Branford, Connecticut

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Branford, Connecticut
Coordinates: 41°16′40″N, 72°47′59″W
NECTA New Haven
Region South Central Region
Named 1653
Government
 - Type Representative town meeting
 - First selectman Cheryl P. Morris
Area
 - City 72.5 km²  (28.0 sq mi)
Population (2005)[1]
 - City 29,089
 - Density 511/km² (1,322/sq mi)
Time zone Eastern (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code 06405
Website: http://www.branford-ct.gov/
Academy in Branford. The building dates from 1820 on the site of the meeting that established Yale University.
Academy in Branford. The building dates from 1820 on the site of the meeting that established Yale University.

Branford is a town located on Long Island Sound in New Haven County, Connecticut, eight miles east of New Haven. The population was 28,683 at the 2000 census. It offers to New Haven County residents a relatively low tax rate ,a sizable biotech industry presence, a traditional New England small town ambience, and a lot of recreational facilities, including 20 miles of coastline with over 12 marinas.

Contents

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 72.5 km² (28.0 mi²). 56.9 km² (22.0 mi²) of it is land and 15.6 km² (6.0 mi²) of it (21.50%) is water, providing many brooks and ponds for residents.

The town has more than 3,900 acres of open land for recreation and/or athletics, with a 28 mile walking trail circling the town as well as the Shoreline Greenway Trail from New Haven to Hammonasset Beach State Park passing through the town.

[edit] History

An area called "Totoket" which became Branford was part of the land bought from the Mattabesech Indians in 1638 by the first settlers of New Haven. The Dutch set up a trading post at the mouth of the Branford River in the 1600s. That's the source of the name "Dutch Wharf." [2]

The town's name is said to be derived from the town of Brentford, England. Early settlers were largely farmers, but with an accessible port there were also a trade in lumber, livestock, brooms and produce -- all traded for molasses and rum from the West Indies.[2]

The town grew during the 18th and 19th centuries. In the late 18th century, the first shoreline community was settled -- Stony Creek. Indian Neck, Pine Orchard were also settled, but none of those settlements were permanent until the mid-19th century.[2]

In 1852, the railroad came to town, bringing new business, including Branford Lockworks, Malleable Iron Fittings Company and the Atlantic Wire Company.[2]

Branford also became a popular resort area, with 20 hotels, including Indian Point House in Stony Creek, Montowese House in Indian neck, and Sheldon House in Pine Orchard.[2]

In 1974, Connecticut Hospice was founded in Branford, the first hospice in the United States.

Branford currently has six National Register of Historic Places districts, including hundreds of buildings in Federal, Arts and Crafts, and Queen Anne styles of architecture.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 28,683 people, 12,543 households, and 7,663 families residing in the town. The population density was 503.8/km² (1,305.2/mi²). There were 13,342 housing units at an average density of 234.4/km² (607.1/mi²). 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% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino 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% were married 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. The per capita income for the town was $32,301. 4.1% of the population and 3.3% of families were below the poverty line. 3.9% of those under the age of 18 and 4.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005[3]
Party Active Voters Inactive Voters Total Voters Percentage
Democratic 5,369 221 5,590 28.82%
Republican 2,889 155 3,044 15.69%
Unaffiliated 10,200 527 10,727 55.31%
Minor Parties 30 4 34 0.18%
Total 18,488 907 19,395 100%

[edit] Principal communities in Branford

[edit] Branford Center

Branford Center is a part of Branford situated in the cultural and business center of the town. The Center is typical to almost every New England town, and serves as the social, commercial, governmental, and transportation nerve center of the town. It 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 the town hall and other government facilities (such as the Branford Police Department and United States Post Office), and hosts concerts and other events, such as the annual Branford Festival. The center also serves as a typical meet-up and/or hang-out spot for many of the local youth. It is a rare thing to drive or walk by it and not see a bunch of teenagers sitting on the town green no matter how good or bad the weather is.

Main article: Branford Center

[edit] Branford Hill

Branford Hill is a section of Branford so named because it is situated on a large hill extending approximately from Branford Center in the east to East Haven in the west. The character of the area, in turn, changes gradually from the more suburban ambience of Branford to the more working class nature of East Haven.

The Branford Hill area is home to many complexes of condominums and apartments, housing mostly middle class residents, as well as other small houses. It is also home to many shopping centers, stores, restaurants, and car dealerships. A small school, Branford Hills School, formerly housing grades Kindergarten through 2nd and now used as the middle school site for the School Age Child Care after school program, is also located in the area, as is the Catholic St. Elizabeth Church. Lake Saltonstall lies on the boarder with East Haven, and Branford Hill has many wooded areas and protected Branford Land Trust areas.

[edit] Indian Neck

Main article: Indian Neck (Connecticut)

Indian Neck is a village in the town of Branford, Connecticut. Indian Neck is accessible by driving over the Branford River, and is surronded by water and beach.

Both Foote Park and John B. Sliney Memorial Park are located within Indian Neck.

