Prophet's Rock & Historic Hebron

Many people acknowledge Hebron with the large eagle rock that sits on Route 66. I once blogged about this in the past and have over 10,000 views on that story, so it could be said that the popularity of this landmark is unmatched in Hebron’s history. However, what if I told you that the eagle rock wasn’t the first major “rock” to represent Hebron, Connecticut? Within the woods along Burrows Hill Road sits arguably Hebron’s most historic site, Prophet’s Rock, though some historians have acknowledged the rock as Prophet Rock or Prospects Rock. 

Pictured above is Prophet's Rock from historical documents (left) and Prophet's Rock pictured in 2026 (right). While they are different angles of the historical site, notice how the amount of trees and growth has drastically increased.

Unlike the eagle rock, which is the result of a Hebron resident creating his own famous landmark, Prophet’s Rock is a natural landmark that goes back to Hebron’s origins. At first sight along Burrows Hill Road, one wouldn’t ordinarily notice this rock. It is tucked up into the woods along a winding road, and the only part visible of the landmark is a sign and a very small parking lot that is nearly nonexistent. This rock is 12-feet high and sits on the original property of Edith Smith. I believe the signage and small parking lot was created as Boy Scout project (though I may be wrong on that), as it was intended to make Hebron residents aware of the historic landmark. That being said, the visibility isn’t great when driving, so it is easy for anyone to overlook this historic site and drive on by, unaware of the historic landmark. 

So where is the rock located from the street? If someone drove up to the sign and parked there, one could follow the trail up into the woods and up to the rock. The path isn’t too long, but it does go uphill and as of recently, the trail is getting smaller and smaller due to surrounding forest overgrowth. Nonetheless, if one were to make the trek through the woods, past some stone foundations on the ground, and up to the rock, they would notice Prophet’s Rock on a raised section of the woods, with a table installed next to it. This is a large 12-foot high rock that looks like it is split into two halves (although it could be two separate rocks). At first sight, this is nothing extraordinary. 

I must say that I am a little disappointed that the site of Prophet’s Rock is not as well kept up as it should be. Today, I find that there is much more forest overgrowth than there should be. If you look at the photographs from then and now, you will notice that there is a huge change between how much the woods have grown around the rock. I feel there should be a happy compromise where there is some forest around the rock, but not too much to surround the walking paths up to the rock. The rock, today, sadly, looks like a piece of deserted history. It would be nice if Parks and Recreation and the Hebron Historical Society (and/or other groups) can help to maintain the area around the rock formation and preserve our town’s history. Today, it just looks like a normal rock tucked away in the woods of Hebron, though when one understands the history surrounding the rock, there is much more to be told. 

According to John Sibun’s 1958 book, Our Town’s Heritage, Hebron, Connecticut, the first white men to settle in Hebron, Connecticut were Timothy Phelps (one of my former relatives) and William Shipman, who arrived from Windsor in 1704. Sibun indicates that before Hebron was a town, it was a hunting ground for many of the Native Americans. Previously, colonists had traveled through Hebron to scout the area and reach other more accessible locations, but the town had not fully become a town until 1708. The Native Americans, most notably Joshua, also known as Attawanhood, had accepted the “white man” and his ways, like his father, Uncas, the great Sachem of the Mohegans. A peaceful transaction was made between the Native Americans and the colonists, and this is how our beloved town came to be, and why the image of the “Sachem” was used to honor our town’s heritage. John Sibun mentions these details in his historic book, Our Town’s Heritage, Hebron, Connecticut. 

Pictured above, Martha Crow Phelps seeks her husband (Drawing by Susan Comire in John Sibun's 1958 book titled Our Town’s Heritage, Hebron, Connecticut) 

Pictured above are two additional photos of Prophet's Rock. On the left is a photo by Tennat from John Sibun's book, Our Town's Heritage, Hebron, Connecticut written in 1958. On the right is a picture by Time Martin from an article in the Regional Standard from February 20th, 1993.

Prophet’s Rock is part of Hebron’s origins. The rock was named even before Hebron was established as a town. There is much speculation and lore as to how this rock fits into the origin of Hebron, Connecticut, but one widely told legend is when Phelps and Shipman first came to Hebron and were separated by their wives. The men’s wives, with the name of Martha Crow Phelps being mentioned, used the hospitality of the rock to call out to their husbands in order to be reunited as families. It is said that Martha Crow Phelps clutched her Bible as she set into the woods, distraught from being away from her husband. John Sibun had indicated that the two male settlers (Phelps and Shipman) heard “strange sounds echoing across the valley.” While this is speculation, as no one knows if the men truly heard their wives, Prophet’s Rock served as the place for reuniting the families. Another account from the Rockville Leader, in 1932, indicated that the women might have feared the wolves in the area, so they hid beneath the overhang of Prophet’s Rock and cried out to their husbands (Regional Standard, February, 20th, 1993). 

