Guilford, Connecticut

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Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement

Guilford is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, that borders Madison, Branford, North Branford, and Durham. It is situated on I-95 and the Connecticut coast. The town is part of the South Central Connecticut Planning Region. The population was 22,073 at the 2020 census.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Prior to European colonization, the area that became Guilford was the site of Menunkatuck, a Quinnipiac village.<ref name="Smith 1877 46–47">Template:Cite book</ref> The Quinnipiac spoke Quiripi, one of the Eastern Algonquian branches of the Algonquian language family.

By 1614, the Dutch had surveyed, charted, and established New Netherland, a colonial province, with claimed territories from the Delmarva Peninsula to Cape Cod. This included claims over the Quinnipiac territory. However, a lack of any significant Dutch presence in the area gave English settlers an opportunity to settle in the Quinnipiac territory.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Dutch claims over land that included Menunkatuck (and would later include Guilford) remained until the 1674 Treaty of Westminster that ended the Third Anglo-Dutch War.

In June 1637 during the Pequot War, a force of 100 English soldiers and Narragansett, Mohegan, and Montauk allies arrived from Long Island in pursuit of the Pequot grand sachem Sassacus near Menunkatuck. At a neck of land known today as Sachems Head, they captured and executed three Pequot sachems before continuing on west in pursuit of Sassacus.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1639, after landing in the plantation of Quinnipiaic (later known as New Haven) via ship from England, a group of 24 English Puritan families led by Rev. Henry Whitfield chose to settle almost 13 miles away near Menukatuck.<ref name="Smith 1877 46–47"/> During their voyage from England, the settlers drafted and signed the Plantation Covenant on June 1, 1639 (O.S.). The text of the covenant is memorialized by an engraved pink Stony Creek granite slab at the corner of Old Whitfield and Whitfield streets.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On September 29, 1639 (O.S.), the colonists secured a land grant for their settlement from Shaumpishuh, the female sachem of Menunkatuck.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Guilford was admitted to New Haven Colony in 1643.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1664, New Haven Colony, including Guilford, joined Connecticut Colony.

1838 view of Guilford from the Green showing (left to right) the Academy, the Congregational Church, and the Town House

The English settlement originally shared the name Menunkatuck with the Quinnipiac village. On July 6, 1643 (O.S.), records of the General Court session held at New Haven note that Menunkatuck changed its name to “Guilforde,” although no reason for the change was recorded.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It is assumed that Guilford was named after the town of Guildford, England,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> the native home of a share of its first English settlers.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In early maps of the Connecticut Colony, the town is seen on several maps as "Gilford."

1881 bird's eye view of Guilford

Guilford is considered by some to have the third largest collection of historic homes in New England, with important buildings from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.<ref>The Connecticut Nutmegger, Connecticut Society of Genealogists (Connecticut Society of Genealogists, 1981).</ref> There are five historic house museums, including Dudley Farm and the Henry Whitfield House (1639), the oldest dwelling house in Connecticut and the oldest stone house built by English settlers in North America. The Comfort Starr House (1695) is one of the oldest wooden framed private dwellings in Connecticut, and one of the few houses remaining of the original signers who settled Guilford.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In June 1781, during the American Revolution, a skirmish was fought on Leete's Island between the Associated Loyalists and local militia under Captain Peter Vail.

Guilford, Template:Circa

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and 2.7 square miles (6.9 km2 or 5.39%) is water.

The primary settlement in Guilford, known as Guilford Center, is located in the southern part of town around the intersection of U.S. Route 1 and Connecticut Route 77. It is served by three exits of Interstate 95, which passes just north of the town center. The Guilford Center census-designated place had a population of 2,597 at the 2010 census.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The northwest side of Guilford is flanked by the Metacomet Ridge, a mountainous trap rock ridgeline that stretches from Long Island Sound to nearly the Vermont border. Important features of the Metacomet ridge in Guilford include Totoket Mountain; its most notable peak, Bluff Head; and two eastern high points on the Totoket Mountain ridge named East Sugarloaf and West Sugarloaf. The Template:Convert Mattabesett Trail traverses Bluff Head; a shorter network of trails criss-cross the Sugarloaves. Guilford also contains the Westwoods Trail System which covers Template:Convert of trails on Template:Convert of land.

Transportation

Guilford train station is served by Shore Line East

The Shore Line East train stops at Guilford station with service to Branford, East Haven, New Haven and New London, and the Connecticut Transit S bus travels between Guilford and New Haven several times each day.

