Moodus, Connecticut facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Moodus, Connecticut
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Amasa Day House
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 Moodus, Connecticut
Location in Connecticut
Moodus, Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States of America |
| State | Connecticut |
| County | Middlesex |
| Town | East Haddam |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.39 sq mi (8.8 km2) |
| • Land | 3.37 sq mi (8.7 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2) 0.59% |
| Elevation | 230 ft (70 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,982 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
06469
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| Area code(s) | 860 |
| FIPS code | 09-49110 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2377832 |
Moodus is a small village located in the town of East Haddam, Connecticut, in the United States. It's also known as a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's a special area defined by the government for counting people. In 2020, about 1,982 people lived there.
Contents
History of Moodus
Before English settlers bought the land in 1662, the Moodus area was home to Native American tribes. These tribes were part of the Algonquian group. We know the names of three tribes that lived there: the Wangunks, the Mohegans, and the Nehantics.
The name "Moodus" comes from the Native American words "Matchetmadosett" or "Matchitmoodus." These words mean the place of noises. This name likely came from the many small earthquakes that happened in the area. Between 1638 and 1899, many earthquakes were recorded. Loud rumbling sounds, possibly the famous "Moodus Noises," could be heard for miles around Mt. Tom, where the quakes often happened. In 1662, settlers bought the land that is now Haddam and East Haddam from the Native Americans for thirty coats, which would be worth about $100 today.
Moodus as the Twine Capital
During the 1800s, Moodus was known as the "Twine Capital of America." There were twelve mills operating in the village. The most successful one was Brownell & Company. Moodus was a great place for making textiles (like cloth and thread) because it had:
- Plenty of water power from rivers.
- Easy ways to ship goods using the Connecticut River and the Connecticut Valley Railroad.
- It was close to a huge trading city, New York City.
Moodus's mills mainly made cotton yarn, strong cotton fabric called cotton duck, and twine. This production lasted for a long time, from 1819 to 1977. The mills also made other related items, like fishing nets and pearl buttons. Part of this history is kept alive in the Johnsonville area of Moodus, named after one of the mill owners. Brownell & Company even worked with DuPont Corporation to create nylon products. Today, Brownell still makes special textile products in Moodus, such as archery bowstrings, helicopter cargo nets, and tennis nets.
Moodus as a Resort Town
In the early and mid-1900s, Moodus had many local resorts. During the summer in the 1940s and 1950s, the number of people visiting the more than 30 resorts in the Moodus area caused East Haddam's population to jump to about 20,000 people. Nearby Bailey Beach on Bashan Lake was a popular spot for both locals and visitors. The resorts, boarding houses, and camps in Moodus attracted Christian and Jewish vacationers. Most of these visitors came from New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and other parts of Connecticut.
One of the last resorts to stay open, Sunrise Resort, was bought by the state of Connecticut in 2008. It became part of the nearby Machimoodus State Park and is now used as a campground. This purchase also helped protect a long stretch of land along the Salmon River.
Changes to Downtown Moodus
The old village center, called "Downtown Moodus," used to be at the crossing of routes CT 151 and CT 149. It was a popular place for resort guests. However, most of the village was torn down after the people of East Haddam voted in 1967 to accept money for "urban renewal." This was a plan to rebuild and modernize the area. A new commercial district for Moodus was built a quarter mile east, along CT 149. East Haddam was one of the smallest towns in the United States to take part in such a big urban renewal program.
Geography of Moodus
Moodus is located in the eastern part of Middlesex County, in the northwest section of East Haddam. Two main roads, Route 149 and Route 151, go through the village. Route 149 runs northeast to southwest, and Route 151 runs northwest to south.
- Colchester is about 8 miles (13 km) to the northeast.
- East Hampton is about 7 miles (11 km) to the north-northwest.
- The village of East Haddam is about 4 miles (6 km) to the south, right on the Connecticut River.
The Moodus CDP covers a total area of about 3.4 square miles (8.8 square kilometers). A very small part of this, about 0.02 square miles (0.05 square kilometers), is water. The CDP includes the village of Bashan and some areas near Moodus Reservoir in the northeast.
The Moodus area is known for having earthquakes. A strong earthquake happened in 1568, and many more have been recorded since 1638. The biggest earthquake ever recorded in Connecticut happened near Moodus on May 16, 1791.
Moodus Noises
Moodus is famous in Connecticut for strange noises that seem to come from the woods. These sounds are called the "Moodus Noises." Scientists believe they are caused by small, shallow earthquakes happening underground. The noises can be heard most clearly from Cave Hill, which is next to Mt. Tom and is part of the Cave Hill Resort.
In the book Legendary Connecticut, author David Philips writes that the Moodus Noises were very important to the local Native Americans. They believed the noises were connected to a special religious cult. Local Algonquin chiefs would gather around Mt. Tom to feel the presence of their god, Hobomok. Tribes like the Pequot, Mohegan, and Narragansett also took part in this. According to a local named Alison Guinness, the Wongums tribe was involved too. Hobomok was seen as the spirit of the dead and was worshipped by the tribe living in the area. The Puritan settlers who came later thought Hobomok was evil. However, to the Native people, he was more like a god who could do both good and bad things, depending on his mood.
The mysterious Moodus Noises were even used as inspiration for the strange sounds in H. P. Lovecraft's horror story, “The Dunwich Horror”. The local high school's sports teams are even nicknamed the "Noises" because of this unique local phenomenon!
Attractions in Moodus
- Amasa Day House - A historic house museum on Town Street where you can learn about the past.
- Johnsonville Village - This was once a busy mill community, then a Victorian-era tourist spot. Now, it's an abandoned ghost town, which can be quite interesting to see.
- Machimoodus State Park "Sunrise State Park" - A beautiful state park where you can enjoy nature, hike, and camp.
- Cave Hill Resort - A place to stay and explore the area, especially known for its connection to the Moodus Noises.
- Bailey Beach - A popular beach located on Bashan Lake, great for swimming and relaxing.
- Bashan Lake - A large lake perfect for fishing, boating, and other water activities.
See also
In Spanish: Moodus para niños
