Squatters Ousted From Textile Tycoon's Old Home In Vernon

VERNON, CT — A pair of squatters is facing charges after being removed from a historic home in the Rockville section of Vernon, police said.

The men, identified as 44-year-old Miguel Angel Rivera and 26-year-old Miguel Obryan Rivera, had broken into the historic, town-owned Israel Kellogg House at 62 Union Street and were living there, police said.

According to arrest reports, the two would not leave and police had to force their way into the building with state police canine Apollo. They were then taken into custody, police said.

Both were charged with third-degree burglary and first-degree criminal trespass and the younger Rivera was also charged with interfering with police.

The are both due in court on Oct. 10.

In August 2021, the town began negotiations to purchase the Kellogg House. The large, Italianate home was constructed in about 1850 and was sold by Kellogg to Rockville textile boss George Maxwell 31 years later, according Vernon archives.

The Kellogg house sits next to the Rockville Public Library, across from his mansion that is now the front of Rockville General Hospital.

The Kellogg house had fallen into disrepair and the town has fixed it some while exploring complete preservation options. It had been listed for $187,000 and an offer of $82,500 was put on the table, town officials said. A potential use for the home has not been publicly discussed.

The lot measures 0.68 acres.