Collinsville, Connecticut
Collinsville is a village and census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Canton, Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 3,746 at the 2010 census. The central portion of the village is a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Collinsville Historic District | |
U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
| Location | CT 179, Collinsville, Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°48′44″N 72°55′22″W |
| Architect | Collins Co. |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Italianate, Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001994 |
| Added to NRHP | June 23, 1976 |
It was built around the Collins Company Axe Factory, a manufacturer of edge tools, such as axes, machetes, picks and knives. Collins machetes were the brand of choice in South America. Collins tools were used almost exclusively for the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway, and axes and picks made their way across the country to be used in the California Gold Rush. Admiral Peary carried Collins tools to the North Pole.
Typical of New England mills, the Collins Company axe factory was sited on a river (the Farmington), and their production was powered by utilizing the water's strength to turn turbines and power machines. The numerous old buildings ramble along the riverbanks intertwined by an intricate maze of sluices that run throughout the site. The company closed its doors in 1966, but the factory buildings stayed standing and are now rented out to local businesses. The ambiance of Main Street reflects period architecture with ornate details from the start of the 20th century.