Farmington was originally inhabited by the Tunxis Indian tribe. In 1640 a white settlement was established by residents of Hartford, making it the oldest inland settlement West of the Connecticut River and one of the oldest communities in the state. They found the area ideal for settling because of its rich soil, location along the floodplain of the Farmington River, and valley geography.
The Town of Farmington was incorporated in 1645. Known as the "Mother Town", Farmington was partitioned into the towns of Avon, Bristol, Plainville, New Britain, Berlin, Southington, and Burlington.