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Back to Main Page The Lyon & The Grape Eastford, CT From Rte 198 turn onto General Lyon Rd. Turn on Pilfershire Rd. Drive over the bridge and park to the left. Around the year 1820 Ephrium Lyon founded an organized association for the people of Eastford, Ashford, Chaplin, Pomfret, & Hampton to worship Bacchus, the god of wine. Although elaborate records were kept membership was a secret. Lyon maintained his position as leader of the "church" by demonstrating his capacity of liquor which he was very proud to prove if challenged. The only real qualification for membership was a reputation for excessive drinking. If a member jumped on the wagon of temperance the member would be excommunicated. It is said that at one time there were 1000 members. Citizens of Eastford & surrounding areas were very upset about this unorthodox group and tried to shut it down repeatedly. Lyon began receiving regular death threats. Once in a panic over the death threats his wife stole the "Church of Bacchus" documents and burned them but he had back up files. In 1840 when Ephrium Lyon died and the church died as well but the members gave Lyon one heck of a send off. Ironically there aren’t any package stores or bars in the town of Eastford! Follow the trail as it serpentines. You will see a fallen tree in front of you and it will be hard to tell where the trail went. It turns right. Follow under a coniferous tree. There you will see a stump that looks like a broken wine bottle with a very sharp point. Between the stump and log you will find the Lyon & the Grape. Before you set out, please read the
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