Rocky Hill in Capitol Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Butler and Sugden Dam and Sluiceway
1854
Photographed by Conrad Ward, May 25, 2025
1. Butler and Sugden Dam and Sluiceway Marker
This earthen and stone dam, built by William Sage Butler and Robert Sugden Jr., created a three-acre pond which provided waterpower for their Shear Factory (Pleasant Valley Foundry). A long sluiceway conveyed the water to the factory site, which was located downstream. The pond no longer exists due to the breach of the dam in 2001.
The factory owners petitioned the town of Rocky Hill to build a road in Dividend (as this area was then called) to the Middletown Road (now Route 99), thus Pleasant Valley Road was laid out in 1854.
(photo caption)
Breached dam with wooden gate missing, about 2012
Dividend - Rocky Hill's First Industrial Complex, by June Cooke
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 41° 38.498′ N, 72° 38.489′ W. Marker is in Rocky Hill in Capitol Region, Connecticut. It can be reached from Old Forge Road. Located in Dividend Pond Archaeological District. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rocky Hill CT 06067, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Connecticut River Valley, in Greater Hartford, and in the Knowledge Corridor. 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 Hartford County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Butler and Sugden Shear Factory (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Butler Grist Mill
this page online
Photographed by Conrad Ward, May 25, 2025
2. Butler and Sugden Dam and Sluiceway Marker
Photographed by Conrad Ward, May 25, 2025
3. The breached dam
Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2026, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 31, 2026, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
