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At the Main Entrance you will see a
sculpture of Israel Putnam riding a horse down a flight of stairs. You will also see two guard towers with Revolutionary War
cannons in front. This is
where you should park your car.
Walk up the hill to the Monument. Be sure to read all the
inscriptions, as they are very interesting. When you have finished face the side of the monument that
reads “the men of ’76 who suffered here to preserve forever their
memory. The state of
Connecticut has erected this monument AD 1888”.
From this position head north and follow the road counter
clockwise.
Once you are back on the road you will notice heaps of rock.
They are the only visible remains of the barracks.
The stone is from the firebacks from each log hut, which held
8-12 men. These huts were burnt down when the troops left so that their
enemy could not use them.
Almost at the end of the firebacks you will see to the right an entrance
to the museum. Shortly after the first entrance you will find a
second entrance on the right. This
leads to the museum and the North entrance of the park. Directly
across from the second museum entrance on the left you will find the Site
of Officers Quarters. All that remains is a stone chimney. It is here that you will find the Putnam Memorial State
Park Letterbox #1.
With your back to the chimney of the officer’s quarter take the
reading of 300 NW. Walk
fourteen steps in that direction to a large oak tree with moss at its
base. Facing the great oak
turn North. Walk eighteen
steps in this direction to an oak that has been hollowed out at its
base. The Putnam
Memorial State Park Letterbox #1 is hidden under some rocks to the
North side of the tree. Once
you have stamped in, rehide the box and proceed back to the road.
Continue heading counter clockwise around the circle.
As the road bends to the left you will notice sites #3 & #4
to your right and left respectively.
To the right (site #3) you will see the Magazine; the site
of a structure built by the soldiers to store gunpowder.
To the left (site #4) is Phillip’s Cave.
Please observe the sign, which reads, “These Rocks Are
Dangerous … DO NOT CLIMB”. There
are no letterboxes hidden in the caves but feel free to explore
for a while.
When you have finished exploring Phillip’s Cave proceed up the
hill to site #5, which is the Site of Officers Quarters.
As you proceed southward and up the hill to your right is a large
outcropping of rock. It is
here that you will find Putnam Memorial State Park Letterbox #2.
Head behind the outcropping and face towards the road.
At the far left side of the boulders a stone wall connects.
Here you will find a medium size boulder that is pinned in place
between the outcropping and a rotting tree trunk.
The Putnam Memorial State Park Letterbox #2 is hidden
underneath this rock and is blocked from view by two slabs of black rock
with white stripes running down the center.
Please move the rocks carefully as this is a historic site and
should be preserved as best as possible.
When you have finished stamping return the box to it’s hiding
place making sure it is carefully hidden and head back to the road.
Continue to head south along the road.
You will pass Barlow Circle on the left.
This circle is named for Joel Barlow of Redding who was a poet
and statesman. Later along the road you will come across the Oven
Foundation were bread was baked for the troops.
After the second stretch of road lined by a rock wall you will come
across a second monument on your left. This monument was dedicated to the men who died in Putnam’s
Camp. The monument reads,
“In memory of the unknown heroes buried here.”
As you continue on the road you come to
the entrance of the Youth Group Camping Area (by permit only).
Follow the road into the Youth Group Camping Area.
As you continue up the hill you will come to a flag pole. Here you will find Putnam Memorial State Park Letterbox
#3.
Facing the flag pole, take a bearing of 300 degrees.
Behind the underbrush is a rock wall.
The Putnam Memorial State Park Letterbox #3 is hidden
in the rock wall. The
spot can be seen from behind the wall and is hidden by a pink and
gray rock amongst black and white boulders.
Take the box to the open hill.
Stamp in and enjoy Putnam’s Camp by Charles Ives just as it was
intended. When you have
finished, return the box to its hiding place.
Leave the Youth Group Camping Area and continue down the
hill to your car.
When you have completed the Putnam Memorial State Park Letterboxes
please email me about your letterboxing experience at … Letterboxer2002@yahoo.com
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