Devil's Hopyard State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Devil's Hopyard State Park |
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 Devil's Hopyard State Park
Location in Connecticut
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| Location | East Haddam, Connecticut, United States |
| Area | 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 194 ft (59 m) |
| Designation | Connecticut state park |
| Established | 1919 |
| Administrator | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |
| Website | Devil's Hopyard State Park |
Devil's Hopyard State Park is a fun place to visit in East Haddam, Connecticut. It's a big park, about 1000 acres, located by the beautiful Chapman Falls on the Eightmile River. You can do lots of cool things here like hiking, fishing, biking, having picnics, and even camping! The park is looked after by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
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What's the History of Devil's Hopyard?
This park has an interesting past! Back in 1775, during the time of the American Revolution, a group called the Sons of Liberty attacked a mill here. This mill was owned by people who supported the British.
Years later, in 2002, a piece of the broken millstone was found near the falls. A special sign was put up in the park to tell visitors all about this historical event.
The park's amazing Chapman Falls used to power "Beebe's Mills." These mills were named after their first owner. They operated until the 1890s. The state bought this land in 1919 to create a state park. A local resident named A.G. Willard really pushed for this. She was worried about too many trees being cut down in the area.
Why is it Called Devil's Hopyard?
The name "Devil's Hopyard" is quite mysterious! Before the 1800s, there was a place called a "malt house" on a farm nearby. The farmer, George Griffin, grew hops in a small field, or "hopyard," right by the road.
There are many ideas about how the "Devil's" part of the name came to be. Some say it came from a landowner whose name sounded like "Dibble." Others believe it's because of the strange, naturally formed potholes near the falls. These potholes look like they could have been made by something supernatural! You can find a sign in the park that tells more about these interesting legends.
What Can You See and Do at the Park?
The main attraction at Devil's Hopyard State Park is Chapman Falls. These falls drop over 60 feet down a series of rocky steps. The rocks here are made of a type of stone called Scotland schist.
If you like views, check out Vista Point cliff. It's at the end of the Orange Trail. From there, you can look down 150 to 175 feet to the Eightmile River below. The park also has smaller waterfalls, sometimes called "mini falls." You can also see three historic bridges. These bridges are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Images for kids
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A sign about the mill attack.
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A sign explaining the park's name.
