Original depot weathervane resurfaces

NORTH CANAAN — A weathervane that stood atop the Canaan Union Station signal tower nearly 60 years ago became the subject of debate following an informational meeting Dec. 12 on the rebuilding of the depot.The owner of the historic building (the Connecticut Railroad Historical Association, or CRHA) is working on the final phase of completing the restoration of the national landmark, which was partially destroyed by arson in October 2001.State and federal funds will cover most of the finishing work, drainage and landscaping. State officials and a project engineer presented plans at a Dec. 12 meeting at Town Hall. It was then that Canaan Fire District Warden Anthony Nania offered the original depot weathervane for display in a railroad museum planned there — provided that sprinkler and alarm systems are installed. He said the antique weathervane is worth $150,000 to $200,000.The offer has raised the question of just how the fire district came into possession of the weathervane, a detailed, iron replica of a steam engine.The story most people know is that it was removed from the depot by Fred Wohlfert and brought to the former Canaan Savings Bank. It was later moved from the old Railroad Street bank building to Main Street, when the bank relocated to the original firehouse. Now Salisbury Bank and Trust Co. owns the building, and the weathervane and a locomotive bell remain on display in the lobby. A plaque says the weathervane was made in the railroad car workshops in the Amesville section of Salisbury, along the shores of the Housatonic River. It topped the tower from 1873 (the year after the depot opened) until 1953. The weathervane that’s been up at the depot in recent years is a replica made by Hotter Zucco. It was installed at the depot and rescued by firemen as the 2001 blaze moved from the eastern wing into the tower. It was replaced when the fire cleanup was complete.Nania said the plaque at the bank under the genuine vane makes note of the duty the fire district was charged with when it took possession: to protect the weathervane and display it prominently in town.First Selectman Douglas Humes said the ownership issue was explored prior to the meeting, but no record was found in Town Hall to support Nania’s claim.However, Nania produced a bill of sale filed in the town’s land records that clearly shows the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Co. sold the weathervane to the Canaan Fire District for $1 on Aug. 10, 1953. The document was signed by Allyn Fuller as a member of the fire district executive committee. He was also president of Canaan Savings Bank and worked for the railroad, Nania said. The deed gave the fire district until Oct. 1, 1953, to remove the weathervane from the depot, and to “maintain the same on public display within the limits of the Village of [North] Canaan, in said Town, County and State.”A further check at Town Hall of property records did not show any further transactions regarding the weathervane.Why the Canaan Fire District? Nania said he believes it had to do with the stability of its leadership, noting there have been only four wardens in 110 years.The steam locomotive bell also on display at the bank is described as a coming from the Virginian Railway as a gift to the CRHA from James A. Lyles of North Canaan.