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New London is an old city, having been founded in 

 1646. Its age, its picturesque situation between Long 

 Island Sound and the Thames River, and its irregular 

 topography have combined to make it one of the most 

 interesting cities on the Atlantic coast. It has a dis- 

 tinctive appearance and charm. The site of the city 

 rises gradually from the Sound and the River to a series 

 of hills. From these hilltops one gets commanding views 

 of coast and inland scenery which for variety and beauty 

 few cities can equal. The harbor of New London is 

 the best on Long Island Sound, being three miles wide, 

 thirty feet deep, and thoroughly protected against storm 

 and ice. The Thames River is famous as the scene of 

 the annual boat-race between the crews representing 

 Harvard and Yale Universities. 



The great natural beauty of New London, its remark- 

 able commercial harbor, and its strategic situation mid- 

 way between New York and Boston justify it in plan- 

 ning and building confidently for the future. The existing 

 plan of the city is very irregular, and the street system 

 in the older parts not altogether convenient. Many of 

 the main thoroughfares, however, are wide and well 

 located. 



Like other small American cities, New London has 

 given little attention to the systematic acquisition and 

 development of open spaces, parks, and playgrounds. 

 Such public grounds as it now owns have come into its 

 possession through occasional gifts from its citizens and 



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