Roads

Source:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Template:Jct runs through downtown Guilford where it has three interchanges. Exit 57 onto Boston Post Road (US 1), exit 58 onto Church Street (Route 77), and exit 59 onto Goose Lane (connecting to US 1 and Route 146). Northbound it leads to Old Saybrook, New London, Providence, and Boston. Southbound it leads to New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, and New York City.

Template:Jct, known locally as Boston Post Road, also runs through downtown Guilford, serving as the town's main commercial area. It connects to I-95, Route 77, and Route 146. It follows a similar route to I-95, connecting to Boston to the North and New York City to the South.

Template:Jct is the main route between downtown Guilford and the neighboring town of Durham. It begins at the town green at a junction with Route 146. From there it heads North through the town crossing US 1, I-95, and Route 80. From there it passes through North Guilford and into Durham, ending just South of the Durham town center at a junction with Route 17.

Template:Jct is a scenic coastal road connecting downtown Guilford to the neighboring town of Branford. It begins on the East side of town at a junction with Route 1. From there it passes along the South side of the town green where it connects to the Southern terminus of Route 77. It continues along the coast, through the neighborhood of Sachem's Head and into Branford.

Template:Jct cuts across the town, forming the dividing line between North and South Guilford. To the West it connects to New Haven, Foxon, and North Branford. In Guilford it has a junction with Route 77. To the East it passes through Madison, connecting to Killingworth and Deep River.

Principal communities

  • Guilford Center (Guilford Green)
  • Leete's Island
  • North Guilford
  • Nut Plains
  • Shell Beach
  • Sachem's Head

Other minor communities and geographic features in Guilford are Guilford Lakes, Indian Cove, and Old Quarry.

Demographics

Template:See also Template:US Census population

As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, there were 21,398 people, 8,151 households, and 6,039 families residing in the town. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 8,724 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the town was 96.04% White, 0.93% African American, 0.05% Native American, 1.65% Asian, 0.41% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.13% of the population.

There were 8,151 households, out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. Of all households 21.6% were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.4% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 31.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $76,843, and the median income for a family was $87,045 (these figures had risen to $90,026 and $104,852 respectively as of a 2007 estimate<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>). Males had a median income of $60,623 versus $40,307 for females. The per capita income for the town was $37,161. About 2.3% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 31, 2024<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Party Active voters Inactive voters Total voters Percentage Change from 2014
Template:Party color cell Democratic 6,383 410 6,793 37.67% +4.8%
Template:Party color cell Republican 3,501 219 3,720 20.63% -1.32%
Template:Party color cell Minor parties 397 26 423 2.35% +1.73%
Template:Party color cell Unaffiliated 6,580 516 7,096 39.35% -5.03%
Total 16,861 1,171 18,032 100%

In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 61.02% of the town vote, against 38.06% for Republican John McCain.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2016, Democrat Hillary Clinton carried the town with 59.2% over Republican Donald Trump with 37.1%.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Joe Biden won the town with 64.68% of the vote in 2020 and Kamala Harris won with 64.40% in 2024.<ref name="Public Reporting">Template:Cite web</ref> George H. W. Bush was the last Republican to win Guilford, receiving 55.87% of the vote in 1988.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Economy

American Cruise Lines has its headquarters in Guilford.<ref>"General Information" Template:Webarchive. American Cruise Lines. Retrieved on January 15, 2012. "American Cruise Lines, Inc. operates from headquarters in Guilford, Connecticut[...]"</ref><ref>"Cruise News". (Archive) American Cruise Lines. Retrieved on January 15, 2012. "741 Boston Post Road ٠ Suite 200 ٠ Guilford, CT"</ref> There are many small businesses throughout the town, including the shops on the Guilford Green.

Education

Public Schools

Guilford is served by the Guilford Public Schools district, which provides comprehensive education from kindergarten through high school. The district comprises four elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school, offering a range of academic and extracurricular programs.

  • Elementary Schools: Guilford has four elementary schools: Calvin Leete Elementary School,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A.W. Cox Elementary School,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Melissa Jones Elementary School,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Guilford Lakes Elementary School.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Middle Schools: Baldwin Middle School serves students in grades five through six.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Adams Middle School serves students in grades seven through eight.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • High School: Guilford High School, serving grades nine through twelve, offers a wide array of academic courses, including Advanced Placement (AP) classes and college preparatory programs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Public Library

The Guilford Free Library is a resource for the community, providing access to a vast collection of books, digital media, historical materials about Guilford's history and genealogy, and educational programs for all ages.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The library hosts numerous events, workshops, and activities aimed at promoting literacy and lifelong learning.

