Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Historic Places
Academy Hall
Center Cemetery
Center Cemetery
Center Cemetery
Center Cemetery
Center Cemetery
Dividend Pond
Center Cemetery
Dividend Pond
The waterpower produced from Dividend Pond allowed it to be the first industrial area of Rocky Hill.
%20-%20C%20B%20Gilbert%20Farm%2C%201940s.jpg/:/cr=t:0%25,l:14.14%25,w:71.72%25,h:100%25/rs=w:365,h:365,cg:true)
Farms
Center Cemetery
Dividend Pond
Rocky Hill was predominantly a farming community until the development of the Silas Deane Highway in the 1930s and Route
I-91 in the 1960s.
Ferry
Monuments and Markers
Historic Districts
Historic Districts
Monuments and Markers
Historic Districts
Monuments and Markers
Monuments and Markers
Monuments and Markers
%20-%20Tracks%20in%20Quarry%2C%201915.jpg/:/cr=t:16.43%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:67.15%25/rs=w:365,h:365,cg:true)
Quarry Park
Monuments and Markers
Monuments and Markers
Quarry Park is an 84-acre park with views of the CT River Valley. It is the location of the hill in which Rocky Hill was named.
Walking Tours
Archaeology Sites
Archaeology Sites
Archaeology Sites
Archaeology Sites
Archaeology Sites
Academy Hall
“The Academy Hall, a pleasing federal style building erected in 1803 by Abraham Jaggers, is one of the few early nineteenth century educational structures with little altered exterior remaining in Connecticut. The building occupies an important place in the history of education in Rocky Hill since almost continuously between 1803 and 1941 it housed local educational Institutions. It is also an important landmark in the social history of the community since its upstairs served for many years as a community meeting hall. Currently, Academy Hall continues its educational function as the home of the museum of the Rocky Hill Historical Society.”
National Register of Historic Places
Center Cemetery
Historic Center Cemetery is owned and maintained by the Town of Rocky Hill. Gravesites are available to persons having residence within the Town of Rocky Hill for a period of six months or more, or to persons who formerly had residence within the Town of Rocky Hill of at least six months duration.
Links
- The Center Cemetery Database includes the names and grave locations of those buried there.
- The timeline of the history of Center Cemetery
- Find a Grave entries for Center Cemetery
- Talking points of Center Cemetery Tours given by Town Historian Emeritus, Bob Herron.
- Center Cemetery Information on the Town of Rocky Hill's website
- Get a map and directions to the cemetery
Dividend Pond
A dam was constructed on Dividend Brook, and the resulting pond was used as the energy source for an industrial area in Rocky Hill. The photo above is the Grist Mill that was located on the upper pond between 1900 and 1915. Read more about the history of Dividend Park here,
Dividend Park History
1667-1900s: Waterpower at Dividend
2004: Residents Vote to Save Dividend as Open Space
1973: Town Takes Ownership of Dividend Open Space
From 1667 to the early 1900s Rocky Hill’s water-powered industrial park
flourished, producing shears, chisels, hoes, toys, chandeliers, horseshoes, lumber and more. Within this park you will find 10 archaeological sites, 4 dams and two mill ponds.
1973: Town Takes Ownership of Dividend Open Space
2004: Residents Vote to Save Dividend as Open Space
1973: Town Takes Ownership of Dividend Open Space
The town of Rocky Hill obtained the Dividend land from Bigelow-Sanford Inc. for $1 and consideration of Rocky Hill paying the taxes that Bigelow Sanford owed to the town.
2004: Residents Vote to Save Dividend as Open Space
2004: Residents Vote to Save Dividend as Open Space
2006: Dividend Open Space Becomes a State Archaeological Preserve
In response to an attempt by the town to sell Dividend Open Space, Rocky Hill residents lobbied, voted and overwhelmingly passed a town referendum, which set aside these 68 acres as open space in perpetuity.
2006: Dividend Open Space Becomes a State Archaeological Preserve
2006: Dividend Open Space Becomes a State Archaeological Preserve
2006: Dividend Open Space Becomes a State Archaeological Preserve
After four years of research by June Cooke of the Rocky Hill Historical Society, and review by the State Historic Preservation Office, Dividend was designated as a State Archaeological Preserve and named Dividend Brook Industrial Archaeological District. It is listed on the State Historic Register.
2011-2012: Volunteers clean Dividend Open Space
2006: Dividend Open Space Becomes a State Archaeological Preserve
2011-2012: Volunteers clean Dividend Open Space
Beginning in 2011, Rocky Hill volunteers, Boy Scouts , Girl Scouts led by RHHS members spent hundreds of hours clearing trash, brush and debris to prepare for a park.
June 2, 2012: Grand Opening
2006: Dividend Open Space Becomes a State Archaeological Preserve
2011-2012: Volunteers clean Dividend Open Space
Dividend Pond Trails officially became a town park at its Grand Opening on Connecticut Trails Day, June 2, 2012. June Cooke’s great grandchildren cut the ribbon.
June Cooke: The Force Behind Dividend Park
June Cooke 1932-2015
- See "June Cooke Remembered" (see Page 3)
Three archaeological digs were conducted at the former Butler-Sugden Shear Factory by Rocky Hill resident and RHHS member June Cooke and the Friends of the Office of the State Archaeology. June researched from 2002-2006, then wrote Dividend - Rocky Hill's First Industrial Complex.
June moved to Arizona and was not present for the Grand Opening of Dividend. She never saw the finished park.
