Michael Conte, Jr.
The canal construction was started on July 4, 1825, after James Hillhouse, in 1822, secured a charter. The rush to complete this project became intensified after the building of the Erie Canal and hopes were raised about its potential.
The building of the canal was hoped to increase trade and spur industrial growth. The people in this region wanted to take away as much business as they could from the river towns especially Hartford. The canal cut through Hamden, Cheshire, Plainville, Southington, Farmington (1828), Avon, Granby. then across to Northampton, Massachusetts (1835). Trouble immediately followed: landslides, washouts, leakages, lawsuits, floods and boat crashes hampered its profitability. Management changed hands often and investors had to pour money into it. The canal venture finally ended in 1847 and rights were sold to Consolidated Railroad.
Finally, one last alteration was made to the river to help produce a greater source of power to move machines. The alteration was made to the river by the Farmington River Company which built a power canal that produced a water-fall of 36 feet and added much needed power to the region. In addition to the factories mentioned earlier (Platner and Ripley), the companies that benefited from being in Unionville and utilizing its good source of power were: The Union Nut Company (Upson Nut) which made nuts, bolts, and washers; The Standard Hule Company that made levels and iron planes and The Cowles Hardware Company which made home furnishings. (There locations can be seen on the Unionville Map 1878 #’s 10, 14, 17.)