Brimfield State Forest

When I went to Brimfield State Forest I thought there would be some damage from the tornado last year. I was not prepared for what I saw when I got there. I'd never been to this forest and I immediately felt I'd missed something wonderful that I will never get another chance to see. The devastation done by that tornado is so great that the forest will not be able to recover in my lifetime. I am certain of this and it makes me very sad...brings tears to my eyes.

Of course we knew about the tornado. We all watched the news and knew there were areas hit really hard. The section of Springfield where the animal shelter stands is still looking like a bombed out, war ravaged area...even now, a year later. I've noticed some new building and repair is beginning to take place but more buildings were simply torn down and now seem to represent a sad end to some historic old buildings. I am continually struck by the stark reality of the destruction that currently represents the main street area now. It disturbs me every time I drive through there on my way to the shelter but I can't explain why exactly. It just seems wrong that it can't be taken back...we don't get a do over with this...and the ability to 'fix' it and make it all better, that magical ability that we believed in when we were children, isn't represented here...just isn't possible. 

But as terrible as that may be it's the loss of Brimfield State Forest that hurts the most. Buildings can be rebuilt for the most part..not so for forests. I never fully appreciated the level of violence that must have been in play to do this to a forest, the terror felt by the people and animals of that town caught in the path of that tornado.  You have to see it for yourself, walk around the area, to get the full impact of loss.

I'm hoping that when most of the dead trees and debris are cleared away, that they might have 'a planting' party of some kind. A replanting of trees in the devastated areas. I'd like to be a part of that. 

 If you'd like to read an accounting from a writer (Sean Solomon )that grew up in the area...get his perspective on the disaster...this is a link to his article in 'The Sanguine Root'. 

http://www.thesanguineroot.com/?p=833

Hazardville Gunpowder Co.

While walking through the Powder Mill Park area I've seen many remains that I've been told are from an old mill. I never knew anything about the mill that used to stand there and over time I became more curious. Each time I've gone farther walking along the river I've found more parts of this mysterious mill. How big was this mill? What kind of mill was it? What did it look like? All these questions would run through my head. I've also wondered how sections of walls could last as long as these have without falling apart. I went digging for information. Thanks to the internet it's quite easy to find information on just about anything. I discovered the mill used to make gunpowder and there is quite a bit of information out there about the mill; the owners and the workings of the mill. Pictures too! I'm bringing some of that information here for others that may be curious about that mill.


The Hazard Powder Company and the Hazardville Gunpowder Industry (1836-1913)

Gunpowder was manufactured by mixing ground water, sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter and then further grinding this mix using heavy vertical roller wheels rolling through a circular bed trough. The mix had to be wet or grinding would cause it to explode. The wet powder was then pressed hydraulically into blocks. The blocks were then cracked or "corned" with zinc rollers to a coarse powder which was then screened to obtain different size grains for different uses. Grain sizes could range from fine powder for small arms to softball size chunks for large cannons. The cracked powder had to be dried and tumbled or "glazed," then sifted again and packed into canisters, kegs, and barrels.

In 1836 Allen Loomis purchased 500 acres in Powder Hollow. Loomis took on two partners, Parkes and Neeland, and Allen A. Denslow of New Haven. In 1836 the business incorporated as Loomis, Denslow and Company. Skilled gunpowder workers were brought in from Faversham, Kent, England and a small mill was put into operation. In 1837 Colonel Augustus George Hazard acquired one quarter interest in the company.

A postcard showing the "Glaze," where gunpowder was tumbled to obtain uniform grain size and shape.

Augustus Hazard was born in South Kensington, Rhode Island on April 28, 1802. His family moved to a farm in Columbia, Connecticut. Augustus spent five years in house painting, then, at the age of 20, moved to Savannah, Georgia to deal in paints and oils. He was very successful, moving to New York as a merchandising agent and part owner of packet ships between New York and Savannah. He picked up the title of Colonel as a result of his association with the Georgia state military.

The business panic of 1837 caused Colonel Hazard huge losses, but he was able to fully recover, pay off all debts, and emerge stronger than before the panic. In 1843 the Hazard Powder Company was incorporated with Colonel Hazard as principal owner. He moved to Enfield, built a very fine mansion (since destroyed by fire) and was visited by many important persons, including Daniel Webster, Samuel Colt, and Jefferson Davis.

