Timeline

Timeline. . , 1614 Six years before pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock, Dutch lawyer and sea captain, Adrian Block (after whom Block Island is named) discovers and explores the Connecticut River as far north as the Enfield Falls, where he is forced to turn back because of rapids "Die Versche Riverier", or the "Fresh Water River” was his name for the Connecticut The English who come later discard this name in favor of the Indian "Connitecock” or "Qunnitukat” meaning "Long Tidal River, 1783 James Chamberlain is granted a charter by the legislature to operate a ferry here, 1824 New Year's Day- prominent Hartford businessmen and merchants meet at City Hall to devise a plan to improve navigation on the River enhancing trade between Boston/New York and Springfield/Hartford. The most ambitious plan calls for a lateral canal to by pass Enfield Falls, 1827 The Connecticut River Company begins work on the canai at Enfield Falls. The construction crew of 400 are predominantly Irishmen who have been recruited specifically for this task, 1829 The canal opens and begins the decade of its greatest activity Soon after construction is complete, an application is fived for a post office to be located at Charles H. Dexter's store near the grist mill. The village that grew up around the canal ultimately takes on the name of its post office, Windsor Locks, 1842 Renowned British author Charles Dickens and his wife tour America from January through June and they arrive here on February 7th passing through the canal, his observations will be published in his next book "American Notes.”, 1886 The Suspension Bridge crosses the Connecticut River between Windsor Locks and Warehouse Point, replacing the State's first ferry franchise, What products were manufactured on the canal bank? , J.R. Montgomery Company cotton warps, mercerized yarns and novelty yarns, Steel Mill cutlery , Windsor Silk Company spun silk , Windsor Silk Company spool silk , The George P. Clark Company trucks casters, ventilating and exhaust fans, dyeing machinery , Northern Connecticut Light and Power Company electricity and gas for light, heat and power , C.H. Dexter and Sons originally opened in 1767, as a grist and saw which was destroyed by fire in 1875 rebuilt in 1876 to manufacture the Star Brand of specialty papers including the teabag patent , Medicett Company worsted and woolen underwear. , Anchor Mills Paper Co. newsprint and various specialty papers , E. Horton and Son Co. lathe chucks , Windsor Paper Company high grade rope papers, specialties, boards for box makers , OTHERS: Farist Iron Works, AG West Sewing Machine, Denslow K. Chase rifles for the Union Army, Converse Iron Foundry, Prauty Wire Works