Parks and Recreation Areas

Town

The following parks are owned and operated by the town government:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

  • Bittner Park: 136 acres including a playground, a lighted softball field (Cash Mitchell Field), baseball and soccer fields, basketball and pickleball courts, hiking/horseback riding/cross country skiing trails, a skate park, public bathrooms, and a disc golf course
  • Braemore Preserve: 95 acres with 8 miles of hiking trails, including a section of the Lone Pine Trail which connects it to Bluff Head and Northwoods and the James Valley Preserve
  • Chaffinch Island Park: 22 acre park at the mouth of the West River with picnic tables, grills, and fishing access
  • Chittenden Park: Softball and soccer fields, bocce courts, picnicking, and a boardwalk to Long Island Sound. This park is the southern terminus of the New England National Scenic Trail
  • Daniel Avenue Beach: 3/4 acre unsupervised beach providing access to Indian Cove on Long Island Sound. Shellfishing is allowed by permit
  • East River Preserve: 583 acres with 7.6 miles of hiking trails along the East River
  • Grass Island: 30 acre park including the Grass Island Shack (a local landmark). There are no formal trails. It is accessible by road from Madison or by crossing the East River by boat from the Town Marina.
  • Guilford Lakes Golf Course (9 holes)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Guilford Marina: Small boat marina. Boat ramp and fishing access
  • Jacobs Beach: 25 acre park on Long Island Sound, with a supervised beach, playground, splash pad, picnic area, pavilions, kayak racks, volleyball courts, half basketball court, and bathhouse
  • James Valley Preserve: 75 acres with hiking trails (including a section of the Lone Pine Trail) that adjoins the Bluff Head and Northwoods property maintained by the land trust
  • Lake Quonnipaug: Allowing access to the largest lake in Guilford, this property includes a 41-acre park with bathrooms, picnic tables, a pavilion, and a supervised beach. The lake is open for swimming, paddling, and fishing.
  • Long Hill Park: 10 acre park with playing fields for baseball, football, soccer/lacrosse and field hockey
  • Mill Pond: 1 acre park with picnic area and fishing access. Ice skating in the winter
  • Nut Plains Park: 23 acres including a dog park, lacrosse fields, and a short trail
  • Rollwood Park: 1 acre park with a picnic area, located across the street from the Henry Whitfield House. It includes the foundations and chimney of a house once belonging to Rollin S. Woodruff, the 62nd Governor of Connecticut<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Shell Beach: 1 acre unsupervised beach providing access to Long Island Sound. Shellfishing is allowed by permit
  • Timberlands Preserve: 600 acres with 15 miles of trails featuring the Iron Stream, Upper Guilford Lake, and a section of the New England Trail
  • Trolley Road: Small unsupervised beach, providing access to Long Island Sound. Shellfishing is available by permit
  • Town Green: 7.7 acres in the town's historic district, surrounded by shops, churches, the town hall, and the Nathanael B. Greene Community Center (which has meeting rooms and event spaces)

Land Trust

The Guilford Land Conservation Trust (GLCT) manages the following properties for public use:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

