Small town, big history

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William A. Powell in 1934 wrote in "Annals of A Village in Kent County, Delaware," that the people of Farmington emigrated from England and Ireland in the 17^th and 18^th centuries, and settled in the town as farmers. The first train to enter into Kent County stopped in 'Flatiron' in a summer day in 1856, that town came to be known as Farmington. He describes its development, "a village sprang up in the fields and community that had known only a quiet pastoral life", soon "boasted a railroad station and agent, post-office, three stores, black-smith and wheel-wright shop and a magistrate's court with a session every two weeks."
Farmington is located on land once owned by Sir William Fleming of Scotland, a tract colloquially referred to as "William's Choice."
Farmington was the site of Farmington Academy, begun in September 1868 in the old Presbyterian Church. About 10-12 years later, after expansions and many talented teachers and students, Farmington Academy closed. It fashioned young men and women who became doctors, lawyers, authors, professors, ministers and engineers.
In the late 19^th century, there were several businesses operating in Farmington, including an evaporator and cannery factory. The factory produced 1,800 baskets of peaches and 100,000 cans of peaches per year. Other businesses in the area included a saw mill; dry goods; farm produce and fertilizer; timber manufacturer; grist mill; grain; and some general stores.
The town incorporated and elected a town council in 1909. At the time, "their concerns centered around keeping the streets clear of snow in winter, hiring police service at Halloween and keeping drainage ditches in town flowing." A large fire devastated many Main Street homes in 1914, but the Farmington Volunteer Fire Company was not established until many years later (1951). The first post office was established in 1858 in Farmington. In 1990 it was closed because of structural deficiencies.
Residents now must travel to Greenwood or Harrington for postal services.