Southington was established as a town in 1779, when it was separated from Farmington. But its roots go back further.
Samuel Woodruff, Southington's first settler, moved south from Farmington to the area then known as Panthorne. The settlement grew and came to be known as South Farmington, and later, the shortened version, Southington.
A meetinghouse independent of the Farmington parish was built in 1726 and was used until 1757. Its location on the site of the present Oak Hill Cemetery is marked by the First Meeting House stone and plaque.
Southington became a thriving community with the construction of dwellings, taverns and stores. Industry flourished. In 1767, Atwater's grist mill was established, and by 1790, Southington had a button factory, saw mills, a brass foundry and potash works. The first machines to make carriage bolts were developed in Southington.
Southington is in Hartford County, within 20 miles of Hartford and 9 miles of Waterbury, and includes the sections of Plantsville, Milldale and Marion. The geographic area of the town is 36.9 square miles, ranking it 40th out of 169 Connecticut towns.
The town operates with a town manager form of government.
Source: CTNow, Town of Southington