Sample Chapter
Short History of Rivers, Streams and Lakes
Connecticut derives from the Mohegan Indian tribe’s word, quinetucket, which means “beside the long, tidal river." The 406 miles river flows through four states and is New England's longest river. Its source is in the Fourth Connecticut Lake near the Canadian border in New Hampshire. During its course generally southwest, it feeds the Third, Second and First Connecticut Lakes. After its next destination, Lake Charles, it continues southwest until it reaches Stewartstown, New Hampshire, where it turns south to form the border between Vermont and New Hampshire. The White River joins it at White River, Vermont a few miles south of the Dartmouth College campus. Another major tributary, the West River, joins it at Brattleboro, Vermont. The Connecticut enters Massachusetts about ten miles south of this junction. It leaves Massachusetts a few miles south of Springfield Massachusetts and enters Connecticut. After passing through Hartford, the river enters the Atlantic Ocean south of Old Lyme, Connecticut. 27 towns in Vermont and 26 in New Hampshire border the river.
History
The broad fertile valley of the river drew several native tribes to its soils before European settlement. These tribes included the Pequots, Mohegan, Mattabesset and the Pocomtuc.
The Dutch
Dutch explorer Adriane Block is the first recorded European explorer to penetrate the Connecticut in 1614. Calling it the "Fresh River, he claimed it for the Dutch as part of the New Netherlands colony. The Dutch constructed Fort Huys de Hoop in 1623 at the current site of Hartford, Connecticut.
The Puritans
Puritan groups from the Plymouth colony began settling along the river beginning in 1635. The main settlements were Hartford, Springfield, Matianuck (now Windsor, Connecticut) and Wethersfield. Another Puritan group out of Cambridge, Massachusetts established Agawam Plantation, now Springfield, Massachusetts. The growing strength of the English colonies forced the Dutch out in 1664.
Industry
Colonists continued to flow into the area and many industries developed. Farms, gristmills and other industries developed. Sometime around 1865 logging drives of trees cut near the Third Connecticut Lake flowed downriver to saw mills in Wilder and Bellows Falls, Vermont. Thirteen dams along the river provide water and recreation for many of the residents that leave nearby.
Short History of Rivers, Streams and Lakes
Connecticut River
History
The broad fertile valley of the river drew several native tribes to its soils before European settlement. These tribes included the Pequots, Mohegan, Mattabesset and the Pocomtuc.
The Dutch
Dutch explorer Adriane Block is the first recorded European explorer to penetrate the Connecticut in 1614. Calling it the "Fresh River, he claimed it for the Dutch as part of the New Netherlands colony. The Dutch constructed Fort Huys de Hoop in 1623 at the current site of Hartford, Connecticut.
The Puritans
Puritan groups from the Plymouth colony began settling along the river beginning in 1635. The main settlements were Hartford, Springfield, Matianuck (now Windsor, Connecticut) and Wethersfield. Another Puritan group out of Cambridge, Massachusetts established Agawam Plantation, now Springfield, Massachusetts. The growing strength of the English colonies forced the Dutch out in 1664.
Industry
Colonists continued to flow into the area and many industries developed. Farms, gristmills and other industries developed. Sometime around 1865 logging drives of trees cut near the Third Connecticut Lake flowed downriver to saw mills in Wilder and Bellows Falls, Vermont. Thirteen dams along the river provide water and recreation for many of the residents that leave nearby.
