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Hopeville Pond State Park
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State Park Overview |
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History of the Area |
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The Pachaug River was a major fishing ground for the Mohegan Indians. At low water the stone weirs, constructed by the Indians at angles from the river banks, are still visible. These weirs directed water flow as well as eels, shad, and other fish toward the center of the stream where the Indians placed baskets to trap them. Until blocked up by a dam, constructed in 1828 at Greenville, shad passed up the Quinebaug River in great numbers.
In pioneer times, the gristmill and sawmill were among the first requisites of a community. In 1711, surveyor Stephen Gates was granted fourteen acres of land within the limits of the present state park for the purpose of constructing mills. He erected a sawmill and cornmill at the natural falls (now underwater) on the Pachaug River for the convenience of the inhabitants. In 1818, Elizah Abel purchased this mill privilege and erected a woolen mill at the site. John Slater later purchased the woolen mill, sawmill, and gristmill he then built a satinet mill faced with local granite. He named his new mill the Hope Mill. The name Hopeville was derived from this and has remained to the present time. In 1860, the village of Hopeville reached its zenith with the tremendous demands for woolens. At this time, it was owned by Edwin Lanthrop and Company and prospered until 1881 when the mill was destroyed by fire, never to be rebuilt. At the turn of the century, the church and four houses in the community burned. Furthermore, in 1908, the gristmill which had operated from 1711 until that time also went up in flames.
The sites suitability for recreational activities was recognized in the 1930s when the Federal Government purchased considerable acreage in Eastern Connecticut. These lands were managed by the Civilian Conservation Corps with evidence of much of the work done by the CCC still visible in the pine plantations, forest roads, and fire control ponds. Most of these federally purchased lands now comprise portions of the nearby Pachaug State Forest. |
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Area Accommodations |
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Brooklyn, CT
A Bed & Breakfast in the Quiet Corner of Northeast Connecticut on Route 169, a National Scenic Byway.
Web Site
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1840s Victorian mansion with orig. woodwork and 11 ceilings, & set on 5 Acres . 14 large, newly remodeled rooms. Close to world famous beaches, Newport, Block Island Ferry, Univ. of RI, and Casino |
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More Info | |
Hopeville Pond State Park in Griswold, Connecticut offers a fine mix of quality recreation and local history. ... local history. CONTACT INFORMATION Hopeville Pond State Park 193 Roode Road ... | |
Phoenix Guide to Summer in New England ... Park Devils Hopyard State Park Hammonasset Beach State Park Hopeville Pond State Park Housatonic Meadows State Park Macedonia Brook State Park Mashamoquet ... | |
... CT) Harkness Memorial State Park 275 Great Neck Rd Waterford, CT 06385 (860) 443-5725 Hopeville Pond State Park 193 Roode Rd, Jewett City, CT 06351 (860) 376-2920 Rocky Neck State Park (Rte 156 ... | |
Online version of monthly shopping news and advertising publication ... Hartford.com Hartford Civic Center Hartford Wolf Pack Hopeville Pond State Park, Griswold (LL Bean site) Hopeville Pond State ... |
Area Campgrounds | | Seaport Campground
45 Camp Ground Rd
Mystic, CT
(860) 536-4044
| Highland Orchards Resort Park & Trailer Sales
118 Pendleton Hill Rd
North Stonington, CT
(860) 599-5101
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Off I-395 take Exit 86.From the North take a right off the exit.
From the South take a left off the exit.
Follow Hopeville Road or the park signs until the (Y) intersection. Proceed to the right. The park entrance is a ? mile to the right, off Route 201. |
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Hopeville Pond State Park
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