History, Legends & Myths of Beacon Falls

Like many New England mill towns, Beacon Falls has a history that goes back to the founding of this country. It was called Brigadoon by a former state senator, and its past is tied to the invention of vulcanized rubber by Charles Goodyear and the manufacture of woolen shawls for Union troops during the Civil War. Its early Native American roots tell the story of Tobe, a Narragansett Indian who owned most of the western portion of land that became the town in 1871. High Rock Grove brought ten thousand visitors each summer to enjoy the skating rink, band concerts and acclaimed scenic vistas of Long Island Sound. Local author and municipal historian Michael Krenesky reveals some of the fascinating stories behind this jewel of the Naugatuck Valley.