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Somers, Connecticut: A Massachusetts Town That Switched Sides

Somers, Connecticut

Pictures from Somers

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Somers Congregational Church Soapstone Mountain lookout tower view Somersville millpond and dam

Settlement of what was then called "East Enfield" began around 1706, when Benjamin Jones arrived with fellow settlers Edward Kibbe, James Pease, Timothy Roote and John McGregory. The town was incorporated in 1734 by the General Court of Massachusetts and named for Lord John Somers of England — Somers was a Massachusetts town at its founding. In 1749 it separated from Massachusetts and was annexed to Connecticut, in the same border realignment that moved Enfield, Suffield and Woodstock. Milling of grain and lumber were Somers's first industries; the Billings Satinette Mill, opened on the Scantic River in 1839, later became the Somersville Manufacturing Company and remained the main industry until 1970. The Four-Town Fair, one of Connecticut's oldest agricultural fairs, was organized in 1838 as a contest among the town's ten school districts for the most oxen. "Little Sorrel," Stonewall Jackson's favorite horse, is believed to have been born around 1850 on a Somers farm.

  1. 784 acres for canoeing, kayaking and fishing across three towns.

  2. 7,170 acres centered on Soapstone Mountain and Somers's Bald Mountain.

  3. Family entertainment park with mini golf, go-karts and laser tag.

  4. Estate wines beside a beaver pond and covered bridge.

  5. A Connecticut agricultural fair tracing to 1838, each September.

  6. Italian-American gastropub with 26 craft beers on tap.

  7. Main Street family pizzeria and Italian restaurant.

  8. Seasonal dinner service on the Cedar Knob golf grounds.

  9. Comfort food and homemade pies on South Road.

From East Enfield to Connecticut

Settlement of what was then called "East Enfield" began around 1706. The town was incorporated in 1734 by the General Court of Massachusetts and named for Lord John Somers of England — Somers began as a Massachusetts town. In 1749 it separated from Massachusetts and was annexed to Connecticut, in the same realignment that moved Enfield, Suffield and Woodstock. Milling of grain and lumber were the town's first industries; the Billings Satinette Mill, opened on the Scantic River in 1839, later became the Somersville Manufacturing Company under Rockwell Keeney and remained the town's main industry until 1970. "Little Sorrel," Confederate General Stonewall Jackson's favorite horse, is believed to have been born around 1850 at the Collins farm on what is now Springfield Road.

Getting there

Somers has no rail station of its own. Take I-91 to the Route 190 cloverleaf interchange in Enfield (Exits 47E/47W) and head east about eight miles to Somers center, where Route 190 crosses Route 83, the town's main north-south road. Route 190 is the main east-west corridor, running from Suffield through Enfield, Somers and Stafford to Union; Route 83 runs north-south from Glastonbury through Manchester, Vernon and Ellington into Somers and on to Springfield, Massachusetts. I-84 is reached via Route 83 south to the Route 30/83 interchange in Vernon, or via Route 190 east to I-84 in Union. There is no CTrail Hartford Line, Metro-North or Shore Line East station in Somers; Windsor Locks is the closest Hartford Line stop, and Springfield Union Station, Massachusetts is the nearest Amtrak hub.

Farms, wine and racing

Sonny's Place, a family entertainment park on Route 190, runs mini golf, go-karts, laser tag and its own eateries. Worthington Vineyards & Winery pours estate wines beside a beaver pond and covered bridge. The Four Town Fair, tracing to 1838, draws crowds each September. No lodging could be verified inside Somers; the nearest confirmed option is the Fairfield Inn & Suites Springfield Enfield, roughly eight miles west.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Somers?
By car — I-91 to the Route 190 interchange in Enfield, then east about eight miles to Somers center. There is no passenger rail station in Somers; Windsor Locks is the closest CTrail Hartford Line stop.
Is there a train to Somers?
No. Somers is not on the CTrail Hartford Line, Metro-North or Shore Line East. Windsor Locks is the closest Hartford Line station, and Springfield Union Station, Massachusetts is the nearest Amtrak hub.
Was Somers really part of Massachusetts?
Yes — Somers was incorporated in 1734 by the General Court of Massachusetts. In 1749 it separated from Massachusetts and was annexed to Connecticut, along with Enfield, Suffield and Woodstock.
What is the Four Town Fair?
One of Connecticut's oldest agricultural fairs, tracing to 1838 when it began as a contest among the town's ten school districts to see which had the most oxen. It's held each September at 56 Egypt Road.
Is there a hotel in Somers?
No lodging could be verified inside Somers. The nearest confirmed option is the Fairfield Inn & Suites Springfield Enfield, roughly eight miles west.

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