Yet, Prophet’s Rock goes even further back in history. In a 1932 article written by Susan Pendleton, she speculated that the name “Prophet’s Rock” came from a legend where an elder Native American was “chanting a prophecy about the future of the town.” Whatever the case may be, it was recorded by the reporter from the Regional Standard in this 1993 article that “noise from the rock on the hill seems to carry longer than sounds anywhere else in the Burrows Hill Road area.” There is further lore regarding the rock- John Sibun mentioned that the rock was a place where Native Americans often hid during storms as a place of refuge, and Pendleton acknowledges that if “one were to look at the rock with the light just right at just the right angle, the silhouette of George Washington lying in state is evident" (Regional Standard, February 20th, 1993). Is George Washington really watching us all or extending his gratitude to Hebron, Connecticut? The local newspaper writer indicates that if this folklore is true, it is not easily evident. Obviously there are urban legends surrounding Prophet’s Rock, and it is recommended that you see it for yourself in order to determine which stories you believe. 

Pictured above is an image taken by Tim Martin in the Regional Standard, which was published in a story from February 20th, 1993.

Do these stories hold true about Prophet’s Rock being the foundation for our town Hebron, Connecticut? While many of these stories seem like urban legend, I find it reassuring that Prophet’s Rock stands as a symbol for hospitality, whether it was Martha Crow Phelps calling out to her husband or the Native Americans taking refuge in the rock during storms. The rock is also a symbol of peace; the founding of our town Hebron was a peaceful transaction between the Natives and colonists, and Prophet’s Rock was accounted as a hospitable symbol for both. Nonetheless, the name itself (Prophet’s Rock) derives back to a religious heritage and this is referenced on the sign itself outside the historic site. The sign reads: “The Prophet’s Rock refers to the Bible passage when Moses strikes a rock with his staff, and water flows out, saving the Israelites in the desert.” Whether you find the folklore about Prophet’s Rock true or not, it is evident that the rock’s name was founded based on religious principles. Prophet’s Rock is a symbol representing the founding of Hebron (also a biblical name) under peaceful terms between both the Natives and colonists. 

The sign outside the Prophet's Rock historical site on Burrows Hill Road, in Hebron, Connecticut

So, have you been out to Prophet’s Rock? What are your thoughts about the urban legends and folklore surrounding the rock and do you believe more work needs to be done to preserve Prophet’s Rock history in our future? I sincerely hope someone from Hebron will visit the rock and cut some of the forest brush away from the path, build a bigger lot (if possible) for parking and find ways to promote Hebron’s history. After all, we shouldn’t forget that the most historical landmark of our town is a legendary rock tucked away in the woods of Burrows Hill Road.

The "New" & Improved Maple Leaf Needs YOUR Support as we look to Maple Fest 2027

EDIT: I want to thank everyone! We have reached our donations goal and have received the new Maple Leaf costume. It should be ready for the 2027 Maple Festival event. Below are the unboxing videos that look at the new costume and its features.

Ever been to the Hebron Maple Festival and seen the Hebron Maple Leaf? Maybe the Leaf gave you a high-five, maybe the Leaf danced around to music, or maybe you caught the Leaf riding on the tractor parade. In any case, the Leaf was there to bring joy to the Maple Festival. The Leaf was there to make kids & families feel happy about attending the Maple Festival. 

That was my purpose when I created the concept of the Maple Leaf in 2010. I had wanted to create the mascot for the festival. When I first started out, I was a member of the Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast before I made my way to downtown Hebron. I started with a costume I bought on my own with a sheet of paper tacked to the costume with the name "Mr. Maple Leaf." No one knew originally what I was- they thought I was a burning hot dog, or something of that nature. The sign helped to define the character.

I am here to formally thank everyone who donated to create the "new" Maple Leaf. I cannot thank everyone enough. We have accumulated over $1000 in donations but we are still looking for around $400 to fully pay for the costume. This new costume was all thanks to the citizens of Hebron who stepped up and contributed to keep this tradition alive. They have shown me that this tradition is worth keeping and that they want to keep the passion of the Maple Leaf alive. Thank you to everyone who has donated for the new Maple Leaf costume for the 2027 Maple Festival. It will be donated to Michelle at the Flour Girl Cafe, as her staff has taken up the role of the Maple Leaf the past few years.

