SMALLPOX EPIDEMIC IN FARMINGTON

The mysterious carver is unknown in the history of Farmington, but the word symbolizes the terrible epidemic in the 1700’s. SMALLPOX, about one foot long, was carved into Hospital Rock. Patients arrived and left at Hospital Rock, and it was the only place where visitors who were said to be “immune” to smallpox could have contact with selected patients. It is located in the watershed section of Hartford in Rattlesnake Mountain, 900ft. north of the townline between Farmington and Plainville. The 40ft. long basalt rock was also the only place where supplies for the hospital as well as mail, books, newspapers, and snacks were sent to patients.  

Contagious

66 hospitalized patients carved their names into the rock. Young people who were patients used the rock as a meeting place and there were at least three marriages. 52 of the 66 carvings included first and middle names, as well as initials. The carvings on Hospital Rock ranged from nine to 33 years old, with twelve families and two parent-child pairs. In the end, the patients would vary but everyone was eligible for the inoculation and quarantine time.