In the Spring of 1889, just as he was about to break ground on his own country house in Washington, Connecticut, the architect Ehrick Rossiter discovered that the wooded hillsides in his dramatic view to the west were slated for clear cutting. For him, there was only one thing to do.
Our Rich History
For him, there was only one thing to do. Using the construction money for the house, he bought the threatened land from the timber company and saved forever the 100 acres that now form the heart of the Steep Rock reservation. During his 36 years of ownership, Rossiter built carriage roads and small river crossings and invited his friends and fellow townspeople to enjoy the wild beauty of this section of the Shepaug River Valley. In 1925 Rossiter donated the land, which included the Steep Rock overlook, to a carefully chosen group of trustees, thus ensuring its preservation. Four years later the trustees purchased the area known as the Clam Shell, and in doing so preserved the view from Steep Rock.
With little of the fanfare that sometimes surrounds such efforts today, these ten people quietly established a public land trust long before the idea of land protection became common. Since then, many landowners have given additional tracts to the Steep Rock Association, and today Steep Rock’s holdings include over 6,000 acres.
SRA Timeline
1871
Ehrick Rossiter Graduates
Ehrick Rossiter graduates from The Gunnery, where he develops a fondness for Washington and roaming along the Shepaug River. A 235-foot curved tunnel is blasted through bedrock to make way for the planned railroad.
1872
Shepaug Valley Railroad
Shepaug Valley Railroad begins operation, putting Washington Depot (then known as the Hollow) within a day’s travel of New York City. Carrying both passengers and freight, the railroad runs along the river.
1889
Ehrick Rossiter buys
Ehrick Rossiter buys 100 wooded acres along the Shepaug River to save it from logging.
1893
Philanthropist Edward I. Van Ingen
Philanthropist Edward I. Van Ingen builds Holiday House (designed by Rossiter), a hotel built as a retreat for young working women from New York City. (It no longer stands.)
1925
Rossiter donates the land
Rossiter donates the land, called “Steep Rock,” to a group of trustees, so that it be preserved. The nine original trustees are Adrian Van Sinderen, George W. Vaillant, Hamilton Gibson, Arthur L. Shipman, Arthur C. Titus, Victor H. McCutcheon, E. Winthrop Rossiter. Siddons Mowbray and Anne Van Ingen.
1929
Purchase
Steep Rock trustees purchase “the Clam Shell.”
1941
Ehrick Rossiter
Ehrick Rossiter, born in 1854, distinguished architect and founder of Steep Rock, dies.
1948
Shepaug Valley Railroad
Shepaug Valley Railroad ceases operation and tracks are removed.
1953
81 Steep Rock contributors
The trustees invite 81 Steep Rock contributors to a picnic at the Clam Shell. Subsequent picnics include the whole town.
1955
great Flood
Wipes out parts of the Depot and bridges and abutments along the Shepaug River. Boulders, uprooted trees and tons and tons of debris litter the river banks.
1961
Incorporated as a land trust
Steep Rock is formally incorporated as a land trust, with 18 trustees serving three-year terms. The Steep Rock reservation has increased to about 650 acres.
1962
The Washington Horse Show
Held in the newly built riding ring in a meadow below the former Holiday House. Each year, the show donates its profits to Steep Rock.
1963
Donation
Jean and Adrian Van Sinderen donate 650 acres, now called Hidden Valley, to the Steep Rock Association.
1974
Land on Church Hill
After intense debate, trustees accept a non-contiguous piece of land on Church Hill, expanding Steep Rock’s role in preserving land throughout Washington.
1976
Hidden Valley Footbridge
A small wooden footbridge over Bee Brook allows dry access to the Hidden Valley entrance just north of the Rt. 47 highway bridge.
1977
Hidden Valley Footbridge
Built across the Shepaug River, forming a pleasant loop trail. Built by (then) forester John Marsh and Michael Alex.
1982
Donation
The McDonald family donates a conservation easement — Steep Rock’s first — of land on Lower Church Hill.
1985
First director
Trustees hire first director, shared with the Roxbury Land Trust.
1987
New Hidden Valley footbridge
New Hidden Valley footbridge replaces the 1977 one.
1991
Hauser footbridge
Hauser footbridge, a wood and cable suspension bridge, is built in the Steep Rock reservation across the river just downstream of the old sawmill hole.
2000
Meeker Swamp Purchase
A parcel of 238 acres known as Meeker Swamp is purchased with roughly equal contributions from the Town, State and Steep Rock and its supporters, and dedicated as the Macricostas Preserve in July 2001.
2005
Macricostas Preserve Official Open
Macricostas Preserve is officially opened, with bridges, boardwalks, and marked trails in place. Heavy rains in October cause flooding, and sweep away the bridge in Hidden Valley. In December, Vinnie Forese retires as forester after 25 years.
2007
New Hidden Valley footbridge
New Hidden Valley footbridge, replacing the 1987 one washed away in 2005 flooding, is dedicated to the memory of Stephen C. Reich on New Year’s Day.
2010
Steve Law became the new Executive Director
Steep Rock Association replaces Susan Branson as executive director who retired after 20 years of service. 68.9 acres of prime farmland and forest adjacent to Hidden Valley Preserve, is acquired.
2011
Bronson Farmland
68.9 acres of prime farmland and forest adjacent to Hidden Valley Preserve, is acquired.
2012
Two-year critical habitat study
Steep Rock Association (SRA) launches a two-year critical habitat study on all SRA property. Educational programs are offered for the first time to the general public in the Summer edition of The Steep Rock Vista newsletter.
Make A Difference
Make A Difference
Your donation today helps Steep Rock Association protect and steward special places for you to learn about nature and explore the great outdoors.
