Vernon, Connecticut

What is Vernon, Connecticut known for?

Vernon is known for its mills. The first was a cotton spinning mill established in 1809, powered by the Tankerhoosen River. Originally part of Bolton, the town today contains the smaller villages of Rockville, Talcottville, and Dobsonville.

Rockville: the city inside the town

Rockville was incorporated as a city within the town of Vernon in 1889. A decline came in the 1950s when the mills closed and moved south. In 1965 the city ceased to exist when its government was consolidated with the town's.

The rest of Vernon remained rural until the 1940s and '50s, when a highway — now I-84 — was built through the town and the post-war housing boom began. The majority of the town's population now lives in the outlying areas, including Vernon Center, Dobsonville, and Talcottville. Most residents are employed by companies based in greater Hartford.

The mill legacy

During the 19th century the Hockanum River provided the power to run large wool and cotton mills. The Hockanum Mill produced fabric fine enough that it was said to have been used for the suits of U.S. presidents. Many of these buildings — among them the Florence Mill and the Saxony Mill — have since been repurposed into apartments and commercial space, which is why so much of the town's 19th-century architecture is still standing.

Notable residents of Vernon

Three graduates of Rockville High School stand out.

• Charles Ethan Porter (c. 1847–1923), a still life painter and one of the few African-American professional artists of the 19th century, grew up in Vernon and studied abroad. After a promising start his career declined and he died in poverty, though a renewed appreciation of his work came late in the 20th century.
• Gene Pitney (1940–2006), the “Rockville Rocket,” lived in the area all his life and had 16 Top 40 hits in the United States. An exhibit in Vernon's town hall at 14 Park Place honors his memory. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• Mark Warner, U.S. Senator from Virginia and its former governor, was born in Indiana but moved to Connecticut and attended schools in Vernon.

What to see in Vernon

• Fox Hill Tower — a 72-foot stone tower in Henry Park, built as a memorial to veterans. On a clear day the view takes in the Connecticut River Valley and the Hartford skyline.
• New England Civil War Museum — housed in the Memorial Building, which also serves as Town Hall, and holding one of the most significant Civil War collections in the Northeast.
• Talcottville Historic District — a well-preserved company town, and a window into 19th-century village life.

If you climb Fox Hill Tower on a clear afternoon, you can see the whole valley the mills were built to power.

Parks and hiking in Vernon

Vernon has invested heavily in its rail-trail system and its parks, which makes it one of the easier stops on the 169 Club to spend a whole morning in.

• Valley Falls Park — the crown jewel, with a swimming pond, a waterfall, and trails connecting to the Hop River Rail Trail.
• Henry Park — the main recreational hub, with a seasonal pool, tennis courts, ball fields, and Fox Hill Tower.
• Belding Wildlife Management Area — 282 acres of preserve, good for birdwatching and fly fishing along the Tankerhoosen River.
• Hockanum River Trails — interconnected walking paths through wooded and urban stretches, with unique bridges and historical markers.

Where to eat in Vernon

Rein's New York Style Deli on Route 30 is the landmark. People drive from all over New England for the corned beef and the bottomless pickles, and it is the single most reliable answer to “where should we stop in Vernon.” Beyond it, the Rockville diners serve the classic hometown breakfast, and the surrounding area has seen a steady boom in craft breweries and coffee roasters — useful after a walk on the rail trail.

Community events worth timing a visit around

• July in the Sky — Vernon's Independence Day celebration, with two simultaneous fireworks displays launched from Henry Park and downtown Rockville.
• National Night Out — a summer event connecting the Vernon Police Department with the community.
• Arts Center East — in the historic former Tower School, hosting exhibits, theater, and classes year round.