Connecticut’s Hidden Gems Part 3
The Devil’s Hopyard
Though not known for its extensive forest reserves, state parks, and otherwise scenic views, Connecticut is home to an impressive array of wooded hiking trails and secluded vistas. One such location is the Devil’s Hopyard in East Haddam, Connecticut. This state park is located on the Eightmile River’s very own Chapman Falls, as evidenced by its thundering waterfalls and extensive network of rivers and streams. From the fascinatingly biblical legends surrounding its creation, to the modern day sights within its 1000 acre radius, the Devil’s Hopyard is truly one of Connecticut’s most notable features.
Without further ado, it would be prudent to jump straight into the somewhat strange history of the state park, including the origins of its peculiar name, the historical records surrounding its establishment and preservation, and its promotion to the status of one of Connecticut’s many state parks. We begin with perhaps the most pressing question: why is it called the Devil’s Hopyard? The answer, it would seem, lies in one particular legend that has circulated since the park’s very beginning.
As the story goes, the devil himself had once been spotted playing his fiddle atop the towering Chapman Falls. That is, until the water from the Falls wet his tail and he descended to its basin, where he stomped a series of deep holes into the rock in his anger and frustration. Those holes or, rather, hoof-prints, exist today, enormous craters gouged from the water-smoothed rock at the bottom of the Falls, and can easily be spotted from either shore. Likewise, the caves at the highest point of the park are known as the Devil’s Oven, tying back into the state park’s rather colorful mythology.
In our modern times, stories of spirit orbs and strange shadows shroud the park, lending it an air of distinct eeriness, even in broad daylight. On a somewhat less interesting (and far less theological) note, the “hopyard” part of the name is derived from the eighteenth century malt houses and hop fields that used to operate on the property, though no working remainder of such structures exists within the park today.
Though it is more than likely that Satan himself did not, in fact, stomp those craters into the rocks below Chapman Falls, the Devil’s Hopyard is still chock-full of its share of fascinating history. It is said that the park, before it was recognized as a state park, was the site of a 1775 attack by the Sons of Liberty, who laid siege upon a mill owned by British loyalists. Much later, in the year 2002, a piece of the millstone was discovered near the waterfall’s basin. Similarly, it is said that locals used the aforementioned Devil’s Oven as a hiding place for valuables and for themselves during the American Revolution. The site was not officially named as one of Connecticut’s state parks until the year of 1919, when Colchester resident A. G. Williard spoke out about the harmful effects of the logging operations taking place in its general vicinity at the time. Since then, the park has remained open to the public, a beautiful site for hiking, fishing, picnicking, camping, and any other forms of outdoor recreation.
As it is a state park, it comes as no surprise that information and texts relating to the Devil’s Hopyard can be found within the CTDA’s vast repository. Searching it up by name produces 12,008 total items, ranging from images of the park itself (mainly its 60 foot waterfall), to information on the surrounding East Haddam, to a view of the old mill on site. Furthermore, there exist a variety of texts within the archive, which contain information on the Devil’s Hopyard’s status as a Connecticut State Park, even more images of the park itself, and other interesting information about the location’s history. Like the other locations covered in this series, the Devil’s Hopyard is a rare spot of natural Connecticut beauty, known predominantly to locals for its fascinating history and modern day amenities. Its hiking trails, soaring vistas, and breathtaking waterfalls are a sight to behold, a truly incredible spectacle. From the base of the waterfall all the way up to the heights of the Devil’s Oven, the park bears an incredible connection to Connecticut’s history, ranging from the American Revolution to its status as a state park in our current times. Perhaps the legends surrounding its creation are a little outlandish, but that in no way detracts from the concrete truth: the Devil’s Hopyard is a perfect example of Connecticut’s deep-rooted histories and stunning landscapes, truly a hidden gem.
For more information on the Devil’s Hopyard & surrounding areas, visit the links below!
