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Old Saybrook, Connecticut
Town
Saybrook Breakwater Light
Seal
Location within Middlesex County, Connecticut
Coordinates: 41°17′38″N 72°22′57″W / 41.29389°N 72.38250°W / 41.29389; -72.38250Coordinates: 41°17′38″N 72°22′57″W / 41.29389°N 72.38250°W / 41.29389; -72.38250
Country	United States
U.S. state	Connecticut
County	Middlesex
Metropolitan area	Hartford
Settled	1635
Incorporated	1854
Government
• Type	Selectman-town meeting
• First selectman	Carl P. Fortuna, Jr (R)
• Selectman	Scott Geigerich (R)
• Selectman	Steven Gernhardt (D)
Area
• Total	21.6 sq mi (55.9 km2)
• Land	15.0 sq mi (38.8 km2)
• Water	6.6 sq mi (17.0 km2)
Elevation	39 ft (12 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	10,242
• Density	682.8/sq mi (263.6/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP code	06475
Area code(s)	860/959
FIPS code	09-57320
GNIS feature ID	0213484
Website	http://www.oldsaybrookct.org/

Old Saybrook is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 10,242 at the 2010 census. It contains the incorporated borough of Fenwick, as well as the census-designated places of Old Saybrook Center and Saybrook Manor.

History

In 1644, shortly after establishing their first settlement at Governors Island, Dutch settlers established a short-lived factory at present day Old Saybrook. The trading post was named Kievits Hoek, or "Plover's Corner". Kievits Hoek was soon abandoned as the Dutch consolidated settlement at New Amsterdam. In 1633, Fort Goede Hoop (Huys de Goede Hoop), was established at present-day Hartford.^[1]

The Pequot siege of Saybrook Fort took place from September 1636 to March 1637 during the Pequot War.

Following the August 1636 Massachusetts Bay attack on Manisses, Pequot, and Western Niantic villages, the Pequot retaliation fell on the English at Saybrook. During an eight-month time period, the Pequot killed and wounded more than twenty English at and near Saybrook Fort. The English were attacked when they ventured far from their palisade, and the Pequot destroyed English provisions and burned warehouses while they attempted to interrupt river traffic to Windsor, Wethersfield, and Hartford.
During the Siege and Battle of Saybrook Fort, the Pequot and English assessed each other's military capabilities, and adjusted counter-tactics. Each side’s tactical modifications show a high degree of sophistication, planning, and ingenuity. Lessons learned during the siege of Saybrook escalated the Pequot War in Connecticut Colony, and indirectly resulted in the attack and destruction of Mistick Fort (May 1637).

The Saybrook Colony was established in late 1635 at the mouth of the Connecticut River, in what is today Old Saybrook and environs. John Winthrop, the Younger, son of the Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, was designated Governor by the group that claimed possession of the land via a deed of conveyance from Robert Rich, 2nd Earl of Warwick. Winthrop was aided by Colonel George Fenwick and Captain Lion Gardiner. As the principals of the group who had planned to settle the colony were supporters of Oliver Cromwell and remained in England during the English Civil War, the colony struggled. In 1644, Fenwick agreed to merge the colony with the more vibrant Connecticut Colony a few miles up river, which purchased the land and fort from him.

The design of the Flag of Connecticut comes from the seal of Saybrook Colony. The seal was brought from England by Colonel George Fenwick, and depicted 15 grapevines and a hand in the upper left corner with a scroll reading "Qui Transtulit Sustinet".

In 1647 Major John Mason assumed command of Saybrook (Colony) Fort which controlled the main trade and supply route to the upper river valley. The fort promptly and mysteriously burned to the ground but another improved fort was quickly built nearby. He spent the next twelve years there and served as Commissioner of the United Colonies, as the chief military officer, magistrate and peacekeeper.

In 1659, almost all settlers from Saybrook under the leadership of Mason, purchased land from Uncas, sachem of the Mohegan tribe, removed to and founded Norwich, Connecticut.^[2]

On October 9, 1701 the Collegiate School of Connecticut was chartered in Old Saybrook. It moved to New Haven in 1716, and was later renamed Yale University.

Turtle - the first American submarine - was invented in Westbrook Connecticut in 1775 by David Bushnell; a replica is housed at the Connecticut River Museum in Essex.

The General Assembly created the separate town of Old Saybrook from Saybrook in 1852. Old Saybrook was partitioned again in 1854 when the northern part became the town of Essex.^[3]

Later development

In early 2007, plans were established to return the former town hall building to its original use as a theater. The theatre was completed in 2009 and is named "Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center and Theater".

The town has committed spending almost $2 million on the renovation, and at least $810,000 is to be contributed by the state. A committee is attempting to raise another $2.5 million, partly for the renovation and to add two wings, but also for an endowment. The structure was originally built in 1901 and was a theater until the 1940s. After renovations, the theater will seat 250, and Hepburn memorabilia will be displayed there.^[4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 21.6 square miles (56.0 km²), of which, 15.0 square miles (39.0 km²) of it is land and 6.6 square miles (17.0 km²) of it (30.45%) is water.

