It has been a while but while we are closed for Covid-19 we will be offering some of our traveling exhibits here.
Haddam Island
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| View of Haddam Island, circa 1875 taken from Haddam side looking at Haddam Neck. George Bradford Brainerd Collection |
“Resting Like a Gem
on the Bosom of Flowing Water”
The small narrow island in the Connecticut River between
Haddam and Haddam Neck has a long history of mystery, commercial fishing and
recreation. Some believe Captain Kidd
buried a portion of his treasure there, while others say the island is a sacred
burial ground for Native Americans. Early Haddam residents made a good living
fishing off the island and many a romance began here in the early 20th
century.
The earliest residents of the area were members of the
Wangunk Tribe, also known as Wangum or Wongam, which means “bend in the river”.
They occupied the area along the Connecticut River in the central part of the
state from Wethersfield down through Haddam. Known as the “River People” they
fished, hunted and farmed the region.
Town of Haddam
There is currently some question how Thirty Mile(s) Island received its name. Many written histories state that early explorers and settlers thought the island was thirty miles from the mouth of the river at Saybrook (it is only about 17 miles). Others surmise that the island was given its name because it was thirty miles downriver from Hartford (it is about 25 miles). We may never know. But Lord's Island to the south was once known as Twenty Mile Island which gives credence to the first theory.
The Reverend David Dudley Field in 1812 reported that the Town of Haddam tried to purchase the island in 1734 but no sale was made and many old time residents recall the Native's living on the island well into the 18th century. Early land records note that the island was commonly called Cobs Island, after Native American Cobcozen.
1755 Map shows the Island as 3 Miles Island
The Wangunks rented fishing places on the island to Haddam
residents and held on to ownership of the island until 1790’s. In the late 18th century the
Connecticut State Assembly granted the descendants of “Indian Cobcozen” the
right to sell their rights in the island following years of testimony and
affidavits which determined who rightfully owned the island. A number of
descendants of Cobcozen /Cyrus Cobb testified that they were heirs and entitled
to sell the property. Local residents were also called to testify about who
owed the island.
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| 1789 Joseph Smith testifying that "Indian man called Cob" owned Haddam Island Yale Indian Papers Project, Yale University |
Bayles 1885 history of Haddam notes that Haddam Island “for
many years was the one of the most valuable fishing stations on the river. The
water on the east side was deep and much frequented by fish and being narrow
was easily swept with a seine. Two fishing companies, one at either end, occupy
it for this purpose”.
Haddam Island Fishing Company Account 1866. Town of Haddam
Assessment of
rights on Island Fishing Acct. Many well-known names including Dickinson,
Walkley, Brainerd and Arnold
Town of Haddam
By the late 1800s fishing had fell off and the island was
used recreationally. Fish fries, picnics, and dances were held frequently
by both residents and out of towners. The island was opened to campers and boat
parties. By 1910 a shop had been set up where you could purchase ice cream,
soda, water and cigars. The American Canoe Association frequently held events
on the island including races and weekend retreats at “Camp Winne”.
Illustration of Camp Winne on Haddam
Island. 1893. Hartford Courant
County Atlas of Middlesex County New
York : F.W. Beers and Company, 1874
Haddam resident, Waldo Parmelee recalled that Otto Carlson,
who owned Granite Rock Springs and Undina Beverages, owned the island in the
early 20th century and he built a dock and building and
sold refreshments including his famous soda. He remembered dances and ball
games on the island and organizations have large events.
Haddam Island, Circa 1920
Haddam Neck
residents Martha Nilsen (3rd from L), Margaret Nilsen (4th from L), Harriette
Gillette (5th from L) and Ella Gillette (6th from L). Courtesy of Sue Olsen
Haddam Island, Circa 1920. Back row L to R: Martha Nilsen, Harriet
Gillette ,unknown, Ella Gillette, Margaret Nilsen, next four unknown, Charles
Lundell, Sr. Seated on log: Third from left George Carlson, rest unknown.
Courtesy of Sue Olsen
Looking north on Connecticut River towards Haddam Island. Charles
Church Collection
Haddam Island taken from Walkley Hill looking east at Haddam Neck.
Sue DeCarli Collection
Haddam Island from Haddam Neck looking northwest. House in center
is 259 Injun Hollow Road, Josiah and Ansel Brainerd House. HHS
Haddam Island from overlook in Haddam Neck
looking northwest. HHS
In 1944 the State of Connecticut purchased the island as a
state park. It is currently listed as “an undeveloped 14-acre island accessible
only by boat. Recommended activities are
boating, fishing and birdwatching.”
Aerial view of
Haddam Island, circa 1934. Connecticut State Library
1965 Aerial View of Haddam Island.
Connecticut State Library
In 1954 a boy in Beaufort,
North Carolina found a bottle with the message “Haddam Island, 1950”. Long
before the age of Google, it took a considerable amount of time to figure out
exactly where “Haddam Island” was located. It is still unknown who sent the
bottle.
Daniel Wilmes grew up in Haddam
Neck in the 1950s and 1960s and spent a lot of time on Haddam Island. In 1965
he and his friends were upset by the trash people left on the island and hauled
oil drum out to be used as garbage cans. The teenagers wanted to do more to
improve the island including building picnic tables. He wrote the State of
Connecticut asking for help and although the state was pleased with their
efforts they could not endorse "improving" the island.
In more recent history from 1982 to the mid-1990s the
annual Connecticut River Raft Race ran between Hurd State Park in East Hampton
and Haddam Meadow, the Island being a notable landmark. Today the island is almost completely overgrown but still
open to visitors by boat, canoe and kayak.
Sources:
Yale Indian Papers Project, Yale University
UCONN Library Map and Geographic
Information Center
Beers, J.B., ed. History of Middlesex
County , Connecticut New
York : J. B. Beers and Company, 1884.
Brooks, Lillian Kruger. “Life Flows
along like a River”: A History of Haddam Neck. Haddam , CT
Cunningham, Janice and Elizabeth
Warner. Portrait of a River Town :
The History and Architecture of Haddam , Connecticut Middletown , CT :
Greater Middletown Preservation
Trust, 1984.
Field, David Dudley. A Statistical
Account of the County of Middlesex Middletown , Connecticut
Map of Middlesex County, Connecticut from
Surveys Under the Direction of H.F. Walling. New
York : H. and C.T. Smith and Company, 1859
Hartford Courant Archives
Daniel Wilmes, East Haddam, CT
Connecticut River Raft Race Archives
Haddam Historical Society Collections
Connecticut State Parks Website
