How a Connecticut Town Survived a Terrifying Bullfrog Attack

Once upon a time, in the small village of Windham in eastern Connecticut,  residents were startled awake by a fearsome, shrieking, terrifying roar that began shortly after midnight.

The year was 1754, and the residents of this village were already freaked out by the outbreak of the French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years' War, a struggle between Britain and France.

At first, townspeople thought the horrific sounds were the war-whoops of attacking Indians. Unfortunately, the townies didn't realize what had happened until the morning sun rose.

Imagine, if you will, thousands of bullfrogs screeching in unison, just like the one in the video above! According to newenglandhistoricalsociety.com, some residents thought the extremely annoying cacophony was the trumpets of Judgement Day. Some villagers claimed they heard the sound of names being called out.

But as dawn broke, a scouting party ventured toward the place from where the sound came. They realized the embarrassing truth: Hundreds of bullfrog corpses—all belly up—littered the landscape.

As the morning sun rose above the tiny village of Windham, waking residents noticed the loud outcry of noise had stopped entirely. A search party was sent out to investigate, and what they found 100 yards into the woods was mind-blowing!

The search party discovered a dried-up pond with hundreds of bullfrog carcasses lining its dry bed. The gruesome scene was labeled the Battle of the Frogs, a massive die-off of frogs due to a severe drought.

Because Windham residents panicked and just about lost their minds, people throughout the colonies began making fun of Windham for their silly fear of loud, croaking bullfrogs. However, Windham chose to embrace the story as part of its identity.

According to the New England Historical Society, The story spread far and wide.  At least three ballads were written about the Great Windham Frog Fight, while an 1888 operetta, The Frogs of Old Windham, drew audiences throughout Connecticut.

Fast-forward to the 21st century and the largest frog landmark in Willimantic is a bridge officially named "Thread City Crossing," but everyone calls it The Frog Bridge because it has four copper frog sculptures on each end of the bridge, sitting on concrete thread spools. It is a sight to behold!