Below are a collection of photos featuring the new costume. It is not a final draft but it is what the new Maple Leaf will mostly look like. Additionally, if you would like to help us raise the last bit of money, you can donate at the GoFundMe page here: Maple Festival Go Fund Me Fundraiser We are almost at our goal and hope to reach it in the next few weeks! Please help support this tradition so we can share our love and fun at the Maple Festival. 

Over the years, I gained some credibility as

a mascot. Kids looked for me at the Maple Festival and I created the Facebook page to share the love and joy with everyone. I have easily close to 50 personal photos, many with children, politicians, and on the tractors in the tractor parades. Additionally, I made it into newspapers. I had tried to get into the newspapers each year. 

One year, I was kicked out from someone who claimed I did not have a right to be there. It was a bit upsetting and it angered others who had seen me around town because they know I was there for them, no one else. Some people demanded that they would "make their own Maple Leaf costume and walk around town" if the real Maple Leaf could not be present. The support was phenomenal. The town had my back. I never asked for any money. In fact, I paid for my own costume twice, as I replaced the first one with a sturdier second one over the years. In any case, various different groups took over the Maple Festival and eventually allowed me to participate.

I just want everyone to be aware of this maple movement- I created the Maple Leaf mascot and the image. I brought the idea of the Maple Leaf to everyone. It has now become the official mascot and tradition of the Maple Festival. I moved out of Hebron and have given Michelle's staff at the Flour Girl Cafe a chance to be the Maple Leaf. I have passed the tradition forward, but the same mission still stands to spread joy at the Hebron maple Festival. 

We are currently in the midst of creating the "new" Maple Leaf costume. I reached out to vendors and found a vendor that is making a new costume. This one will be "new" and will obtain logos for the sponsors, Flour Girl Cafe and The Town Center Project. Both of these groups have helped to keep the tradition alive and make the Maple Festival as great as it can be. 

We are almost done with creating the costume. As mentioned, it is looking to be ready for 2027. Please consider donating to the cause, as we hope this costume and tradition will last for many years beyond 2027.

Link to Maple Leaf fundraiser: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-the-maple-leaf-mascot-tradition-alive

Hebron Mini Golf is Perfect for Hebron, and a Step Toward Making Our Town More Entertaining

 I no longer live in town (or state for that matter), but have returned to visit from time to time. When I was growing up in Hebron, I found that Hebron was a small farm town that was a great place to live in, but it did not have much to do besides your main sports. I would always venture into other towns for more fun things to do (movie theater in Colchester, museums in Manchester, etc.). I can honestly say that I feel others who previously lived here would say the same thing or just flat out say "There's nothing to do in Hebron."

Sure, we have parks and fairs. The newly reconstructed Veterans Park has a playscape, a ball field and a skate park. There are nature trails. Hebron does a great job with yearly events (Harvest Fair, Maple Fest, Halloween events), but aside from these, the town lacks fun attractions to enjoy aside from its fairs and town events. Many people have to venture into other nearby towns to find more readily available entertainment. So, how can we keep kids out of trouble with fun things to do in our community?

Recently, Hebron has opened a miniature golf course. This course is located across from George's Restaurant and Scooter Bug's ice cream along route 85 (which are great options to eat after playing a game of golf). So far, from what I see, this course has been a HUGE success. Whenever I have driven by, the course is packed with kids and families. It is a fantastic activity for all and much more readily available than just an open field. I see parents enjoying the game as much as kids, and it's a fantastic easy-to-do bonding activity for all ages.

I had a chance to play a game of golf at the new mini-golf course. I was by far impressed. The course was a rather simple course, but it was clean, well made, and had different varied holes. The staff was very respectful. I was able to get 3 hole in ones in my first game there, and it was a lot of fun. They have one 18-hole course, but it looked like there is room to expand.

We have always been lucky to have Blackledge and Tallwood nearby for competitive golf, but neither of these have a family and kid friendly mini-golf course. What makes Hebron Miniature Golf so accommodating to our town is that it is an event kids can easily join, families can come together, and it's so easy to play. I encourage everyone to go to this new course and try it at once.

Hebron needed this course, and I think others would agree. Hebron will always be that small farm town, and a town for families, and this mini-golf takes a step toward "fun & entertainment" where I feel Hebron hasn't quite reached its potential.

This poses the next question: what other attractions can Hebron add to make the town more entertaining, fun, and family friendly? We just obtained this nice new golf course and recently obtained a dog park and a new skate park, but what else is the town missing? What new activities can we provide in our town to keep kids and families entertained and out of trouble? Please share your thoughts here and let's consider making Hebron even more fun by adding more family friendly activities because we need these activities to keep our kids entertained, busy, and out of trouble.