Branford, Connecticut | |
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 Town Green | |
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 New Haven County and Connecticut South Central Connecticut Planning Region and Connecticut | |
 Show Branford Show Connecticut Show the United States | |
| Coordinates:41°16′40″N72°47′59″W / 41.27778°N 72.79972°W /41.27778; -72.79972 | |
| Country |  United States |
| U.S. state |  Connecticut |
| County | New Haven |
| Region | South Central CT |
| Settled | 1644 |
| Incorporated | 1685 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Representative town meeting |
| • First selectman | Joshua Brooks (D)[1] |
| • Selectman | Ray Dunbar (D) |
| • Selectman | Jeffrey E. Vailette (R) |
| Area | |
• Total | 28.0 sq mi (72.5 km2) |
| • Land | 22.0 sq mi (56.9 km2) |
| • Water | 6.0 sq mi (15.6 km2) |
| Elevation | 43 ft (13 m) |
| Population (2020)[2] | |
• Total | 28,273 |
| • Density | 1,290/sq mi (497/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP code | 06405 |
| Area codes | 203/475 |
| FIPS code | 09-07310 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0213395 |
| Website | www |
Branford is a shorelinetown located onLong Island Sound inNew Haven County, Connecticut, United States, about 6 miles (10 km) east of downtownNew Haven. The town is part of theSouth Central Connecticut Planning Region. Branford bordersEast Haven to the west,Guilford to the east, andNorth Branford to the north. The population was 28,273 in the2020 census.[2]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 28.0 square miles (73 km2); 22.0 square miles (57 km2) are land and 6.0 square miles (16 km2) (21.5%) are water, including the Branford River, Queach Brook and the Branford Supply Ponds. There are two harbors, the more central Branford Harbor and Stony Creek Harbor on the east end, and one town beach at Branford Point. Much of the town's border withEast Haven to the west is dominated byLake Saltonstall, a reservoir owned by the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority, andSaltonstall Mountain, part of theMetacomet Ridge, a mountainoustrap rock ridgeline that stretches fromLong Island Sound to nearly theVermont border. The southern terminus of the Metacomet Ridge,Beacon Hill, is located in Branford.
The town of Branford includes theThimble Islands. Neighboring towns areNorth Branford to the north,Guilford to the east, andEast Haven to the west.
An area calledTotoket, which became Branford, was part of the land bought from theMattabesech Indians in 1638 by the first English settlers of New Haven. Previously, the Dutch in theNew Netherland settlements set up a trading post at the mouth of the Branford River in the 17th century, the source of the name "Dutch Wharf", also known as "Dutch House Wharf" and the Dutch House Quarter.[3] The area was also described byEzra Stiles as containing a "Dutch Fort", as hinted at by archaeological excavations completed in the 1990s.[4]
The town's name is said to be derived from the town ofBrentford, England.[5] The town in early maps was called Brentford before being shortened to Branford. Established in 1644, Branford grew during the 18th and 19th centuries. In the late 18th century, the first shoreline community, Stony Creek, was settled. Indian Neck and Pine Orchard were also settled, but neither of those settlements was permanent until the mid-19th century.[3]
In 1852, the railroad helped bring new business, including Branford Lockworks, Malleable Iron Fittings Company, and the Atlantic Wire Company. TheStony Creek granite quarries also rose to prominence as a direct consequence of railroad construction.[3]
During the mid-19th century, Branford became a popular resort area. Approximately twenty hotels opened, including Indian Point House in Stony Creek, Montowese House in Indian Neck, and Sheldon House in Pine Orchard.[3] During the mid-20th century, Branford shed its resort image. It developed with many characteristics typically associated withnortheastern suburbs.
