Community Corner

Hidden Gems Of Hartford And Tolland Counties

This week's Hidden Gem has ties with the Juneteenth observances and the Underground Railroad.

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The Connecticut Freedom Trail Marker in Farmington.
The Connecticut Freedom Trail Marker in Farmington. (Gabby DeBenedictis/Patch )

FARMINGTON, CT — In honor of the Juneteenth holiday in Connecticut, this week's Hidden Gem visits the state's hub of the Underground Railroad, what is now known at the Farmington Freedom Trail.

According to the Historical Market Database, the section of Farmington was known in the 1800s as the main station of Connecticut's part in the Underground Railroad.

Farmington was home to an active group of active and prominent abolitionists, three of which participated in the Amistad case and brought the Mendis to town in 1841 after the won their freedom in court. The Amistad survivors studied and worked as free citizens in Farmington for eight months while money was raised for their return to Africa.

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Here's a glance at the trail, courtesy of the Farmington Historical Society:

Farmington's Freedom Trail (2.7 miles)

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  • 13 Church St Union Hall — Site of abolitionist and anti-abolitionist meetings.
  • 75 Main St First Church of Christ — Freed Amistad survivors were welcomed at the site.
  • 66 Main St., the Samuel Deming House — An abolitionist who supervised the "African stay."
  • Farmington and the Freedom Trail Marker.
  • 2 Mill Lane — The Samuel Deming Store, where Africans attended classes on the second floor.
  • 116 Main St. — The Rev. Noah Porter House, an abolitionist and minister of the First Church.
  • 127 Main St. — The Austin F. Williams House and its Carriage House, a dormitory for Africans.
  • Riverside Cemetery
  • 128 Garden St. Pitkin Basin, where Africans would swim after work.
  • 820 Farmington Ave. — The Chauncey Brown House. Dr. Brown housed an Amistad captive.
  • 27 Main St. — The Smith-Cowles House, a station for the Underground Railroad.

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The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Hartford and Tolland counties. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas toChris.dehnel@patch.com.

Other Gems in this series:
2022

2021 and earlier:

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