Willimantic is our hometown in Connecticut. We’re a diverse community with alot of pride. Here you’ll find Eastern Connecticut State University, The Windham Textile and History Museum, the famous Frog Bridge and more! Find us on Mapquest
History
Willimantic’s history is found in its Victorian Era architecture. According to “The Willimantic Victorian Neighborhood Association” a 40-block area, commonly referred to as “The Hill Section”, boasts more than 800 vintage homes/buildings and has been listed by the U.S. Department of the Interior on the National Register of Historic Places. Of the district’s 993 buildings, a remarkable 88% contribute to its overall historic architectural character. The vast majority of houses in the district were built after the Civil War when most of the streets were laid out for residential development. The district was substantially complete by 1910, the end of the Victorian era. As a result, Victorian architecture predominates in the district, with all the major styles of the period represented. According to representatives from the State Historical Commission, the 40-block area constitutes one of the largest historic districts in the state.
Willimantic is also known for its legend,”The Battle of Frog Pond”. It was an incident in 1754 around the time of the French and Indian War. The citizens of Windham (Willimantic is located in Windham) were awakened in the middle of the night by a tremendously frightening racket just outside of town. Assuming the worst, they seized their arms and prepared for the impending Indian attack. When morning arrived, the armed villagers marched in the direction of the noise only to discover that the nearby pond had dried up, and the area was littered with hundreds of dead bullfrogs. The frogs that still lived were heading to the Willimantic River in search of water. Thus, the fearsome sounds that had plagued the citizenry the previous night had not been Indians but rather bullfrogs “fighting” for water. The pond was renamed Frog Pond, the story spread throughout the towns and colonies, and the legend was born. To commemorate the incident, the town has erected a Frog Bridge featuring giant frog sculptures atop spools of thread. The thread spools are included in the bridge’s design because Willimantic was once known as “Thread City.” The American Thread Company had a mill on the banks of the Willimantic River, and was at one time the largest employer in the state as well as one of the largest producers of thread in the world.
Willimantic Highlights
“Willimantic Boom Box Parade” – Back in 1986, the high school marching band was disbanded so Kathleen Clark approached the local radio station WILI with the idea of a people’s parade. She offered her collection of vintage marching music records with her idea that they play these patriotic marches for the parade. Parade goers were encouraged to bring their Boom Box radios and tune in to 1400 AM. The parade was a hit and has continued since.
“Third Thursday” – On the Third Thursday of the spring and summer months, a large section of Main Street is closed to traffic for a street fair. Different booths featuring performers, community groups, and food vendors line Main Street. The event began in 2002 and draws about 8,000 attendees.
“Frogleap: The Willimantic Multicultural Winter Carnival” – A weeklong celebration of the New Year incorporating different cultural traditions. Begins New Year’s Eve and ends on 3 Kings Day.
“Willimantic Food Co-op” – Willimantic is home to the only store front food cooperative in the state. The Co-op hosts the Downtown Country Fair every autumn with a farmer’s market, live music, food, crafts and children’s activities.
“Willimantic Footbridge” – Willimantic is the home of the Willimantic Footbridge (established in 1907), which is the only footbridge in the United States to connect two state highways, as well as crossing all three major forms of transportation (road, rail, and river).
“Romantic Willimantic” – Willimantic celebrates Valentine’s Day as “Romantic Willimantic”. Each year a local civic leader or citizen is crowned as Willimantic’s “Cupid” for their contributions to the city.
In August 2008, “bizjournals.com” ranked Willimantic the 43rd most desirable town in the country based on quality of life, location and other factors.
