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Site Description:

Environment:

Additional Info:

Connecticut's largest natural lake

Size: 502 acres

Islands On The Lake:

Scraggy Island

Longitude 72.50314299999999 ºW Latitude 41.599821 ºN

Terramaugus Island

Longitude 72.502865 ºW Latitude 41.601488 ºN

Twin Islands

Longitude 72.504254 ºW Latitude 41.59371 ºN

Site History:

The Legend of Lake Pocotopaug

The best-known version of the legend of Lake Pocotopaug is deeply rooted in the overwhelming fear that the Indians had of the Great Spirit, Hobomoko. Multiple drownings and devastating illness began to plague the Wangunk Indians causing the strong as well as the weak and the young and old alike to perish. The Indians, who lived on the banks of Lake Pocotopaug, became convinced that the Great God Hobomoko was angry and was bringing his vengeance upon them. The tribe was haunted with fear and weary from the suffering they had endured.

In desperation, Chief Terramaugus summoned the tribal council to solicit the extent of their willingness to sacrifice to appease the God and gain his favor. The tribal medicine man, Gitchetan, was asked to commune with Hobomoko, solicit the God's demand and their inevitable fate. Gitchetan learned that the supreme sacrifice of the fairest daughter of the tribe, Namoenee, daughter of Chief Terramaugus, in the waters of Pocotopaug would put an end to the tribe’s suffering. Chief Terramaugus was stabbed by these words and agonized between his love for his daughter and his duty to the tribe. In short time, he proclaimed, "The will of Hobomoko shall be obeyed." Trained in the sacred customs of her tribe, without self-pity, Namoenee willingly went to her death. Hobomoko was appeased and the curse was lifted. The plague ended and records, lore, or memory do not reveal another Indian drowning in the lake after Namoenee's death.