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State Park Overview |
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History of the Area |
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"Hammonasset" means, "where we dig holes in the ground" and refers to the place where a settlement of eastern woodland Indians farmed along the Hammonasset River. They subsisted on corn, beans, and squash, and by fishing and hunting. The first colonists arrived in 1639. Property changed hands frequently between Native Americans and the first colonists.
In 1898 the Winchester Repeating Arms Company bought Hammonasset and used it as a testing site for their new rifle. Their Lee Straight Pull rifle was mounted on a horse drawn stone boat, from which it was fired into targets on the beach.On July 18, 1920, Hammonasset Beach State Park was opened to the public. The first season attracted over 75,000 visitors. The parks reputation drew tourists from across the continent as well as the state.
During World War II the park was closed to the public and loaned to the federal government as an army reservation. Meigs Point functioned as an aircraft range. Planes flew over Clinton Harbor, fired at the range and then flew out over Long Island Sound.
The stone breakwater at the Meigs Point end of the park was built in 1955. The stones were brought in by truck from quarries in northern New England.
Today, over one million people come annually enjoy to Hammonasset Beach State Park. |
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Area Accommodations |
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Ivoryton, CT
BEST COUNTRY INNConnecticut Magazine, September, 2003
A Beautiful Restored Turn-of-the-Century Inn with 13-Rooms and A
Top-Rated AAA Four-Diamond Restaurant. One mile From Main Street Essex
Price Range $184$375
Web Site
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Westbrook , CT
Located along the CT Shoreline midway between New York City and Boston, and only one hour from Hartford, with tons of local attractions both on the Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River.
Web Site
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More Info | |
Free Web space and hostingfreehomepage.com HAMMONASSET STATE PARK Home Page About Page Photo Page Contact Page Favorite Links ... Favorite Links Welcome to Hammonasset State Park Beach My name ... | |
Kite Event Dates & LocationsConnectiKITERS Kite ClubWe fly kites in Connecticut ~Just for the ... Rokkaku Fly100 PM Hammonasset State Park, Madison, CTDirections July 12 ... | |
Bird Checklists of the United States Birds of Hammonasset State Park Madison, Connecticut SSpringMarch, April, May s ... Nature Center at Hammonasset State Park. (Version 02MAR00) For ... | |
... Connecticut State Bird Checklist (Maintained by Jim Bair) East Rock Park -- New Haven, CT Hammonasset State Park -- Madison, CT Return to Bird Checklists of the United States Northern Prairie ... | |
Representing Connecticut lodging, attractions, recreation and shopping in twenty charming towns in ... swimming or just beach bumming at Hammonasset State Park. Like music? Theres The Great Connecticut ... | |
... of our unverse! Saturday October 4, 2003 830pm Hammonasset State Park, Madison FOH Moonwalk!! Friends of Hammonasset and ASNH ... 4, 2003 830pm Hammonasset State Park, Madison FOH Moonwalk ... | |
... as Part of Biodiversity Project at Willards Island, Hammonasset State Park Denise and Hank Trufan, David Houston, and Dick Regan ... at Willards Island at Hammonasset State Park. This is one of ... | |
... are actively involved in MASs major project to enhance the wildlife habitat at Hammonasset State Park. MAS supports local Land Trusts as well as such endeavors as the Faulkner Island Tern ... | |
... 2003 Activities and Events Health Department Web Release Madison Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Hammonasset State Park Saturday, October 4th, 2003 20032004 Shoreline Schedule for Flu and Pneumonia ... | |
Links to hiking and camping maps for Connecticuts State Parks and Forests ... Meadows State Park Haley Farm State Park (452 K) Hammonasset State Park and Campground (427 K) (450 K) Harkness Memorial ... |
Area Attractions |
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Meigs Point Nature CenterThe Meigs Point Nature Center offers programs and activities for park visitors during the summer season. The Center is normally open from late June to Labor Day Weekend, Tuesday ? Saturday, from 1000 a.m. to 500 p.m. For information on programs, please contact staff at (203) 245-8743. To visit the Nature Center, bear to the left at the access road rotary, go halfway around the rotary and follow the signs toward Meigs Point. The Center is on the left across from the Meigs Point bathhouse. Parking is available near the building.
Please note that the Nature Center telephone number is seasonal. After Labor Day Weekend, calls should be directed to the main park number, (203) 245-2785. |
Area Campgrounds | | River Dale Farm Camp Site
111 River Rd
Clinton, CT
(860) 669-5388
| Camp Niantic by the Atlantic
271 W Main St
Niantic, CT
(860) 739-9308
| Aces High RV Park
301 Chesterfield Rd
East Lyme, CT
(860) 739-8858
| Wolf's Den Cooperative Campground
256 Town St
East Haddam, CT
(860) 873-9681
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From the north/Hartford area take I-91 south to Route 9 south. Off Route 9, take Exit 9. Turn right (south) onto Route 81 continue down Route 81 until you run into I-95. Turn right onto I-95 entrance ramp and go approximately 1 mile to Exit 62, then turn left off the exit. Head south 1 mile down Hammonasset connector, go straight through the light crossing Route 1 (Boston Post Road) into the park.
From the south area take I-95 north, Exit 62. Take a right off the exit ramp onto Hammonasset I-95 connector. Park entrance will be 1 mile ahead.
From the east/Rhode Island area take I-395 south onto I-95 south, Exit 62. Take a left off the exit and go approximately 1 mile. Go straight through the traffic light crossing Route 1 (Boston Post Road).
From the west/New York area take I-95 north, Exit 62. Take a right off the exit and go approximately 1 mile. Go straight through the traffic light crossing Route 1 (Boston Post Road) into the park. |
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