Allyn's Point facts for kids
Allyn's Point is a special place located on the Thames River in Ledyard, Connecticut, United States. For many years, it was a very important spot for trains and boats.
What is Allyn's Point?
Allyn's Point is a small area along the Thames River. It's in the town of Ledyard, Connecticut. This spot became famous because of its role in transportation history.
A Busy Railroad Hub
From 1843 to 1899, Allyn's Point was the main southern end of the Norwich and Worcester Railroad. This railroad helped people and goods travel. It also had a connection for steamboats. These steamboats would link up with the Long Island Rail Road.
Why Was It Important?
The northern part of the Thames River often froze in winter. This made it hard for steamboats to reach the port in Norwich. To solve this problem, the railroad built its line about 6 miles further south. They extended it to Allyn's Point in 1843. This area froze much less often. Because of this, Allyn's Point became a key transfer point. It stayed the railroad's southern terminal until 1899. That's when the train line was extended all the way to Groton.
What's There Now?
Today, the old rail terminal at Allyn's Point is still in use. It is now home to the Allyn Point Plant. This plant belongs to the Dow Chemical Company. They use the facility to make styrofoam, which is a type of plastic foam.