Principal communities

• Chalker Beach


• Cornfield Point


• District of Fencove


• Borough of Fenwick
  


• District of Fenwood


• Indian Town


• Knollwood


• Old Saybrook Center (includes Saybrook Point)


• District of Otter Cove


• Saybrook Manor


• North Cove

Flora

Coastal Connecticut (including Old Saybrook) is the broad transition zone where so-called "subtropical indicator" plants and other broadleaf evergreens can successfully be cultivated. Old Saybrook averages about 90 days annually with freeze (temperatures of 32 F/0 C) - about the same as Baltimore, Maryland, or Albuquerque, NM, for example. As such, Southern Magnolias, Needle Palms, Windmill palm, Loblolly Pines, and Crape Myrtles are grown in private and public gardens.

Demographics

2000 U.S. Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,367 people, 4,184 households, and 2,920 families residing in the town. The population density was 689.5 people per square mile (266.1/km²). There were 5,357 housing units at an average density of 356.3 per square mile (137.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.75% White, 1.01% African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.72% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.87% of the population.

There were 4,184 households out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the town, the population was spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 4.1% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $62,742, and the median income for a family was $72,868. Males had a median income of $48,527 versus $36,426 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,720. About 1.5% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

2010 U.S. Census

As of the 2010 census, the total population was 10,242. There were 4,247 households and 2,923 families living in the town. 1,108 households had children under the age of 18. The population density was 682.8 people per square mile (263.6/km²). There were 5,602 housing units at an average density of 373.5 per square mile (144.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.9% White, .9% African American, 0.1% Native American, 2.4% Asian, 0.0003% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.3% of the population.

There were 4,247 households out of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the town, the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 20, 3.4% from 20 to 24, 16.4% from 25 to 44, 33.5% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50.1 years. The population consisted of 4,852 (47.4%) males and 5,390 (52.6%) females.

The median income for a household in the town was $80,347, and the median income for a family was $97,399. Males had a median income of $74,298 versus $49,913 for females. The per capita income for the town was $43,266. About 4.5% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.^[6]

Transportation

The platforms at the Old Saybrook train station.

Old Saybrook's train station opened in 1873 and was rebuilt in 2002. Amtrak, the national rail passenger system, provides daily service along the Northeast Corridor to Boston, New York and points south. The high-speed Acela Express passes through Old Saybrook but does not stop; service is provided by the conventional Northeast Regional. The Connecticut Department of Transportation provides regular commuter service to New Haven and Stamford via the Shore Line East.

The Estuary Transit District provides public transportation services throughout Old Saybrook and the surrounding towns through its 9 Town Transit services.

Media

One radio station is licensed to Old Saybrook: WLIS AM 1420 (variety)

National Register of Historic Places in Old Saybrook

• 
  Black Horse Tavern, added December 1, 1978


• 
  Elisha Bushnell House, added November 29, 1978


• 
  Connecticut Valley Railroad Roundhouse and Turntable Site, added April 28, 1994


• 
  Jedidiah Dudley House, added April 12, 1982


• 
  Samuel Eliot House, added November 9, 1972


• 
  General William Hart House, added November 9, 1972


• 
  James Pharmacy, added August 5, 1994


• 
  Lynde Point Lighthouse, added May 29, 1990


• 
  Old Saybrook South Green, added September 3, 1976


• 
  Parker House, added November 29, 1978


• 
  Humphrey Pratt Tavern, added November 7, 1972


• 
  Saybrook Breakwater Lighthouse, added May 29, 1990


• 
  William Tully House, added March 15, 1982


• 
  Ambrose Whittlesey House, added August 23, 1985


• 
  John Whittlesey Jr. House, added October 26, 1984

Notable people

• 
  Vin Baker (1971–) — professional basketball player in the NBA (1993–2006)


• 
  Virginia Biddle (1910–2003) — American revue performer and showgirl
  


• 
  Art Carney (1918–2003) — Academy Award- and Emmy Award-winning actor


• 
  Lion Gardiner (1599-1663)


• 
  Katharine Hepburn (1907–2003) — Academy Award–winning actress, lived in the borough of Fenwick


• 
  John Clellon Holmes (1926–1988) — writer and poet associated with the "Beat Generation"


• Ernest Hull — Carnegie Hero Award recipient^[7]


• 
  Ann Petry (1908–1997) — novelist, journalist and biographer


• 
  Elmer Eric Schattschneider (1892–1971) — prominent political scientist and former president of the American Political Science Association
  


• Sergeant Samuel Willard

Image gallery

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  Justin Smith Sweet House, 1710
  

  
  

  
  


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See also

• 
  Saybrook, Illinois is named in honor of Old Saybrook.

Notes

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Old Saybrook.

• Town government Web site


• Central Regional Tourism District


• Old Saybrook Historical Society


• