Hidden History of Rocky Hill

Many know Rocky Hill as the home of the oldest operating ferry in the country and its renowned Dinosaur State Park. However, there is a lot more history that is seldom seen. Abigail (Smith) Grimes was the imposing matriarch who laid the foundation for the town. Elsie Rhodes was a hero in two wars, although her name today is only barely visible on a memorial. Eli Rodman was an African American man who served valiantly in the Civil War, although his surviving daughters were nearly cheated out of his estate. Even a bit of whimsy, like the story of Hayes Farm's hairless cows, reflects the hardworking agrarian roots of the local community. Join author and Town Historian Robert Herron as he uncovers the forgotten stories and personalities that bring this unique town's history into focus.

Bob Herron has been the Rocky Hill town historian since 2017. He has served as a researcher for the Connecticut Historical Society, the Godfrey Memorial Library and the Rocky Hill Historical Society. Bob grew up in Hartford. He served four years in the U.S. Air Force as an airfield firefighter and graduated from Central Connecticut State University in 1972. He has published extensively and has presented papers at several professional computer forums, including GUIDE, COMDEX, the Knowledgeware User Group, Frequent Data Architecture Management Association meetings and the Structured Development Forum. He retired in 2003.