AVON is a picturesque New England village that grew up along the wooded banks and meadow plains of the Farmington River. Settled in 1645 as part of Farmington, Avon was incorporated as a separate town in 1830. It was originally known as Northington, or the North Parish of Farmington, but then took its name from the Avon River in England. Avon spans 22.6 square miles and in 2008 had a population of 17,800.
CANTON is located on U.S. Routes 44 and 202 in the Farmington Valley, 14 miles west of Hartford. It has approximately 8,840 residents living within an area of 25 square miles. The Town developed from four distinct villages which remain today. Canton Center, Canton, Collinsville (originally named South Canton) and North Canton all retain many of their original historic structures. Main industries include software development, manufacturing of brass, chemicals, electromagnetic clutches and brakes, moment of inertia measuring instruments, plastic components, and wrought iron.
EAST GRANBY is a rural community located 16 miles north of Hartford. Incorporated in June 1858, it was once part of Simsbury. Covering 17.4 sq. miles and populated by 4,390 residents, the population boomed in the early eighteenth century due to the discovery of large copper deposits. Although the industry peaked early because of declining copper values and increasing difficulties in extracting the ore, its local history was capped by the issue of copper coins by a local blacksmith named Higley in 1737 and 1739. The coins are so valuable now that are preserved by museums as well as private collectors.
FARMINGTON was incorporated in 1645. Known as the "Mother Town," Farmington was partitioned into the towns of Avon, Bristol, Plainville, New Britain, Berlin, Southington, and Burlington. Today, Farmington comprises 28.7 square miles along the Farmington River. Farmington is a residential suburb in the Hartford Metropolitan area that has retained its distinctive character through maintenance of its historic districts and careful land use planning for the future.
GRANBY is located 13.6 miles north of Hartford and was incorporated in 1786 from Simsbury. It covers 40.7 square miles on Connecticut's north central border with Massachusetts. Primarily a rural residential community, Granby is home for many white collar and professional workers in Greater Hartford's financial and insurance corporate headquarters and industries. Granby's estimated population: 11,000. Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks is six miles to the east on Route 20.
SIMSBURY is one of Connecticut's oldest communities. The town was incorporated as Connecticut's 21st town in May 1670. The population has grown from 5,000 in 1950 to 23,000 today. Simsbury covers approximately 34.5 square miles and is located approximately 14.5 miles west of the capital city of Hartford. Simsbury's rural environment and historic charm makes it the quintessential New England community, and the award-winning school system continues to make the town very attractive to families that want to locate to the Farmington Valley area.
WEST HARTFORD encompasses 22.2 square miles and has a population of 61,046 (2000 Census). It is a residential suburb of the Hartford metropolitan area, with a motto of "Where City Style Meets Village Charm." West Hartford has become a destination place for new businesses and new families because it is a full-service community in every sense, from its quality municipal services to its top-rated schools. The Town encompasses a full range of quality housing from starter homes to luxury estates. West Hartford boasts a strong retail and service business sector.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
