Pleasant Valley in Barkhamsted in Northwest Hills Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Barkhamsted

Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 8, 2010

1. Barkhamsted Marker

Inscription. Barkhamsted Named for Barkhamsted in Hertfordshire, England, this area was part of the Western Lands granted by the proprietors of Windsor to 108 persons of that town in 1732. The first highway through the town was the New Country Road, better known as the Old North Road, ordered by the General Assembly in 1760. Early settlements included Barkhamsted Center, Wallens Hill (Winsted), Ratlum, Pleasant Valley, Riverton (Hitchcocksville), and Shawtown. Among early industries was the manufacture of axes, scythes, rakes, bricks, lumber, chairs, and pyroligneous acid for use in the textile industry. Farming was also important.
The town suffered a severe decline in its population during the late 1800's when better farmland became available in the Midwest. Metropolitan District Commission reservoirs and three state forests now provide open space and recreational land. The book Barkhamsted Heritage, Culture and Industry in a Rural Connecticut Town offers further information.
Erected by the Town of Barkhamsted
The Barkhamsted Historical Society
and the Connecticut Historical Commission
1980

Erected 1980 by the Town of Barkhamsted, Barkhamsted Historical Society, Connecticut Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic

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lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1732.

Location. 41° 55.487′ N, 72° 57.92′ W. Marker is in Barkhamsted in Northwest Hills Region, Connecticut. It is in Pleasant Valley. It is at the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road (Route 318) and Beach Rock Road, on the right when traveling north on Pleasant Valley Road. Located next to the Barkhamsted Center Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Barkhamsted CT 06063, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Connecticut’s Berkshire Foothills

and in the Litchfield Hills.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Litchfield County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hollow Church Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Barkhamsted Soldiers Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Barkhamsted Center Cemetery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A River Valley Transformed (approx. 1.3 miles away); Church Pool (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Bronson Legacy with Connecticut's Parks and Forests (approx. 1.6 miles away); William Wallace Lee (approx. 1.6 miles away); Squire's Tavern (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Barkhamsted.

Also see . . .
1. Barkhamsted, Connecticut on Wikipedia. (Submitted on April 17, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Barkhamsted Historical Society

Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 8, 2010

2. Barkhamsted Marker

Behind the marker is the Barkhamsted Soldiers Monument. To the left is the Barkhamsted Center Cemetery.

. (Submitted on April 17, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,532 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 17, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.