Carver's Rock
Carverโs Rockย
From the Bradford History Book - 1976
Very early travelers, looking for a home, found these fertile fields, wooded area, and spring-fed creeks very inviting.
The woods provided fuel, materials for building a home, and it meant food because game and fish were plentiful. Maple trees provided syrup, and the hollow trees homes bees and a supply of honey. There were also hickory, walnut and butternut trees for food. They found fruit trees, plum, crab apple and wild berries. Hazel nuts were also plentiful. The ground was fertile for growing crops. Wild onions and asparagus were easily found.
The creek provided a supply of spring water and also power for the mill for grinding grain. In winter, ice was made for refrigeration. Each home had an ice house and a mokehouse for preserving meat.
The ground is underlaid with lime. A kiln was built. This slaked lime was used in construction work with brick and limestone.
In the early history of this area, it is not surprising that at one time Rock Dell, as it was first known, included a lime kiln and a feed mill along Turtle Creek. At the crossroads of Carver's Rock Rd. and Creek Rd. was a blacksmith shop, a grocery store with things delivered from Clinton, a dance hall where dances were held every Thursday night, a ballpark and a cemetery. A short distance north was a church and a harness shop. Many school picnics, church picnics and play days were held there.ย
Homes were very self sufficient as they baked their bread and cakes, smoked and canned their meat, canned and dried their fruit and vegetables, and made their own butter and cheese. Many of the women spun, wove and sewed their own clothes.
One of the first known settlers was William C. Chase and his wife, Mary Gilson Chase and their son, William, who arrived here in 1836. At their death they were buried in a small cemetery at the top of the rocks, on the hill overlooking the stream. Other settlers were buried in the same cemetery. The markers have since been destroyed by time.
In 1850, Mr. and Mrs. Carver came to this area of Bradford. He was a blacksmith by trade and after a few years built a stone shop which bordered his farm. The old shop still stands at the 4 corners of Carver's Rock.
This was a popular place for picnics and ball games on summer evenings and Sunday afternoons. Roads were improved and traveling much easier. Fishing, hunting and horse shoes were some of the favorite sports. Many folks from Clinton and surrounding areas drove out in their horse and buggies.
In 1949, the Rock County Park and Conservation Commission purchased 22.64 acres of this territory from Leo Roehl, Marguerite Duthie Paul and Foster Inman. This area comprises the rock formation along the creek as well as some of the higher ground of the area. After the purchase the name was changed again, this time to Carver-Roehl Park. Many hiking trails, and roads lead into the park, where picnic tables and fireplaces have been placed for visitor's use. When hiking through the park along the trail or beside the creek, you will see many wildflowers growing and initials carved on the overhanging rocks. These must have been made 80 years ago.