An arrow showing the way to the Dragon’s Hole
New England has many Wildlife Management Areas. Though they highlight great sights, often there are long forgotten landmarks and geological curios hidden in their dark recesses. Over time the trails to them and mention on the maps fades away, and they are lost into history.
This past weekend we visited one of these landmarks hidden in the forests of Connecticut. We had first heard of this cave in a book about places to visit that was published in the 1930s by the state planning board. Since the 1700s it was referred to as Dragon’s Hole but eventually was also referred to as Devil’s Den. Though it was a popular feature in the 1800s, now it was once again absorbed back into the wild.
Devil’s Den was a common name used by colonial settlers concerning caves that gave the reason to suspect activity of a dark force. Dragon’s hole was said to be one of those cave. It was said that strange noise and lights would be seen coming from the grotto it lives within. Some believed that these tales were just folklore created by mothers trying to protect their children from the hazards of this wild terrain.
Posted in Cave, Geological, Historical, Subterranean by Michael with 1 comment.
This past fall and winter we decided to hunt down caves in southeastern New England that are seldom visited or long forgotten. We dug through our library of historic books and documents and began to make a list. As has often happened in the past we came across one a cave we were eager to hunt for when we read about it years ago, but were tied up with other project. Over time we had forgotten about it. We thought now was the best time to act on it before it would again be put off once again.
From 1786 – 1795 counterfeiters were forging Spanish silver coins at a rocky ridge on the south side of a ravine deep in the forests of Southeastern New England. Tradition says that at this same location there was a small rocky cave they used to hide their tools and money. This cave was entered from above through a triangular opening that could easily be hidden by a rock slab that fit the opening well. The Counterfeiters Den was large enough for three men.
Posted in Cave, Geological, Historical, Subterranean by Michael with no comments yet.