A history lesson wrapped up in a refreshing waterfall

KENT — If you drive south from the center of town on Route 7, you travel through a part of town known as Bull’s Bridge. While the history of the town itself centers around the iron commerce, Bull’s Bridge played a part in the development of the town as well.

During the peak of the iron industry in the area, the two largest ore beds were located in South Kent and Salisbury. Since there were no highways or 18-wheeler trucks to transport goods, Bull’s Bridge became a vital part of transporting the raw materials to other parts of the country. During that time, the bridge was the only way to cross the Housatonic River, and allowed ore to be transported to Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where it was sent down the Hudson River to New York City and then distributed across the country.

After iron production died down, the area around Bull’s Bridge became an important part of the hydro-electricity industry. In the early 1900s, Italian immigrants came to the area in search of jobs building canals along the Housatonic River. These canals were used to divert water from the river into power plants that were built along the banks. The water turned the turbines in the plants, creating electricity for the town and surrounding area. 

Kent’s first Catholic church was built in Bull’s Bridge in the early 20th century, due in part to the many Italians in the area.

Bull’s Bridge even has a link with George Washington. While making a trip across Connecticut and into New York, Washington crossed the Housatonic via Bulls Bridge. During that time, however, the bridge was much lower than it is now and was not engineered quite so well. While crossing the bridge, Washington’s horse slipped and one leg fell through the bridge, injuring it significantly and preventing it from continuing the journey. 

Saddened to have to leave one of his favorite horses behind, Washington gave money to the Bull family (for whom the bridge is named) to take care of the animal and nurse it back to health.

In 2014, Bull’s Bridge is most famous for its waterfall and surrounding trails. Located where two tectonic plates meet, the falls begin north of the bridge as the water cascades down about 100 yards, over several smaller falls, before flowing south toward New Milford. 

The historic covered bridge remains the main attraction in the area. Hiking trails have been created around the bridge that allow visitors to walk along the bank of the river to an opening at the base of the falls. 

This area provides a perfect picnicking location or the chance to take a relaxing dip in the pools that are created by the many boulders and rocks along the shoreline. Visitors come from all over the area and as far away as New York City to sit along the shore and enjoy a picnic and the water with family and friends.

Within the last few years, the town has put together a group of volunteers dubbed The Bulls Bridge Task Force that look after the area and make sure guests are properly maintaining it. Only a few years ago, the area became over run with trash and people using the area for illicit activities.

There have also been cases of people from out of town underestimating the speed and power of the water. At least two people have died there in recent years.

The trails and picnic area are open seven days a week and are free. Guests are not allowed to bring grills, coolers, or glass bottles. All visitors should use extreme caution even when just standing in ankle-deep water.