[edit] Pine Orchard

[edit] Short Beach

Main article: Short Beach

Short Beach is a beach neighborhood in Branford, Connecticut. It is one of Branford's 7 neighborhoods, others being: The Hill, The Center of Town, Pine Orchard, Stony Creek, Indian Neck, and Brushy Hill. Roughly one mile long, it is situated in New Haven County and is bordered by East Haven to the west, Branford to the north and east and Long Island Sound to the south. Short Beach is the westernmost neighborhood in Branford. It is home to many small islands, the largest being Kelsey's Island which has a few small cabins used as summer homes. Short Beach is home to half of the famous Trolley museum which is also in neighboring East Haven. Also in Short Beach are the Yale Corinthian Yacht Club (YCYC), Shore Automotive, Short Beach General Store, the Adult Day Care Center, Short Beach Church, Cranberries bakery, Argentine-Italian reasturant Che Tango, a fire house and an abandoned gas station. Short Beach's population is approximately 1,500. Short Beach has 3 parks, the largest being Pardee Park in the center. Short Beach has a 3 day festival at the end of summer called Short Beach Days with a parade, lip-synching contest, races, basketball, and sand castle building. Short Beach is known for the population of monk parakeets that live there (referred to as the "Short Beach Parrots"). It is said that they escaped from a zoo and never left the neighborhood. The parrots took up residence in the community's trees and can be heard and seen all year long.

[edit] Stony Creek

Main article: Stony Creek, Connecticut

Stony Creek is a shorefront section of Branford, Connecticut, centered around a harbor on Long Island Sound, in the southeast corner of the town. Separated from downtown Branford, Stony Creek has its own distinct feeling, that of a separate small village with a traditional timeless and quaint charm. Two unique attractions set Stony Creek apart from other small Connecticut coastal towns; the Thimble Islands, and the Stony Creek Puppet House.

The Thimble Islands are a jumble of glacial rocks, ranging from 17 acres (69,000 m²) 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.

The Stony Creek Puppet House is one of the few places in the world where traditional 4-5 foot high Sicilian puppets can be seen. Unfortunately, the puppets are currently not performing regularly, but they are on display on the walls of the Puppet House and can sometimes be coaxed into visiting other venues for demonstration purposes. Meanwhile, the 100 year old puppet house itself serves as a theater for a wide variety of concerts, dances, plays, musicals, dinner theater, small puppet shows and children's programs, year round.

A large quarry is still working, and supplied the distinctive pink/orange Stony Creek granite for the Brooklyn Bridge, the Stony Creek library, and the newest House Office Building in Washington, DC.

[edit] Industry

Branford is home to a few unique manufacturers. American Polyfilm, Inc. specializes in the production of Polyurethane film for Industry, Medical, Marine and Athletic/outdoor applications. Dexmet Corporation produces expanded metal and poly foils of high conductivity for electrical and battery cell applications. Gravymaster makes seasoning and browning sauce, a "secret" ingredient for many a home made gravy! Ivy Biomedical systems manufacturs portable I.V.& patient monitors for the medical industry. Wilson Arms produces small caliber rifles and parts. Islander East Pipline Co, Headquartered in Branford, is the proposed and highly contested Long Island Sound Natural Gas Pipeline project that wants to build a pipeline from North Haven to Yaphank, NY.

[edit] Transportation

The main artery through the town is the Interstate 95, running along the eastern coast of the United States. Between Branford and New Haven, the highway passes over the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge (formerly the Quinnipac Bridge, or Q Bridge for short), which along with the highway immediately east acts as a severe bottleneck to traffic, particularly during rush hour but also at peak travel periods during summer season, for example. This tends to deter many individuals who would otherwise be attracted by the lack of New Haven's typical urban problems. The Shore Line East railway system has been expanded over the past few years in order to simplify commuting from eastern shore towns such as Branford into New Haven.

[edit] Major roads

  • West Main Street/North Main Street/East Main Street (US Route 1) - parallels I-95, offering both local access and a detour around the often congested Interstate.
  • Main Street/East Main Street - an alternate to US Route 1 that passes through the town center
  • Short Beach Road (Route 142) - serves the community of Short Beach in the southwestern part of the town
  • Route 146 - a scenic route that passes through various coastal communities in the southeastern part of the town

[edit] Culture

One of the largest events in Branford every year is the Branford Festival. Since its inception in 1984, Father's Day Weekend in Branford has become synonymous with The Branford Festival. The Historic Town Green is transformed into a festival of crafts, activities, food, and live music. Over the years, the weekend has turned into Branford's home-coming. Former Branford residents travel from all over to be reunited with family and old friends. It is one of Branford's biggest attractions.

The town has many beautiful sections, including; Short Beach, Branford Hill, Pine Orchard, Stony Creek and the Thimble Islands, Branford Point, Indian Neck, and Branford Center.

[edit] Sister Cities

[edit] Trivia

  • Two Major League Baseball players were born in Branford...Beauty McGowan (1901) and Ollie Sax (1904).
  • Only one Major League Baseball player has died in Branford...Bob Barthelson (2000).

[edit] References

[edit] References

  1. ^ U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates
  2. ^ a b c d e [1] Branford Chamber of Commerce web site accessed 26 June 2006
  3. ^ Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 25, 2005 (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. Retrieved on October 2, 2006.

[edit] External links

[edit] Government

[edit] Industry

[edit] Media

[edit] Other


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