Harwinton was settled in 1731, named in 1732 from Harry(tford) and Win(dsor), and incorporated in October 1737. Located on the Hartford-Litchfield Turnpike, it was primarily an agricultural community with many part-time industries carried on in conjunction with farming. Products included bricks, tinware, pitchforks, hats, cutlery, whetstones, barrels, and clocks made by Hopkins and Alfred, Orson Barber, and Sheldon Osborne. Lead Mine Brook and its tributaries provided water power for many early industries. Construction of the first church began in 1740, and the first school was established in 1741. In the 1800's the town had two academies and two boarding schools, and for many years twelve school districts served the community. One-room schoolhouses remained in use until 1948.