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82-651: On March 30, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 establishing the New England National Scenic Trail (and two other national scenic trails). The combination of the Metacomet, Monadnock and Mattabesett trails is also often referred to as the 3-M, MMM or Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett trail. The New England National Scenic Trail includes all or almost all of

164-479: A Preserve America program, a Save America's Treasures Program, and a Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, all to be carried out by the National Park Service . New National Park System components would include: Title VIII designates ten new National Heritage Areas at the cost of $ 103.5 million: Title IX authorizes three new studies to examine new reclamation projects under the jurisdiction of

246-493: A boulder cave located on the west side of Rattlesnake Mountain , is an historic landmark of the town of Farmington. A plaque affixed to the cave reads, "Said Warren, according to legend, after being flogged for not going to church, tried to burn the village of Farmington. He was pursued into the mountains, where some Indian squaws hid him in this cave." The personage of Will Warren has never been vindicated historically, and may have been an amalgamation of several individuals. The cave

328-458: A cost of $ 64 million per year through the year 2018. It furthermore authorizes groundwater surveys in New Mexico, also by the U.S. Geological Survey . Title XII creates five new oceanic observation, research, and exploration programs at a cost of $ 2.6 billion, including programs for undersea research, undersea and coastal mapping, acidification research, and ocean conservation. One provision,

410-522: A dry-loving species, clings to the barren edges of cliffs. Prickly pear cactus has been recorded on the south-facing slopes of Ragged Mountain. Backslope plant communities tend to be more similar to the adjacent upland plateaus containing species common to the northern hardwood and oak-hickory forest types. Eastern hemlock crowds narrow ravines, blocking sunlight and creating damp, cooler growing conditions with associated cooler climate plant species. Talus slopes are especially rich in nutrients and support

492-420: A farm and married. He became a prominent figure in civil affairs, as well as the church at Salmon Brook (now Granby). On Tuesday, December 20, 1859, the two-story Patent Safety Fuse factory located near the center of town exploded, killing seven women and one man. The blast also injured several other people, including the factory owner. The factory made cord fast-burning fuses used for blasting, which resulted in

574-415: A museum, was created on 250 acres (1.0 km) of Farmington Mountain as a country estate for wealthy industrialist Alfred Atmore Pope , to the designs of his daughter Theodate Pope Riddle in 1901. Theodate inherited the house after her parents' deaths, and prior to her own passing in 1946 willed Hill-Stead Museum as a memorial to her parents. Hill-Stead comprises 152 acres (0.62 km). Buildings include

656-551: A new bill which incorporated 159 bills that had been considered by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources during the 110th Congress and, in some cases, earlier Congresses. Despite vehement opposition from Coburn and some other Republicans, the Senate passed a cloture motion on January 11 by a vote of 66–12 and then passed the bill on January 15 by a vote of 73–21, with four members not voting. The bill

738-562: A number of calcium-loving plants uncommon in Massachusetts. Many bogs, ponds, and reservoirs lie cupped between trap rock ridge shelves, demonstrating the value of these ridges as important aquifers and wetland ecosystem habitats. Because the Metacomet Ridge generates such varied terrain, it is the home of several plant and animal species that are state-listed or globally rare. The Traprock Wilderness Recovery Strategy (1991)

820-584: A number of years. In 1642, the General Court of the colony of Connecticut ordered that: the Governor and Mr. Heynes shall have liberty to dispose of the ground uppon that parte of Tunxis River cauled Mossocowe, to such inhabitants of Wyndsor as they shall see cause. Despite this order, there is no record that any settlements immediately ensued. Five years later the General Court issued another order: The Court thinks fitt that Massacoe be purchased by

902-401: A permanent inhabitant. In 1669, a survey found that there were thirteen permanent residents of Massacoe. One of those residents, John Case, was appointed to the position of constable. This is the first recorded civil office held by residents of the area. In 1670, John Case, along with Joshua Holcomb & Thomas Barber, presented a petition to the General Court, requesting that Massacoe become

