 Rocky Hill remained part of Wethersfield much longer, and the Rocky Hill Landing area became its principal port area after a major flood in 1700 wiped out Wethersfield's old port area.The landscape on the west side of the river is characterized by a narrow flood plain, most of which was held in common by the town and has never been significantly developed.A steep bluff separates the landing itself from the main town economic center, and shaped its development in the 18th and early 19th century as a port and shipbuilding center.