Idyllic, walkable and historic
Nestled in an elbow of the Farmington River, Tariffville began soon after the Tariff Act of 1824 was passed, which imposed high tariffs on imported wool and incentivized domestic carpet manufacturers to use local wool in their products. This is how the first carpet mill in America, the Tariff Manufacturing Company, came to open in Tariffville in 1825 using power generated by the Farmington River. Prompting new housing for workers and the opening of local businesses, the mill helped Tariffville develop into the small, historic village it is today. “You can walk to the elementary school, the park for a ball game or one of the local eating and drinking establishments,” says Charlie Kaylor, broker/owner of Re/Max Communities, who’s lived in nearby Simsbury for 20 years. “Tariffville is also famous for its gorge, a Class III rapids on the Farmington River, but mainly for its quiet environment and small-town charm.”
Pride in every home
Surrounded by woods and the Farmington River, Tariffville's homes offer a wide range of options, from charming ranch-style houses freshly renovated to maintenance-free townhouses with back decks and condominiums with two-car garages. Historic Greek-revival homes and fairytale gothic homes with gingerbread eaves built by mill supervisors survive today but seldom go on the market. Instead, they dress the neighborhood with style and character. “Tariffville is a tight-knit community where homebuyers have choices — from entry-level condos to ranches, Cape Cods and historic homes that residents take pride in restoring or preserving.” Single-family homes in the village can list for $190,000 to over $1 million. Condos and townhouses are priced for first-time buyers, too, between $100,000 and $300,000.
From baseball to whitewater rapids
Along a northern bend in the Farmington River, Tariffville Park is an inviting break in the dense tree line where locals can gather for baseball games, tennis or picnics. Children can bask in the sun on the playground or have lunch with their families in the picnic shelter. The park offers stunning views of the river and ancient stone pylons that once supported a bridge. A little farther downstream, Tariffville Gorge is a well-known hotspot for whitewater kayaking. It’s also a popular fishing spot and a place to enjoy the rushing water.
Shopping and dining by the river
Tariffville's historic riverside district features the original 1825 brick carpet mill, now occupied by Present Company, a fine dining establishment with an ever-changing, seasonal menu and an open kitchen setting. This small eatery only seats 30, and everyone can watch the chefs at work. “I’ve lived here for 20 years and have never heard a negative review,” Kaylor says. A more casual option is Cracker Barrel Pub, which offers craft brews, hearty tavern fare and live entertainment out on its patio. Other businesses in the district include Trilogy, a gym offering personal training and private studio memberships, and MossLife, a gift store featuring terrariums and planted pots that create art out of living plants. While there’s no local grocery store, locals are just a few minutes from the Big Y World Class Market in Simsbury, just 2 miles away.
Summer concerts and fall runs
The Talcott Mountain Music Festival, held at the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center in June and July, is a Hartford Symphony tradition. The symphony performs classical orchestrations of rock or pop bands with guest artists. In 2004, the festival will feature the music of the Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Fleetwood Mac and country music stars. Also nearby, the River Run is a 5K and 10K race in September along the Farmington River that passes historic homes and rustic farms just south of Tariffville.
Highly rated schools
Schools are a major draw for homebuyers considering Tariffville, part of the highly rated Simsbury Public School System. Tariffville School, a K-6 elementary, received an A-minus from Niche and offers a low student-teacher ratio of 12-to-1. For grades seven and eight, Henry James Memorial Middle scored an A, partly due to its high 81% reading proficiency score. The sports teams at Simsbury High School, another A school, draw throngs of townspeople for baseball, football and basketball games. The school’s graduation rate (98%) and high standardized test scores also contribute to its high rating.
Tariffville transportation
A local dial-a-ride program offers door-to-door transportation to Tariffville residents, and the Granby Express CT Transit bus runs from Simsbury to Hartford, with stops along Hopmeadow Street/U.S. 202. This same highway is the closest to Tariffville and connects drivers to Granby (5 miles) and Avon (8 miles). The Bradley International Airport is 7 miles to the east and serves both Hartford and Springfield residents.
Written By
Christopher Kopczynski
Photography Contributed By
Ed Messenger
