By KEN SIMON

For most of the 20th century, Moodus was a go-to summer playground for vacationers from Boston to New York. Hundreds of thousands flocked to this small village, drawn by the promise of Moodus summer magic. With three dozen resorts offering a season's worth of fun and relaxation—canoeing on the Salmon River, lounging by pools, enjoying sports and entertainment, meeting the opposite sex, feasting on hearty meals, or simply soaking in the area’s natural beauty and other attractions—Moodus had something for just about everyone.

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These resorts didn’t just bring tourists to town; they powered the local economy and made Moodus buzz with life. Summer jobs were abundant, and locals still fondly recall working alongside fellow residents and out-of-towners, forging lasting friendships that stretched far beyond state lines.

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The resort era gave both residents and visitors a sense of community and culture, while creating memories that lingered long after the summer sun set, leaving a lasting imprint on East Haddam’s landscape and its sense of place.

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And then, there were the flyers. Resorts pulled out all the stops to promote their places in glossy print. Each season, they mailed tens of thousands of them to past guests and others, all promising the best summer ever.

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From simple tri-folds to multi-page booklets, these colorful promos captured the essence of the town's thriving resorts. Today, they offer a glimpse into that era.

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We’ve scanned 30 of these flyers for you to explore. Dive in and relive the golden age of "Vacationland," when every summer felt like an endless celebration in the Moodus hills.