| Climate data for Branford, Connecticut | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 68 (20) | 68 (20) | 80 (27) | 92 (33) | 96 (36) | 98 (37) | 100 (38) | 99 (37) | 98 (37) | 88 (31) | 80 (27) | 76 (24) | 100 (38) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 38 (3) | 39 (4) | 48 (9) | 59 (15) | 70 (21) | 79 (26) | 84 (29) | 82 (28) | 75 (24) | 64 (18) | 52 (11) | 43 (6) | 61 (16) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 25 (−4) | 26 (−3) | 33 (1) | 41 (5) | 51 (11) | 61 (16) | 68 (20) | 66 (19) | 59 (15) | 49 (9) | 40 (4) | 31 (−1) | 46 (8) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −8 (−22) | −8 (−22) | 8 (−13) | 18 (−8) | 32 (0) | 40 (4) | 47 (8) | 45 (7) | 37 (3) | 24 (−4) | 12 (−11) | −1 (−18) | −8 (−22) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 4.59 (117) | 3.24 (82) | 4.65 (118) | 4.53 (115) | 4.70 (119) | 4.44 (113) | 4.28 (109) | 4.5 (110) | 4.65 (118) | 4.54 (115) | 4.47 (114) | 4.03 (102) | 52.62 (1,332) |
| Source:[6] | |||||||||||||
Branford has six historic districts that are listed on the United StatesNational Register of Historic Places (NRHP).[citation needed] These include buildings inFederal,Arts and Crafts, andQueen Anne styles of architecture. Five NRHP-listed districts areBranford Center Historic District,Branford Point Historic District,Canoe Brook Historic District,Route 146 Historic District, andStony Creek-Thimble Islands Historic District.
More than 20 historic homes and other properties are separately listed on the National Register. In total, 30 properties or districts in Branford appear inNew Haven County's NRHP listings. One example isHarrison House and Museum, a 1724 structure, which has period furnishings, local historical items, archives, a barn and anherb garden.[7]
Cruises of the Thimble Islands depart from the Stony Creek dock, and seal-watch cruises take place in March.[7]
Branford's recreational facilities include several town-maintained parks and beaches owned by private foundations, hiking trails along Lake Saltonstall and a stretch of the Shoreline Greenway Trail, and 20 miles (32 km) of coastline with more than 12marinas.
Branford is home to two breweries named after local landmarks, Thimble Island Brewing Company andStony Creek Brewery.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 1,180 | — | |
| 1850 | 1,423 | — | |
| 1860 | 2,123 | 49.2% | |
| 1870 | 2,488 | 17.2% | |
| 1880 | 3,047 | 22.5% | |
| 1890 | 4,460 | 46.4% | |
| 1900 | 5,706 | 27.9% | |
| 1910 | 6,047 | 6.0% | |
| 1920 | 6,627 | 9.6% | |
| 1930 | 7,022 | 6.0% | |
| 1940 | 8,060 | 14.8% | |
| 1950 | 10,944 | 35.8% | |
| 1960 | 16,610 | 51.8% | |
| 1970 | 20,444 | 23.1% | |
| 1980 | 23,363 | 14.3% | |
| 1990 | 27,603 | 18.1% | |
| 2000 | 28,683 | 3.9% | |
| 2010 | 28,026 | −2.3% | |
| 2020 | 28,273 | 0.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] | |||
As of thecensus[9] of 2000, there were 28,683 people, 12,543 households, and 7,663 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,305.2 inhabitants per square mile (503.9/km2). There were 13,342 housing units at an average density of 607.1 per square mile (234.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.05%white, 1.35%African American, 0.10%Native American, 2.72%Asian, 0.06%Pacific Islander, 0.53% fromother races, and 1.20% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 2.57% of the population.
There were 12,543 households, out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% weremarried couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.7% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $58,009, and the median income for a family was $69,510. Males had a median income of $46,927 versus $35,947 for females. Theper capita income for the town was $32,301. About 3.3% of families and 4.1% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 3.9% of those under the age of 18 and 4.0% of those 65 and older.
| Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 31, 2024[10] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Active voters | Inactive voters | Total voters | Percentage | |
| Democratic | 7,119 | 733 | 7,852 | 33.47% | |
| Republican | 4,150 | 369 | 4,519 | 19.26% | |
| Unaffiliated | 9,263 | 1,495 | 10,758 | 45.85% | |
| Minor parties | 288 | 46 | 334 | 1.42% | |
| Total | 20,820 | 2,643 | 23,463 | 100% | |
| Presidential Election Results[11][12] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Democratic | Republican | Third Parties |
| 2024 | 56.8%9,898 | 41.6%7,251 | 1.5%276 |
| 2020 | 59.0%10,562 | 39.6%7,098 | 1.4%253 |
| 2016 | 54.2%8,453 | 42.3%6,585 | 3.5%545 |
| 2012 | 58.2%8,301 | 40.8%5,817 | 1.0%144 |
| 2008 | 59.8%9,062 | 38.9%5,906 | 1.3%176 |
| 2004 | 56.2%8,338 | 42.3%6,286 | 1.5%221 |
| 2000 | 57.8%8,302 | 35.7%5,133 | 6.5%930 |
| 1996 | 53.9%7,077 | 33.2%4,356 | 12.9%1,704 |
| 1992 | 43.1%6,575 | 36.8%5,622 | 20.1%3,066 |
| 1988 | 45.3%6,007 | 53.3%7,068 | 1.4%178 |
| 1984 | 36.4%4,679 | 63.2%8,118 | 0.4%51 |
| 1980 | 32.7%3,827 | 54.9%6,432 | 12.4%1,447 |
| 1976 | 42.6%4,886 | 56.5%6,487 | 0.9%92 |
| 1972 | 34.1%3,775 | 64.7%7,174 | 1.2%134 |
| 1968 | 43.6%4,280 | 49.9%4,907 | 6.5%632 |
| 1964 | 61.7%5,664 | 38.3%3,520 | 0.00%0 |
| 1960 | 46.8%4,161 | 53.2%4,731 | 0.00%0 |
| 1956 | 34.2%2,604 | 65.8%5,009 | 0.00%0 |
Branford Center is home to many small stores, restaurants, and coffee houses, which line Main Street, with the Green at the center. The Branford Green has churches as well as thetown hall and other government facilities and hosts concerts and other events, such as the annual Branford Festival. Traditionally, the graduating class fromBranford High School graduates in front of the Town Hall, weather permitting.
Branford Hill sits on the western end of town and centers on the heavily commercialized strip ofU.S. Route 1. Fast-food and sit-down restaurants, auto dealers, grocery stores, and several strip malls are located there. The more southern section features less dense areas with woodlands and farm featuring trails that the Branford Land Trust preserves that connect the Shoreline Greenway trail from New Haven toMadison. The northern section also features a less dense area with woodlands that surroundLake Saltonstall which also feature trail systems maintained by the Regional Water Authority, as the Lake is a reservoir for Branford.
Branford Hill features manycondominium andapartment complexes. The original site of Connecticut Hospice (now the Monastery of the Glorious Cross—a semi-cloistered community ofBenedictine nuns) is located in this area, on Burban Drive. Also on Burban Drive is St. Elizabeth of HungaryRoman Catholic Church, which was originally located in Short Beach.
Indian Neck is in the south-central section of Branford, dominated by a peninsula bordering Branford Harbor. Both Foote Park and John B. Sliney Memorial Park are located within Indian Neck.
Back in the early to mid 20th century Indian Neck was a tourist destination. Trolley service came down to Sybil and Limewood avenues, which had its own commercial area. These included Harry's General Store, Bud's Bait Box, and on Limewood Ave the Waverly Inn, Madelyn's Restaurant, Surfside Restaurant, a news, comics, candy, variety store named Lounsberry's, and Dairy Joy Ice Cream. Much of the area contained second homes, so the beach was an active place. As the area became more year-round the commercial business slowly shut down. The Montasco Inn, owned/operated for many years by the Poirot's was torn down in the 1960's. The landmark Waverly Inn burned to the ground in the early 1970s truly marking the end of an era.
Indian Neck – Pine Orchard Volunteer Fire Company 9 is located here.
In February 2015,Stony Creek Brewery, named after theStony Creek area of Branford, opened its doors here.[13]
Pine Orchard is situated between Indian Neck and Stony Creek. ThePine Orchard Yacht and Country Club (P.O.Y.C.C.), the Pine Brook School (formerly Wightwood School), a private institution, and Francis Walsh Intermediate School are found here. Notable residents include Dr.Nicholas Perricone andEdward M. Kennedy Jr.
Stony Creek is a shore front neighborhood in the southeastern section of Branford, centered on a harbor on Long Island Sound. An eclectic community, Stony Creek has the ambiance of a small seaside village with a blend of various architectural style buildings and a few small retail establishments, sandwich shops, galleries, and an antique shop.
Just offshore from Stony Creek is an intriguing archipelago of islands known as theThimble Islands. The Thimbles are a jumble of glacial rocks, ranging from 17 acres (6.9 ha) down to stepping-stone size, at the mouth of the harbor. Despite their small size, they possess a wealth of history and local lore, as well as providing pleasant scenery for a summer cruise.
