On December 2, 1684, Chief John A. Compound, his wife, and tribal members, using waxed impressions as their marks, deeded a 28-acre lake, a mountain, and a large parcel of farmland to John Norton and 83 other settlers. On October 6, 1846, Samuel Botsford, a young Bristol inventor, drew thousands to an electrifying scientific demonstration that failed, but the turnout inspired Gad Norton to open the area to the public as a picnic park. Its earliest attractions included a hand-operating revolving swing, a ten-pin bowling alley, and southern-style barbeque, and early visitors arrived by horse and buggy. Trolley service to the park began in 1895 with the Bristol and Plainville Tramway Company and in 1900 with the Meriden, Southington and Compounce Tramway Co. Lake Compounce is recognized as the oldest amusement park in America.

Photo: HistoricTownsOfAmerica.com - Guy Saladino