Branford Supply Pond - Where history meets nature

Branford has no shortage of walking trails to enjoy. In 1969, Branford’s first open space purchase consisted of 330-acres from the Regional Water Authority. Since then, numerous adjoining parcels of land have been acquired. Today, the Supply Pond and Pisgah Brook Preserves encompass approximately 1,100 acres of protected land. Prior to the Supply Pond becoming protected land it was the site of saw mills and ice cutting.

There was an abundant supply of ice to be harvested at the Supply Pond. The ice had to be a minimum of nine-inches to harvest. It was cut and pulled out of the pond by horses, up a ramp to the ice house where it was stacked many layers deep and covered with hay or sawdust. The Branford Ice Company, pictured above, was founded in 1912 by A. Louis Rogers and harvested ice at the Supply Pond and Branford River. The company’s ice house could store 10,000 tons of ice. Once the availability of the electric refrigerator became popular during WWII, the ice business in Branford came to an end.

Last month, the Society Members and friends joined Jane Dougherty on a history walk of Supply Pond. Cellar holes were explored and participants learned about the area.

To keep up to date with future historical walks and events, email publicity@branfordhistoricalsociety.org.