Dividend Pond in Rocky Hill steps hikers back in time

ROCKY HILL, CT (WFSB) -

Since childhood, my love of the outdoors has always been a part of me. And as an adult, I hope to share that passion with my own children.

So, I offered this challenge to my family, to join me in exploring the hidden treasures and more popular gems Connecticut and the surrounding region have to offer.

From hiking to biking to kayaking, I hope my window into the outside world inspires you to explore as well.

DIVIDEND POND TRAILS

Rocky Hill

Connecticut is steeped in history and there is no clearer vision of this than at Dividend Pond Trails and Archaeological District in Rocky Hill. Located off of Old Forge Road, it is an ideal spot to explore the wooded 68-acre parcel which includes two ponds, trails, and industrial relics harkening as far back as the 1600s.

I settled on hiking the White Trail with my four-year-old, who tagged along for the 2.5-mile adventure. It begins at the parking lot and heads left down the trail past Lower Dividend Pond. But before starting, it pays to study the map at the kiosk at the park's entrance. It details the 10 archaeological gems that dot the property. All showcase the area's rich manufacturing heritage from the late 1600's to the mid 1880's.

And, as we soon discovered, the moment we strolled past the lower pond, some of these shadowy artifacts began to emerge. I found the presence of what was once a powerful industry built on factories and mills gels nicely with its natural surroundings.

As we rounded the pond and began to head uphill, the sound of the cascading waterfall soon greeted us. A dam dividing the lower pond from its upper pond neighbor is a dramatic, and worthwhile stop on this journey. Here, is where the true pieces of Rocky Hill's past come alive. Broken remnants of an 1884 manufacturing plant hugs the falls, with its looming columns and steep steps following the landscape down to the brook below.

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Dividend Pond in Rocky Hill steps hikers back in time