Collins Company Axe Factory — Attraction in Canton

This historic landmark still stands after all these years. Currently, one of the buildings is a retail building called Antiques on the Farmington. It's strategically placed on the Farmington River so that dams could be built to create a power source. Eventually, the railroad was built near it so goods could be sent out to be sold. The large bridge nearby was part of the railroad and is now a beautiful walking path for residents near and far. Collinsville became a village because of this famous axe company.

The Collins Company opened in 1826 and was known to create the first ready to use axes in America. They also produced and sold machetes and other tools. The building that the axe company was in used to be a gristmill. The company started off with only 8 men and once it got popular, they employed workers from all over the state and nearby states. Housing was built for these workers and their families as well as other town/village necessities; those buildings were a church, bank, shops, etc. As the company expanded, they sold machetes and other tools all over the world.

Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. The Collins brothers died and eventually the floods of 1955 destroyed the railroad, which halted their sales. Due to competition, the deaths of the owners, a natural disaster, the company closed in 1966. It was a good 140 year run though; the Collins left their legacy and we can surely feel their spirit by just walking around downtown and in the old axe factory. The remnants of this factory still stands strong. I really enjoyed walking on the path and looking at the building. There's so much history and definitely some...

Very neat place to visit. It's interesting to stand amongst what used to be the factory town created by the Collins Company. Housing, churches and banks were amongst the cornerstones of the community. Stepping foot inside Collinsville feels a bit like stepping back in time. Highly recommend for historical urban...

Very nice area to walk a d explore. There is parking for this area and then you will head over and walk across the bridge and continue on the path. Definitely a lot of older style.Buildings that are very beautiful to see while you were out...