VERNON ——
At the turn of the 20th century, Lebbeus Bissell and Frederick Belding had a plan to preserve one of their favorite places in all the world — the Tankerhoosen River. They purchased thousands of acres along the trout stream.
Although pieces of their kingdom have been sold over the years, some taken to create I-84, one of the largest remaining parcels has been purchased by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
The department held a ceremony Friday announcing its purchase of the a 450-acre parcel for $3 million. The acquisition preserves and protects a large portion of the river, the only natural brown and brook trout waterway in the Connecticut River basin, department officials said.
http://www.courant.com/community/vernon/hc-vernon-tankerhoosen-acquisition-0623-20120622,0,6407283.story