Exploring the Legends and Trails of Mashamoquet Brook State Park
Nestled in the quiet town of Pomfret, Connecticut, Mashamoquet Brook State Park is a place where history, legend, and natural beauty intertwine. Named after the Mohegan word for “stream of good fishing,” the park was once the domain of the great Mohegan Chief Uncas. Later, Captain John Sabin built an outpost here, and the settlement gradually expanded. Today, this 1,000-acre park is the result of merging three historic parcels: Mashamoquet Brook, Wolf Den, and Sap Tree Run.
The Historic Wolf Den
Perhaps the park’s most famous feature is the Wolf Den, a site recognized on the National Register of Historic Places since 1985. Near the den, two striking natural rock formations stand out: Table Rock, a broad, flat stone shelf, and Indian Chair, a rock formation shaped like a throne, sitting atop a ledge with a commanding view of the forest below.
The Wolf Den portion of the park has been public land since before the State Park and Forest Commission was even established in 1914. The Daughters of the American Revolution had the foresight to purchase this historic parcel in 1899 and later sold it to the state in 1924 for the same price they had originally paid.
Brayton Grist Mill: A Window to the Past
As you enter the park, you will notice a red building standing near the brook. This is the Brayton Grist Mill, one of the best-preserved 19th-century rural grist mills in Connecticut. Built in 1890 by William Brayton using materials salvaged from older mills, the structure is a relic of an era when water-powered industry thrived in New England.
The four-story post-and-beam building was once powered by a hidden underground channel feeding a 19th-century turbine. The mill is the last remaining structure of its kind along Mashamoquet Brook. After Brayton’s death in 1928, the state acquired the property in 1930 as part of the park’s expansion. Today, thanks to the Pomfret Historical Society, the mill has been restored and converted into the Marcy Blacksmith Museum. While it is only open by appointment, it stands as a testament to the industrial heritage of rural Connecticut.
Hiking the Blue Trail
For those looking for adventure, the Blue Trail loop offers 5.4 miles of hiking with about 830 feet of elevation gain. The journey begins at a small bridge near the parking lot, leading first to Table Rock.
Table Rock is a flat stone ledge overlooking the valley below. Measuring roughly ten by fifteen feet across, the rock requires only a small step up on its high side, but the drop-off on the low side extends ten feet or more. It’s a breathtaking spot for a moment of reflection before heading deeper into the park.
Further down the trail, hikers encounter signs for the Wolf Den plaque. If you aren’t paying attention, it’s easy to miss. The plaque is placed against a large rock outcropping, telling the story of a young farmer who confronted a deadly predator. Just beside it is a small opening in the rock—a cave barely large enough for a man to squeeze into.
The Legend of Israel Putnam
The Wolf Den is forever tied to the legendary story of Israel Putnam, a young farmer in the 1740s whose sheep were being slaughtered at an alarming rate. After losing seventy animals, Putnam and his fellow farmers tracked the culprit—a monstrous she-wolf—to a dark, narrow cave. When the hunters arrived, they could hear deep growls echoing from within.
No one dared to enter—except Israel Putnam.
With a torch in one hand and a musket in the other, Putnam tied a rope around his ankles and slid feet-first into the cave. The firelight flickered against the walls as he wriggled deeper into the darkness. Then, two glowing eyes reflected back at him. The beast snarled, fangs bared, but Putnam didn’t hesitate. He raised his musket, took a steady breath, and fired.
The gunshot echoed like thunder in the confined space. Outside, the men waited in tense silence. Then, after what felt like an eternity, they felt a tug on the rope. They pulled with all their might, and Putnam emerged, dragging the lifeless wolf behind him. The last of its kind, the predator had finally met its match.
Though the story has likely grown with time, historians agree on its core truth: Israel Putnam, long before he became a Revolutionary War general, proved his courage in the depths of the Wolf Den. Today, the cave remains a tangible piece of that legend, waiting for modern-day explorers to visit its shadowed entrance.
Indian Chair: A Throne in the Wild
Further along the Blue Trail, hidden among rugged cliffs, sits Indian Chair—a naturally sculpted seat that appears as if it were placed by ancient hands. Perched on a ledge, it offers a commanding view of the surrounding forest.
Without the park’s painted yellow signs, the chair could be easy to miss. But if you happen to be climbing up the steep southern approach, you’ll be glad for the break. Sitting there, one can almost imagine Chief Uncas surveying the land centuries ago.
The Soldier’s Grave: A Solemn Reminder of the Past
As the final stretch of my hike approached, the weather took a sudden turn. Dark clouds gathered, and a steady wind rolled through the trees. Rain pattered against the leaves as I passed an open parking lot and quiet recreational fields. But my mind was focused on something else—something much older. I was searching for the Soldier’s Grave.
I nearly walked past it, my attention clouded by the coming storm. Realizing my mistake, I turned back and spotted a narrow offshoot trail leading slightly uphill. At the end of the path, an eerie sight greeted me: a massive, gnarled tree, mostly dead, standing against the gray sky like a ghostly sentinel.
To the right of the tree, enclosed by a simple wooden fence, lay the grave. Built of stacked flat stones, it was larger than expected. At its head stood a weathered gravestone, inscribed with a name lost to time:
Stephen Averill Avery Jr. Provincial Militia Revolutionary War 1753 – 1777
Four small American flags decorated the site, their colors muted against the damp earth. Standing there, I wondered about the soldier beneath the stones. Was he a young recruit, full of hope? Did he expect to return home? His grave, isolated in the heart of the forest, carried the weight of history in its silence.
A Journey Through Time
Mashamoquet Brook State Park is more than just a place for hiking and picnicking. It’s a living museum of New England’s past—a land of legends, historic ruins, and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you come for the history, the ghost stories, or the quiet beauty of the trails, one thing is certain: this park will leave an impression.
So lace up your boots, take a deep breath, and step into the stories that linger beneath the towering trees. Who knows? Maybe you’ll leave with a legend of your own.
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