Plainville in Capitol Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

The Farmington Canal 1828-1848

Photographed by Alan M. Perrie, November 17, 2015

1. THE FARMINGTON CANAL 1828-1848 Marker

Inscription. The “Long Level” section was the single most important factor in growth of Great Plain area of Farmington into Plainville.

Present center developed around Bristol Basin. Whiting’s Basin lay west of Farmington Avenue with a dry dock halfway between.

Dug entirely by hand and horse. Canal was 36 feet wide, 4 feet deep, with 10-foot towpath.

Boats approximately 85 feet long pulled by horses or mules included the locally owned “Ceres” and “ H. M. Welch”; also the “James Hillhouse” and “Gold Hunter”.

Advent of railroads, geographical and financial problems contributed to early demise of waterway running from New Haven to Massachusetts

Erected 1971 by Connecticut Historic Commission and the Plainville Historical Society, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1828.

Location. 41° 39.683′ N, 72° 52.767′ W. Marker is in Plainville in Capitol Region, Connecticut. It is on Norton Park Road 0.2 miles west of Route 177, on the right when traveling west. Norton Park Road is opposite 148 South Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Plainville CT 06062, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

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within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Plainville World War I & II Monument (approx. 0.9 miles away); Plainville Civil War Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Plainville Persian Gulf War Monument (approx. 0.9 miles away); Plainville Korean War – Vietnam War Monument (approx. 0.9 miles away); Olde East Street Burying Grounds (approx. one mile away); Come Ye To The Waters (approx. 2½ miles away); Lake Compounce (approx. 2.7 miles away); 1985 Bicentennial Time Capsule (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plainville.

Also see . . .
1. New England's Grand Ambition: The Farmington Canal. (Submitted on December 22, 2015, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
2. The Whitings basin and the Farmington Canal. (Submitted on December 29, 2015, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)

The marker is located 100 feet off Norton Park Road next to the Farmington Canal. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alan M. Perrie, November 17, 2015

2. The marker is located 100 feet off Norton Park Road next to the Farmington Canal.

A canal packet boat on Plainville’s Seal illustrates the importance of the Canal Era to its past. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alan M. Perrie, November 17, 2015

3. A canal packet boat on Plainville’s Seal illustrates the importance of the Canal Era to its past.

The 36 foot wide Farmington Canal in Norton Park has tow paths on both sides due to the Great Plain image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alan M. Perrie, November 17, 2015

4. The 36 foot wide Farmington Canal in Norton Park has tow paths on both sides due to the Great Plain

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2015, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,271 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 22, 2015, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.