Jamaica History people to use the West River. European- The Dumplings – at this location on the The natural beauty and colorful history American settlers, soon after their arrival, West River, there are large boulders (glacial of Jamaica State Park owe a great deal to the began logging and farming along its banks and erratics) in the river. This is a popular “play West River. The river meanders through the harnessing the water to power mills. In 1881, area” for white-water boaters. A viewing Jamaica park, slows temporarily and deepens to create an the West River Railroad began running from deck has been constructed here to provide ideal swimming spot at the Salmon Hole. A 125- South Londonderry to Brattleboro and back each scenic views of the river. foot waterfall awaits hikers on a Cobb Brook, a day, following the river’s course through the Salmon Hole – Great for swimming, this State Park pristine tributary. mountains. Floods and storms took quite a toll area marks the site of the “Salmon Hole For thousands of years, Native on the railroad. These and other problems led Massacre” where a group of French men and Americans traveled the West River by canoe, the community to call the railroad “36 miles of Native Americans ambushed British soldiers following a major transportation route between trouble.” Interpretive panels in the day use area in 1748. Recreational the Connecticut River and Lake Champlain. and the first mile of the West River Trail expand Abundant food sources, especially on the Native American and railroad history. For more information on Jamaica State Park, salmon, were attractive to the native inhabitants. Today, people use this area mostly for ask park staff or visit our website. Interpretive A major archeological dig in August, 2010 fishing, hiking and swimming. The West River programs are offered from mid-June until Labor Trails Guide unearthed a large campsite on the banks of is also popular for whitewater canoeing and Day. the Salmon Hole. More than 3,000 artifacts kayaking in the spring and fall. were discovered, including stone tools and spear points. Most artifacts were from the Late Jamaica Sights Woodland period (1000-1600 AD), however Jamaica State Park consists of 1,122 the oldest artifact is believed to be more than acres in Jamaica and Londonderry. The park is 7,000 years old. Evidence suggests that the broken into two separate tracts: West River and present-day Jamaica village area was a center for Shatterack Mountain. Both areas contain diverse hunting, fishing, plant gathering and tool making woodlands and an abundance of scenic beauty. for much of Vermont’s pre-European settlement Hemlock, mixed with a variety of West River Railroad locomotive crash, Newfane history, a period of more than 8,000 years. hardwoods, make up almost one-third of the Today, only traces of Native American forest cover. White pine, red oak, red spruce, settlement and use remain. When European elm and ash are scattered throughout the area. settlers claimed the land, many natives left the At higher elevations, northern hardwoods, area or died from diseases brought from Europe such as sugar maple, beech and yellow birch, West River, Jamaica State Park that their immune systems could not fight off. predominate. Deer, beaver and grouse are Jamaica State Park Those who remained were the ancestors of among the many animals attracted to Jamaica’s PO Box 45 Vermont’s modern-day Abenaki people. abundant waters and diverse woods. 48 Salmon Hole Lane Native Americans were not the only The most popular places to visit along Jamaica, VT 05343(802)874-4600 the trail system in the park are: (operating season) Foot Trails Hamilton Falls – A breathtaking geological Multi-Use Biking/Hiking Trail feature, the falls are beautiful and dangerous. www.vtstateparks.com Whitewater Paddling The rocks are very slippery and a slip could Scenic Waterfall & Riverway be fatal. The falls and 211 surrounding acres To request this publication in Braille or make up Hamilton Falls Natural Area. Please alternate visual format, please contact Open Early May - tread very lightly around the falls, stay on [email protected] Indigenous Peoples’ Day marked paths and do not attempt to climb on VT TDD Relay Dial 7-1-1 the rocks. Printed on recycled paper 09/2020-ERP/RRA Artist’s deptiction of a Native American village Recreational Trails in Jamacia State Park onto a unique series of potholes. Climbing along the falls and rocks is extremely North All distances are one-way dangerous and causes erosion! Stay on Hamilton W. Windham Rd JAMAICA the marked trails. Falls 1. West River Trail FORESTS, PARKS & RECREATION VERMONT STATE PARK 2.0 miles from park entrance to Cobb Brook PRIVATE 3. Overlook Trail AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES Bridge. Unblazed. Hamilton Cobb Brook Recreational Trails 2.0 miles from campground to West River Falls One of few converted rail beds in southern Natural PRIVATE PROPERTY PRIVATE Multi-Use Trail. Blue Blazes. Area Vermont, the section in the park is Beginning near Hackberry lean-to, the trail SURROUNDS universally-accessible and great for easy loops around a fence and joins a logging HAMILTON FALLS NATURAL AREA LEGEND walking, jogging or biking. Open to all road. Turn left and follow the road for about PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE Switch Road Trail foot travel and bicycles. The trail meanders 0.5 mile. The trail then turns sharply to the Park o ce along the West River, following the old bed left and climbs the ridge to a series of scenic Campground of the West River Railroad. Look for “The vistas at the summit of Little Ball Mountain. Ball Mt Lake Dumplings,” a group of large boulders about The vegetation here is easily damaged, so Parking (operating season only) one half mile up the trail. Follow the trail please walk carefully and stay on the trail. Ball Mt Dam for another 1.5 miles to reach Cobb Brook. Jamaica The trail continues down the north side of State Park Restrooms After crossing the brook, the trail continues the ridge and through a wooded valley before Multi-use trail to Ball Mountain Dam (another 0.5 mile on joining the West River Trail. federal property). Completed in 1961 for Foot Trail flood control, the dam stands 265 feet high Road and is 915 feet long. The section of trail in Jamaica State Park is an important West River Trail the park is part of a 16-mile rail trail that is archaeological site held in the public trust. Digging, metal detecting and managed by the Friends of the West River Ball Trail (see additional information elsewhere artifact collecting are not permitted. Mtn in this brochure). These activities are against the law and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest 2. Switch Road Trail extent of the law. 1.1 miles from West River Multi-Use Trail to West River easterm end. Blue blazes. Follow the West River Trail 2 miles. Before reaching Cobb Brook, the trail intersects the Dumplings with the Switch Road Trail. This trail was Friends of the West River Trail Jamaica originally an old wagon and truck road that The FWRT was formed in 1992 with the goal of State Park was used by West Windham residents to establishing a rail-trail along the original route of the West River Railway from Brattleboro to South Little reach a railroad siding known as a “switch” Salmon Ball Mtn. to load freight and passengers. Bear right Londonderry. Since its inception, the FWRT Hole has raised over $1.7 million for trail construction and continue up the trail for one mile. A Overlook Trail projects, including the Cobb Brook Bridge, Ball steep footpath on your left brings you to the Mountain Dam switchbacks, and rehabilitation of the bottom of the falls. To go to the top of the South Londonderry Rail Depot into an information Adams falls, continue on the trail to the end, turn center. For more information on the FWRT, or to Pond 0 500 1000 2000 3000 feet left onto West Windham Road, and turn left make a donation to the 501 (C) 3 non-profit group, Not survey accurate; again onto a descending path. Once there, contact [email protected] or PO Box 2086, this map is intended for informational purposes only to Jamaica Village you will be looking down a 125-foot cascade S. Londonderry, VT 05155; www.westrivertrail.org. erp-revised 02/2018