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Collins & Company LbNA #47310 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:May 17, 2009
Location:
City:Collinsville
County:Hartford
State:Connecticut
Boxes:1
Planted by:bartunia
Found by: Darkroom Junkie
Last found:Mar 21, 2010
Status:FFFFFFFFaaa
Last edited:May 17, 2009
Collinsville is located along the banks of the Farmington River, in the southeast corner of the Town of Canton, bordered by the towns of Avon, Farmington and Burlington.

In 1826, Samuel Watkinson Collins, age 24, his brother David, age 21, and their wealthy cousin, William Wells purchased a sawmill property along the Farmington River ...

The Collins Company constructed housing for its employees, as well as stores, a church, bank and hotel. In the 1920's, the Company owned as many as 190 houses in Collinsville. The first fire department was organized to protect the factory and its properties in Collinsville and the building and equipment was later donated to the Town of Canton's volunteer fire department.

The Company built dams on the river to produce hydroelectric power to run their production and situated buildings strategically along raceways and turbines to take advantage of this source of water power.

In 1966, after 140 years in business, the Collins Company closed its doors, due in part to losses experienced in the devastating Flood of 1955 and changing technologies and economies.

Today, about 26 of the original 50+ factory buildings remain and are leased by a variety of tenants, such as; a multi-dealer antiques company, small offices, artist studios, woodworkers and metal workers. The former rail line, which Sam Collins brought to town, has been converted to a walking and biking trail which connects to several area towns.

The Canton Historical Museum, located at 11 Front St., has a very large collection of Collins Company tools as well as a general store and many items from the Victorian Era. The former Valley House Hotel, on the corner of Main and River Street, has been converted to condominiums. The storefronts and homes in Collinsville retain their early Twentieth Century charm. Canton Town Hall and the Collinsville Post Office are located downtown. Artists are drawn to the area and help organize a well-attended Halloween Parade each October as well as art shows and other entertaining events throughout the year.

(From visitcollinsville.com)

So what was this company world renowned for? You’ll have to find the box to find out. Onto the clues!

From Route 179 turn onto Main Street in Collinsville. You’ll immediately pass the Crown & Hammer restaurant and where the road starts to bend keep going straight and park in the parking lot to your right. This is where many people park to start their walk on the Farmington River Trail. If you’re familiar with this area, there are many acceptable places to park to get to this box, so if you read through the clue and find you’re comfortable parking closer to the box, feel free. (i.e. you can park on the side of the bridge, wide spaces and fishermen frequently park here, but it is a busy road).

Once parked you will walk back out towards 179 past the Crown & Hammer and take a left onto Route 179 South. Walk over the Sergeant Michael Dubiel Memorial Bridge. This is a busy road in Collinsville, but there is a sidewalk, just hold on to little hands if you’re taking kids along.

At the end of the bridge you’ll come to a four-way intersection where Route 179 South turns to the left, take the left with it. Very shortly you’ll see a small brick building on your left.

Stand facing this building, which was part of The Collins Company, you’ll see black fencing to your right. There is a little opening and if you stand at the top of the opening you’ll spy a narrow trail that leads down towards the water. It is a bit of a steep step initially, but you won’t have to go far. It is recommended that you not attempt this if has been particularly rainy as the dirt trail might be slick.

Take a step or two down towards the water, if you look across the way you can see some of The Collins Company building, old sign still showing. It’s a great picture if you’ve got a camera handy. Now turn with your back to The Collins Company building and facing the way you just came down and spy the tree gripping the embankment. In between the toes of this tree is the box you’ve come for. We’ve covered it with two rocks and hopefully those will still be there. Feel free to rehide it particularly better than we did.

There was picnic table at this location when we were hiding the box, and if it’s still there it’d make a great place to stamp in and relax for a moment or two.

As a side note, as much as we love a good hitchhiker, this box is tight and there isn’t an ounce of breathing room, so if you’re thinking about leaving even the smallest of hitchhikers, you may be disappointed.

Happy stamping!!