Frog Rock (Connecticut) facts for kids
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| Coordinates | 41°52′09″N 72°03′08″W / 41.869277°N 72.052195°W |
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| Location | 212 Pomfret Road Eastford, Connecticut |
| Type | Boulder |
| Material | Glacial erratic |
| Completion date | 1881 |
| Restored date | 1997, 2012 |
Frog Rock is a famous spot, or landmark, found next to a road in Eastford, Connecticut. It's on land that someone privately owns, right off U.S. Route 44. This special rock is a huge glacial erratic, which means it's a giant boulder that was moved by a glacier long ago. Today, it's painted green with white lips and eyes to look like a big, sad-looking frog.
Contents
The Story of Frog Rock
How it Started
The idea to turn this rock into a frog came about in 1881. A man named Thomas J. Thurber, who was a state legislator (meaning he helped make laws for Connecticut) from Putnam, often passed by the rock on his trips to Hartford. He noticed that the rock naturally looked like a frog sitting down. So, he decided to paint it!
A Popular Stop
After it was painted, Frog Rock quickly became a popular place for travelers to stop and have a picnic. People driving between Providence, Rhode Island, and Hartford, Connecticut, would often pull over here. It was a favorite roadside spot for many years.
Keeping the Tradition Alive
In 1997, some of Thomas Thurber's family members decided to repaint the rock. They promised to keep Frog Rock looking good forever. They also added a special memorial to Thurber on a nearby rock, honoring his original idea.
Frog Rock Today
New Ownership
Over time, road changes made Frog Rock harder to see from the main road. The area also became a target for vandalism. Because of this, the State of Connecticut offered the land to nearby towns, but no one wanted it. So, the state decided to sell the property.
In 2012, a person named Joe Lernould bought the 2.5-acre piece of land for $27,000. This area includes the wooded rest stop where Frog Rock sits.
A Fun Place to Visit
After buying the land, Joe Lernould opened a small seasonal shop. It sells antiques and gifts, and there's even a food truck! In 2013 alone, about 4,000 people visited Frog Rock. It's still a great place for picnics, with five old concrete picnic tables. Sometimes, you can even enjoy live music there. Frog Rock is open from Thursday to Sunday, between May and September.
