Branford, CT
Acquired from the Mattabesec Indians in 1638, Branford was officially settled six years later by homesteaders from Wethersfield, who promptly renamed the town Branford after the town of Brentford in England. And while a lot has changed since then, the sign commemorating the town’s founding also notes that much of its historical heritage remains in the form of old buildings and well-preserved villages — and it’s true. Branford has no less than 20 monuments on the National Register of Historic Places.
The hub of town life continues to be Branford Center and The Green. It’s been welcoming residents and visitors for gatherings of all kinds since 1699, including concerts, fairs, and all sorts of annual events.
Surrounding The Green are an intriguing blend of historic buildings, including the town hall, an ancient academy, three 19th-century churches, and a tablet marking the site where ten clergymen met in 1701 to create Yale University’s first library. Joining those celebrated landmarks are some not-so-historic structures that are home to the very cool shops, clothing boutiques, ethnic markets, and restaurants that make Branford Green even more enjoyable. There’s P.S. Fine Stationers, with its quality writing papers, exceptional gift items, and elegant jewelry, and Splash Boutique, featuring an eclectic selection of baby items, toys, and gifts, as well as designer handbags, beach attire, and home decor. Nearby is Home, offering a warm atmosphere and excellent meals; Billy’s Pasta Cosi, routinely applauded for its fresh sauces; and Ashley’s Ice Cream, where you’ll get the best scoop in town. And close by on East Main Street is 9 East Hibachi & Asian Restaurant and the Parthenon Diner — both popular dining spots, as well as La Luna Ristorante on North Main, serving authentic Tuscan Italian.
Branford Center expands outward along Montowese Street, or Route 146 — a designated scenic highway — toward such picturesque enclaves as Indian Head, Pine Orchards, Stony Creek, Short Beach, and Branford Point — each with its own character and personality.
Heading southeast along Montowese Street/Route 146 is Lenny’s Indian Head Inn, a favorite dining spot for seafood — and just a bit further on is Bud’s Fish Market. Take a right onto Linden Avenue and a left three streets down to reach Branford’s 19th century Owenego Inn, a town landmark.
As Route 146 continues eastward through Pine Orchard to Stony Creek, a peek into the backyards reveals lobster traps, boat trailers, faded buoys, and the occasional fishing net draped on a fence to dry, imparting a sense of New England’s nautical past. Indeed, Stony Creek’s history abounds with tales of quarry life, pirates, and the romance of the sea, but today the village is mostly known for its Yankee charm and glorious islands.
Named for the thimbleberries that once flourished on them, the more than 100 Thimble Islands are not only the largest group of islands on the Sound but unique — their landmasses consisting largely of the pink granite that extends its way inland and was mined in numerous Branford quarries. In fact, Stony Creek Quarry provided the pink granite for the Statue of Liberty’s base.
For those seeking a closer look at these famous islands, excursion boats — including Captain Mike Infantino’s Sea Mist and Captain Dave Kusterer’s Islander and Volsunga IV — depart from the Stony Creek Town Dock regularly all season.
Heading west on Main Street from Branford Center to Route 1 will take you to Short Beach Road, which leads to both Short Beach and beautiful Granite Bay.
And traveling Harbor Street south from Branford Center leads to the town dock and Parker Memorial Park at Branford Point, a 12-acre park with a beach and a pier for both fishing and watching the maritime traffic at the Harbor View overlook. Located to the west of the center of Branford on Main Street, off of Route 1, is The Harrison House, a well-known historic saltbox house museum built in 1724.
