Branford was settled in 1644 by a group from Wethersfield. The name was
taken from Brentford, Middlesex near London, England in 1653. Its Indian
name was Totoket. It was part of the New Haven Colony until 1685 when it
became Connecticut's twenty seventh town.
Branford is blessed with a long shoreline which includes the beaches at: Short Beach, Double Beach, Indian Neck, Limewood Beach, Hotchkiss Grove, Pine Orchard, and Stoney Creek. Branford Harbor lies at the entrance of the Branford River with Johnson Point on the West and Jeffrey Point on the East.
On the West end of Main Street entering the village is the imposing marble
Greek style Blackstone Memorial Library which was dedicated in 1896. Farther
to the East is the Town Green. A monument commemorates the meeting at
Reverend Samuel Russell's house where Yale College was planned in 1701. The
Green is attractive with many large shade trees.
Lake Saltonstall is partly in Branford with its western half in East Haven.
The Lake is named after Rev. Gurden Saltonstall from New London who in 1708
had been elected Governor of Connecticut. Rev. Saltonstall married Elizabeth
Rosewell daughter of William Rosewell who had built the first frame house in
Branford. Rosewell operated a saw mill. Saltonstall took residence on the
Rosewell estate near the lake which took his name.
Today, Branford has become a choice suburb of New Haven. Branford is crossed
by Interstate I-95 with exits 53 to 56 within its boundaries. US-1 parallels
I-95 for those who prefer more leisurely travel. State Route 146 offers
scenic views as it winds through town. In the future, Branford will likely
continue to enhance the town center on the beautiful old New England green.
There are Post Offices at Branford, Short Beach and Stoney Creek.
Branford Statistics 2000 Population = 28,683 1990 Population = 27,603 2000 Housing Units 13,342 Area = 27.9 Sq. Mi. Per Capita Income 1997 = $27,567 Median Income 2000 = $58,009. Median Income 2003 = $60,770. Average Single Family Home Sales Price = $273,648 Net Taxable Grand List 2001 = $2,007,936,691. Net Taxable Grand List 2002 = $2,014,920,297.
For the Official Branford Web Page click here.
* Source Greater New Haven Association of Realtors. Neither A&M, Realtors nor the GNHAR assume any responsibility for accuracy. Please independently verify for content.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||