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984-640: A potential hazard. The northern copperhead snake , while considered rare, does inhabit portions of the Metacomet Ridge in Connecticut. Poison ivy is native to the Metacomet Trail environs, prolific in some areas. The Metacomet Trail passes through public land (state parks, town parks, and municipal watershed areas), land managed by conservation non-profit organizations, private land under conservation easement, and unprotected private land via permission of individual land owners. Significant threats to

1066-522: A seasonal migration path for raptors . Viewshed from the ledges include agrarian land, suburbs, small towns, river corridors, the eastern Berkshires ridgeline, and metropolitan Meriden and Hartford. The Metacomet Trail passes through land located within the following incorporated towns, from south to north: Berlin , Meriden , Southington , New Britain , Plainville , Farmington , West Hartford , Avon , Bloomfield , Simsbury , East Granby , and Suffield, Connecticut The Metacomet Ridge that forms

1148-579: A small fee ($ 1) after the hiking the entire trail is completed by contacting the Connecticut Forest and Park Association . Books – Connecticut hiking [ edit ] Books – Connecticut history and geography [ edit ] 41°46′34″N 72°47′56″W  /  41.77611°N 72.79889°W  / 41.77611; -72.79889 Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 ( Pub. L.   111–11 (text) (PDF) , H.R. 146 )

1230-502: A stone observation tower built on East Peak , and Mirror Lake, nestled between the high ledges of East Peak and South Mountain , are considered particularly scenic. Heublein Tower , 165 feet (50 m) tall and 1,040 feet (317 m) above sea level, built for Gilbert F. Heublein in 1914 on the summit crest of Talcott Mountain as a summer retreat and home, was designed to withstand winds of 100 mph (160 km/h). Put up for sale in

1312-425: A town of the colony of Connecticut. On May 12, 1670, the General Court granted the petition, and ordered that the plantation should be called "Simmsbury". The boundaries at that time were Farmington on the south and Windsor on the east, with the extent of Simsbury running 10 miles (16 km) north of Farmington and 10 miles (16 km) west of Windsor. The northern border, subject to dispute with Massachusetts ,

1394-431: A unique "postpile" appearance. Huge slopes made of fractured basalt scree are visible beneath many of the cliffs along the Metacomet Trail. The Metacomet Ridge was the product of several massive lava flows hundreds of feet deep that welled up in faults created by the rifting apart of North America from Eurasia and Africa . The basalt floods of lava occurred over a period of 20 million years. Erosion occurring between

1476-467: A war between a number of tribes and the New England settlers, began in the summer. The war extended through parts of four colonies, with Simsbury on the western edge of the conflict. At the time, it was seen as a frontier settlement . The conflict was largely over by August 1676, although it did not formally end until a treaty was signed in 1678. The colony of Connecticut formed a Council of War. In

1558-469: A week's time to secure themselves and their corn there, and at the end of the week from this date, the souldiers, now in garrison at Simsbury, shall be released their attendance there. In March 1676, the town of Simsbury was first pillaged, then burned to the ground. This destruction has been described as the most extensive of any event of any Indian War in New England. The settlers remained in Windsor until

1640-767: Is a land management law passed in the 111th United States Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 30, 2009. The bill designates millions of acres in the US as protected and establishes a National Landscape Conservation System . It includes funding for programs, studies and other activities by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture , and in some cases bars further geothermal leasing, oil and gas leasing, and new mining patents on certain stretches of protected land. On June 26, 2008, Senator Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico introduced

1722-616: Is a 20 to 25 minute drive from Simsbury Center; however, many residents also commute to other towns and cities within the west-central Connecticut region. After the complete destruction of the town in 1676 during King Philip's War, there were three late 17th to early 18th century nucleated resettlement communities: East Weatogue (also called East Simsbury), Simsbury Center , and Terry's Plain . There are four census-designated places in Simsbury: Simsbury Center , Tariffville , Weatogue , and West Simsbury . As of

