Ridgefield's Silver Spring

Several year ago I interviewed longtime Ridgefielder and Silver Spring Road resident, Stephen Tobin.  He passed away a short time after our interview. Folks in town wondered if there really was a fresh water stream on Silver Spring Road and, if in fact, this had historical significance in the road’s name: Silver Spring. Stephen Tobin had memories of Silver Spring which he shared with me back in 2008;  I was reminded of our interview this week as I ran down Silver Spring Road, stopping briefly at the stream beside the road.

When you drive (or run) down Silver Spring Road on the east side of the street (just past Tobin Farm) you will come to a beautiful wooded area with a rustic wooden fence and small gate.  This is designated Ridgefield Town open space and has been beautifully preserved by the town’s conservation commission.  You can pull your car right up to the fence and upon entering the gate, you will see the spring.  It is crystal clear and filled with fresh, cold water. Today, people (especially runners) traveling down the scenic road still visit the spring to refill water bottles.

The spring holds much historical significance, especially to the Tobin family who grew up frolicking in the stream.  “My Aunt told me they called it (the spring) Silver Spring because of the jewel-weed growing there…when you take a piece of the jewel weed and put it into the spring, it turns silver in color” longtime Ridgefielder Stephen Tobin explained to me.  His brother James who has cleaned the spring throughout the years told me, “The water bubbles through the silver sand”.  According to Jack Sanders, for centuries Ridgefielders would stop at the spring to gather water for their families, horses and livestock.  So, it really is a silver spring.