Route 244 is part of the 19th-century Boston Turnpike, a toll road leading from Hartford toward Boston by way of Manchester, Coventry, Ashford, Pomfret and Thompson. The turnpike was established in 1797 and was disbanded in 1879. A former tollhouse is still visible from Route 244.

The road used to be called secret route SR 622, and was promoted to signed Route 244 on Feb. 1, 1988.

Am I scenic or not?

The start of Route 244 westbound, as seen from Route 97. Photo taken Sept. 2002 by Kurumi.

In late 2002, officials in Eastford and Pomfret applied to the state for scenic road status for all of Route 244. This would help protect the road from widening or other changes that would mar its scenic character.

On Feb. 21, 2003, the state designated a portion of Route 244 as scenic: 3.1 miles, from Route 97 to Chase Pond Road.

"I took a shortcut between Willimantic and Putnam when I selected State Route 244 in lieu of U.S. Route 44. All I got for my trouble was a very steep (about 15%) hill coming up from the bridge over a small river. I muttered about that one a lot - thankfully it wasn't a very long hill. I think I saved a mile or two, but I don't think I saved any time." - Gary Nero, describing a segment of his cross-country bike trip

• Route Change Notice, ConnDOT, Feb. 2, 1988.
• "Route 244 in Eastford and Pomfret proposed as a Scenic Road.' Press release, ConnDOT, Nov. 21, 2002.
• "Route 244: Officially scenic?" Norwich [Conn.] Bulletin, Dec. 9, 2002.
• "'Scenic' status for Route 244." Editorial, Norwich [Conn.] Bulletin, Dec. 12, 2002.
• Cole, Matt. "CT 244 scenic designation." Personal email, May 24, 2003.

• Route 244 Ends (Photos; Doug Kerr at state-ends.com)
• Route 244 - Google Maps