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1804-537: Is accessible from the Metacomet Trail. The Hanging Hills are allegedly stalked by the supernatural presence of the "Black Dog of the Hanging Hills", an American example of traditional English Black dog folklore. According to local mythology extant since at least the early 19th century, the Black Dog manifests as a small black dog, often gregarious in nature, who leaves no footprints and makes no sound. To see

1886-787: Is flanked by Talcott Mountain , which is part of the Metacomet Ridge , a mountainous trap rock ridgeline that stretches from Long Island Sound to near the Vermont border. Notable features of the Metacomet Ridge in Simsbury include Heublein Tower , Talcott Mountain State Park , Penwood State Park , and the Tariffville Gorge of the Farmington River. The 51-mile-long (82 km) Metacomet Trail traverses

1968-411: Is never more than a mile or two from a public road. However, cliffs and steep terrain make access much more difficult in some areas. There are no camping facilities along the trail and camping is generally prohibited. Trail descriptions are available from a number of commercial and non-commercial sources, and a complete guidebook is published by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association Weather along

2050-550: Is part of the Capitol Planning Region . The population was 24,517 in the 2020 census . At the beginning of the 17th century, the area that would become known as Simsbury as of 1670 was inhabited by indigenous peoples . The Wappinger were one of these groups, composed of eighteen bands that were organized not formally as a tribe, but more akin to an association, like the Delaware . These bands lived between

2132-451: Is to picture a layer cake tilted slightly up with some of the frosting (the sedimentary layer) removed in between. The sedimentary rock of the Metacomet ridge is well known for its fossils, especially dinosaur tracks. The Metacomet Ridge hosts a combination of microclimates unusual in New England. Dry, hot upper ridges support oak savannas , often dominated by chestnut oak and a variety of understory grasses and ferns. Eastern red cedar ,

2214-741: The Appalachian Mountain Club [1] , the Green Mountain Club [2] , and the Connecticut Forest and Park Association . Following the pioneering effort of the Green Mountain Club in the inauguration of Vermont's Long Trail in 1918, the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, spearheaded by Edgar Laing Heermance, created the 23-mile (37 km) Quinnipiac Trail on the Metacomet Ridge in southern Connecticut in 1928 and soon followed it up with

2296-632: The Bureau of Reclamation . It also creates 15 new water and endangered fish projects in four states. Furthermore, Title IX puts some federal water reclamation facilities under local control and funds conservation efforts. Title X codifies the settlements of three water disputes in California, Nevada, and New Mexico, in an effort to resolve decades of litigation. Title XI reauthorizes the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 at

2378-658: The Connecticut River , Farmington River , and Quinnipiac River valleys, is a prominent landscape feature of central Connecticut. From south to north, the trail uses the ridges of the Hanging Hills , Short Mountain , Ragged Mountain , Bradley Mountain , Pinnacle Rock , Rattlesnake Mountain , Farmington Mountain , Talcott Mountain , Hatchet Hill , Peak Mountain , and West Suffield Mountain . Abrupt vertical cliffs with visible talus slopes and frequent viewpoints are common throughout. Views are generally to

2460-658: The Hill-Stead museum in Farmington, Connecticut , notable for its French impressionist painting collection and gardens; and Hubbard Park of the Hanging Hills of Meriden, designed with the help of famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and crowned with a small observation tower known as Castle Craig. The trap rock ridges and talus slopes of the Metacomet Ridge are also home to several unique microclimate ecosystems that support species of plants that are unusual or endangered in this part of New England , and are

2542-726: The Hudson and Connecticut rivers. The Wappingers were one of the Algonquian peoples , a linguistic grouping which includes hundreds of tribes. One of the Wappinger bands, the Massaco , lived near, but mostly west of, what became known as the Farmington River , in the area that would become known as Simsbury and Canton , the latter as of 1806. In 1633, Windsor was the second town in Connecticut settled by Europeans and

