Windham County, Connecticut

Abington Congregational Church Aldrich Free Public Library American Thread Company Ashford Academy Bosworth, Benjamin, House Bowen, Henry C., House Bowen, Mathew, Homestead Brayton Grist Mill Broad Street-Davis Park Historic District Brooklyn Green Historic District Bush Hill Historic District Butts Bridge Cady-Copp House Canterbury Center Historic District Cargill Falls Mill (Wilkinson Mill) Central Village Historic District Chandler, Capt. Seth, House Chaplin Historic District Church Farm Clark, Capt. John, House Crandall, Prudence, House Danielson Main Street Historic District Dayville Historic District Dorrance Inn Elliottville Lower Mill First Congregational Church of Plainfield Glen Falls Bridge Gwyn Careg Hampton Hill Historic District Hunt, Dr. Chester, Office Huntington, Samuel, Birthplace Israel Putnam School Jillson, William, Stone House Killingly High School, Old Knowlton Memorial Hall Lawton Mills Historic District Main Street Historic District Main Street Historic District (Boundary Increase) March Route of Rochambeau's Army: Manship Road-Barstow Road March Route of Rochambeau's Army: Old Canterbury Road March Route of Rochambeau's Army: Palmer Road March Route of Rochambeau's Army: Plainfield Pike March Route of Rochambeau's Army: Scotland Road Mixer Tavern Natchaug Forest Lumber Shed Nichols, George Pickering, House North Grosvenordale Mill Historic Disrict Old Westfield Cemetery Packerville Bridge Plainfield Street Historic District Plainfield Woolen Company Mill Pomfret Street Historic District Pomfret Town House Prospect Hill Historic District Putnam Farm Putnam High School Putnam Railroad Station Putnam, Israel, Wolf Den Quinebaug Mill-Quebec Square Historic District Quinebaug River Prehistoric Archeological District Ramsdell, Hezekiah S., Farm Site Sterling Hill Historic District Sumner-Carpenter House Taylor's Corner Temple Beth Israel Thompson Hill Historic District Trinity Church Union Society of Phoenixville House Unitarian Meetinghouse Wauregan Historic District Wheeler, Jonathan, House Willimantic Armory Willimantic Elks Club Willimantic Footbridge Willimantic Freight House and Office Windham Center Historic District Witter House Woodstock Academy Classroom Building Woodstock Hill Historic District Wylie School

Abington Congregational Meeting House Abington Meeting House Ashford Ashford Veterans Memorial Brooklyn Brooklyn Civil War Monument Canterbury Canterbury Veterans Monuments Cargill Falls Mill Charter Oak Sapling Christopher Lee Hoskins Clark Memorial Chapel Co.L First Inf. Memorial Constitution Oak Dr. Chester Hunt Office Eastford Eastford Veterans Memorial Eben S. Stevens Enduring Freedom Iraq Freedom First Congregational Church Parsonage Henry C. Bowen House Honor Roll Saint Joseph’s Church In Honor of the Men of Pomfret Israel Putnam Israel Putnam Monument Israel Putnam's First Home John Perry Kenyonville, Connecticut Killingly Killingly Civil War Monument Killingly World War II Monument Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial Morse Mansion Nathaniel Lyon Birthplace North Woodstock Village Corners Oscar Walfrid Swanson Persian Gulf   Operation Desert Storm Plaine Hill Plainfield Veterans Memorial Plainfield Veterans Monument Plainfield World War II Monument Polish National Home World War II Monument Pomfret Prudence Crandall School Pulpit Rock Road Putnam and The Wolf Putnam Civil War Statue Putnam Wolf Den Quasset School Red-White School Rochambeau Encampment Samuel Huntington Birthplace Scotland Scotland Vietnam War Monument Scotland World War II Monument South Woodstock St. John s Parish World War I Monument St. Stephen’s Church 9/11 Memorial Sterling Sterling Veterans Memorial Park The Battle of the Frogs The Flood of 1955 The Woodstock Academy Thompson Thompson Civil and Spanish War Memorial Thompson KIA Memorial Thompson Revolutionary War Memorial Thompson Veterans Monument Thompson War Memorial Thompson World War I Monument Thread City Crossing Town of Woodstock War Memorial I Town of Woodstock War Memorials United States Finishing Company World War I Memorial V.F.W. Post 10088 Veterans Memorial Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route White Eagle World War II Monument Willimantic Veterans Council Memorial Windham Windham Center Cemetery Windham Free Library Windham Tercentenary Windham Vietnam Memorial Windham World War I Monument Windham World War II Monument Woodstock World War I Memorial World War II Commemorative Tree World War Memorial Bridge
Located in the northeastern part of Connecticut, Windham County has a rich history that dates back to the colonial era. The area was initially inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Mohegan and Nipmuc tribes, who cultivated the land and used its resources for sustenance. However, during the early 1600s, European settlers began to establish their presence in the region.

In 1686, Windham County was officially incorporated, becoming the state's second county and named after the English town of Windham. The county quickly became known for its agricultural prowess, with prosperous farms and mills dotting the landscape. The first major industry in the area was iron manufacturing, which boomed in the 18th century and contributed to the county's economic growth.

During the American Revolutionary War, Windham County played a crucial role in the fight for independence. The Battle of the Frogs, a lesser-known engagement, occurred in Windham, where local militia defended the town against British forces. The county also saw significant contributions to the war effort through the production of uniforms, ammunition, and other supplies.

In the 19th century, Windham County experienced industrial and technological advancements, with the textile industry taking center stage. The county became a hub for cotton mills, which helped drive its economic prosperity. However, as with many other areas, the Great Depression hit Windham County hard, causing economic downturn and job losses. Despite these challenges, the county has endured, preserving its historical charm and continuing to thrive as a diverse and vibrant region.
Brief timeline of the history of Windham County, Connecticut:

  • 1686 - Windham County is founded and established as a county in Connecticut
  • 1719 - The town of Windham is incorporated within Windham County
  • 1763 - Pomfret is incorporated as a town within Windham County
  • 1786 - Brooklyn is incorporated as a town within Windham County
  • 1786 - Canterbury is incorporated as a town within Windham County
  • 1822 - Scotland is incorporated as a town within Windham County
  • 1822 - Hampton is incorporated as a town within Windham County
  • 1849 - Killingly is incorporated as a town within Windham County
  • 1855 - Plainfield is incorporated as a town within Windham County
  • Late 19th century - Industrial growth occurs in Windham County, with the expansion of factories and mills
  • Early 20th century - The textile industry in Windham County experiences a decline
  • 1964 - Quinebaug Valley Community College is established in Windham County
  • 1970s - Windham County experiences a revitalization, with a focus on historic preservation and tourism
  • Present - Windham County continues to be a rural area with a rich history and diverse economy

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Windham County, Connecticut.