  • Big Maple: 31 acres, 1.1 miles of trails, Chestnut Creek, and what may be one of the largest sugar maples in Connecticut
  • Bluff Head and Northwoods: 870 acres with 14 miles of hiking trails, including a section of the New England Trail, a section of the Lone Pine Trail, Hemlock Brook, Myerhuber Pond, the Broomstick Ledges, and Bluff Head (the highest point of Totoket Mountain). This property adjoins James Valley Preserve, which is owned and managed by the Town of Guilford
  • County Road Fields: 25 acres, no formal trails
  • Dudley Barrows Woods: 120 acres with hiking trails and scenic vistas
  • East River Woodlands: 106 acres with hiking trails near the East River
  • Eastwoods: 95 acres with hiking trails (including a section of the New England Trail), adjoining East River Preserve (owned and managed by the Town of Guilford) as well as another GLCT property (Nut Plains Woods)
  • Jared Eliot Preserve: 36 acres of farmland once owned by Jared Eliot, now features a short hiking trail along the West River
  • Kampmeyer Preserve: 100 acres with hiking trails featuring Notch Hill Brook and the surrounding wetlands
  • Meeting House Hill Preserve: 25 acres located across from the Meeting House Hill Historic District. This property is maintained for pollinators and field nesting birds and has no formal trails
  • Munger Brook Preserve: 21 acres featuring a short hiking trail and the headwaters of Munger Brook
  • Neck River North: A small preserve with a trail that provides access to Cockaponset State Forest in Madison as well as land owned by the Madison Land Trust
  • Nut Plains Woods: 57 acres with hiking trails (including a section of the New England Trail), adjoining East River Preserve (owned and managed by the Town of Guilford) as well as another GLCT property (Eastwoods)
  • Olmsted Outlook: A half acre park on the banks of the West River, close to the town center. It includes a historic sea wall, a lawn, flower beds, and a view of the West River and the surrounding Marshlands (which are also protected by the GLCT). The property is named for architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who visited Guilford in the 1830s, and may have taken some inspiration from the view over the West River when designing his later projects.
  • Priscilla Otte Preserve: 32 acres with hiking trails, a stream, a cave, and a historic barn
  • Spencer Creek Preserve: 11.5 acres with hiking trails and views of Spencer Creek and the West River
  • Tanner Marsh Brook: 5 acres along the banks of the Tanner Marsh Brook, following its course from Tanner Marsh Road to the East River
  • Westwoods: The largest trail system in Guilford with over 32 miles of hiking trails featuring caves, waterfalls, marshes, and Lost Lake. The property is connected to parts of Cockaponset State Forest

State Forest

There are two parcels of Cockaponset State Forest in Guilford. One, just north of Route 80 contains a section of the New England Trail and connects to the town owned Timberlands Preserve to the south of Route 80. The other parcel adjoins several Land Trust properties, collectively making up Westwoods.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Other

There are three outdoor recreation areas in Guilford that are owned by other organizations and are open to the public:

Notable locations

Guilford, Connecticut is noted for its rolling farmland, its avoidance of the density and sprawl that has occurred from land use regulations of its neighboring communities, and its numerous historic homes and sites.<ref>Hughes, C. J., Guilford, Conn.: Proud of Its Place in New England, the New York Times, September 29, 2019</ref>

Historic Structures and Districts

In 1981, the Guilford Preservation Alliance identified 450 buildings deemed architecturally significant, ranging from the 17th to 20th centuries.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Building Image First built National Register of Historic Places listed Current use Notes
Henry Whitfield House 1639 Yes House museum Oldest house in Connecticut and the oldest stone house in New England.
Acadian House 1670 Yes Residential One of Connecticut's oldest surviving houses. Notable for its later occupation by refugee Acadians following their 1755 deportation from Nova Scotia.
Elisha Pitkin House 1690 Yes Residential Moved to Guilford from East Hartford in 1955
Comfort Starr House 1695 No Residential Classic New England saltbox home.
Pelatiah Leete House 1710 Yes Residential Oldest surviving house associated with the locally prominent Leete family, who were among the founders of New Haven Colony. 
Hyland House 1713 Yes House museum Open to the public as a museum since 1918.
Jared Eliot House 1723 Yes Residential Well-preserved example of period residential architecture
Thomas Burgis II House 1735 Yes Residential One of Guilford's finest and best-documented colonial-era houses
Sabbathday House 1735 Yes Residential One of two Sabbathday houses to survive in the town. Built for the purpose of sheltering church-going families between morning and afternoon services. 
Griswold House 1764 Yes House museum Museum includes the saltbox house, a historic blacksmith shop, a barn with farm tools and implements, two corn cribs and a Victorian era three seat outhouse. 
Falkner Island Light 1802 Yes Lighthouse Second-oldest extant lighthouse in Connecticut. Commissioned by Thomas Jefferson.
Medad Stone Tavern 1803 Yes House museum Example of early 19th-century Federal period architecture. Never used as a tavern.
First Congregational Church 1830 No Church Third church building for a congregation founded in 1643.

Historic districts include:

Other Notable Structures

Building Image Built Current use Notes
Junior Olsen House 1951 Residential Modernist home by sculptor and architectural designer Tony Smith.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Old Quarry neighborhood.
Fred Olsen, Sr. House 1953 Residential Modernist residential compound by sculptor and architectural designer Tony Smith.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Old Quarry neighborhood.
"The spaceship" 1987 Condos Uniqiue condo building designed by architect Wilfred J. O. Armster.

Notable people

Living

See also

References

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Further reading

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Template:US state navigation box Template:New Haven County, Connecticut Template:South Central Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut Template:New York metropolitan area

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