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2624-831: The Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act , would "establish a national integrated System of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observing systems, comprised of Federal and non-Federal components coordinated at the national level by the National Ocean Research Leadership Council" in order to "support national defense, marine commerce, navigation safety, weather, climate, and marine forecasting, energy siting and production, economic development, ecosystem-based marine, coastal, and Great Lakes resource management, public safety, and public outreach training and education." Title XIII deals with miscellaneous bills, including one that funds

2706-721: The National Institutes of Health . Title XV grants the Smithsonian Institution $ 69 million for laboratory and greenhouse construction at three Smithsonian facilities. The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 amended the following acts of Congress , in order of first appearance: Simsbury, Connecticut Simsbury is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut , United States, incorporated as Connecticut's 21st town in May 1670. The town

2788-882: The National Tropical Botanical Garden in Hawaii and another that increases the number of Assistant Energy Secretaries in the United States Department of Energy to eight. Title XIII also amends the Fisheries Restoration and Irrigation Mitigation Act of 2000 and the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act. Title XIV, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, provides $ 105 million over five years for coordinated paralysis research by

2870-1218: The National Wilderness Preservation System . Among these lands are: Title II establishes a National Landscape Conservation System , to include Bureau of Land Management -administered National Monuments , National Conservation Areas , Wilderness Study Areas , components of the National Trails System , components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System , and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System . Title II also designates four new National Conservation Areas ( Fort Stanton – Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area , Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area , Red Cliffs National Conservation Area in Washington County, Utah , and Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area ) and one new National Monument (the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument in

2952-474: The New England National Scenic Trail , which also includes the Mattabesett Trail and Metacomet-Monadnock Trail . The Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA) provides commemorative patches as recognition to hikers completing the entire length of one of the three original Blue-Blazed trails in Connecticut (Quinnipiac, Metacomet and Mattabesett). The Metacomet Trail patch can be obtained for

3034-427: The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2008 ( S. 3213 ). Although the bill had some support from both Democrats and Republicans , including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada , the Senate never voted on the measure due to threats by Senator Tom Coburn (R- Oklahoma ) to filibuster the bill. On January 7, 2009, Bingaman introduced the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 ( S. 22 ),

3116-661: The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail and the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail . Title VI creates a number of new United States Department of the Interior programs. One of these programs, the Wolf Livestock Loss Demonstration Project, gives states and Indian tribes federal grants to help livestock producers to reduce livestock loss due to predation by wolves in non-lethal ways, as well as for

3198-863: The Robledo Mountains of New Mexico ). It also transfers lands in Nevada, Utah, Idaho, and Washington to federal control. Title III authorizes the United States Secretary of Agriculture to, through the Chief of the United States Forest Service , conduct studies in the interest of preserving open space in southern Colorado and deliver "an annual report on the wildland firefighter safety practices...including training programs and activities for wildland fire suppression, prescribed burning, and wildland fire use, during

3280-822: The United States Treasury . However, each proposal's expenditures are limited to $ 4 million per year. Title V designates thousands of miles of new additions to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System . It also adds six trails to the National Trails System : the Arizona National Scenic Trail , the New England National Scenic Trail , the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail , the Washington–Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail ,

3362-531: The census of 2000, there were 23,234 people, 8,527 households, and 6,591 families residing in the town. The population density was 685.7 inhabitants per square mile (264.8/km ). There were 8,739 housing units at an average density of 257.9 per square mile (99.6/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 95.3% White , 1.17% African American , 0.09% Native American , 2.12% Asian , 0.03% Pacific Islander , 0.26% from other races , and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.54% of

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3444-470: The 1860s it has been mainly a tourist attraction. In 1972 Old Newgate Prison was declared a National Historic Landmark . The Hanging Hills' Hubbard Park was financed by Walter Hubbard, local entrepreneur and president of the Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Company. Most of the land in the park was given to the town of Meriden by him, offered outright, with the stipulation that everything connected with

