Windsor Locks in Capitol Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Windsor Locks
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, March 25, 2007
1. Windsor Locks Marker (Front)
Incorporated May 30, 1854, the town was formerly Pine Meadow district of Windsor. A Dutch trader, Captain Adriaen Block, came up the Connecticut River in the spring of 1614 as far as Enfield Rapids.
The first three settlers were: Henry Denslow 1663, Nathaniel Gaylord-1678, and Abraham Dibble - 1708.
Seth Dexter founded the Dexter Company in 1767. The first one-horse-drawn wagon in this area was made by David Birge in 1815.
The Windsor Locks Canal was completed in 1829. Charles Dexter was appointed first postmaster in 1833.
The first town officials included Lucius Chapman, Talcott Mather, and Oliver Hayden-Selectmen, and Charles Spencer - Town Clerk. The first town meeting was held July 3, 1854.
(reverse)
Windsor Locks
(Continued from other side)
Rail transportation was inaugurated in 1844. Trolley service began in 1904. Public buses first operated June 24, 1924. Bradley Field was opened as a military airbase in 1941. Commercial airlines using the facility have served this area since 1947. It is now Bradley International Airport.
Ella T. Grasso
this page online
Old Country Road is described in George Washington's diary under date of October, 1789: Between Windsor and Suffield you pass through level, barren and uncultivated plain for miles. This refers to Windsor Locks.
Erected May 30, 1976
by the Windor Locks American Revolution
Bicentennial Commission
the Windsor Locks Historical Society
and the Connecticut Historical Commission
Erected 1976 by Windor Locks American Revolution Bicentennial Commission, the Windsor Locks Historical Society, and the Connecticut Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is May 30, 1854.
Location. 41° 55.904′ N, 72° 37.672′ W. Marker is in Windsor Locks in Capitol Region, Connecticut. It is at the intersection of Main Street (Connecticut Route 159) and Oak Street, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Marker is across the street from the historic Windsor Locks train station. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Windsor Locks CT 06096,
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, March 25, 2007
2. Windsor Locks Marker (Back)
Regionally, this marker is in the Connecticut River Valley, in Greater Hartford, and in the Knowledge Corridor. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Hartford County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Timeline (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Windsor Locks Canal (about 600 feet away); The Canal Today (about 600 feet away); Irish Immigrants Memorial (about 700 feet away); Windsor Locks Vietnam War Monument (approx. half a mile away); Windsor Locks World War I and II Monument (approx. half a mile away); Windsor Locks Korean Conflict Monument (approx. half a mile away); Soldiers Memorial Hall (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Windsor Locks.
Also see . . .
1. Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on September 25, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Windsor Locks Historical Society.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, March 25, 2007
3. Windsor Locks Train Station
The existing abandoned passenger train station was built in 1875 by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, some 31 years after the railroad came through Windsor Locks, replacing transportation of goods and people on the Connecticut River and its canal at Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
Dwight Eisenhower visited the Windsor Locks Train Station on a whistle stop during his presidency (1953-1961) much to the joy of the townspeople and school children who were let out and gathered at the station.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, March 25, 2007
4. Windsor Locks Train Station - View from Main Street
The last boarding passes were sold about 1971 and the building was closed thereabouts. Slated for demolition, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 (the Station 100th anniversary) by a group called, The Save The Station Committee.
The newly formed Windsor Locks Preservation Association is working hard to save this last piece of heritage.
Windsor Locks Historical Society
5. Windsor Locks Railroad Station
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, March 25, 2007
6. Windsor Locks Canal
The Windsor Locks Canal, built in 1829, allowed navigation on the Connecticut River past the Enfield Rapids. Windsor Locks, CT
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 2,920 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 13, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
