Although it is only about 200 feet higher than the surrounding countryside the view from this place is breathtaking. It was described this way back in 1917 when the State of Connecticut acquired a 50 acre tract atop Ivy Mountain as a State Park. To the North it was said one could see Mount Greylock in the Berkshires; to the South, Long Island Sound; to the East was the Connecticut River Valley; a
nd to the West were the Catskills. Earlier c.1881, Franklin E. Wadhams (1844/1911) of Goshen, built a 70 foot tower on the summit of Ivy Mountain. It was a wooden structure some seven stories high. It was anchored by 4 braided iron cables. The top floor was equipped with a state of the art telescope (now at the Goshen Historical Society) and on 5 December 1884 ‘The Ivy Mountain Telescope Company’ was formed. The telescope and the surrounding land was a very popular recreation spot for local residents and out of town tourists alike. Picnicking, hiking, picking blueberries and climbing the tower were common even after the Tower burned to the ground in 1906. There were horse sheds, tennis courts, croquet courts and a refreshment stand for purchasing ice cream and soft drinks. It was a favorite Sunday School retreat. Gradually the area became overgrown and less frequented. Despite the State’s purchase in 1917 the place was never developed and was basically abandoned and became nearly inaccessible. The roadway washed out. Few residents of the present day Town of Goshen have heard of the place and if they have fewer still knew there was a Tower and that their ancestors may have gone blueberry picking there. Fire pits and evidence of some rough camping can be seen now so there has been occasional use but just finding where the summit is now is problematic. On this page I hope to shed some light on this once famous local landmark and generate some awareness among residents and others that might find this interesting. I will post some pictures of the property as it exists today as well as some pictures of evidence of the existence of the Tower. It is my hope that others with information or pictures or just curiosity will add to this site to make it as interesting as possible. I have little doubt that there are current residents of Goshen and the surrounding area that had grandparents who may have visited this place and perhaps stories and further information might be attained this way. Please refer this site to any friends you think might enjoy it.
