Devil's Hopyard State Park
Encyclopedia
Devil's Hopyard State Park is located in East Haddam, Connecticut
at a scenic waterfall on the Eightmile River
.
” part focuses on the potholes near the falls, which are some of the finest examples of pothole stone formations in this section of the United States
. Perfectly cylindrical, they range from inches to several feet in diameter and depth. These potholes were formed by stones moved downstream by the current and trapped in an eddy where the stone was spun around and around, wearing a depression in the rock. When the rock wore itself down, another would catch in the same hole and enlarge it. We know this now, but to the early settlers the potholes were a great mystery that they tried to explain with references to the supernatural. They thought that the Devil had passed by the falls, accidentally getting his tail wet. This made him so mad he burned holes in the stones with his hooves as he bounded away.
, many species of frog
s, turtle
s, fish
, fishers
and many of the state's protected bird species.
East Haddam, Connecticut
East Haddam is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 8,333 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water....
at a scenic waterfall on the Eightmile River
Eightmile River (Connecticut River)
The Eightmile River has its source along a small drainage into several small swamps in an undeveloped region about three miles east of Bashan in the town of East Haddam, Connecticut. This source is fairly centered between Ackley Road, Hall Kilbourne Road, Usher Swamp Road, and Miles Standish Road...
.
History
In 1919, the former State Park and Forest Commission obtained an 860 acres (3.5 km²) parcel located in the Millington section of East Haddam. The principal feature of the park, Chapman Falls, drops more than sixty feet over a series of steps in a Scotland Schist stone formation. The falls also once powered "Beebe's Mills", which were named after the original owner.The name
At some time prior to 1800, there was a malt house near a small tributary of the Eightmile River called Malt House Brook, on George Griffin’s farm. Although the malt house was abandoned prior to 1814, during the period of its operation, Griffin grew hops in a small clearing—the "hopyard" -- beside the road running through the area now called Devil's Hopyard. But the Devil's presence in this hopyard is not so easily explained. The “devilDevil
The Devil is believed in many religions and cultures to be a powerful, supernatural entity that is the personification of evil and the enemy of God and humankind. The nature of the role varies greatly...
” part focuses on the potholes near the falls, which are some of the finest examples of pothole stone formations in this section of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Perfectly cylindrical, they range from inches to several feet in diameter and depth. These potholes were formed by stones moved downstream by the current and trapped in an eddy where the stone was spun around and around, wearing a depression in the rock. When the rock wore itself down, another would catch in the same hole and enlarge it. We know this now, but to the early settlers the potholes were a great mystery that they tried to explain with references to the supernatural. They thought that the Devil had passed by the falls, accidentally getting his tail wet. This made him so mad he burned holes in the stones with his hooves as he bounded away.
Activities
There are many things to do when arriving at Devil's Hopyard State Park. Activities that are open to the public include:- hiking
- youth camping
- camping
- stream fishing
- bird watching
- bicycling
- picnicking
Attractions
Some of the most beautiful landscapes can be found right in the park. Vista Point, which is located at the end of the Blue Trail, is a cliff that stands 150 to 175 feet (53.3 m) above the majestic Eightmile River. Other attractions include the "mini falls".Wildlife
Much of the wildlife at the park is worth seeing. There are two different types of deerDeer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
, many species of frog
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
s, turtle
Turtle
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines , characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield...
s, fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
, fishers
Fisher (animal)
The fisher is a medium-size mammal native to North America. It is a member of the mustelid family, commonly referred to as the weasel family. The fisher is closely related to but larger than the American Marten...
and many of the state's protected bird species.