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Ashford, Connecticut: Colonel Knowlton's Rangers

Ashford, Connecticut

Pictures from Ashford

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Knowlton Memorial Hall Lake Chaffee Church Farm, Ashford

Ashford was settled in 1710 and incorporated in October 1714, originally known as New Scituate, in the northwestern corner of Windham County's "Quiet Corner." The Old Connecticut Path, an early Native American route, crossed what is now Ashford Common; the later Boston and Hartford Turnpike ran a direct route through town and drove its early commerce. Ashford selectman Colonel Thomas Knowlton led a militia company of 78 men to Boston after Lexington and Concord, later commanded the intelligence unit Knowlton's Rangers — in which Nathan Hale served — and was killed on September 16, 1776 at Harlem Heights; Washington called him "the gallant and brave Colonel Knowlton, who would have been an honor to any country." The town's rural economy diversified into tanneries, grist mills, dairy and chicken farms and a glass factory; its population swung from 2,286 in 1782 down to just 668 by 1910. Eastford split off from Ashford in 1847.

  1. An NRHP-listed 1923-24 hall honoring Colonel Thomas Knowlton.

  2. A 79-acre preserve with a ledge trail over the Mount Hope River valley.

  3. 143 acres of oak-hickory forest open for walking and hiking.

  4. Guided tours of a raptor rehabilitation center, by appointment.

  5. Pick-your-own blueberries, peaches and apples plus a farm shop.

  6. An accessible walking trail and Sunday farmers' market.

  7. Roadside restaurant and pizzeria on Route 44.

  8. A farm distillery operating since 1999; call ahead for visits.

Colonel Knowlton's Rangers

Ashford was settled in 1710 and incorporated in October 1714, originally known as New Scituate. The Old Connecticut Path, an early Native American route, crossed what is now Ashford Common; the Boston and Hartford Turnpike later ran a direct route through town. Ashford selectman Colonel Thomas Knowlton led a militia company of 78 men to Boston after Lexington and Concord, later commanded the intelligence unit known as Knowlton's Rangers — in which Nathan Hale served — and was killed on September 16, 1776 at the Battle of Harlem Heights; Washington called him "the gallant and brave Colonel Knowlton, who would have been an honor to any country." Knowlton Memorial Hall, built in 1923-24 by Charles C. Knowlton to honor his father and Colonel Knowlton, was listed on the National Register in 1994. Eastford split off from Ashford in 1847, and Ashford still contains Snow Hill, at 1,210 feet the highest point in Windham County.

Getting there

Interstate 84 clips Ashford's northwestern corner, with Exit 72 (Route 89) the common gateway, and US Route 44 meets Route 74 in the town center, about 29 miles east of Hartford. There is no passenger rail station in Ashford or anywhere in northeastern Connecticut; the nearest practical rail access is Hartford Union Station on the CTrail Hartford Line and Amtrak, about 29 miles west.

Preserves and a raptor center

Joshua's Trust maintains two Ashford preserves open for hiking: Church Farm Preserve, where a yellow-blazed trail climbs to a ledge viewpoint over the Mount Hope River valley, and the Friedman Memorial Forest, 143 acres of oak-hickory woods. Horizon Wings gives guided tours of its raptor rehabilitation center by appointment, and Crookes Orchard runs a pick-your-own operation from blueberry season through apples. No hotel, motel, inn or B&B could be verified inside Ashford; the nearest apparent option is The Inn on Storrs in Mansfield Center — call ahead to confirm.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Ashford?
By car — Interstate 84 clips the northwestern corner (Exit 72 / Route 89), and US Route 44 meets Route 74 in the town center. There is no passenger rail station in Ashford; the nearest is Hartford Union Station, about 29 miles west.
Is there a train to Ashford?
No. There is no passenger rail station in Ashford or anywhere in northeastern Connecticut. The nearest station is Hartford Union Station on the CTrail Hartford Line.
Who was Colonel Thomas Knowlton?
An Ashford selectman who led 78 men to Boston after Lexington and Concord, later commanded the intelligence unit Knowlton's Rangers (in which Nathan Hale served), and was killed at the Battle of Harlem Heights in 1776. Knowlton Memorial Hall on Pompey Hollow Road honors him.
What is Horizon Wings?
A raptor rehabilitation and education center housing more than 20 permanent resident birds that cannot be released. Private guided tours run by appointment; the center is closed Sundays and Mondays.
Is there a hotel in Ashford?
No hotel, motel, inn or B&B could be verified inside Ashford's town limits. The nearest apparent option is The Inn on Storrs in Mansfield Center, about 10 miles southwest — call ahead to confirm.

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