Stony Creek is home to the all-male Stony Creek Fife & Drum Corps, and the only all-female fife and drum corps, Totoket Ancient Fife & Drum Corps.
A large quarry is still working and supplied the distinctive pink/orangeStony Creek granite for theBrooklyn Bridge (Although this contradicts linked page "The granite blocks were quarried and shaped on Vinalhaven Island, Maine, under a contract with the Bodwell Granite Company, and delivered from Maine to New York by schooner.[14] ), the base of the Statue of Liberty, and the newest House Office Building inWashington, D.C. Granite from Stony Creek was chosen to be used in New York City's Statue of Liberty museum, which opened in May 2019.
Stony Creek Fire and Rescue Company 5 is located here.
Short Beach is a beach neighborhood in the western end of town, south of Branford Hills. It is home to many small private islands, the largest being Kelsey Island, which has a handful of small cabins used as summer homes. There is no public access (except for public tidal zones) to Kelsey Island and trespassing is not allowed. Short Beach is home to half of the famousShore Line Trolley Museum, which is also in neighboring East Haven. Also in Short Beach are theYale Corinthian Yacht Club (YCYC), Short Beach Union Church and three parks, the largest being Pardee Park. Short Beach's population is about 1,500 and features a three-day festival at the end of summer called Short Beach Days. Short Beach is known for the population ofmonk parakeets that live there (referred to as the "Short Beach Parrots"), a non-native bird.
Short Beach Hose, Hook and Ladder Company 4, founded in 1911, is located here.
Hotchkiss Grove of Branford is located between Indian Neck and Pine Orchard and consists of First through Ninth avenues, as well as parts of Hotchkiss Grove Road, Seaview Avenue, and Dudley Avenue. It has a small beach used for swimming and mooring boats and features a raft to swim out to. Bay Point Park (The Point) is a grassy peninsula going out into the water where there used to be a small pier. Occasionally residents of Hotchkiss Grove can rent the Point to host parties. Every first Saturday of August, Hotchkiss Grove Day is held, with the day starting with a costume parade, games, and prizes. In the afternoon there are beach games in which kids compete with one another on the beach, a clam bar, and live music. Dinner, a raffle, auction, and dancing close out the evening. Historically Hotchkiss Grove was a summer community with beach cottages and dirt roads; over the past two decades most of the cottages have been converted into permanent, year round residences.
Other minor communities and geographic features in the town areBranford Point, Brocketts Point, Brushy Plain, Cherry Hill, Clam Island, Double Beach, Goodsell Point, Granite Bay, Haycock Point, High Island, Jepson Island, Johnson's Point, Kidd's Island, Killam's Point, Lanphier Cove, Little Pumpkin,Money Island, Pawson Park, Potato Island, Rockland Park, Sagamore Cove, Scotch Cap, Sumac Island, Summer Island, Sunset Beach,Thimble Islands, Todd's Hill, Vedder's Point, and Wheeler Island.
Now that Malleable Iron Fittings has been largely demolished and the site turned into housing, Branford is known for high-technology and pharmaceutical companies such as454 Life Sciences andDurata Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of differentiated therapeutic solutions for physicians and providers to advance patient care in infectious disease and acute illnesses. Also with offices and manufacturing space in Branford is American Polyfilm, Inc., which specializes in the manufacture ofpolyurethane film for a number of industries including industrial and high performance fabrics and medical products to name a few. Wilson Arms is in Branford, a company that produces small-caliber rifles and parts. Within the town are also two large glazing and window construction companies, Massey's Plate Glass & Aluminum and Cherry Hill Glass.Branford is also home to Autac, Inc. which has been manufacturing high quality coiled cords since 1947.
Schools in Branford:
The main artery through the town isInterstate 95, running along the eastern coast of the United States. The town has astation on theShore Line East commuter rail line fromNew London to New Haven.
TheBranford Steam Railroad carries quarriedtrap rock fromNorth Branford to barges at Juniper Point nearStony Creek.Tweed New Haven Regional Airport is located 3 miles (5 km) west of Branford.
One of the largest events in Branford every year is the Branford Festival on Father's Day weekend, which features food, crafts, children's rides, music and a 5-mile (8.0 km) road race.
A book sale is held annually each autumn on the Branford Green to raise money for the town library.[15][16]
Brentford, EnglandFrom the Netherlands to New Netherland: The Archaeology of the Dutch in the Old and New Worlds Article 6
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