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 Originally inhabited by the Massacoh Indians, settlers came to the area in the early 1660’s. Settlements were established at The Falls, Hop Meadow, Terry’s Plain, and Weatogue. Some of the first European settlers were named Higley, Humphrey, Pettibone, & Phelps. They first called the valley the Massacoh Plantation. Indian lands were gradually deeded over to Englishmen and in 1670 the Massacoh Plantation came to be named "Simsbury", probably after Symondsbury, England. As one of the state’s oldest towns, Simsbury was incorporated in 1670 as the 21st town in Connecticut. In 1676, King Philip’s War broke out when Philip’s warriors burned 40 buildings. Legend has it that King Philip sat in the large cave on Talcott Mountain to view the town burning. While no settlers were killed in the attack, the settlers were forced to leave the area; however, they returned a year later. Primarily a farming community, Simsbury also had early industries in making soap, candles, bullets, clothing, and furniture. Saw mills and grist mills were built as well. In 1705, copper was discovered in Copper Hill (a part of Simsbury then, but is now East Granby). A smelting works was built at Hop Brook despite being prohibited by the British rule. In 1727, Samuel Higley discovered the process for manufacturing steel; so in 1728 the first steel mill operated in America. In 1737 he designed and manufactured the first coinage in America. The War of the Revolution had a profound effect on the Town with nearly 1,000 Simsbury residents serving in the Revolution. One hundred Simsbury soldiers engaged in the Battle of Bunker Hill. The first safety fuse in America was manufactured in Simsbury in 1836. By 1838, these safety fuses were being produced by the firm Bacon, Bickford, Easles, & Company in East Weatogue. In 1851, a fire burned the plant but was soon rebuilt and later evolved into what we know today as the Ensign-Bickford Company, which produces safety fuses and detonating devices. During the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, Simsbury was a very active railroad center with as many as 22 trains per day coming through. Today, you can visit Plan B Restuarant, which was the original Simsbury Train Station built in 1874. Simsbury has retained its historic structures and has left a lot of the farmland for future generations to enjoy and appreciate. See the Simsbury Historical Society website for more information on the Phelps Tavern Museum and archives or the Simsbury Land Trust for ways local residents are preserving our history.   Assessor - 658-3251 Board of Education - 651-3361 Chamber of Commerce - 651-7307 Farmington Valley Health District - 676-1953 Planning & Zoning - 658-3245 Registrar of Voters - 658-3267 Tax Collector - 658-3238 Re/Max Real Estate Agent - 392-9280
Latimer Lane Elementary School - 658-4774 – grades K-6 Squadron Line Elementary - 658-2251 – grades K-6 Tariffville Elementary School - 658-5825 – grades PK-6 Tootin’ Hills Elementary School - 658-7629 – grades PK-6 Henry James Middle School - 651-3341 – grades 7-8 Simsbury High School - 658-0451 – grades 9-12 Private Cobb School – Montessori - 658-1144 – ages 1.5-12 Ethel Walker School – All-Girls - 408-4200 – grades 6-12 Masters School – Christian Co-ed - 651-9361 – Pre K-12 St. Mary’s School – Catholic - 658-9412 – Nursery-8 Westminster School – Ind. Co-ed - 658-4444 – grades 9-12 Connecticut Magazine rated Simsbury #2 in education for towns with populations between 15,000-25,000. Connecticut Magazine - Rating the Towns - 12/03/2004 - Rating the Towns 2004-05: 15,000-25,000
Simsbury is a charming New England suburban town known for having a very good public and private school system (rated #2 in Education for towns with a population of 15,000-25,000 by Connecticut Magazine). Talcott Mountain, with the Hublein Tower, dominates the eastern portion of Simsbury, while the Farmington River flows through providing ample open space. West Simsbury has gently rolling hills with quiet neighborhoods, farmland, and town parks. The housing style is mainly colonial in design, but there are also ranch, split level and contemporary homes, as well as 55 and older age restricted communities. Restaurants and shopping are convenient to Simsbury residents. Car travel from Simsbury: Simsbury’s larger employers are: Connecticut Magazine rated Simsbury #5 in small Connecticut towns with a population of 15,000-25,000. Click this link for ratings.
(Source – Greater Hartford MLS closed sales 1/1/05-6/30/05)
• Educational/Historic - The Phelps Tavern Museum and the Massacoh Plantation are maintained by the Simsbury Historical Society and located at 800 Hopmeadow Street in town center. Simsbury Genealogical & Historical Research Library located at 749 Hopmeadow Street. Also houses the William Phelps Eno Memorial Library. This was the original site of the Simsbury Free Library. Try to look up your ancestors at The Simsbury Public Library is located in the 725 Hopmeadow Street in the town center. The Children’s Section is a wonderful collection of children’s books, books on tape, videos & DVDs (get ready to Wiggle), and other collections and activities.
• Entertainment - Theatre Guild of Simsbury performs Broadway style musicals, plays, comedies, and dramas at Eno Memorial Hall and Simsbury High School Auditorium Simsbury 8 Theaters offers 8 screens to catch a movie. They are located in the Simsbury Commons Shopping Center.
• Outdoor Activities - Parks & Recreation Simsbury Farms Simsbury Farms offers 4 tennis courts, 2 paddle tennis courts, 18 hole golf course with clubhouse and restaurant, 4 swimming pools, winter ice rink, summer concerts, playscape, and fitness trail. Located off Old Farms Road. Simsbury’s Land Trust Trails are great for walking, jogging, or hiking. Its mission is to protect, in its natural state and for public benefit, land that has special conservation, scenic or historic value. The three land types they acquire are ridgeline, wetlands and open fields. Pinchot Sycamore Tree Area is oldest tree of its kind in the State and serves as the official town symbol. It is a great place to launch a canoe or have a picnic. It is located by the bridge over the Farmington River on Route 185. Stratton Brook State Park offers two ponds one for fishing and one for swimming/ice skating. It also has a bike and walking path that extends through to Simsbury's Town Forest Park. Great Pond State Forest is a quiet place to walk or bird watch. Access the forest from Great Pond Road. Talcott Mountain State Park, located off Route 185, has a one and one-half mile hike which leads up to the Heublein Tower, an elevation of 1,000 feet. The first ¼ mile is steep and rugged, but levels off through the majority of the trail with great views of the Farmington Valley. Tariffville Park offers an entrance to the Tariffville Gorge. Facilities include two tennis courts, a softball field, picnic shelter, and a playground area. Penwood State Park located along the Metacomet Trail off Route 185, offers 787 acres for hiking, picnicking and cross-country skiing. The parks 741-foot elevation offers a view of both the Farmington River and Connecticut River valleys. International Ice Skating Center of Connecticut offers ice-skating and ice hockey for both youths and adults. You may even see an Olympic champion or future figure skating star practicing. • Golf - Simsbury Farms - Public course at a reasonable price.
Hotels Simsbury 1820 House offers 33 antique appointed guestrooms and 6 private function rooms. Café on site serves dinner. Ironhorse Inn is located in the heart of Simsbury and should be considered if an extended stay is needed. Bed & Breakfasts
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