Washington's Journeys Throughout The State

The post that once held the plaque.

     Located on the boarder of Wallingford and Durham lies a path in the TriMountain State Park known as the"Washington trail."  It once went from the center of Wallingford all the way to Durham through some pretty rugged terrain.

     The trail is named after General George Washington, who traveled this path through the forest on two different occasions.  Once in 1775 during the beginning of the American Revolution, he stopped at Mill Hill in Wallingford to meet with General James Wadsworth.  He then stopped at Swathal's tavern where it is said he obtained fresh horses for his men.  Brother Washington's second journey across this path was in 1789 on a trip to visit the colonies after his first presidential inauguration.

     I found this site appealing because of the importance it held to Washingtons journey through our state.  After doing some research I found that there used to be a plaque located at the intersection of the Washington trail and the blue blazed Mattabesset hiking trail.  I wanted to find the spot that once held a plaque commemorating Brother Washington so I set out for a hike.  Heading South out of Middletown on Rt 17, I drove into Durham and starting looking for Howd road on the right.I traveled on Howd road for a few miles, past a nice little tree farm, and then I found the pull off area.

     The plaque used to be mounted on a concrete post located near the intersection of the two trails, right between the notch of Fowler  Mountain and TriMountain.  Hiking up several hundred vertical feet, then down into the notch I found the intersection of Washington's trail.  I searched for quite some time but was unable to find the remnants of the post that once held the plaque.  After further research I found that the plaque was stolen sometime between 2006 and 2007.  I found this very disappointing and wanted to something about it before a site that was important to our brother, a General of the Revolution, and our first President, was lost to time.

     I am writing this article to ask the Grand Lodge of the State of Connecticut for help in assembling a committee on this matter. One that will be able to help in the research, and production of a new plaque to commemorate Washington, as well as to hold a ceremony upon it's installment.
"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal" Alber Pike

Ryan Howard
Warren Lodge #51