Vernon and Historic Rockville chronicles the transformation of a small Connecticut community in the mid-nineteenth century to a bustling manufacturing town until after World War II.
Incorporated in 1808, Vernon was born on the eve of the Industrial Revolution in America. With industrialization came urbanization, immigration and in Rockville's case, mechanized experimentation. Innovations in textile manufacturing led to the development of 13 textile mills along the falls of the Hockanum River. Rockville became nationally recognized for its fine wool production. Photographs from the extensive collection of the Vernon Historical Society capture the evolution of social change and the growth of a diverse urban center from rural beginnings. Highlights include the development of community life as a result of the many textile mills located in the northern section of town.