Heublein Tower

Nestled in the scenic Farmington Valley approximately ten miles northwest of Hartford, lies the town of Simsbury, Connecticut. Simsbury is composed of the town, and the villages of Weatogue, West Simsbury and Tariffville. Approximately 23,000 people call Simsbury's 34.5 square miles home.

Natural beauty seems to abound in the area. Ridge lines on our east and west borders help define Simsbury geographically and municipally. To our east, Talcott Mountain is used as a launching platform for hang gliders who soar over the valley. It also hosts an excellent hiking trail along the ridge leading to a well-known and visible area landmark, the Heublein Tower. During the fall foliage, the ridge and trail are always busy with visitors "leaf-peeping," as the view across the valley is incredible.

The Farmington River is another of our natural jewels. For the most part, the Farmington travels slowly northward, parallel to the Talcott Mountain ridge line. This is a popular stretch for canoeing as the river is for the most part, straight, slow and shallow. During the summer, canoe trips are run here, with many people stopping at the small park next to the route 185 bridge to see the Pinchot Sycamore, the largest tree in Connecticut.

Canoeing on the Farmington River

As the Farmington prepares to exit Simsbury, it makes an abrupt turn south and tumbles through the Tariffville Gorge, defining our northeast border. This section of white water is home to kayakers year-round, and has hosted National and Olympic trials, among other regional races.

The river is stocked with trout and fishing spots can be found. Unfortunately, the best areas for fly fishing remain further upstream to our south and west, but are luckily only minutes away.

Growth in the town has been intentionally limited, so you will find the community to be a pleasant mix of rural and suburban settings. Several farms can be found in the area and their farm stands spring to life during the summer with plants and flowers, corn and other vegetables.

	Flowers at Tulmeadow Farm

Rosedale's is known for its corn and the bouquets of fresh cut flowers which they grow themselves. Tulmeadow Farm always has a selection of plants in front of their farm store but are probably most famous for their homemade ice cream. Flamig Farm hosts a small farm zoo, rides and events for the family throughout the year. However, they are probably most known for their eggs partially because of how they  spell it: .

Because of the mild climate and sandy soil, tobacco is surprisingly a major agricultural product in the area. Many of the world's cigars are wrapped in a "Connecticut Shade" wrapper. Producing this type of tobacco involves not only the natural conditions suited for such, but also the growing of plants under a cheesecloth canopy to filter the sunlight. The result is a leaf which is more pliable for rolling, and aesthetically pleasing.

Tobacco curing in the barn

It wasn't agriculture but natural resources which brought European settlers to the Farmington Valley in the 1640's. The first Europeans were searching for pine forests for their tar and pitch business. When they arrived they found the valley to be rich with fish and wildlife. They also found the native Massacoe Indians of the Algonquin Nation living off the area's bounty. The new settlers called the valley the "Massacoh Plantation."

Between 1648 and 1661, Indian lands were gradually deeded over to the Englishmen. In 1670, the Massacoh Plantation came to be "Simsbury", probably after Symondsbury, Dorset, England. Many of the earliest English settlers came from Dorset.

Then in 1705, copper was discovered which was a very important and valuable natural resource for the time. Later this copper mine became the infamous New-Gate Prison of the Revolutionary War. With this resource, Doctor Samuel Higley started the first copper coinage in America in 1737, striking the Higley copper coin.

	The Ensign House

Another industry has played an important role in Simsbury's history. After William Bickford invented the first safety fuse for blasting in England in 1831, the Toy, Bickford & Company moved to Simsbury and began manufacturing the first safety fuses in America in 1836. When Joseph Toy handed the reigns to his son-in-law Ralph Ensign, the company would become known as The Ensign-Bickford Company. The company is still in operation today in Simsbury as Dyno Nobel.

Today, Simsbury has grown into a thriving community which offers a high quality of life to its residents no matter what their age. The public school system is one of the best in the state, and several outstanding private schools can also be found in the town. Excellent active adult communities can be found in Simsbury and for those who need special care there are several outstanding assisted living and nursing facilities including the McLean community.

An excellent Culture, Parks & Recreation Department maintains a network of twelve parks and other facilities, the crown jewel of which is the 235 acre Simsbury Farms Complex which contains an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, pools, playgrounds, ice rink and a 2.5 mile fitness trail. Five state parks can be found in the town along with the Nod Brook dog training area. The old railroad that once traveled through the town has been converted into a greenway for biking, walking, running and rollerblading.  Additional pathways are maintained by the town along with 1,600 acres of open space set aside for public use. The International Skating Center has two ice rinks which are home for several National, International and Olympic champions.

The Town of Simsbury hosts many family-oriented events and activities throughout the year including several youth sports programs through the Recreation Department. Simsbury's newest cultural addition is the Performing Arts Center at Simsbury Meadows located in the town center. The facility is the permanent summer home of Hartford Symphony Orchestra's Talcott Mountain Music Festival, and hosts other concerts and events throughout the year.

Halloween on the farm

Other popular events include Septemberfest, an outdoor festival created by the Chamber of Commerce to showcase the town, and the community's businesses and social organizations. The three-day event is held the weekend after Labor Day on Iron Horse Boulevard across from the Simsbury Meadows facility and features great food from the area's restaurants, and activities and entertainment for people of all ages, just to name a few.

Another popular event occurs on the Saturday evening after Thanksgiving when the town welcomes the beginning of the holiday season with a celebration in the town center. Known as Simsbury Celebrates!, a diverse selection of family events for people of all ages are held at several downtown indoor and outdoor venues. The marquis event of the celebration is  the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company's Torchlight Parade, where the Fire Company adorns many of the town's fire apparatus with lights and other festive decorations, and members march up Hopmeadow Street passing out candy canes to the children along the route. Many other departments from around the area accept the Fire Company's invitation and also participate in this enjoyable occasion.

We urge you to come to Simsbury and visit the many fine shops, restaurants, and historic and scenic sights, and participate in our many fun events that can be enjoyed by all members of your family. You just might decide to stay longer.
 

Thanks to Rich Wagner© at Imagine it Framed for use of his photographs.

The unique design of the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company's insignia starts with the shape. The white outline replicates the boundaries of the Town of Simsbury, and the small patch of light blue in the upper right corner represents the section of the Farmington River where it separates Simsbury from East Granby.

The Simsbury Town Seal dominates the center of the insignia. The illustration in the left of the town seal pictures the Higley copper coin. The top illustration pictures the Old Meeting House, a replica of which stands on the grounds of the Simsbury Historical Society. The tree stands as a symbol of the town's natural resources and the family group represents the base of our whole society.

The leaves on the outer circumference represent the hop vine from which several Simsbury names are derived from, such as Hopmeadow Street and Hop Brook. The inner circle represents a blasting fuse, symbolic of America's first such industry which was started in Simsbury when the Toy, Bickford & Company moved from England in 1831.

The Simsbury Town Seal was chosen from among many designs which were submitted during a competition open to all residents of the Farmington Valley between September and November 1969. The winning entry was submitted by Allen W. Hixon and was later officially adopted.

The Town of Simsbury

Town of Simsbury website
Simsbury Chamber of Commerce
Simsbury, Connecticut's community website - www.simsburyct.us
Simsbury Historical Society

Canoe the Farmington

Main Stream canoe and kayak trips
Huck Finn Adventures family and group canoe trips

New-Gate Prison

Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism: Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine
East Granby Historical Society: Old Newgate Prison

Higley Copper Coins

University of Notre Dame Coin & Currency Collections: Higley Coppers
U.S. Mint Fun Kid's Fun Fact; Higley Copper

Excerpts used with permission from http://www.townofsimsbury.com