Farmington in Hartford County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
The Legend of Will Warren’s Den
Photographed By Alan M. Perrie, April 16, 2015
1. The Legend of Will Warren’s Den Marker
Inscription.
The Legend of Will Warren’s Den. . In the middle 1800s, it is believed, the cave was the home of Farmington’s mystery man, Will Warren. He was a poor farmhand with no property of his own. He refused to attend the village church on Sundays and spent his free time with the few Native Americans who still lived on the outskirts of town, fishing hunting and trapping. , , At that time, many Farmington farmers raised sheep and made money selling the wool and meat. One day, Will stole some sheep. Their owners were furious and announced that they would have Will whipped at the public whipping post on Main Street. Will, just as angry, set a village house and barn on fire, then ran out of town and up through pastures and orchards to the summit of Rattlesnake Mountain. Farmers ran after him, their hounds sniffing at his trail. Exhausted, Will reached the top and found two Native American women who helped him into this cave. They brushed away his footprints and sat outside to hid the entrance. Will’s hunters ran right on by the cave without seeing it, and Will was safe.
In the middle 1800s, it is believed, the cave was the home of Farmington’s mystery man, Will Warren. He was a poor farmhand with no property of his own. He refused to attend the village church on Sundays and spent his free time with the few Native Americans who still lived on the outskirts of town, fishing hunting and trapping.
At that time, many Farmington farmers raised sheep and made money selling the wool and meat. One day, Will stole some sheep. Their owners were furious and announced that they would have Will whipped at the public whipping post on Main Street. Will, just as angry, set a village house and barn on fire, then ran out of town and up through pastures and orchards to the summit of Rattlesnake Mountain. Farmers ran after him, their hounds sniffing at his trail. Exhausted, Will reached the top and found two Native American women who helped him into this cave. They brushed away his footprints and sat outside to hid the entrance. Will’s hunters ran right on by the cave without seeing it, and Will was safe.
It was located near 41° 41.94′ N, 72° 49.956′ W. Marker was in Farmington, Connecticut, in Hartford County. Marker could be reached from Colt Highway (U.S. 6). The marker is found on the Blue-Blazed New England Trail, 1.2 miles south of the crossing at route 6 (Colt Highway). Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Farmington CT 06032, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Folklore of Will Warren's Den. (Submitted on January 18, 2016, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
Photographed By Alan M. Perrie, January 11, 2016
2. The donation of Will Warren’s Den
Will Warren’s Den and eight surrounding acres were given to the Town of Farmington in 1987 as the bequest of a longtime resident and leader, William Steele Wadsworth. The Farmington Land Trust helped to arrange the gift and has an easement on the property. This project is made possible by a grant from the Hartford Foundation of Public Giving.
Photographed By Alan M. Perrie, April 16, 2015
3. Will’s stone home
Will’s sheep also had a home here. As you face the cave and look uphill to your left, you can see the remnants of the stone wall that formed one side of their corral. Generations of hikers have explored the cave since Will left it, and generations of Farmington children have been told that, if they linger in these woods after sundown, they will hear the ghostly bleating of Will Warren’s sheep. The story usually gets them home by suppertime.
Photographed By Alan M. Perrie, January 11, 2016
4. The entrance is a very small, but the den is not.
If you have ever been in a tight squeeze, this entrance is tighter. The “squeeze” is about 3 feet long, descending down and back up. Mother Nature has been filling in the entrance over the years, so even Will might have a hard time.
The inside is like a 7 foot high stone tent, with a “chimney” and fire pit opposite the entrance.
Photographed By Alan M. Perrie, January 17, 2016
5. The interior of Will’s Den
The legend says that he married one of the Native American women and lived here the rest of his life, hiking down to town every few months to steal more sheep. The cave would have made a snug, secret home, protected from wind, rain, and snow, and with enough room inside for a cooking fire and a bedroll. A small hole at the top lets daylight in and fire smoke out.
The very small cave entrance is located to the right of center, where natural light filters in. The “chimney” is behind the camera.
Photographed By Alan M. Perrie, January 17, 2016
6. The 1.2 mile trail to Will Warren’s Den
Trailhead parking for 6 cars is located 0.1 miles south of Pinnacle Road. Follow the Blue-Blazed New England Trail to the highest point in Farmington, Rattlesnake Mountain. Will Warren’s Den is 0.1 mile south of the summit. The hike takes about 45 minutes with an elevation gain of 350 feet. If you have the time, Rattlesnake Cliffs (0.1 mile south) has one of the best views in Farmington.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2016, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,761 times since then and 206 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 18, 2016, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.