Zerah Beach Preserve
Information
A conservation restriction was placed on the land in 1998 by Guy P. Beach (1930-2010) to create a small legacy in memory of his family. The Wallingford Land Trust obtained full rights to the property upon Guys death in 2010.
The land has been in the Beach family since 1670. It was acquired by Guy's seventh great grandfather, John Beach, who was the youngest of three brothers who came to America on the third trip of the Mayflower in 1628. In 1645, John Beach, who had settled in Stratford, became one of the original founders of Wallingford. He gave the land to his son, Thomas Beach, and the family had lived there until 2010 with the passing of Guy Beach. Guy's grandfather, Zerah P. Beach, was the first to establish a fruit growing business in Wallingford. Guy's father, Zerah N. Beach, was shot in a hunting accident at 17 which eventually resulted in losing his eyesight. In spite of his handicap, he ran a thriving poultry business on the property without using a seeing eye dog or even a cane. The property had eight brooder houses where he raised his baby chicks every year.
Zerah N. Beach taught poultry farming to blinded veterans from a World War II rehabilitation center. One of the veterans later founded and operated a successful poultry business in Southern New Jersey. He always credited Zerah N. Beach with being his inspiration. Zerah actively ran the farm until he died at age 74.
Zerah Beach Farmhouse on Cheshire Rd. House no longer exists. Painting is on a clock that can be seen at the Wallingford Historical Society Museum.
Clock with Zerah Beach farmhouse painting
Braille writing device used by Zerah Beach
Zerah P. and Sarah Beach grave. Center Street Cemetery, Wallingford
Zerah N. and Agnes Beach grave. Center Street Cemetery, Wallingford
Guy P. Beach grave. Center Street Cemetery, Wallingford
Plaque dedicated to Zerah N. Beach
Work Party at Zerah Beach Preserve. Repairing a kiosk, clearing trails, removing bittersweet vines.
Size: 10 acres
Access: Cheshire Rd (park on Wayne Rd)
Activities: History, nature walk; wildflowers; wildlife observation
Trails: 1/4 mile loop
Environment: Conifers, deciduous forest wetlands, meadows, streams