📍Gay City State Park - Hebron, Connecticut
Have you visited this spooky state park? Now a popular spot for recreation with hiking trails, a lakeside beach and picnic tables, Gay City State Park was once the site of a town marred by multiple devastating fires, mysterious disappearances and supernatural occurrences.
Just before the turn of the 18th century, a small group of Methodists fled Hartford and built a settlement along the Blackledge River. The religious sect was led by the preacher Elijah Andrus. He left just four years later and John and Ichabod Gay took his place. More members of the Gay family moved to the small town.
Through the years, Gay City would suffer a number of mishaps and strange occurrences. During the construction of the woolen mill, a worker witnessed water running uphill. Believing that a demonic entity was to blame, he immediately dropped his tools and walked off the job.
Fights frequently broke out at the mandatory biweekly church services, causing some families to leave town. Then there were the murders… Skeletal remains were found in a fire pit on the edge of Gay City, thought to be the body of a jewelry salesman who had vanished. A blacksmith’s apprentice is also rumored to have died at the hands of his boss.
Several destructive fires were the final nail in the coffin of Gay City and what residents were left moved away.
Visitors today can explore the ruins of the old mill from the white blazed trail and visit the final resting place for a handful of the town’s early residents at the small cemetery near the park’s entrance.
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📍Quarry Park - Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Check out this easy hike to explore the site of an abandoned stone quarry turned public arts space. From 1901-1957 the Rocky Hill Stone Company operated a successful quarry here, selling more than a million tons of traprock.
The rocky hill, for which the town is named, offers a beautiful panoramic view of Great Meadows and the Connecticut River Valley.
From the trailhead off Matteson Ave, take the blue trail. The two-mile loop is an easy, mostly flat path. The trails at Quarry Park are kid and dog-friendly!
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#GetOutsideCT
#newengland_igers
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📍Mount Tom State Park - Washington Depot, Connecticut
Established in 1915, Mount Tom is one of the oldest state parks in Connecticut. This popular recreation site has a lot to offer visitors, including a small beach and swimming area, as well as places to fish, picnic and boat. The focal point of the park, however, is undoubtedly the 34-foot tall stone lookout tower.
Take one of two trailheads for the yellow loop up a moderately steep hill. The ruins of an old chimney can be found at the beginning or the end of the hike, depending on where you start. After about a half mile, the trail opens up to Mount Tom Tower. Climb to the top for amazing 360 degree views.
⚠️BIG WARNING FOR DOG OWNERS⚠️ Multiple dogs have fallen from the top of the tower. Keep your dog on a leash to prevent a potentially fatal accident.
The Northeast Kingdom of Vermont is pure bliss.
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One of my favorite places I explored this year was White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield, Connecticut. Quinn and I took the Boardwalk Trail around Little Pond.
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