This Park is almost an 'unknown'. I saw it on an old 1893 railroad map and then the below information from the Town of Redding. It appears that it might have been a 'Railroad Park'.



Brookside Park, Redding, Connecticut. More information needed.

Brookside Park opened (slash) re-opened officially as a recreation park in 1878, but historically the land was a popular destination from approx. early 1860's to 1900. It was 30-acres, it had a bridge crossing the Saugatuck River, a fishing pond, gold fish pond, and many gravel covered paths for walking, most of these paths leading to water fountains. It was very popular with New Yorkers looking to get out of the city to picnic and fish. So popular that a 2-story hotel was erected (burned down in 1900) and a band/dance pavilion was added. The first electric lighting generator in CT was said to have been installed here in 1884. The property also had a caretaker's house and cook's house.

CREDITS: Town of Redding, Connecticut