I have been trying some research with the result of 'lost to history'? (it seems) The Naugatuck Railroad built a popular 'Park' called High Rock Park in latter 1800's. --also till this day known as High Rock Grove-- The early years I would guess prior to 'amusement park era'. ---but how long did this park last?

Then confusion. The railroad was on west side of the river--yes? The Trolley on east side of the river--no?

Where was the park? On both sides of the river?

I have seen excursion pictures of trolley riders. I assume they were on their trolley line on 'east side of river'. I know from reading construction literature in relation to Rt.8 they used the trolley ROW in that area.

I know not what industry might have been in that area in days of old. Along RR row there seems evidence of some old 'spurs' going somewhere.(in High Rock area)

www.davesrailpix.com/ctco/htm/wat03.htm

www.davesrailpix.com/ctco/htm/wat02.htm

--- High Rock Interesting questions... I've hiked through that area a bunch of times as well as ridden trains from NH days through the current Metro-North era. The river is an awful lot cleaner now! Yes, the railroad always was and is on the west side of the river and the Connecticut Company trolley line occupied part of the current Route 8 alignment on the east side. The trolley right-of-way was clearly recognizable when Route 8 had grade-separated northbound and southbound lanes, up until a complete rebuilding in the 1970s.

The 1986 book "Connecticut Railroads: An Illustrated History" by Gregg Turner and Melancthon Jacobus reproduces a Naugatuck Railroad timetable dated July 1, 1884, that shows High Rock Grove as a passenger stop, with four northbound and five southbound trains (most making seasonal stops only). There's also an undated drawing that shows a 4-4-0 powered passenger train with canoes full of hapy revelers floating on the river.

The only reason I could think of for a railroad siding at High Rock would have been a passing track... there's certainly no evidence that there was ever any industry north of Beacon Falls and south of the Naugatuck Chemical (Uniroyal) plant. And given how much the track has been reconstructed through there over the years (starting with the aftermath of the 1955 floods), I doubt any remnant of spurs would exist anyway. Were you maybe looking at hiking trails or old roads that appeared to be railroad rights of way?

I was told by somebody that the park was just west of the railroad tracks. Incidentally Before the new route 8 was built a few years ago the old route 8 was two separate roadways between Beacon Falls and the south end of Naugatuck. The lower road was two lanes southbound twisting and turning along the Naugatuck River and good for about 35 MPH. The upper road was two lanes northbound on the side hill and much straighter and easier to drive, this piece of road was good for 45 or 50 MPH. The upper two lanes followed the right of way of the Connecticut Company trolley line that ran between Derby and Waterbury.

ok...thanks all...

It must have been 'nicer' in that area prior to the new Rt.8 section---or when the 'upper part of Rt.8 was not the Trolley ROW. (an interesting one there) I can vague remember the old Rt.8 section there. I think it was an 'unbuilt section' of the new 4 lane Rt.8. I forget what it was labeled but think it was 'accident row'.(that is the automobile) I was up there walking for the first time back in January on a warm day. The area is the Naugatuck State Forest now. The Naugatuck Trail, a hiking trail, is on the east side of Rt.8. On the west side of Rt.8 there's just a dirt road that I think was or is called High Rock Rd. but no street sign left. Older newspaper clippings (1948 onward) constant rant about not keeping up the picnic facilities at High Rock and vandalism but see no mention pre-1948.

Easy place to take a photo of Metro North without trespassing. I don't think any 'Gulford Freight' goes that far south any more. 0-did I forget to elaborate on east-west and Rt.8? There's the Naugatuck River in there.

I think the trolley line also had a stop for High Rock. If you have old Shoreliners there was a superb article around 1985 or so by the late Charlie Brown on the CT Co. operations to Waterbury. In that article Charlie sketched the trolley ROW including stops and "turnouts" (trolley-ese for passing sidings). I recall one for High Rock. That would suggest the park was on both sides of the river.

I haven't been in that territory in a while but my recollection is the topography is extremely steep on the west (New Haven Railroad) side of the river. Where the heck would a park have fit ?

Since the trolley line was abandoned June 1937, the ranks of those who were there are shrinking fast!

Being a Boy Scout from the Borough of Naugatuck I am quite familiar with the area, it has been the location of many ovenight camp outs and many miles of hikes.

Indeed the Naugatuck Railroad Company had an "Amusement Park" or developed part of the area. All of us at one time or another have seen the NRR's advertising flyer promoting the park espically for it's sylvan scenery. There are 2 "Rocks" on the West side of the river depending on who you talk to, each is either Toby's Rock Mountain or High Rock.

(Old maps show the words "High Rock Grove" spanning the area from the current picnic grove to accross the river to Route 8. I think the Cartiographer couldn't fit the wording into where the grove really was.)

If you follow Spruce Brook Northerly, up the hill, there is a trail/road that leads off south westerly. Along this trail is a pond that to the best of my recollection was a dam on that branch of Spruce Brook. It was an easy hike from the RR to this point.

Also, there were the reminants of an iron railing at the summit of the south rock. The trail to get to the top of this peak was well made and someone had set stones as steps in some places.

I do remember the old timers telling stories of a pavillion someplace down there and having either band concerts and/or dances and manufacturing firms and organizations having outings there.

I vagely remember seeing the remenants of a large ring of stones near the dam. At 12 years old you're not too intrested in a pile of old stones in the woods, but happy that someone had dammed up the brook so you could fish. The reminants vanish into time and their memories become clouded with age.

On the other East Side of the river is the continuation of Naugatuck State Forest. Egypt brook came down through the woods but nothing was developed. There were two roadways, Automobile taffic was on the lower level, a very windy road in comparison to the upper roadway which was The ROW of the electric street railway. This ROW was engineered with longer tangents and winder curves in comparison with the lower road which originally was a wagon road down the valley. When the trolley line was abandoned, it was paved and opened to 2 lanes of north bound automobile traffic and the lower road was 2 lanes southbound. As Nole said, if you went over 35 MPH you would, as many others had, end up in the river.

One of these days, when the snow melts, I will walk those paths once again and photo document what's left for posterity.

Thanks Joe for all that info.

Back in January I parked a car by that dirt road on west of river and took a long walk. I did not know road was drivable and it had rained or snowed the night before. ahhh...walking good for you..right?

Then walked on east side down to Egypt Brook and Naugatuck Trail. I've gotta think it must be kinda nice in there in the summer.

I've been trying to dig up info on ex-amusement parks for awhile now. I was not sure what High Rock might have qualified for but it was a 'railroad' park and later a trolley park. Almost all trolley parks tried to push amusements so I have no idea if there was ever anything there besides picnic's.

I've still yet to find much on Housatonic Park in Derby except it did have a merry-go-round and all that stuff.

There was supposedly a BLUE ROCK PARK in Ansonia but beats me. Can't find one mention of it. (except in an old book)

Waterbury had Lakeview Park with it's Carousel and Roller Coaster.(etc)

Terryville had some Hippo??? Park...another elusive one.....

Winsted---Highland Lake..Electric Park....

Shelton...Pine Rock? Trumbull..Parlor Rock....