Rocky Hill's name derives from a traprock ridge in the northeast part of town. East of the ridge are the Great Meadows and the Connecticut River. The river made Rocky Hill an active maritime center during the age of sail. Dividend Brook was the driver for the town's industrial growth. As steam replaced sail, Rocky Hill's role as a river port diminished. Farms grew, and the town became a thriving agricultural center. In recent years, Rocky Hill has become a residential community. Modern highways and a central location have contributed to the town's growth and made it a commercial center. Dinosaur Park, the country's oldest continuously operating ferry, Dividend Park, and parks along the river have made it a tourist destination.