
AboutSteep Rock
In the Spring of 1889, just as he was about to break ground on his own country house in Washington, Connecticut, the architect Ehrick Rossiter discovered that the wooded hillsides in his dramatic view to the west were slated for clear cutting. For him, there was only one thing to do.


OurRich History
For him, there was only one thing to do. Using the construction money for the house, he bought the threatened land from the timber company and saved forever the 100 acres that now form the heart of the Steep Rock reservation. During his 36 years of ownership, Rossiter built carriage roads and small river crossings and invited his friends and fellow townspeople to enjoy the wild beauty of this section of the Shepaug River Valley. In 1925 Rossiter donated the land, which included the Steep Rock overlook, to a carefully chosen group of trustees, thus ensuring its preservation. Four years later the trustees purchased the area known as the Clam Shell, and in doing so preserved the view from Steep Rock.
With little of the fanfare that sometimes surrounds such efforts today, these ten people quietly established a public land trust long before the idea of land protection became common. Since then, many landowners have given additional tracts to the Steep Rock Association, and today Steep Rock’s holdings include over 2,700 acres.
Steep RockTimeline
1871
Tunnel Creation
Ehrick Rossiter graduates from The Gunnery, where he develops a fondness for Washington and roaming along the Shepaug River. A 235-foot curved tunnel is blasted through bedrock to make way for the planned railroad.
1872
Shepaug Valley Railroad
begins operation, putting Washington Depot (then known as the Hollow) within a day’s travel of New York City. Carrying both passengers and freight, the railroad runs along the river.
1889
Purchased Land
Ehrick Rossiter buys 100 wooded acres along the Shepaug River to save it from logging.
1893
Holiday House Built
Philanthropist Edward I. Van Ingen builds Holiday House (designed by Rossiter), a hotel built as a retreat for young working women from New York City. (It no longer stands.)
1925
Donation of “Steep Rock” Land
Rossiter donates the land, called “Steep Rock,” to a group of trustees, so that it be preserved. The nine original trustees are Adrian Van Sinderen, George W. Vaillant, Hamilton Gibson, Arthur L. Shipman, Arthur C. Titus, Victor H. McCutcheon, E. Winthrop Rossiter, H. Siddons Mowbray and Anne Van Ingen.
1929
Purchase of “The Clam Shell”
Steep Rock trustees purchase “the Clam Shell.”
1941
Founder Passes
Ehrick Rossiter, born in 1854, distinguished architect and founder of Steep Rock, dies.
1948
Railroad Closes
Shepaug Valley Railroad ceases operation and tracks are removed.
1953
Picnic Time
The trustees invite 81 Steep Rock contributors to a picnic at the Clam Shell. Subsequent picnics include the whole town.
1955
The Great Flood
Great Flood wipes out parts of the Depot and bridges and abutments along the Shepaug River. Boulders, uprooted trees and tons and tons of debris litter the river banks.
1961
Land Trust Creation
Steep Rock is formally incorporated as a land trust, with 18 trustees serving three-year terms. The Steep Rock reservation has increased to about 650 acres.
1962
Washington Horse Show
The Washington Horse Show is held in the newly built riding ring in a meadow below the former Holiday House. During its tenure, the show donated its profits to Steep Rock.
1963
Hidden Valley Donation
Jean and Adrian Van Sinderen donate 650 acres, now called Hidden Valley, to the Steep Rock Association.
1974
Land Preservation
After intense debate, trustees accept a non-contiguous piece of land on Church Hill, expanding Steep Rock’s role in preserving land throughout Washington.
1976
New Access over Bee Brook
A small wooden footbridge over Bee Brook allows dry access to the Hidden Valley entrance just north of the Rt. 47 highway bridge.
1977
Hidden Valley Footbridge Built
Hidden Valley footbridge is built across the Shepaug River, forming a pleasant loop trail. Built by (then) forester John Marsh and Michael Alex.
1982
Land Donation
The McDonald family donates a conservation easement — Steep Rock’s first — of land on Lower Church Hill.
1985
First Director Hired
Trustees hire first director, shared with the Roxbury Land Trust.
1987
New Hidden Valley Footbridge
New Hidden Valley footbridge replaces the 1977 one.
1991
Hauser Footbridge Built
Hauser footbridge, a wood and cable suspension bridge, is built in the Steep Rock reservation across the river just downstream of the old sawmill hole.
2000
Meeker Swamp is purchased
A parcel of 238 acres known as Meeker Swamp is purchased with roughly equal contributions from the Town, State and Steep Rock and its supporters, and dedicated as the Macricostas Preserve in July 2001.
2005
Macricostas Preserve opened
Macricostas Preserve is officially opened, with bridges, boardwalks, and marked trails in place. Heavy rains in October cause flooding, and sweep away the bridge in Hidden Valley. In December, Vinnie Forese retires as forester after 25 years.
2007
New Hidden Valley Footbridge
New Hidden Valley footbridge, replacing the 1987 one washed away in 2005 flooding, is dedicated to the memory of Stephen C. Reich on New Year’s Day.
2010
New Executive Director of SRA
Steve Law became the new Executive Director of Steep Rock Association replacing Susan Branson who retired after 20 years of service.
2011
Bronson Farmland Acquired
Bronson Farmland, 68.9 acres of prime farmland and forest adjacent to Hidden Valley Preserve, is acquired.
2012
Two-year critical habitat study
Steep Rock Association (SRA) launches a two-year critical habitat study on all SRA property. Educational programs are offered for the first time to the general public in the summer edition of The Steep Rock Vista newsletter.
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