The gunpowder business was - excuse the pun - booming. The war with Mexico in 1846, the 1849 California gold rush, and the 1854 Crimean War all brought huge orders for gunpowders of all types. In 1849 Paul Greeley, Tudor and Frank Gowdy, and Wells Loomis formed a competing company - the Enfield Powder Company. It was taken over by the Hazard Powder Company in 1854.

During this time Hazardville got its name. The details are fuzzy as to exactly where and when the vote was taken, but the village at the west end of Enfield was named after Colonel Hazard by popular vote of the residents.

The Hazard Powder Company survived the depression of 1857 because of strong demand for powder for railroad construction and metal mining in the west, as well as cooperation with du Pont.

Colonel Hazard's personal fortunes were not so good. Both his sons died - one of consumption and one in an explosion at the mill. Gunpowder is very dangerous to work with. Numerous safety precautions were taken by the Hazard Powder Company to prevent explosions. Iron or steel tools were not allowed, as sparks could occur if they banged together or against a nail or spike. The men who kept the powder wet while it was ground sat on one-legged stools so that they would fall over and wake themselves up if they dozed off - a few bruises were better than blowing up! Employees were not allowed to bring pipes or matches into the hollow. Despite these precautions and others, explosions were expected. Large stone blast walls separated buildings so that an explosion in one would not destroy another. Each operation in the process was not only housed in a separate building, but was split into multiple buildings so that destruction of one building would not stop production. And the buildings themselves were designed to be easily put back together - walls would fall outward relatively intact and the frames were huge so that any fire could be put out before enough damage occured to them to require their replacement. Despite the explosions that did occur, the Hazardville operation was unusually safe with only 67 deaths during nearly eight decades of operation.

The gunpowder business in Hazardville was a million dollar business by the outbreak of the Civil War. Wartime capacity in Hazardville reached 12,500 pounds per day. At this time the plants were described as follows: This Company has eighteen sets of rolling mills with thirty-six iron wheels, each wheel weighing eight tons; seven granulating mills; five screw press buildings; and three hydraulic presses of 500 tons each, in different and separate buildings; and about fifty buildings used for dusting, assorting, drying, mixing, pulverizing, glazing, and packing houses-with extensive saltpeter refineries and magazines, cooperage, iron, woodworking, and machine shops- in all, about 125 buildings at their main works at Hazardville and Scitico, extending over a mile and a half in length and half a mile in width. To propel this vast amout of machinery, twenty-five water wheels and three steam engines are required.

The end of the Civil War brought hard times. The government auctioned off huge amounts of surplus powder. Competition became brutal as the powder companies fought for survival. Colonel Hazard died in May of 1868 without leaving a clear successor. A huge explosion destroyed much of the plant in 1871. In 1873 there was another business panic. In 1876 the stockholders sold out to du Pont, although the sale was not publicly known for another decade.

A postcard showing an exploded rolling mill. Note the undamaged building frame - even though 8 ton iron wheels lay in a jumble inside!

In 1872, just prior to du Pont's purchase of the Hazard Powder Company, du Pont, the Hazard Powder Company, and Laflin and Rand formed the "Gunpowder Trade Association of the United States" to restore health to the industry. Health was restored by purchasing and closing smaller companies, discouraging new companies from starting, and fixing prices. On July 2, 1890, President Harrison signed the anti-monopoly Sherman Act, but it was some years before this had any impact on the gunpowder industry. Finally in 1907 a government suit was brought against du Pont. Four years later the court found du Pont guilty of violating the Sherman Act. As a result the explosives business was divided into three firms: Hercules Powder, Atlas Powder, and E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. The Hazard mills were transferred to Hercules on December 15, 1912. Less than a month later, on January 14, 1913 a huge explosion heavily damaged the plant and killed two workers. The damage was so extensive that the mill was permanently closed and the equipment moved to Valley Falls, New York.

Today little remains of the Hazardville gunpowder industry. One or two buildings, street names like "Cooper Street," empty canals, and a few old stone foundations and blast walls. Many old cannisters, kegs, barrels,and other artifacts survive in private collections. Some of these artifacts, along with photos and the story of the Hazardville gunpowder industry, are preserved by the Enfield Historical Society.

Meatballs

Making meatballs with Singing Grandma.



I think that meatball is bigger than YOU Kaylee!

