History of Salisbury, Connecticut, USA

Incorporated in 1741, Salisbury, CT, rich with iron ore, focused its early industry on mining.

connecticuthistory.org/ towns-page/ salisbury/

On April 9, 1810, a Salisbury town meeting voted to authorize the "selectmen draw upon the town treasurer for the sum of one hundred dollars"
to purchase more books for the Scoville Memorial Library collection, making the library the first publicly supported free town library in the United States.
50states.com

1819 - Salisbury
Salisbury is a considerable and flourishing post township, situated in the northwest corner of the county and State, 47 miles from Hartford, and 60 from New-Haven; bounded on the north by Mount Washington and Sheffield, in Massachusetts, on the east by the Ousatonick river, which separates it from Canaan, on the south by Sharon, and on the west by the State of New-York. Its average length is 9 miles, and its average breadth about 6 and a half miles, comprising an area of about 58 square miles...
A Gazetteer of the States of Connecticut and Rhode-Island: Written with Care and Impartiality, from Original and Authentic Materials : Consisting of Two Parts ... with an Accurate and Improved Map of Each State Authors John Chauncey Pease, John Milton Niles Publisher W.S. Marsh, 1819

1839 - Salisbury
Salisbury, Connecticut
Litchfield county. The Housatonick and Salmon rivers give this town a great and constant water power. The surface of Salisbury is formed by lofty elevations and deep valleys; but the soil is excellent for all sorts of grain and pasturage. The valleys are generally limestone and the hills granite. The number of sheep kept here in 1837, was 8,999.

"Salisbury Centre," a pleasant village, is 58 miles N.W. from New Haven, 50 W.N.W. from Hartford, 22 N.W. from Litchfield, and 34 N.W. by W. from Hudson, N.Y. Population, 1830, 2,580. The Indian name of the town was Weatog. It was first settled by the whites in 1720.

Salisbury has long been celebrated for its excellent iron ore and iron manufactures. The guns on board our favorite frigate, "Old Iron Sides," used by Truxton in the capture of the L'Insurgente, were made at the old furnace in Salsbury.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

Holley Manufacturing Co., famous for its pocket knives, was opened in Salisbury in 1844 by Alexander Hamilton Holley.

courant.com

1854 - Salisbury
Salisbury, a post-township in Litchfield co., Connecticut, intersected by the Hudson and Berkshire railroad, 50 miles W. N. W. from Hartford. It contains extensive beds of excellent iron ore, and several large establishments for working iron. Pop., 3103.
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.

1895 - Salisbury / Chapinville / Lakeville / Lime Rock / Ore Hill
Salisbury, a post-township of Litchfield co, Conn, forms the N.W. extremity of the state, and is bounded on the E. by the Housatonic River. Its surface is diversified by beautiful lakes, fertile valleys, and cultivated hills, which present very attractive scenery. It has beds of excellent hematite iron ore, also 2 blast-furnaces, an iron foundry, 2 woollen-mills, a machine-shop of the Housatonic Railroad, and 5 churches. It contains villages named Salisbury, Chapinville, Lakeville, Lime Rock, and Ore Hill, and a large school or hospital for imbeciles, in which about 60 pupils are educated. Pop. in 1890, 3420.

Salisbury, a post-village of Litchfield co, Conn, in Salisbury township, about 60 miles by the Connecticut Western Railroad, or 42 miles in a direct line, W.N.W. of Hartford. It has a church, a hotel, a newspaper office, and a large summer boarding-house. Pop, 338.
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
Salisbury, a post-township (town and village) of Litchfield co., Conn., on the Central New England R., forms the NW. extremity of the state and is bounded on the E. by the Housatonic River. Its surface is diversified by beautiful lakes, fertile valley, and cultivated hills, which present attractive scenery. It has beds of excellent hematite iron ore and has iron-works and a manufactory of cutlery-handles. The Hotchkiss School is located here (in the village of Lakeville) and there is a large school or hospital for imbeciles. Pop. in 1900, 2489. The village of Salisbury is 42 miles (direct) WNW. of Hartford.
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

Here's a list of some of the best places to go and things to do in Salisbury:
1. Scenic Drives:

Litchfield Hills Scenic Drive: Take a leisurely drive through the winding roads of the Litchfield Hills. Enjoy the breathtaking views of rolling hills, forests, and historic homes.

2. Hiking and Nature Trails:

Appalachian Trail: Salisbury is home to a section of the famous Appalachian Trail. Hike a portion of this iconic trail and experience the beauty of the Connecticut countryside.

Mount Riga State Park: Explore the trails in Mount Riga State Park for more hiking options and stunning vistas.

3. Cultural Attractions:

Salisbury Historic District: Stroll through the town's historic district, where you'll find well-preserved buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Scoville Memorial Library: Visit the Scoville Memorial Library, one of the oldest public libraries in the United States. The architecture is noteworthy, and the interior is charming.

4. Art Galleries:

White Gallery: Art enthusiasts should check out the White Gallery, which... Read MORE...