Willimantic

Community in the township of Windham, Windham County, east-central Connecticut; population (1990) 14,700. It is situated at the junction of the Willimantic and Natchaug rivers, 40 km/25 mi east of Hartford. It became known as the Thread City because as early as 1822 thread was manufactured here; the American Thread County was founded in the community in 1854. Other manufactures have included textiles, yarn, metal products, tools, and hardware. It is home to Eastern Connecticut State University (1889).