Lillian Barnard Gilkes and Louise “Lulu” Davidson
NUGGET #80
Gilkes, Lillian Barnard, (1903-1977), was a nationally recognized scholar, author and critic whose notoriety here was chiefly civic and political. She wrote Cora Crane: A Biography of Mrs. Stephen Crane, as well as short stories and book reviews. Lived at 93 Olmstead Lane with stepsister, Louise Davidson, and was active in the community, including Democratic party. Moved to Tryon, N.C., 1962.
Louise “Lulu” Davidson, (1887-1976), an artist and writer, lived at 93 Olmstead Lane with her stepsister, Lillian Gilkes. After spending the 1930s writing and painting in Paris, she operated a book shop here during World War II and then an antiques shop.
Jack Sanders, Who Was Who in Ridgefield.
More Historical Nuggets
First Pride Day, 1998
FIRST ‘PRIDE’ DAY: “A Celebration of Community: Straight, Gay and Lesbian“ took place in 1998, on the Community Center lawn. Just a year later, a Rainbow Flag was flown for the first time in the nation over a state capitol, Hartford, on March 21, 1999.
Hezekiah Scott (1789-1879)
Hezekiah Scott was a weaver and operated a distillery on the brook near his home on Barlow Mountain Road — a stream now called Kiah’s Brook.
Paving
The first road paving, part of a state experiment, was done on the eastern end of Branchville Road around 1912. Catoonah Street was paved in 1922.
Notable Snow Storms
What was winter weather like in Ridgefield in decades and centuries past? A synopsis of memorable storms over almost 2 centuries.
