Community Corner

Hidden Gems Of Hartford And Tolland Counties

It's the first Hidden Gem of 2023.

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Gay City State Park in Hebron.
Gay City State Park in Hebron. (CT.gov)

HEBRON, CT — The latest journey to a Hidden Gem takes us to a drive along a winding, undulating country road that happens to be state Route 85.

Welcome to Gay City State Park in Hebron. The park consists of 1,569 acres that feature hiking, swimming, picnicking and a glimpse into one of Tolland County's most interesting industrial communities that is now made up of some stone foundations, several grass-filled cellar holes and a few tombstones.

State officials tell us that Gay City was first settled in 1796 by a religious sect first led by Elijah Andrus and later by the Rev. Henry P. Sumner. About 25 families essentially lived in isolation with a working sawmill along the Blackledge River that fashioned the lumber for their homes.

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A wool mill served as a successful business for the community but suffered during the blockades during the War of 1812. During the peacetime following the conflict, the mill was again successful, but it burned down in 1830, state officials tell us.

A paper mill then thrived until the Civil War, but the community was ravaged by young men killed in battle, state archives show.

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That mill also burned down, leaving the site to Mother Nature.

In 1944 Gay City was designated as a state park.

See more about the park here.

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The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Hartford and Tolland counties. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to Chris.dehnel@patch.com.

Other Gems in this series:

2022

2021 and earlier:

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