Roxbury, CT —
Roxbury is One of Those Places

There are a few spots in this state that make you slow down and sit a while. Roxbury is one of those places. Nothing fancy here. No big box stores, supermarkets, or shops. No stop lights. Yep, that’s right no stop lights. The only time traffic ever really backs up in Roxbury is during Pickin’ and Fiddlin’ when the Roxbury Volunteer Fire Department takes over Hurlbut Park for the day hosting picking and fiddling contests for all ages

Entering Roxbury from Woodbury on Rt-317/Good Hill Rd, you will pass what locals jokingly refer to as the Roxbury International Airport. From a bygone era, the old hanger and long fields of grass sit silently waiting for a lone plane or hot air balloon to touch down. Continuing into town you will pass Maple Bank Farm, where depending on the season you can get fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, pumpkins and wreaths. Maple Bank Farm is one of the oldest family-run farms in the United States and has been in the Hurlbut family since the late 1700’s. Sheep and cows can be found wandering behind the roadside market, and sometimes come down to the split rail fence hoping for a snack of fresh vegetables or fruit.

Looking for a bite to eat or the morning paper? A stop at the Roxbury Market will hit the spot. A gathering place and popular lunch spot, you can get lunch, snacks, groceries, your morning coffee and don’t forget to try the ice cream!

Minor Memorial Library has more than just books and offers lots of events throughout the year including artist receptions, lectures, movies, kid programs and of course the annual book sale and McCain concert series. Always something going on in this little town.

"Sheep and cows can be found wandering behind the roadside market."

Booth Free School is the local elementary school in Roxbury and is part the Region 12 school system along with Bridgewater and Washington. The school offers much to its’ students and to the community as well with various events including the infamous Halloween trick-or-treating on South Street.

Historically Roxbury is famous for it’s granite and iron ore mine located near the Shepaug River on Mine Hill Rd. The abundance of granite found at the Mine Hill quarry provided the building material for the ore roaster and blast furnace, as well as for such world wonders as the Brooklyn Bridge and the Grand Central Terminal in New York City.

The Mine Hill Preserve is part of the Roxbury Land Trust as well as a national historic landmark. Back in the mid-18th century Mine Hill was a fully functioning iron mine. You can still see evidence of it today while hiking through this magnificent 360-acre preserve from the remnants of the mine and blast furnaces to the educational sign boards that detail the history and workings of the mine.

"The abundance of granite found at the Mine Hill quarry provided the building material for the Brooklyn Bridge and the Grand Central Terminal in New York City."

One of the smaller towns in Connecticut, Roxbury’s population of 1,840 reside on 16.2 square miles. A little smaller, a little slower pace. Roxbury’s look and feel remind you of simpler times. You might even need to make way for the tractor on the road looking to plow the next field. A playground for writers, actors, Olympic athletes, playwrights and plain ole regular folk Roxbury offers something for everyone.

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