Putnam Memorial State Park Letterboxes

Putnam Memorial State Park
Junction of Rt. 58 & Rt. 107
Redding, Connecticut


Directions:
http://www.friendsctstateparks.net/parks/putnam_memorial_park.htm

You Will Need A CD Player To Get The Full Effect Of This Letterboxing
Experience!!!

At the Main Entrance you will see a sculpture of Israel Putnam riding
a horse down a flight of stairs. You will also see two guard towers
with Revolutionary War cannons in front. This is where you should
park your car.

Walk up the hill to the Monument. Be sure to read all the
inscriptions, as they are very interesting. When you have finished
face the side of the monument that reads "the men of '76 who suffered
here to preserve forever their memory. The state of Connecticut has
erected this monument AD 1888". From this position head north and
follow the road counter clockwise.

Once you are back on the road you will notice heaps of rock. They
are the only visible remains of the barracks. The stone is from the
firebacks from each log hut, which held 8-12 men. These huts were
burnt down when the troops left so that their enemy could not use
them.

Almost at the end of the firebacks you will see to the right an
entrance to the museum.
Shortly after the first entrance you will find a second entrance on
the right. This leads to the museum and the North entrance of the
park.

Directly across from the second museum entrance on the left you will
find the Site of Officers Quarters. All that remains is a stone
chimney. It is here that you will find the Putnam Memorial State
Park Letterbox #1.

With your back to the chimney of the officer's quarter take the
reading of 300 NW. Walk fourteen paces in that direction to a large
oak tree with moss at its base. Facing the great oak turn North.
Walk eighteen paces in this direction to an oak that has been
hollowed out at its base. The Putnam Memorial State Park Letterbox
#1 is hidden under some rocks to the North side of the tree. Once
you have stamped in, rehide the box and proceed back to the road.

Continue heading counter clockwise around the circle. As the road
bends to the left you will notice sites #3 & #4 to your right and
left respectively. To the right (site #3) you will see the Magazine;
the site of a structure built by the soldiers to store gunpowder. To
the left (site #4) is Phillip's Cave. Please observe the sign, which
reads, "These Rocks Are Dangerous DO NOT CLIMB". There are no
letterboxes hidden in the caves but feel free to explore for a while.

When you have finished exploring Phillip's Cave proceed up the hill
to site #5, which is the Site of Officers Quarters. As you proceed
southward and up the hill to your right is a large outcropping of
rock. It is here that you will find Putnam Memorial State Park
Letterbox #2.

Head behind the outcropping and face towards the road. At the far
left side of the boulders a stone wall connects. Here you will find
a medium size boulder that is pinned in place between the outcropping
and a rotting tree trunk. The Putnam Memorial State Park Letterbox
#2 is hidden underneath this rock and is blocked from view by two
slabs of black rock with white stripes running down the center.
Please move the rocks carefully as this is a historic site and should
be preserved as best as possible. When you have finished stamping
return the box to it's hiding place making sure it is carefully
hidden and head back to the road.

Continue to head south along the road. You will pass Barlow Circle
on the left. This circle is named for Joel Barlow of Redding who was
a poet and statesman. Later along the road you will come across the
Oven Foundation were bread was baked for the troops.

After the second stretch of road lined by a rock wall you will come
across a second monument on your left. This monument was dedicated
to the men who died in Putnam's Camp. The monument reads, "In memory
of the unknown heroes buried here."

As you continue on the road you come to the entrance of the Youth
Group Camping Area (by permit only). Follow the road into the Youth
Group Camping Area. As you continue up the hill you will come to
Campsite A2. Here you will find Putnam Memorial State Park Letterbox
#3.

Plot a course following a straight path using the A2 sign and the
flagpole as a guide. Behind the underbrush is a rock wall. Still
using the sign and flagpole for your bearing, the Putnam Memorial
State Park Letterbox #3 is hidden in the rock wall. The spot can be
seen from behind the wall and is hidden by a pink and gray rock
amongst black and white boulders.

Take the box to the open hill. Stamp in and enjoy Putnam's Camp by
Charles Ives just as it was intended. When you have finished, return
the box to its hiding place. Leave the Youth Group Camping Area and
continue down the hill to your car.

When you have completed the Putnam Memorial State Park Letterboxes
please email me about your letterboxing experience at
Letterboxer2002@yahoo.com