . — — Map (db m206582) HM
Near Crystal Lake Road west of Connecticut Route 12 when traveling west.
The Connecticut Blue Heritage Trail links important sites of Connecticut's marine environment and maritime heritage.
Place of Global Reach The lower Thames River has an historically rich naval presence. The Naval Submarine Base New London, . . . — — Map (db m206623) HM
Near Crystal Lake Road west of Connecticut Route 12 when traveling west.
Sonalysts Submariners
1973 2000
Submarine Command
Dedicated to the Sonalysts Submariners Who Twice Served their Country
First in Submarines then in Sonalysts
To Help Ensure Our Nations Peace — — Map (db m206622) WM
Near Crystal Lake Road near Connecticut Route 12 when traveling west.
On 27 October 1969, NR-1, the U.S. Navy's deep-diving research submarine, was placed in service. Capable of carrying thirteen crew members to a depth of 3,000 feet, NR-1 was powered by a nuclear reactor that allowed her to stay down for up to 30 . . . — — Map (db m206473) HM
Near Crystal Lake Road west of Connecticut Route 12 when traveling west.
Swimmer Delivery
Vehicle (SDV)
Submarines have operated with special
operations teams since the days of WWII
with Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT),
commonly known as "SEALs" (Sea-Air-
Land) are used in a variety of clandestine . . . — — Map (db m206583) HM
Near Crystal Lake Road west of County Route 12 when traveling west.
Long Island Sound Home of the American Submarine Long Island Sound is a unique body of water that borders the entire length of Connecticut, giving the state an unparalleled resource. The north-south orientation of the rivers of . . . — — Map (db m206468) HM
Near Crystal Lake Road near Connecticut Route 12 when traveling west.
Originally developed as an air launched anti-submarine missile in the 1970's, it was later adapted for launch from surface ships and submarines in the early 1980's. Similar in concept to the modern "Tomahawk" cruise missile, it was launched from . . . — — Map (db m206472) HM
Near Crystal Lake Road west of Connecticut Route 12 when traveling west.
The USS Nautilus has been designated as an historic ship by the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of that organization. Members of this society designed and supervised the construction of . . . — — Map (db m206455) HM
Near Crystal Lake Road west of Connecticut Route 12 when traveling west.
USS Nautilus (SSN 571) President Harry S. Truman laid her keel on June 14, 1952, at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, Connecticut. On January 21, 1954, Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower broke the traditional bottle of . . . — — Map (db m206453) HM
Near Crystal Lake Road west of Connecticut Route 12 when traveling west.
USS Nautilus
Has been Designated a
National Historic Landmark
Launched in 1951, the Nautilus was the first true nuclear submarine. Her nuclear propulsion plant was a revolutionary advance that provided unlimited underwater endurance, . . . — — Map (db m206454) HM
On Crystal Lake Road west of Connecticut Route 12 when traveling west.
USS Nautilus (SSN-571)
This vessel, commissioned on
September 30, 1954, marked humanity's first large
scale use of controlled nuclear power.
Designated as a
Nuclear Historic Landmark, February 2004,
by the American Nuclear Society . . . — — Map (db m206456) HM
Near Crystal Lake Road west of Connecticut Route 12 when traveling west.
USS X-1 (SSX-1) USS X-1 was the first "midget" submarine built for the U.S. Navy. Designed to penetrate enemy harbors and conduct offensive operations against moored ships and support facilities, her principal armament consisted of swimmer delivered . . . — — Map (db m206619) HM
On Monument Street at Smith Street, on the right when traveling west on Monument Street.
Erected by Robert A. Gray and dedicated to the memory of his brave comrades who offered their lives for their country in the War of 1861 – 1865 — — Map (db m20044) HM
Near Park Avenue at Monument Street, on the left when traveling west.
On this spot Col. William Ledyard fell by his own sword in the hands of a British officer to whom he had surrendered in the massacre of Fort Griswold, Sept. 6, 1781. — — Map (db m18048) HM
On Monument Street, on the left when traveling west.
British Officer - “Who commands this fort ” Colonel Ledyard – “I did sir, but you do now ” Killed – Lieut. Col. William Ledyard, Commanding Capt. Elijah Avery • Capt. Elisha Avery • Lieut. . . . — — Map (db m19584) HM
On Monument Street at Park Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Monument Street.
The monument was erected under the patronage of the State of Connecticut, A. D. 1830, and in the 55th year of the Independence of the U. S. A. in memory of the brave Patriots, who fell in the Massacre at Fort Griswold, near this spot, on the 6th of . . . — — Map (db m18050) HM
On Thames Street at Fort Street, on the right when traveling south on Thames Street.
In honor of the 38 Patriots who were carried as prisoners in boats to New York from this shore after the Battle of Groton Heights September 6, 1781 — — Map (db m18053) HM
On Thames Street at Latham Street, on the right when traveling north on Thames Street.
Shelter afforded our wounded and dying soldiers within this house after the massacre at Ft. Griswold Sept. 6, 1781 Moved in 1971 to Ft. Griswold State Battlefield Park — — Map (db m19050) HM
On Monument Street, on the left when traveling south.
This gun was taken from the wreck of Admiral Cervera's flagship Maria Theresa which fired the first shot July 3, 1898 as she steamed from Santiago Harbor. — — Map (db m19057) HM
On Monument Street, on the left when traveling west.
On the morning of September 6, 1781, a British fleet under the command of former American general Benedict Arnold appeared at the mouth of the Thames River. Arnold’s mission was to destroy American privateers in New London and to capture military . . . — — Map (db m19038) HM
On Monument Street, on the left when traveling west.
In November 1775, Colonel Jedeiah Elderkin was directed by the Governor and the Council of Safety “to view the circumstances of the harbor at New London and neighboring places, and consider of the most proper place and manner of fortifying . . . — — Map (db m19041) HM
To perpetuate the memory of those gallant shipmates who gave their lives during World War II. Dedicated by U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II.
U.S. Submarines still on their last patrol.
Sealion SS195 December 10, 1941; S-36 SS141 January . . . — — Map (db m104650) WM
In grateful memory of these submariners who died in the service of their country during World War II. They stand in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die so that freedom might live. Their final resting places are known only to the . . . — — Map (db m104652) WM
On Poquannock Road west of Long Hill Road (U.S. 1), on the left when traveling east.
[West Side of Marker Stone]
This memorial marks the site of
the home built in 1656 by
Captain James Avery
the founder of the family now known
as the Groton Averys. This
Hive of the Averys
was owned and occupied by its . . . — — Map (db m28169) HM
On Jewish War Veterans Memorial Highway (Interstate 95) 0.5 miles east of Mystic Street (Connecticut Route 614), on the right when traveling east.
Prior to 1800 the Mystic River Valley was a sparsely settled region. The population depended upon agriculture for subsistence and occasionally profit. The leading historical event during the colonial period had been the defeat and the near . . . — — Map (db m226772) HM
On West Main Street (U.S. 1) east of Gravel Street, on the right when traveling east.
Power to raise the bridge comes from electric motors, which drive the large “Bull Wheels” connected with Linkage arms to the two plate girders which make up the lift span.
The huge concrete weights at the ends of the overhead rocking trusses . . . — — Map (db m114881) HM