A Bit About Muskrats

The common muskrat is a large rodent that resides in aquatic environments such as marshes. They are usually about two feet in length including their tail. Their bodies are covered in thick brown fur that is made up of both an outer layer which keeps them dry, and a heavy inside layer which helps them retain their body heat while swimming in the cold water that they inhabit. Their front feet are small and they have four fingers with claws and a small thumb which they use for grasping. The back feet are larger and have five webbed fingers with claws. Along with their webbed back feet and strong, flattened tail, the common muskrat is a very efficient swimmer. Their eyes and ears are very small and most times the ears are almost hidden in their thick fur. Their large incisor teeth are located in front of their cheek, allowing them to gnaw and chew submergent and aquatic vegetation while swimming underwater.

"The scientific name for the common muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus, comes from Indian and latin roots. The Indian name for the muskrat is Ondatra, and the Latin word zibethicus means musky in odor. A source of the name muskrat is believed to have come from the old English word musquash. This word was taken from the word móskwas, which was used by a group of Native Americans in North America hundreds of years ago."

Habitat and Geography:
Home Sweet Home

Muskrats can be found in a variety of habitats ranging from marshes, river, streams, lakes, ponds, and most other wetland habitats. Muskrats are very widely dispersed, and inhabit wetlands throughout Eastern United States and Canada. They can also be found now in parts of Europe and Asia since being brought over around the beginning of the twentieth century. Muskrats living in aquatic environments such as a marsh can be found near the shallow parts of the body of water living in constructed lodges and will almost always be in the water. They will only venture out of the water if it is necessary, such as moving to a new location for more food sources and room to reproduce.

Suitable habitats for muskrats must contain slow moving water, aquatic and submergent vegetation for eating and building lodges, and a water depth of about two to four feet. The muskrats prefer slow moving water over fast moving water to build their lodges in and be able to swim around easily since they are primarily aquatic mammals. Submergent and aquatic vegetation is a necessary part of their habitat for muskrats to prosper because they serve as their primary source of food and materials for lodge building. These plants include: marsh bulrush, common cattail, common duckweed, pond lilies, and many other vegetation that can be found in their habitat. The depth of water is very important relative to the success of a population of muskrats. This is because if the water depth is too low (less than ~two feet) there will not be enough water to swim in to forage when the ice is frozen during winter and the beginning of spring. Also if the water levels are too high (more than ~five feet) such as during a flood, the submergent and aquatic vegetation that the muskrats are dependent on could possibly be replaced with a different plant species that would be able to live well in the deeper water.

Muskrats build their own homes called lodges that look similar to beaver lodges. They are made out of mostly emergent vegetation and are usually rebuilt each year between August and October. These lodges can be about three to four feet high and about six to eight feet wide. Muskrats will sometimes start building them on top of old deteriorated lodges or will find a new spot to start the construction. Typically muskrats build two types of lodges; the most important one is the lodge where they will reside in during the winter months, and the second one is a feeding platform that can be utilized throughout the whole year. The feeding platform, however, is much smaller than the lodges that the muskrats live in.

Usually two or muskrats will aid in building the lodge, such as a mating male and female, and they will start by finding a sturdy area to build on. This could be an old lodge or feeding platform, and it will serve as the base of their lodge. Once this base has been found, the muskrats will start to pile emergent plants that they can find and harvest near where they are building their lodge. They will do this until it is the size that they want. They then carve out a plunge hole which is used to enter and exit the lodge from underwater. Once that is finished, they build tunnels that can be used for several purposes. Some of these purposes

include space for breeding, winter burrows which is a small tunnel with a chamber attached to it, and burrows used for feeding. Finally, the muskrats carve out a hollow space in the middle of the domed part of the lodge which will serve as the nest chamber where they will be living all winter. The lodges they build for the winter have very thick walls to keep heat in while the temperatures are below freezing. Muskrats will also dig tunnels and chambers into the embankment of the body of water that they inhabit. During the winter muskrats will also make structures called push-ups. These are basically platforms that sit on top of the ice and are used to rest on and eat on during the winter. They are made by gnawing a hole through the ice and pushing vegetation out of the hole until it is about two feet in height and a desirable size for the muskrat that is building it.

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I thought you might like to know a little bit about the muskrat. They are fascinating creatures...or maybe I've just been looking at those lodges for so long I can't get muskrats out of my head now. :)