2.60 Chism School to Crystal Pond - Eastford, CT
The Chism brothers, Charles and David, provide a record of the route of the Old Connecticut Path across Ashford and Eastford. As young children in the 1860's-70's, they walked a mile from their home to school following the route of the Path. Late in their lives, Charles dictated a description of the route of the Old Connecticut Path that provided specific local landmarks. His older brother David drew a map of the route to go with his brother's description. Together, the map and description provide a guide for rediscovering the Path.
The journey of rediscovery begins at the site of the one room school house attended by the Chism brothers. The route crosses Eastford passing the landmarks described by Charles Chism to travel from Natchaug State Forest, across Yale Forest, the fording places of the Branch and Buel Brooks, and on to Crystal Pond at the border between Eastford and Woodstock. Using David Chism's map and the description written by Charles Chism, it is possible to experience portions of the Old Connecticut Path that have been long forgotten.
To view the video, click on the picture (above) or the link Chism School to Crystal Pond
To see the map drawn by David Chism, click on the link Chism Map
Click on the link below to see an excerpt from Harral Ayres The Great Trail.
Click on the link below to see the Eastford Historical Society Quarterly, September 2011.
Read Dagmar Noll's articles on the Old Connecticut Path in Eastford, CT.
USGS topographic maps showing the route of the Old Connecticut Path across Eastford and Ashford may be viewed in the Maps section.
MORE CONTENT TO BE ADDED (pictures, maps, links).
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