Litchfield enquirer., 1876-02-03
The Shepaug Valley and its hidden
 Resources.

While Colorado, Nevada and California are everywhere recognized as great pro. ducers of the precions metals while the vast regions of the Mississippi Valley rep resents an agricultural interest sufficient to feed hungry world, and the extensive slopes of the Alleghany ranges can be re- lied upon to supply the needs of conti- I nent with the necessary article of fuel, New England will remain, as she now IS. the home of every species of manufactur- l ing industry. Here, as in times past, will kcontinue to be heard the busy hum If every variety of machinery which Yankee ingenuity can invent or which the diversi- fled wants of a luxurious people may de- mand. There is generally recognized principle mysteriously influencing the To- cation of all industrious enterprises which congregates those of class each around it's common center, and thus we see the cot ton and woolen interests, the paper produc- tions, the innumerable light manufactures, as also the heavier class of works associa- ted each in its particular district location, catching inspiration and consequent sue. cess from example.
 While all portions of New Eng land are more or less favored with these developments of manufacturing industry. and every section and state has it's busy centres from which radiate those influences which control the kind of labor especially favored at those points, Rhode Island sufpasses them all, not only in the extent of it's home manufactures, but also in the amount of this industry which she stimulates beyond her borders and con- ducts to prosperous results. Thus every mounta1n stream or rivulet that promises to furnish water power has been fully utilized throughout the adjacent regions, and the impression gains ground that this entire section of country is occupied already. New England, however, has still in reserve immense resources in her unim- proved water power, and this county of Litchfeld furnishes the dearest evidence of the fact. The Naugatuck river has already attraeted the attention of capital ists and is belng occupied to correspond ing extent, but it IS not generally under stood that the secluded recesses of the Shepaug Valley afford far greater facilities for manufacturing than the Naugatuck and Housatonic valleys combined. Here is fall of full 800 feet from the level of Bantam Lake to where the Shepaug emp ties into the Housatonic. and this fall is so equally distributed as to furnish con- stant succession of the most promising water privileges imaginable. This twill not only be apparent to the experienced observer, but the equally important fact that full supply of water is assured from the extraordinary extent of the tributary water shed, and abundant reservoir at the head of the valley. Another very. es- sential advantage this region possesses for the purpose is the substantial character of foundations which can be secured for all structures at comparatively slight cost, and the abundance of building materials everywhere convenient to the hand.
 This wealth of resources for the development of powerful man. ufacturing interest can be seen and comprehended by anyone who diligently investigates the real characteristics of the Shepaug Valley. but it will long continue an unknown quantity to those who are able and disposed to deyel
 op it. unless the owners of these privile- ges awake from their lethargy and take some active measures to bring to public notice the fact of their existence. which is still unknown except to small circle of residents along the valley, and even these fail to properly appreciate their abundance or value if once suitably developed and improved. There is only one way in which this matter can be thoroughly shown up SO as to be clearly seen and un- derstood. A survey should be carefully made of each fall or rapid in the river from it's source in Bantam Lake to where it pours itself into the Housatonic river i; then map should be prepared, showing accurately these characteristics, their mum Der, location and extent, on scale suita- ble for Photographic copy, which could be multiplied sufficiently for general dis tribution. If the proprietors of these wa ter privileges fairly combine for the com mon good and divide the expense of such survey in proportion to the extent of their ownership. the burden upon each will be triding, while the advantage will be great and speedily realized. The present is a time of serious depression in every species of business, when, of course, whatever the inducenent. capital cannot be coaxed into new investments. This is not owing to any lack of money in the country, but to a want of confidence Capitalists are al- ways timid. and in such times as these money is boarded or loaned on call at the smallest rates of interest. The time is rapidly approaching when the country will recover from this periodical depres- sion, and then these immense hoards of money will seek more profitable invest ments. Now, then, IS the time and most favorable opportunity to show up the nat ural advantages of this valley in anticipa- tion of such inquiries, and one object of this communication is to start discussion of the p-opriety of calling public meet ing of all interested in developing these advantages, for the purpose of comparing notes. Not only the .proprietors of the water privileges and the adjoining lands are interested in this enterprise, but the Railroads leading to tide-water are also bound to aid by their influence any move ment which shall promise, ,even indirectly, to augment the sources of their traffic.
 The one idea that all should keep in mind is, that whatever impression anyone well acquainted with the natural characteristics