Poquonock and Rainbow
The First Settlers
In 1649 the first settlers built their homes in the area called Poquonock. The area was attractive to settlers because the Farmington River could provide good water power, and was easily accessible by boat. Farther north, the Farmington River makes a wide curve, and settlers in this area called it Rainbow. The time period from 1649 to 1700 saw a rapid increase in population in these two villages, and by 1700 they were some of the most populated districts in Windsor.
The Rise of the Mills
After the Revolutionary War, Poquonock and Rainbow developed into manufacturing villages, and by the mid 1880's there were three mills operating in Poquonock and three more in Rainbow. The first known mill began operations around 1827. It was a paper mill, and was located south of the existing Poquonock Center in the Elm Grove section of town. Shortly afterwards a cotton mill was built, which utilized an underground shaft connected to a wheelhouse on the River for power. Other mills rose up soon afterwards. The mills attracted immigrant workers, and the area continued to grow and prosper. The fact that a second Town Hall was built in Poquonock in 1882 shows how prosperous and independent the area had become.
The Decline of the Mills
In the early 20th century, other sources of power besides water became more widely used for manufacturing. Eventually electricity replaced the reliance on water power. As a result, the mills which had once thrived on the Farmington River began to decline in importance. Poquonock lost its importance as a manufacturing center, and the area returned to a more rural and residential existence. Additionally, the railroad line was not extended into Poquonock, so delivery of freight to and from the mills remained a difficult job. Very little remains of the old mills today, except in Rainbow, where the Stevens Paper Mill still operates.
Tornado
On October 3, 1979, a tornado hit Poquonock and inflicted major damage on many of the older structures and trees of the village. As a result the character of Poquonock and Rainbow has taken on a newer quality, due to the rebuilding efforts which occurred soon afterwards. However, some of the old houses still stand, and are a reminder of the area's past.
