When The Ensign-Bickford Company began operations in Simsbury in 1836, it was the beginning of much more than just a business relationship. Based on the invention of the safety fuse by William Bickford, the company was not only responsible for saving the lives of countless coal miners around the world, but was also responsible for building a growing prosperity in one of the oldest and most charming New England villages. The history of the company and the town were soon intertwined, as the owners of The Ensign-Bickford Company committed resources to building a surrounding community. This relationship continues to thrive and provide benefits to this day.
 |
 |
|
Route 10, the old "College Highway" that used to connect Yale University with Smith College, becomes the quaint Hopmeadow Street when it enters the center of Simsbury. As you drive along this tree-lined thoroughfare, you can't miss the campus built by The Ensign-Bickford Company - looking more like an Ivy League environment than a manufacturing one. The sense of order, aesthetics, and durable quality are shared trademarks of this company and its home community of Simsbury. A natural extension of this commitment was the homes that The Ensign-Bickford Company built to house its growing number of employees over a century ago - homes that continue to serve Simsbury residents today. The latest example of this commitment to comfortable, high quality and affordable living is The Powder ForestŪ Homes.
With advances in technology and changing business requirements, The Ensign-Bickford Company no longer needed its extensive real estate holdings for manufacturing. In the late 1960s, Ensign-Bickford Realty Corporation (EBR) was formed. Begining in 1969, Avon Parks North and South have been carefully developed to provide commercial and industrial space, residential units, and housing for the elderly. In the early 1980s, EBR identified over 250 acres of land in Simsbury for development as a high quality commercial park. Located one mile south of Simsbury's village center, the development is known as The Powder ForestŪ Business Park. To date, approximately 65 acres have been developed with commercial offi ce and high tech buildings. EBR oversaw the development of Stillbrook residential neighborhood built on 100+ acres south of Stratton Brook Road. And today, tucked tastefully into a portion of EBR's remaining acreage, is The Powder Forest Homes in Simsbury.
Website design by Ashton Services, Inc.
