A Historical Vacation in Collinsville, CT

Tucked in a wide bend of the Farmington River, Collinsville, CT, offers visitors endless activities, events and sights in a historically preserved mill town atmosphere.

The town was home to the Collins Company axe factory, a world renowned manufacturer of steel instruments like machetes which were used to clear the Panama Canal. The ambiance of Main Street reflects period architecture with ornate details from the turn of the century.

Typical of New England mills, the Collins Company axe factory was sited on the river and utilized the water's strength to turn turbines and power machines. The numerous old buildings ramble along the riverbanks intertwined by an intricate maze of sluices that run throughout the site.

In the heart of town, store fronts adhere to the town's industrial past. Long glass front markets, like centrally located LaSalle Market, invite visitors with fresh brewed coffee, homemade baked sweets and the delicious house specialty ice creams.

Antiques are a large draw and the main building for the old axe factory today houses Collinsville Antiques Company. Sprawled in an enormous factory building over two levels, the company is known throughout the state for its expansive inventory of antiques and collectibles. Beautiful furniture, one-of-a-kind house wares, clothing, quilts and unique aged oddities fill the wood planked warehouse.

In the shadow of the Collinsville Antiques Company, an old train depot has been renovated into the Crown & Hammer Restaurant and Pub. Its name comes from the logo of the old Collins Company and everything about this eatery pays homage to the town's colorful history.

The menu is filled with regional treats like New England clam chowder, Maine Crab Cakes, Lobster Flauta and a train stop favorite, Fried Green Tomatoes. Appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees are all creative versions of pub favorites and complemented by the Crown & Hammer's plentiful microbrews and wines.

The train tracks that used to deliver to the Crown & Hammer's doorstep have become one of the region's most enjoyable Railway Trails for pedestrians and bicyclists. The path winds along the Farmington River from the north, crosses through Main Street in Collinsville and becomes elevated over a renovated trestle bridge that offers views of the Collins Company from above.

The Collinsville Historical Society is part of the town center, housed in a large centuries old building. Inside artifacts, photographs and historical documents offer visitors in depth history about the town's vibrant past.

Back on Main Street, Collinsville offers window shopping of unique boutiques, more antiques and a toy & hobby store. Businesses fill historical buildings including a frame shop, a fly fishing specialty store, a massage center, hair stylists, a jewelry school, a yoga studio, pizza shops, realtors and even another pub tucked in a small old home at the top of Main Street.

The locals are a diverse blend of artists, business people, town officials and entrepreneurs who enjoy the local café's outdoor seating and the cobblestone sidewalks where friendly neighbors meet and chat.

Following the Railway Trail across from Main Street, more antiques await in the sprawling upriver Collins Company buildings. Painted furniture, interior décor, floral services and an outstanding bakery fill the northern building that opens to the banks of the Farmington.

Next door, the Collinsville Canoe & Kayak Company has turned an old barn into New England's largest specialty paddling shop. Vibrantly colored canoes and kayaks fill the walls and grounds of this water obsessed store. Wooden fences line the grounds and a conveniently located launch pad allows customers an easy entry to the Farmington River for test rides.

The Collinsville Canoe & Kayak Company holds an annual Spring Demo Weekend with talks, demonstrations and the chance to try before you buy. The parking lot fills with canoe & kayak enthusiasts, vendors and a barbeque keeps the paddling energy going for days.

It's easy to get around Collinsville as a pedestrian and wind your way through the back streets to see some extraordinary homes and buildings. The town was structured around the Collins Company and most homes near Main Street housed managers and workers from the factory. Victorian style homes have been preserved and renovated and some have found interesting new purpose, like a churches converted to apartments.

Around the town green are some of Collinsville's oldest and most beautiful mansions with wide porches, ornate wood trim and lush gardens. Here, around South Street, the wide green is balanced by the Collinsville Congregational Church where choir voices can often be heard.

The center of Collinsville rests in a valley near the river and the town is bordered by magnificent pine covered hills. From Main Street, visitors can follow the road to the top of the hill where views open across the river valley over one of the town's historic cemeteries. This vantage is the perfect spot to see the Collins Company factory in its entirety and a breathtaking view of the Farmington River. Across the valley, protected watershed land preserves the town's rural environment and is beautiful year round.

Collinsville is just a small section of Canton, CT, but bursting with a colorful history, vibrant community and endless activities for visitors of all ages. It is combines the best of New England industrial history, Yankee ingenuity and small town community.