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Ancestral Origins of the First People
Ancestral Origins of the First People
We acknowledge that what is now Unionville and the Farmington Valley are the ancestral lands of indigenous people, going back about 12,500 years. This includes the Tunxis, a tribe related to the Wangunk people as well as other indigenous groups including the Pequot, Paugusett, Schiaghticoke, Mohegan and Quinnipiacipeople. The Tunxis were also known as the Sepus tribe. This area was called Tunxis Sepus which means "land at the bend of the little river. " The Tunxis built a seasonal village here where they fished, hunted and farmed in this fertile valley. (Sourced from https://digitalfarmington.org/tunxis-genealogy/)
We acknowledge that what is now Unionville and the Farmington Valley are the ancestral lands of indigenous people, going back about 12,500 years. This includes the Tunxis, a tribe related to the Wangunk people as well as other indigenous groups including the Pequot, Paugusett, Schiaghticoke, Mohegan and Quinnipiacipeople. The Tunxis were also known as the Sepus tribe. This area was called Tunxis Sepus which means "land at the bend of the little river. " The Tunxis built a seasonal village here where they fished, hunted and farmed in this fertile valley. (Sourced from https://digitalfarmington.org/tunxis-genealogy/)
From Canal to Railroad
From Canal to Railroad
In 1825, work began to build an 80-mile canal from New Haven to Northampton, Massachusetts. Part of the Farmington section of the canal waterway ran along about where Rt. 10 is now. The canal was unsuccessful as a commercial transport, and after about 20 years steps were taken to build a rail line. In 1849, the New Haven and Northampton Railroad was extended to Farmington, and into Unionville in 1850. The Unionville Passenger Depot along what is now Depot Place saw two passenger cars and one freight train stop per day. Trains stopped running in the 1960s. The state- owned depot building still stands and was designated as a state historic landmark in 1997.
In 1825, work began to build an 80-mile canal from New Haven to Northampton, Massachusetts. Part of the Farmington section of the canal waterway ran along about where Rt. 10 is now. The canal was unsuccessful as a commercial transport, and after about 20 years steps were taken to build a rail line. In 1849, the New Haven and Northampton Railroad was extended to Farmington, and into Unionville in 1850. The Unionville Passenger Depot along what is now Depot Place saw two passenger cars and one freight train stop per day. Trains stopped running in the 1960s. The state- owned depot building still stands and was designated as a state historic landmark in 1997.
Unionville Depot built in 1875
Unionville Depot built in 1875
Unionville Depot Today
Unionville Depot Today
The Depot building currently houses the Farmington Recreation Department and the Continuing Education office. Prior to that there was an store of flea market finds in the building.
From Railroad to Farmington River Trail
From Railroad to Farmington River Trail
In 1987 when the option to sell the old railroad property was considered, citizens in Cheshire and Hamden proposed the great idea that the land be converted to a recreational pathway. The Farmington River Trail was completed in phases over several years starting in the mid -1990s and was completed in the fall of 2012. The Farmington River Trail is part of a rails-to-trails greenway, The Farmington Canal Heritage Trail (FCHT) that runs from New Haven, CT to Northampton, MA. The Farmington River Trail is a loop off the FCHT that goes through Farmington, Unionville, Burlington, Collinsville and Canton, rejoining the main trail in Simsbury.
In 1987 when the option to sell the old railroad property was considered, citizens in Cheshire and Hamden proposed the great idea that the land be converted to a recreational pathway. The Farmington River Trail was completed in phases over several years starting in the mid -1990s and was completed in the fall of 2012. The Farmington River Trail is part of a rails-to-trails greenway, The Farmington Canal Heritage Trail (FCHT) that runs from New Haven, CT to Northampton, MA. The Farmington River Trail is a loop off the FCHT that goes through Farmington, Unionville, Burlington, Collinsville and Canton, rejoining the main trail in Simsbury.
Why We Started the SUN Project
"I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody." - Lily Tomlin
We are retired educators who want to help the environment and our community. When we moved to this town more than 30 years ago, we walked on what at the time was a grassy abandoned railroad with some remaining railroad ties strewn about. More recently on our regular walks on the Farmington River Trail we noticed monocultures of invasive mugwort taking over. Mary Lewis Messier, a retired school psychologist, became a certified master gardener. Her husband, Steve Messier, a botanist, lichenologist, author and retired science teacher, already had much knowledge to lend to the project.
We are retired educators who want to help the environment and our community. When we moved to this town more than 30 years ago, we walked on what at the time was a grassy abandoned railroad with some remaining railroad ties strewn about. More recently on our regular walks on the Farmington River Trail we noticed monocultures of invasive mugwort taking over. Mary Lewis Messier, a retired school psychologist, became a certified master gardener. Her husband, Steve Messier, a botanist, lichenologist, author and retired science teacher, already had much knowledge to lend to the project.
In a world with so many complex problems that can make one feel numb, we decided instead of being disheartened, we would act locally and think globally. We are focusing on this small area to create a pollinator pathway, sharing what we learn along the way. We hope the work inspires the community to learn more about eliminating invasives and planting native plants to help restore the biodiversity of our region.
In a world with so many complex problems that can make one feel numb, we decided instead of being disheartened, we would act locally and think globally. We are focusing on this small area to create a pollinator pathway, sharing what we learn along the way. We hope the work inspires the community to learn more about eliminating invasives and planting native plants to help restore the biodiversity of our region.
"No one will protect what they don't care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced."
-David Attenborough
© 2026 Saving Unionville Natives-SUN Project
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