History of Windham, Connecticut, USA

1692 - Incorporated in 1692, Windham originally included the current towns of Mansfield and Scotland, as well as parts of Chaplin and Hampton.

connecticuthistory.org/ towns-page/ windham/

1819 - Windham
Windham, the seat of justice for the county, and a considerable post township, is situated 14 miles north of Norwich port, 30 east of Hartford, and 44 west of Providence; bounded on the north by Hampton and Mansfield, on the west by Columbia and Lebanon, on the south by Franklin and Lisbon, in New-London county, and on the east by Canterbury. The township comprises and area of about 46 square miles; having a mean length from east to west of about 8 miles, with a medium breadth of nearly 6 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 - Windham
Windham, Connecticut
Windham county. The territory of this town, Mansfield and Canterbury, was given by Joshua, a son of Uncas, the celebrated Mohegan sachem, to John Mason, James Fitch, and others, in the year 1675.

"Lieut. John Cates, a pious puritan who served in the wars in England, holding his commission under Cromwell, when Charles II. came to the throne, fled to this country for safety. He landed first in Virginia, where he procured a negro servant to attend him. But when advertisements and pursuers were spread through this country, to apprehend the adherents of the Protector, he left Virginia, came to New York, and from thence to Norwich. Still feeling that he should be securer in a more retired place, he came to this new plantation, dug the first cellar, and with his servant, raised in Windham the first English habitation, in the spring of 1689. The settlers, rapidly increasing, petitioned the general court, and obtained a grant of town privileges in May, 1692. It was... Read MORE...

1854 - Windham
Windham, a post-village in Windham co., Connecticut, near the New London, Willimantic, and Palmer railroad, about 30 miles E. by S. from Hartford, contains 2 churches, 1 bank, and an academy. Population of the township, 4503.
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.

1888 - On the 10th, Cashier H. F. Royce, of the Willimantic (Conn.) Savings Institute, was arrested on the charge of embezzling $35,000.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
May 19, 1888

1891 - A PULLMAN SLEEPER ON FIRE.
From the Hartford Courant, Jan. 2.

When the east-bound Washington express on the New-England Road, leaving this city at 2:45 A. M., was a few miles this side of Willimantic yesterday morning, fire was discovered in a Pullman sleeper. It spread rapidly, and the passengers were ordered out and placed in the other sleeper, which, fortunately, had room enough to accommodate them. It was impossible to extinguish the fire, and at Willimantic the car was cut out and the fire department called. Its services were, however, unnecessary, as the fire was got under control by other means before its arrival. An accident of this kind is very unusual, and though the fire evidently started from the heater, it does not yet appear just how it originated. The wood of the car in which it started was badly burned, and the loss will be considerable. The passengers were in great excitement for a little time, and probably did not have a monopoly of unpleasant agitation. They were all got out without... Read MORE...

1895 - Windham
Windham, a post-village of Windham co., Conn., in a township of the same name, 3 miles E.S.E. of Willimantic, and about 14 miles N. of Norwich. It has 2 churches and a national bank. The township is drained by the Shetucket River, and contains the village of Willimantic, which is at the junction of several railroads. Pop. of township, 8264.
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
Windham, a post-village of Windham co., Conn. in Windham township (town), 3 miles ESE. of Willimantic and about 14 miles N. of Norwich. The town is drained by the Shetucket River and contains the city of Willimantic. Pop. of the town in 1900, 10,137; of the village, about 350.

Willimantic, a city of Windham co., Conn., on the Willimantic River, 16 miles NW. of Norwich, on the New York, New Haven and Hartford and the Central Vermont Rs. It contains a state normal training-school, and has extensive manufactures of cotton and silk-thread, cotton and silk goods, machinery, etc. The river here affords abundant hydraulic power. Pop. in 1900, 8937.
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

1936 - Connecticut Dam Breaks.
WILLIMANTIC, Conn., March 18. (UP). - The North Windham Dam and the pumping station dam at Willimantic broke under pressure of waters of the Shetucket River Wednesday night.

State police warned residents of the river valley to seek safety.
Dallas Morning News
Dallas, Texas
March 19, 1936

Here's a list of some of the best places to go and things to do in Windham:
Mansfield Hollow State Park:

If you're into outdoor activities, Mansfield Hollow State Park is the place to be. It's got hiking trails, fishing spots, and a beautiful lake for kayaking and picnicking.

Eastern Connecticut State University:

Explore the campus of Eastern Connecticut State University. It's not just for students—there are often events, performances, and exhibitions that are open to the public.

Thread City Crossing:

This is the heart of downtown Willimantic. It's a cool spot with local shops, cafes, and restaurants. Perfect for a leisurely stroll and maybe grabbing a cup of coffee.

Willimantic Brewing Company:

If you're into craft beer, make sure to stop by Willimantic Brewing Company. They've got a great selection of brews, and the building itself has a lot of history.

Frog Bridge:

Check out the quirky Frog Bridge. The four giant bronze frogs on each corner of the bridge make for a unique and memorable sight. It's become a bit of a local... Read MORE...