3526-566: The 1960s and slated for residential development, the tower became part of the Talcott Mountain State Park in 1965 through the efforts of conservation non-profit groups, the state of Connecticut, and the United States government. The tower has been renovated as a museum with period artifacts and furnishings. Visitors may climb to the top of the tower for a 360-degree view encompassing four states. Hill-Stead , now

3608-500: The 33,000-square-foot (3,100 m) colonial-revival style Pope-Riddle House; an 18th-century farm house; a carriage garage with an arts and crafts theater; and a barn and additional farm buildings. The house is extensively furnished with paintings, prints, and art. Highlights include works by Édouard Manet , Claude Monet , James McNeill Whistler , Albrecht Dürer and postcards including correspondence from Mary Cassatt , Henry James , and James McNeill Whistler. Will Warren's Den,

3690-418: The Black Dog the first time results in joy; a second sighting, misfortune. Seeing the Black Dog a third time would result in one's death. At least six deaths have been blamed on third meetings with the Black Dog. The trail is blazed with blue rectangles. It is regularly maintained, and is considered easy hiking, with sections of rugged and moderately difficult hiking. As the crow flies, the Metacomet Trail route

3772-504: The Country, and that ther be a Committee chosen to dispose of yt to such inhabitants of Wyndsor as by the shalbe judged meet to make improuement therof... but there is no record of land grants arising from this order. In 1643, John Griffin and Michael Humphrey started a tar and turpentine business in Windsor. A few years later, a Massaco Indian named Manahanoose started a fire which destroyed tar belonging to Griffin. The Court ordered

3854-456: The English town of Symondsbury . Holcomb, one of the petitioners, originally came from Symondsbury. Another possibility is that the name was derived from Simon Wolcott's name. He was known familiarly as "Sim", and he was considered one of the prominent men of the town. In 1675, rumors of unrest among the indigenous peoples began to surface. The rumors proved accurate, and King Philip's War ,

3936-631: The MMM trails as well as the new extension trail from the southernmost point on the Mattabesett Trail through Guilford, Connecticut to the northern shore of Long Island Sound. The Metacomet Trail extends from the Connecticut / Massachusetts border south through Hartford and northern New Haven counties in Connecticut. The southern terminus of the trail is located just east of the Hanging Hills on U.S. Route 5 , 4 miles (6 km) north of

4018-540: The Metacomet Trail leaves off in Berlin and continues south to Totoket Mountain then northeast to the Connecticut River in Middletown . Significant networks of shorter hiking trails intersect the Metacomet Trail, most notably on Talcott Mountain , the Hanging Hills , and Ragged Mountain . The Metacomet Trail is primarily used for hiking , backpacking , picnicking , and in the winter, snowshoeing . Portions of

4100-538: The Metacomet Trail. Over 700 miles (1,100 km) of "blue blaze trails" in Connecticut were completed by the association by the end of the 20th century. The name " Metacomet " was borrowed from the 17th century sachem of the Wampanoag Tribe of southern New England who led his people during King Philip's War . According to popular folklore, Metacomet, dubbed "King Phillip" by the English colonists, watched

4182-593: The Senate, the bill was amended to include a majority of the text in S. 22. The Senate voted 73–21 for cloture and 77-20 to pass the bill. The House agreed to the Senate amendments, 285-140, on March 25. President Barack Obama signed the bill into law on March 30, 2009, declaring one provision unconstitutional in his signing statement . Title I of the bill designates two million acres (8,000 km²) of wilderness in nine states ( California , Colorado , Idaho , Michigan , New Mexico , Oregon , Utah , Virginia , and West Virginia ) for protection through addition to

