Windsor Locks

About Windsor Locks

Tucked along the Connecticut River in Hartford County, Windsor Locks punches well above its weight for a small town — it's home to the region's major international airport, a world-class aviation museum, and a historic canal that shaped New England commerce. Positioned almost perfectly between Hartford and Springfield, this compact community blends industrial heritage with small-town warmth in a way that feels distinctly Connecticut.

What to Know

• Bradley International Airport calls Windsor Locks home — the airport serves the entire Greater Hartford-Springfield region and occupies roughly a third of the town's total land area.
• The New England Air Museum, located right next to Bradley, is one of the largest aviation museums in the country, featuring over 100 aircraft spanning more than a century of flight.
• The Enfield Falls Canal — which gave the town its name — opened in 1829 to help boats navigate around the Enfield Falls, the Connecticut River's natural head of navigation for seagoing vessels.
• In a legendary moment of local glory, the Windsor Locks Little League team won the 1965 Little League World Series, defeating a Canadian team 3–1 behind pitcher Mike Roche's 14 strikeouts.

History

Windsor Locks was originally part of neighboring Windsor before incorporating as its own town in 1854, named for the thriving canal locks that had been driving commerce for decades. The town took on new strategic significance in 1940 when Bradley Airport opened as a military base, transitioning to civilian aviation use by 1947 and growing into a regional anchor ever since.

Community & Living

Windsor Locks has the feel of a tight-knit community that's proud of its working-class roots and its outsized place in Connecticut history. Residents enjoy convenient access to both Hartford and Springfield, easy airport access, and a genuine sense of local pride — whether rooted in Little League lore or canal-side heritage.