Norfolk, Connecticut
Litchfield county. The settlement of Norfolk began in 1744. It lies 35 miles W.N.W. from Hartford and 17 N. from Litchfield. Population, 1830, 1,485.
This town is elevated and mountainous. The soil is a primitive, gravelly loam, generally cold and stony, but has considerable depth, and affords good grazing. Formerly large quantites of sugar were made from the maple: more than 20,000 lbs. have been manufactured in a single season; but since the land has been cleared by progressive settlements, and in consequence of the destruction of the maple trees by some tornadoes, the business has greatly declined. The dairy business comprises the principal interests of the town. A stream, called Blackberry river, runs near the centre of the place, and a little westward of the congregational church falls over a ledge of rocks 30 feet in height. This is an excellent site for mills, of which there are several near this spot.
There is a handsome village, with an open square or green in front of the church, which is uncommonly neat and beautiful in its appearance. About a half mile north is another village, in which are two woolen and three scythe factories.
