LIFE

In March of 2017 Lisa Zerio, then the director of Rocky Hill Parks and Recreation, contacted the Rocky Hill Historical Society about an old flag that had been stored in the town vault for many years. We expected another 48-star flag to add to our collection but what we found was an even greater treasure.

If you’ve ever driven down Glastonbury Avenue you may have noticed the barren landscape on the banks of the Connecticut River. This is where the Connecticut Foundry was once located.

How often do we drive by old houses in town and wonder about their history? Drive down Meadow Road towards the ferry landing and you may notice an oddly shaped house on the left as you start down the road. This is the Sail Loft House and it has a fascinating history.

A person driving down Main Street these days can’t help but notice that a huge real estate development is underway. This is Kelson Row. It is intended primarily as a residential development with shops on the lower floors.

One of the many interesting things about Rocky Hill is its relationship to the Connecticut River. In addition to our proud seafaring history, we are the home of the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry, the oldest ferry in America, and for many years had a booming fishing industry. The Hale family has been prominent in all these areas.