According to local lore, Diana's Pool was named after a woman — her heart broken by her lover — who jumped to her death from a high cliff into the Natchaug River.
There's also a legend that notes she slipped on all the tears she cried. And a totally different legend notes the area was named after the Diana family, who once owned the pool and ran a concession stand for visitors in the 1800s.
Whatever legend you choose to believe, the pool and surrounding waterfalls are a great place to visit when the weather gets warmer. Although swimming is not allowed, there are plenty of places to take off the hiking boots and dip your toes in the cool, clean water.
Diana's Pool is 15 feet deep in places and looks like a small pond surrounded by large rock walls. The Natchaug enters the pool over several waterfalls. Several trails snake along the river banks and provide scenic overlooks of the area.
Just north of the pool is a series of ruins. Chaplin was named after Benjamin Chaplin, who bought much of the land from Joshua, son of the Mohegan tribe's Chief Uncas. The Natchaug, formed by the confluence of the Still and Bigelow rivers, powered mills in the area in the early 1800s.
Along the river banks are large boulders called "thunder rocks." According to locals, the large boulder set on top of a ledge would be moved by a Native American Indian with a long log. The movement would make a loud "boom-boom" that would signal other Indians.
Another site to see a little downstream of the pool is a concrete arch bridge that takes Route 198 across the Natchaug. The bridge was built in 1926 and is an example of the state's interest in ornamental concrete at the turn of the century.
Diana's Pool is along Route 198 just north of its intersection with Route 6. Turn off 198 on to Diana's Pool Road. There's a small earthen parking area with room for seven or eight cars. Follow the trail at the front of the lot. Proper footwear should be worn because the rocks can be slippery.
I want to live where you live!! It is so beautiful!!!! I'm so jealous!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks so powerful. Why is it called Diana's Pool?
ReplyDeleteWow, neat!!!
ReplyDeleteAccording to local lore, Diana's Pool was named after a woman — her heart broken by her lover — who jumped to her death from a high cliff into the Natchaug River.
ReplyDeleteThere's also a legend that notes she slipped on all the tears she cried. And a totally different legend notes the area was named after the Diana family, who once owned the pool and ran a concession stand for visitors in the 1800s.
Whatever legend you choose to believe, the pool and surrounding waterfalls are a great place to visit when the weather gets warmer. Although swimming is not allowed, there are plenty of places to take off the hiking boots and dip your toes in the cool, clean water.
Diana's Pool is 15 feet deep in places and looks like a small pond surrounded by large rock walls. The Natchaug enters the pool over several waterfalls. Several trails snake along the river banks and provide scenic overlooks of the area.
Just north of the pool is a series of ruins. Chaplin was named after Benjamin Chaplin, who bought much of the land from Joshua, son of the Mohegan tribe's Chief Uncas. The Natchaug, formed by the confluence of the Still and Bigelow rivers, powered mills in the area in the early 1800s.
Along the river banks are large boulders called "thunder rocks." According to locals, the large boulder set on top of a ledge would be moved by a Native American Indian with a long log. The movement would make a loud "boom-boom" that would signal other Indians.
Another site to see a little downstream of the pool is a concrete arch bridge that takes Route 198 across the Natchaug. The bridge was built in 1926 and is an example of the state's interest in ornamental concrete at the turn of the century.
Diana's Pool is along Route 198 just north of its intersection with Route 6. Turn off 198 on to Diana's Pool Road. There's a small earthen parking area with room for seven or eight cars. Follow the trail at the front of the lot. Proper footwear should be worn because the rocks can be slippery.
That's beautiful! And thanks for the history on it too!
ReplyDelete