History of Windsor Locks, Connecticut, USA

1852 - FEARFUL RAILROAD ACCIDENT - TWO LIVES LOST AND SEVERAL PERSONS INJURED.
Springfield, Saturday, Oct. 30.
We have just learned from a passenger by the express train from New York, that on passing over the Canal bridge at Windsor Locks, one of the rails broke and precipitated the last car, containing about eighteen passengers, into the canal. The three hindmost cars ran off the track when the rail gave way, breaking up their trucks and tearing up the track in great style. The last car ran into the canal, in about twelve feet of water, and was broken all to pieces.

Two persons only, MESSRS. BILLINGTON, are known to have been drowned. They were brothers, who had unexpectedly returned from California, and were going to suprise their wives. Their bodies have been recovered.
A number of the passengers were more or less injured, but none, it is believed, fatally. One lady had her arm broke.

The REV. MR. CLARK, of Uxbridge, was severely hurt, and is now at the Massasolt House here. There was a rumor of a lady being lost, but it proved to be incorrect. The... Read MORE...

1854 - Windsor Locks
Windsor Locks, a post-village of Windsor township, Hartford county, Connecticut, on the right bank of the Connecticut river, where it is crossed by the New Haven, Hart ford and Springfield railroad, 13 miles N. by E. from Hartford. A canal, navigable for boats of 85 tons burthen, has been cut around the rapids in the Connecticut at this place, at a cost of about $300,000, furnishing an immense hydraulic power for manufacturing purposes. This village has come into existence within the last 10 or 12 years, and contains extensive paper mills, iron and steel works, machine shops, cotton mill, foundry, &e. Population in 1853, about 1200.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1868 - Kerosene Explosion
Mary Cannon and a daughter of John Eagan, of Windsor Locks, Connecticut, were burned to death on the 15th by the explosion of kerosene.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
October 25, 1868

1886 - Windsor Locks
BY JABEZ H. HAYDEN, ESQ.

WINDSOR LOCKS formerly constituted that part of the town of Windsor called Pinemeadow. The meadow itself lies at the southeastern extremity of the present town, about two miles from the centre of the village. The village is situated on the Connecticut River, twelve miles above Hartford. The Enfield Falls Canal was completed in 1829, and the Connecticut River Company, anticipating the building up of a manufacturing village here, wished to associate their work with the name of the coming town. The upper end of the canal, with its head lock, was in the town of Suffield; the lower end, with its series of locks, in Windsor, - hence the name of Windsor Locks. A post-office established in 1833 gave the name official recognition. The village was set off from Windsor as a separate town in 1854. No evidence appears that a single family of Indians lived within the limits of this town when the first English settlement was made at Windsor, though abundant testimony has... Read MORE...

1895 - Windsor Locks
Windsor Locks, a post-village in Windsor Locks township, Hartford co., Conn., on the W. bank of the Connecticut River, opposite Warehouse Point, and on the New Haven, Hartford & Springfield Railroad, at the junction of the Suffield Branch, 12 miles N. by E. of Hartford. It contains 4 churches, a savings-bank, and a union school house which cost $35,000. It has manufactures of paper, silk, steel, cotton warp, stockinet goods, and school apparatus. About a mile above the village the railroad crosses the Connecticut River on a noble iron bridge 1525 feet long. Pop. of the township in 1890, 2758.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1906
Windsor Locks, a post-village in Windsor Locks township (town), Hartford co., Conn., on the W. bank of the Connecticut River and on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 12 miles N. by E. of Hartford. It has manufactures of paper, silk, cotton warp, hand-trucks, etc. Pop. of the town in 1900, 2997.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1907 - Patrick Cooney Killed by Train.
WINDSOR LOCKS.

Patrick K. Cooney, 34, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Cooney of Spring street, was killed early Sunday morning on the railroad track south of the passenger depot, and the body was badly mutilated. Nobody seems to know how the accident occurred, of what business the unfortunate man had on the track so early in the morning. It is presumed that he tried to cross the track just after the “Owl” express passed and stepped in front of the south bound express. The body was examined by Medical Examiner J. A. Coogan, who gave permission for its removal to the undertaking rooms of Coogan & Merwin. Mr. Cooney was a member of Riverside council, Knights of Columbus, and at a special meeting last evening it was voted to attend the funeral in a body, which will be held in St. Mary’s church this morning at 10 o’clock. he is survived by his parents, six brothers, Thomas F., Joseph, John, Matthew, Michael and Bartholomew, and two sisters, Delia and Mary. The burial will be in St. Mary’s... Read MORE...

1910 - WINDSOR LOCKS. Tobacco Shed and Contents Burn.
A tobacco shed and a small barn close by belonging to the estate of P. J. McMahon on Spring street were burned to the ground Thursday morning. In the barn was a quantity of tobacco and some laths, all of, which were consumed. The cause of the fire is unknown. Nobody, had been a the barn during the day and combustion is suspected. Henry McMahon had three acres of tobacco bundled up ready for sorting upon which he had $800 insurance. James Murphy and Dr. J. A. Coogan had small lots of tobacco hanging, but it was not insured. The barns were worth about $1000 and were partly insured.
Springfield Republican
Springfield, Massachusetts
December 17, 1910

1979 - October 3 - The first killer tornado of record in October in Connecticut destroyed sixteen vintage aircraft at the Bradley Air Museum in Windsor Locks.
The tornado damaged more than one hundred homes causing 200 million dollars damage. Three persons were killed, and 500 others were injured.
The Weather Channel

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Windsor Locks:
New England Air Museum: If you're interested in aviation history, this museum is a must-visit. It houses a vast collection of aircraft and aviation-related artifacts, providing insight into the region's aviation heritage. You can even climb into some of the planes and helicopters.

Connecticut Trolley Museum: Take a trip back in time at this museum, which features a variety of vintage trolleys and streetcars. You can even ride on some of them and learn about the history of public transportation in the area.

Windsor Locks Canal State Park: This park offers a peaceful escape along the scenic Windsor Locks Canal. It's an excellent spot for hiking, picnicking, and birdwatching. The park also has historic remnants of the canal's locks, which are interesting to explore.

Dining at Local Restaurants: Windsor Locks has several dining options, including family-owned restaurants serving classic American fare. Be sure to try some local dishes and enjoy the warm hospitality of these... Read MORE...