Prosper Valley
Early Settlement
The history of early life in the Valley can been seen and felt all across the landscape. Stonewalls, barn foundations and graves in Prosper cemetery tell stories of early life in the Valley. Visit Dana Hill, in Pomfret, which can be reached via the Appalachian Trail, and you will find evidence of early sugar shacks and spring-houses, as well as clues to the more recent story of Pearly Wheeler, beloved town personality and amateur naturalist.
In addition, many of the residents of the four towns can trace their ancestors back to the original founding families of these four towns. The legacy of working the land lives in the several dairy farms that are still operating, and the tourism, skiing, and maple syrup industries. As natural forces continue to shape the landscape of the Valley, so, too, do people continue to shape the Valley.