Oct 19 Little River State Park - Vermont

 

This is my 3rd or 4th visit here. It is a popular place but it being a dreary mid October weekday, very few folks were out on the trails. 

My hike was a loop through an area once settled with many rock foundations and several cemeteries. Here is the commentary from the State Park brochure:

In the early 1800s, pioneers cleared fields, rocks, and stumps in Ricker Basin and Cotton Brook. A settlement of 50 or so families once lived in this area. The hard demands of the land and weather forced younger generations to abandon the farms. Today, old cemeteries, sawmill remains, old town roads, bridges and many cellar holes can still be seen as evidence of a past community.

On November 3 and 4 of 1927, torrential rains caused local rivers to rise and drove residents to their roofs. Between 1935 and 1938 the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, constructed Waterbury Reservoir. The CCC camp here was a fully operating, thriving community with more than 80 buildings, and housing 2,000 men at its peak. Now, half a century later, only a few solitary chimneys and concrete foundations remain.

Having hiked the Ricker Farm Trail and Stevenson Brook Trail on previous visits, I opted for the Dalley Loop Trail this visit. The commentary on the interpretive sign at the above house foundation stated that the nearby barn ruins had once supported an 83' long barn. It was construction with an 83' long spruce pine serving as the ridgepole. 

Ruins of the 83' long barn

Artesian well near a house foundation

I visited 3 cemeteries on this loop hike. The stones are made from locally quarried marble. Normally, when I visit old cemeteries, the stones are discolored and engravings are eroded. This marble holds up very well and makes the cemetery look clean and nicely maintained. That is quire a contrast to southern New England cemeteries which have sandstone gravestones.