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Ted Hilton drove a taxi for a living in the 1930s. After taking
groups of people from Hartford to resorts in Moodus, he decided that he wanted
to run his own country resort. So he bought Elm Camp and over the years developed
one of the town's top resorts, on
the banks of the Salmon River.
After several ownership changes, the resort
changed its name to Sunrise Resort. The 2008 season will be
the last year of operation for the venerable resort. After 92 years as a
quintessential Moodus resort, the Johnson family announced a pending sale to the
state, with plans to tear down many of the buildings and and
reconfigure the scenic 146-acre property as a state park and
campgrounds. Read the Hartford Courant
story on the resort's closing. |
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A highlight of any visit
-- the all-you-can-eat Smorgasbord in the 1950s. |
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This
classic brochure for Ted Hilton's was produced during the 1950s, a peak
period of popularity for Moodus Resorts. Hilton's was one of the two
biggest resorts in town and this brochure is a great tour of a
quintessential Moodus vacation experience.
Click to see the brochure |
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The
springboard at Paradise Beach, 1945 |
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Campers at
play, 1950s. |
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A cabin
interior, 1951. |
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The popular
Olympic pool. |
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A gorgeous shot of
canoeing on Salmon River, 1961 |
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The
canoe flotilla in 1949. |
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A
1963 postcard featuring the
pool and guests. |
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Yet another postcard
featuring the pool, 1970. |
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Working the hayfield in
1950. |
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A 1962 dance with a Western
theme. |
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Model on a water cycle,
1956. |
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1960
surfer girl |
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Ted
Hilton was ubiquitous at his resort. He's shown here at a weekly
barbeque on the Salmon River bank |
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Burros were part of the
entertainment in the 1950s. Elsie and Ted Hilton are behind the burro on
the right |
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If you would like to
share memories of your time spent at a Moodus resort,
or if you have
photographs of the old resorts, please click
here to e-mail us. |
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OLD MOODUS CENTER
BACK IN THE DAY |
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From the Early 1900s
to Its Teardown
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HISTORIC
VIEWS OF
MOODUS RESORTS |
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Ads &
Flyers
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Banner Lodge
Camp Wopowog
Cave Hill
Ted Hilton's
Other Resorts
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EARLY VIEWS
OF
EAST HADDAM |
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Goodspeed, Gelston, Vistas, Travel & More
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1913 BRIDGE
OPENING SOUVENIR |
Celebrating a
River Crossing
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