Historical Society Travels The Pequonnock River Valley

On Monday, September 10, the Newtown Historical Society will open its fall programming with a trip down the Nineteenth Century railroad grade where the Housatonic Railroad runs along the Pequonnock River. Beginning at 7:30 pm, in the meeting room of the Booth Library, Main Street, the slide presentation will visit many historical sites, such as the once very popular Parlor Rock, cow tunnels, Beers’ Gristmill, Lake High-High, the Tungsten Mining Company, and the Radcliff Shirt Factory.

The railroad corridor is now abandoned, and the attractions faded into memory and perhaps beyond memory. What was life along the railroad like four or five generations ago, and why did the booming route pass into history?

As in so many New England towns, the story begins with the power generated by the fast flowing river. The first mill along the Pequonnock began turning its wheel in 1702, and industry quickly developed with paper mills, sawmills, and metal working. Where there was industry, transportation had to follow, and when the railroads reached Connecticut, the Pequonnock valley was a natural location.

As water-powered industry dissolved into steam powered factories and industry tended toward urban locations, small rural railroads had to develop alternatives to freight hauling, and the development of resort locations was one answer.

In addition to the scenic beauty of the river with its gorges and white water, the Housatonic Railroad tried to enhance the route’s appeal by creating artificial attractions. Parlor Rock was such an attraction, created on a large expanse of flat rock lying at the foot of the waterfall. Croquet grounds, swings, a merry-go-round, a large dance pavilion, picnic facilities, as well as boating were all offered to the individual excursionist and groups, being especially popular with Sunday School classes. Not to be turned off by the seasons, a substantial toboggan slide was in operation by the 1880s. A hiking and biking trail will still lead you to Parlor Rock, but sadly all traces of the amusement park are gone.

The program will be presented by Sue Del Bianco, an author of historical books and member of the Trumbull Historical Society Board of Directors. Ms Del Bianco also teaches freelance writing in Trumbull’s Adult Education program. In addition to her interest in history and writing she is an active mountain biker and hiker, and documents her activities through photography.

While the full fall schedule is not yet set, the Newtown Historical Society looks forward to open houses at its Main Street Curtiss House headquarters with a blacksmith demonstration on Sunday, September 16, and open hearth cooking on Sunday, October 21, as well as the November 13 program on “Dolls as a Reflection of Society” by Melissa Nash Coury. All programs and open houses presented by the Society are free and open to the public. Call 426-5937 for further information.