Within a 5-10 minute walk from the Spiritof76 House lies the Higganum Reservoir, or, as the people of Higganum call it lovingly, THE RES.

The Higganum Reservoir gives us the pleasure of fishing, swimming and watching the local grey heron fly by.

Hours: Year-round, dawn to dusk, Free Access

Handicap Accessible: Fishing platform Founding Date: 2003

The original dam was constructed in 1868 by the 2 brothers George M. and Thomas J. Clark of the Higganum Manufacturing Company called the Clark Company. Their firm, later known as Clark Cutaway Harrow, was one of Higganum's most successful industries, produced an extensive line of farm equipment including 400 types of plows, disk harrows, cider presses, hay spreaders and carriage jacks. The factory, located at the site of the now empty Rossi lumberyard, was powered by water from the reservoir and Candlewood Hill and Bible Rock Brooks. The factory burned in the early 20th century but the dam and reservoir remained until its 2003 reconstruction as Higganum Reservoir State Park. The new dam is 20 feet high and has a walkway which allows you to gaze at the water rushing over an old stone spillway down into a beautiful clear brook.

Watershed Area: 6.6 Square Miles

Lake Area: 32 Acres

Higganum Reservoir State Park covers137 acres. Meandering trails through the woods surrounding the lake are ideal for short hikes and mountain biking.

Higganum Village - Once a commercial hub for shipbuilding, primarily for whaling in the 1600's and 1700's then a place of manufacturing during the 1800's; Higganum is now a qaint little community nestled at the river banks and home of the Spirit of 76 House

East Haddam Village - home of the the Goodspeed Opera House and final destination of the River Steam Boat

Chester Village - a beautifully restored little village with art and design galleries and restaurants all along main street

Deep River - situated on the Connecticut River banks; many reaturants, small shops, and a piano-key factory

Essex Village - home of the Griswold Inn, one of the oldest operated inns in the country open for business since 1776; many boutiques, reaturants, art galleries and the Connecticut River Museum; situated right where the Connecticut River meets the Long Island Sound; board the historic Essex Steam Train

Old Saybrook - visit the marina or one of the public beaches right at the Long Island Sound; once the home town of Kate Hepburn the town named their new cultural center after the late actress; visit the many shops and restaurants

Westbrook - a quaint shoreline community with several public beaches right at Long Island Sound between New Haven and New London

Middletown - home of the Wesleyan University; enjoy their cultural program open to the public ( http://events.wesleyan.edu/ ) or, visit the local movie theater

A 45 min. drive away you find two large casinos offering gambling, dining, spas and entertainment:

Mohegan Sun Casino and Foxwoods Resort Casino