Bigelow Brook, Manchester CT

This little section of Bigelow Brook is across the street from the old Parkade, off Middle Turnpike West. For water power, the brook was dammed up to make Hilliard Pond, and the mills downstream used the water power. Later, kids swam or skated at Hilliard Pond, but in the 1970s the dam was taken down due to its poor shape and the pond dissipated. Doug Smith, chairman of the Bigelow Brook Greenway Committee, has promoted a plan to create walking trails along the brook to open up this hidden gem for the public's enjoyment. Purdy Corporation recently gave a 20-acre easement along the brook to the Manchester Land Conservation Trust. Bigelow Brook starts with small tributaries up toward the Shady Glen side of town, and flows through Manchester Green, underground at the high school sports field and eventually into Center Springs Park, where it fills the pond. Then the brook goes under the old Cheney railroad, built in 1869, on the west side of Edgerton Street. It flows under Broad Street, and then is visible along the south side of the Parkade, crossing under West Middle Turnpike to the site of the former Hilliard Pond. Then it flows under Adams Street, meeting up with the Hockanum River near Hilliard Mills (former woolen mills dating back to the 18th century) on Hilliard Street. The Hockanum then flows into the Connecticut River. Hilliard Mills is on the register of historic places. The site is under renovation for reuse as office space, catering, etc. MVI 1273

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Manchester
• CT;
• Land
• Conservation
• Trust;
• Bigelow
• Brook