Shetucket River Valley Rescue

As I have mentioned a number of times before, Sprague was once a bustling textile center. The original mill owners constructed duplexes otherwise known as "mill houses or company houses" for all employees of the Baltic Mills. There were other buildings, all part of the Baltic Mills Enterprise. The nursery building and the company store, where employees would do their weekly shopping and be able to "charge it". Of course monies were taken out of every paycheck but it was all part of the process of taking care of their employees. As the textile industry waned, the mill owners decided to sell the "company houses". These homes were sold to their current residents if they wished to purchase them. Others were just bought up and used a rental homes. I do believe the most expensive homes were not much more than $3800.00. This however did leave the village of Baltic intact. Today the mill houses still exist. Many have been remodeled and are beautiful, a few, however, in desperate need of TLC! The former company store is now used for other purposes, the nursery building is home to "The Nephew" and most other businesses are few and far between. It is no longer fashionable to have a shop on Main or West Main St.

There are glimmers of hope that the village will someday return to its' former glory. The beautifully pristine section of the Shetucket River flowing from the Scotland Dam through the Village of Baltic has been designated as an Atlantic Salmon restoration area and is now protected. Fisherman from all over come to the area to fish with barb less hooks and fly rods, all part of a catch and release program. Fish ladders have been installed all along the Shetucket River up to the Scotland Dam. Hopes are running high that someday the river will be clean enough to sustain the salmon and trout as well as numerous other wildlife. Many of the fisherman would frequent Fred's News ever year during this small but encouraging Salmon run. Other conservation groups have also joined in to restore the river to its' natural beauty. Sprague purchased an area upstream once known as the Mukluk Skeet Club. This shooting club was once owned by "the Brothers" and their friends, all of whom were Fred's News regulars from its' humble beginnings in the 1940's. Their heirs are the ones who decided to sell the club to the Town, therefore prohibiting any commercial or residential sprawl along this picturesque stretch of riverbed. During the summer months, kayakers, canoeist and hikers can be seen walking along the river, all hoping for a glimpse of the bald-eagle families that now call the Shetucket River home. Yes, there is a glimmer of hope for Sprague's resurgence into once again becoming a destination. With this renewed hope, maybe someone will once again open a small-town restaurant where the memories of Fred's News will again bring smiles of happiness for all to enjoy.