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4264-521: The bill, while three Democrats voted against it: Dan Boren of Oklahoma, Jim Marshall of Georgia , and Collin Peterson of Minnesota . House Democrats could then have brought the bill back to the floor under regular procedure, which would have allowed Republicans to submit amendments to the bill. The bill, as voted on by the House, had been amended by Jason Altmire (D- Pennsylvania ), to prohibit

4346-580: The burning of the village of Simsbury in 1676 from a cave on Talcott Mountain. The cave is now known as King Phillip's Cave , accessible via a side trail from the Metacomet Trail. Joseph Wadsworth is also said to have camped at the cave after saving the Charter of Connecticut from being repossessed by the King's emissary. Old Newgate Prison , located below Peak Mountain, was originally a copper mine , opened in 1705. After mining operations proved unprofitable,

4428-496: The carrying out of ecological restoration treatments. The Chief, acting on behalf of the Secretary of Agriculture, then may select up to ten of these proposals, aided by a fifteen-member advisory board, to be funded in any given fiscal year. For each proposal selected, 50% of the expenditures of the execution and monitoring of ecological restoration treatments would be paid for by a Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund in

4510-661: The city of Meriden , in the town of Berlin, Connecticut ; the northern terminus is located in the hamlet of Rising Corner, part of Suffield, Connecticut , 7 miles (11 km) southwest of Springfield, Massachusetts . The 110-mile (180 km) Metacomet-Monadnock Trail in Massachusetts and the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway in New Hampshire continue the footway north from the Metacomet Trail another 160 miles (260 km) to central New Hampshire. The 50-mile (80 km) Mattabesett Trail picks up where

4592-646: The closing of the lands described in the bill to hunting and fishing , presumably to persuade sportsmen and hunters to vote for the bill. On March 3, 2009, the House of Representatives passed a bill under suspension of the rules, the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefield Protection Act ( H.R. 146 ), 394-13. On March 12, one day after the House failed to pass the Omnibus Public Land Management Act, Reid announced that he would file cloture on H.R. 146. While in

4674-462: The colony of Connecticut converted it to a prison and named it after Newgate Prison of London . The first prisoner, John Hinson, was committed for burglary in 1773. Later Tories and Loyalists were held there during the Revolutionary War . In 1790 it became a state prison, the first such in the United States. After the prison closed in 1827 mining operations resumed for a time, but since

4756-405: The days leading up to the war, they ordered settlers to keep night watches and to work in the fields in armed groups of at least six. By the time of the colony's General Court meeting of October 14, 1675, the situation was considered serious enough that the court ordered the residents of Simsbury to move to safety in Windsor. The order read: This Court orders, that the people of Simsbury shall have

4838-495: The ecological sensitivity of the area. Other ecosystems on the southern sections of the Metacomet Trail include the northern riverine community which supports species such as willow , American elm , and sycamore ; this ecosystem can be found along the Westfield and Connecticut Rivers. In the late 19th century, interests in mountains as places to build recreational footpaths took root in New England with organizations such as

4920-488: The eruptions deposited deep layers of sediment between the lava flows, which eventually lithified into sedimentary rock . The resulting "layer cake" of basalt and sedimentary sheets eventually faulted and tilted upward. Subsequent erosion wore away the weaker sedimentary layers a faster rate than the basalt layers, leaving the abruptly tilted edges of the basalt sheets exposed, creating the distinct linear ridge and dramatic cliff faces visible today. The best way to imagine this

5002-431: The explosion. Two days later, on Thursday, December 22, 1859, the New York Times ran a story about the explosion. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 34.3 square miles (88.8 km ), of which 33.9 square miles (87.9 km ) is land and 0.39 square miles (1.0 km ), or 1.09%, is water. Simsbury lies in the northern end of the Farmington Valley . The east side of Simsbury

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5084-399: The first English settlement (the first European settlement being Huys de Goede Hoop , established by the Dutch in the Hartford area as a frontier settlement for the New Netherland Colony ten years earlier). For some time, the area of Massaco was considered "an appendix to the towne of Windsor." Settlers in Windsor forested and farmed in the area, but did not settle in Massaco permanently for

