Small settlements and fledging villages popped up in what would later become Connecticut's Salmon River State Forest in the early 1700s. Mostly consisting of loggers, miners, and grist millers, most of these towns were abandoned when opportunities dried up. Even today, the ruins of these settlements can be seen if one looks past the lush overgrowth. One of the most notorious settlers in the area was a man, John Carrier, who was rumored to be an executioner for the king at the time. At the apex of his long and productive career, he angered a high-ranking royalty and fled to the Americas, where he made a new life for himself. Salmon River State Forest, taking its name from the nearby Salmon River, was officially established in 1934.