Posted in Coni Dubois

(July 5th, 1855) Litchfield Enquirer – Barkhamsted Light House (Litchfield, CT)


The earliest known write-up I have found on Barkhamsted Light House (As seen here, Lighthouse was separated). So, in my work, I have started referencing as such… The Barkhamsted Light House Village.

The Barkhamsted Light House Village was a historical community located in what is now Peoples State Forest in Barkhamsted, Connecticut¹. It was set on a terrace above the eastern bank of the West Branch Farmington River¹. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was a small village of economically marginalized mixed Native American, African American, and white residents¹. 

The area known as the Barkhamsted Light House Village had its beginnings in the mid-18th century with the purchase of land by James Chagum/Chaugham and later his children¹. The community was eventually abandoned in the 1860s, its residents apparently moving to seek better economic opportunities¹.

The site is accessible via a short hiking trail from East River Road in Peoples State Forest, and has been designated a state archaeological site¹. Excavations have uncovered foundational remains of ten buildings, four charcoal kilns, a well, and a small cemetery¹. 

The village was given the name “Light House” because its lights acted as a beacon marking the north–south stage road that paralleled the river¹. The twinkling lights in the teepees & cabin of the Chaughams and their neighbors assured passengers in the night that they still followed the right path².

Sources:

(1) Barkhamsted Lighthouse – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barkhamsted_Lighthouse.

(2) Barkhamsted Lighthouse – Bringing Light to the Connecticut Hills – New …. https://newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/barkhamsted-lighthouse-bringing-light-connecticut-hills/.

(3) “Outcasts” Build Their Own Village in 18th-Century Barkhamsted. https://connecticuthistory.org/outcasts-build-their-own-village-in-18th-century-barkhamsted/.

(4) From the archives: The Barkhamsted Lighthouse was a ‘Sanctuary’ for …. https://www.ctinsider.com/connecticutmagazine/article/From-the-archives-The-Barkhamsted-Lighthouse-was-17046569.php.

(5) en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barkhamsted_Lighthouse.

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I’ve been a family Genealogist/Native American Researcher for over 30+ years and have traced over 65,000+ people for my research - My main area of research is in MI, IN, CT, NY, RI, PA, MA, VA, VT, NJ, OH, KY, Block Island & Long Island areas - dealing with many of the colonial people & tribes in these locations.

3 thoughts on “(July 5th, 1855) Litchfield Enquirer – Barkhamsted Light House (Litchfield, CT)

  1. Well Coni it’s obvious you have enjoyed tracing your ancestors and we have enjoyed reading about them . You know what they say…keep the brain active and it will repay you with a good life. For instance I have been studying the Mycenaean Ancient language for the past 20 years and am now studying the ancient Hittite language and I am now 90 years old a little slower in my movements but now with my brain thank goodness. Have a good weekend and stay safe.

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  2. Thank you, Rita. I am doing well and hope all is good on your end. I have over 30+ years invested in my research and truly am honored to call them my ancestors. I will be doing it to my last breath I believe 😉

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  3. Hello Coni Thankyou for this interesting post about the Barkhamstead Village. Hope all is well with you . You have put an awful lot of research into the Barkhamstead Lighthouse which I have followed since you began.

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