Here are three little-known facts about our shoreline that will make you look at southeastern Connecticut and southwestern Rhode Island in a new way.
Why Don’t All Oysters Taste the Same?
Just as wine takes on the flavors of the soil where grapes are grown, oysters take on the flavors of the water where they live. It’s called “merroir,” that special combination of salinity, minerals, tides, water temperature and microscopic plants that give each local harvest a distinct flavor of its own. That’s why Mystic oysters taste different than Noank oysters, which taste different than those harvested in Stonington or Watch Hill, despite the distances between them all being measured in mere miles.
That’s also why many restaurants boast about where their oysters are sourced from. They’re not just telling you who harvested those shells; they’re giving you a hint about what those oysters will taste like when they reach your plate.
Next time you order a dozen, try selecting oysters from two different areas right here in local waters.
Why Is There a Lighthouse in the Middle of the Water?
That house you see sitting all by itself in New London Harbor is actually New London Ledge Lighthouse. Completed nearly 120 years ago in 1909, it was constructed on a treacherous rocky ledge that had wreaked havoc on passing ships for decades. Before there was radar or GPS, placing the lighthouse on the ledge itself helped warn captains of dangerous waters and guide their boats into Connecticut’s second busiest harbor.
Instead of the tower most people envision when they think of a lighthouse, New London Ledge was actually built to resemble a home. It had bedrooms, a kitchen, a dining room and living space where lighthouse keepers and their families would spend weeks at a time completely surrounded by water. Supplies were delivered by boat, storms could trap them on the ledge for days, and keeping the light on took round-the-clock dedication.
Legend has it that the ghost of a former keeper known as “Ernie” still roams the lighthouse, opening doors, ringing bells, turning on televisions and sometimes welcoming guests with mysterious footsteps or laughter. Ghost story believer or not, New London Ledge lighthouse remains one of the most infamous landmarks on the shoreline.
Why Are Lobster Buoys All Different Colors?
Commercial lobstermen create their own color patterns and register them with the state so they can be easily identified from boat to boat. It’s like having a floating license plate that can be seen for miles.
After spending enough time on our waters, you’ll begin to recognize the same color combinations popping up over and over. They usually belong to families who have been lobstering and fishing these waters for generations, telling a story that many pass by without realizing it.
The next time you’re out enjoying some oysters, looking at boats crossing Fishers Island Sound or spotting New London Ledge Lighthouse out at sea, take a minute to remember there’s always a story to be told.