5166-417: The following decade. Aaron Cook built one of the early homes in the area established c. 1660 as Terry's Plain , and John Griffin also built a home, possibly in 1664—the date associated with a deed to land in Massacoe. The settlement of Massacoe continued in the late 1660s. The General Court awarded a land grant of two hundred acres to John Griffin in 1663. A deed description from 1664 indicates he had become

5248-456: The park was to remain free of charge for the people of Meriden, and that no concessions for profit would ever allowed within the park. Hubbard elicited the assistance of notable landscape architect Fredrick Law Olmsted in drawing up the design. Finished in 1900, it comprises approximately 1,800 acres (7.3 km) of carefully kept woodlands, streams, dramatic cliff faces, flower gardens, and the James Barry bandshell and picnic spots. Castle Craig ,

5330-647: The payment of "five hundred fathom of wampum " as compensation. As he was unable to pay this amount, Manahanoose was instead ordered by the Court to either serve Griffin or be exchanged for Black slaves . To avoid this, he instead delivered a deed to the land at Massacoe. The deed was agreed to by Manahanoose as well as other Indians, identified as "the proprietors of Massaco". In 1653, the General Court granted 50 acres (200,000 m ) of meadowland to Lieutenant Aaron Cook, 60 acres (240,000 m ) to John Bissell and 50 acres (200,000 m ) to Thomas Ford, all in Massacoe. Settlers did not build permanent settlements until

5412-524: The population. The five largest percentages of reported ethnicity, expressed as percentage out of total residents, were Irish (23.0%), English (17.4%), German (15.6%), Italian (13.7%), and Polish (7.6%). There were 8,527 households, out of which 41.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.1% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 19.4% of all households had someone living alone, and 7.8% had someone living alone who

5494-556: The preceding calendar year." Title III also prohibits further oil and gas leasing, geothermal leasing, and mining patents in a stretch of the Bridger-Teton National Forest ; this provision was based on a bill being crafted by Senator Craig L. Thomas of Wyoming before his death. Title IV authorizes the Chief of the Forest Service to solicit (from regional foresters ) nominations of forest landscapes of at least 50,000 acres (200 km ), primarily consisting of national forest lands, which are in need of "active ecosystem restoration," for

5576-428: The purpose of compensating livestock producers for their loss of livestock due to predation by wolves. Another part of Title VI, the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act, was originally a Senate bill introduced in 2007 by Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii). This provision establishes stronger penalties than previously required for nonpermitted removal of scientifically significant fossils from federal lands. The provision

5658-447: The ridge. At the western foot of the mountain, the Pinchot Sycamore , the largest tree in Connecticut, grows near the Farmington River. Simsbury also has some patches of old-growth forest ; Belden Forest , a 40-acre site with public hiking trails near the center of town was inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network in October 2019. The town is often considered a bedroom community for the nearby city of Hartford, Connecticut , which

5740-496: The route is typical of Connecticut . Conditions on exposed ridge tops and summits may be harsher during cold or stormy weather. Lightning is a hazard on exposed summits and ledges during thunderstorms. Snow is common in the winter and may necessitate the use of snowshoes. Ice can form on exposed ledges and summits, making hiking dangerous without special equipment. Biting insects can be bothersome during warm weather. Parasitic deer ticks (which are known to carry Lyme disease ) are

5822-438: The spine of the Metacomet Trail was formed 200 million years ago during the late Triassic and early Jurassic periods, and is composed of trap rock, also known as basalt , an extrusive volcanic rock . Basalt is a dark colored rock, but the iron within it weathers to a rusty brown when exposed to the air, lending the ledges a distinct reddish appearance. Basalt frequently breaks into octagonal and pentagonal columns, creating

