Rocky Hill in Capitol Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Bulkeley Mill Dam
1875
Photographed by Conrad Ward, May 25, 2025
1. Bulkeley Mill Dam Marker
The Bulkeley Mill Dam was originally built around 1680 by Rev. Gershom Bulkeley to provide water power to his corne mill. It was rebuilt and enlarged in 1875 in order to strengthen, make higher and flood additional land.
In 1975, the Town of Rocky Hill took ownership of the dam and the surrounding 235 acres as part of a referendum that transferred this land from the Bigelow-Sanford Co. to the Town. Sixty-eight acres of this land eventually became Dividend Pond Trails and Archaeological District; the rest became Rocky Hill's Industrial Park.
The 150 foot long by 25 foot high dam stands between the 5.8 acre Upper Pond and the 1.3 acre Lower Pond.
Sweet Dividend
Oh, Dividend so bright and fair
Although it's left to Nature's care.
The wildest flowers scent the air
Of sweet Dividend
by Eva M. Lennox
Wife of the Superintendent of C. E. Billings Co.
about 1900
(photo caption)
Boathouse, Upper Dividend Pond, about 1909
Dividend - Rocky Hill's First Industrial Complex, by June Cooke
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.
Location.
this page online
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: Bulkeley's New Corne Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); C. E. Billings Manufacturing Co. (within shouting distance of this marker); An Historic Timeline - Dividend Pond Archaeological District (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welles & Wilcox Manufacturing (about 400 feet away); Reverend Gershom Bulkeley's Corne/Grist Mill (about 700 feet away); Butler and Sugden Shear Factory (approx. 0.4 miles away); Butler and Sugden Dam and Sluiceway (approx. half a mile away); Butler Grist Mill (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rocky Hill.
Photographed by Conrad Ward, May 25, 2025
2. Bulkeley Mill Dam Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 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. submitted on May 31, 2026, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
