Israel Putnam Wolf Den facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Israel Putnam Wolf Den
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July 2014
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Pomfret, Connecticut |
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| NRHP reference No. | 85000949 |
| Added to NRHP | May 2, 1985 |
The Israel Putnam Wolf Den is a cool historic spot in Pomfret, Connecticut. It's famous because of a brave act that happened here in 1742. A man named Israel Putnam tracked and killed Connecticut's very last known wolf at this exact location.
This special place was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. This means it's recognized as an important part of history.
The Famous Wolf Den Story
Imagine this exciting story, first written down in 1788 by David Humphreys. A fierce wolf had attacked Israel Putnam's farm, killing seventy sheep! Putnam and his friends tracked the wolf to a dark cave.
Putnam, being very brave, decided to go into the cave himself. He carried a torch to see in the darkness. Inside, he found the wolf and shot it. Then, his friends pulled him out of the cave using a rope tied to his ankles, with the wolf's body right behind him!
This story might have gotten a little more exciting over the years. But most people who study Israel Putnam's life believe the main parts are true. There really was a cave and a wolf. This daring act was just the start for Putnam. He later became a hero in the French and Indian War and a very important leader in the American Revolutionary War. He's still known as a folk hero today!
Exploring the Wolf Den Cave
The cave itself is a natural crack in a gray rock formation. It goes back about 20 feet into the rock. Long ago, it might have opened into a small room. But now, leaves and dirt have filled in any signs of that. The cave looks pretty much the same as it did in the late 1700s when the wolf story became famous.
Today, you can visit the Wolf Den! It's part of the Mashamoquet Brook State Park. This park is huge, covering over 1,000 acres. You can find the cave by following a hiking trail off Wolf Den Drive. The park offers lots of fun activities like camping, hiking, fishing, swimming, and picnicking. It's a great place to explore nature and history!