5904-403: The spring of 1677, during which most moved back to Simsbury, though some never returned. In 1707, Daniel Hayes, then aged twenty-two, was captured by indigenous people and carried to Canada . The capture was witnessed and a rescue party was raised, but the group did not catch up with the captors. Hayes was tied up each night and bound to saplings. It took thirty days to reach Canada, where Hayes

5986-519: The trail are suitable for, and are used for, mountain biking and cross-country skiing . Site-specific activities enjoyed along the route include hunting , fishing , horseback riding , boating , bouldering , rock climbing (access), and swimming . The Metacomet Trail traverses the trap rock Metacomet Ridge which extends from Long Island Sound to the Massachusetts/ Vermont border. This ridge, rising hundreds of feet above

6068-595: The trail, its ecosystems, and its viewshed included quarrying and suburban sprawl . The footway of the Metacomet Trail is maintained by volunteer efforts largely facilitated by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association . Many groups are invested in preserving the landscape and ecosystem of the Metacomet Trail, including the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, the Metropolitan District of Connecticut (responsible for

6150-602: The watershed properties on Talcott Mountain), Suffield Land Conservancy, East Granby Land Trust, Farmington Land Trust, Meriden Land Trust, Berlin Land Trust, Simsbury Land Trust, Ragged Mountain Foundation, and the Avon Land Trust. In 2000, the Metacomet Trail was included in a study by the National Park Service for possible inclusion in a new National Scenic Trail , which was officially recognized in 2009 as

6232-509: The west from West Suffield Mountain south through Ragged Mountain; with views in all directions at varying points in the Hanging Hills. The Farmington River cuts through the ridgeline between Hatchet Hill and Talcott Mountain in the Tariffville Gorge (east of Simsbury ). Historic features along the trail include Old Newgate Prison museum and copper mine in East Granby; Heublein Tower on Talcott Mountain with expansive view of four states;

6314-427: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.12. 29.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 3.6% were from 18 to 24, 27.7% were from 25 to 44, 26.6% were from 45 to 64, and 12.5% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years old. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males. In 2018,

6396-617: Was an early attempt to protect the ridges from sprawl. It received the Connecticut Governor's Green Circle Award yet was ignored by authorities in Southington, Berlin, New Britain, and Meriden. Since then, sprawl has eroded the ecological integrity of the trail corridor, particularly in Southington. That said, Southington has acquired the Crescent Lake compartment, yet now has plans to log it (2014) without regard for

6478-660: Was endorsed and strongly supported by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology , an international association of professional and amateur vertebrate paleontologists. In contrast, the Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences, an association of commercial fossil dealers , opposed the measure. Title VII makes three additions to the National Park System and expands current National Park designations. It also authorizes an American Battlefield Protection Program,

6560-541: Was forced to run the gauntlet . Near the end of the gauntlet, he hid in a wigwam to avoid an attempted blow by a club. The woman in the wigwam declared that the house was sacred and, having lost a husband and son to a war, adopted Hayes as her son. He remained for several years, attending to the woman. Eventually, he was sold to a Frenchman, who learned that Hayes had skill as a weaver and put him to work in that business. Hayes managed to earn enough to buy his freedom after two years. He then returned to Simsbury, settled down on

6642-417: Was left to be resolved later. This area includes the township Simsbury as well as Granby and Canton , which would later separate from Simsbury in 1786 and 1806, respectively. The precise origin of the name of the town is not known for certain. The town records covering the first ten years after incorporation were accidentally burned in 1680 and 1681. One possibility is that the name of Simsbury comes from

6724-509: Was then sent to the House of Representatives , where it was expected to pass by a wide margin. The bill was held at the desk instead of being sent to a committee. On March 11, 2009, the House considered the bill under suspension of the rules, meaning that a two-thirds vote would be required for passage. Those voting in favor of the bill (predominantly Democrats) fell two votes short of a two-thirds majority, 282-144. 34 Republicans voted in favor of

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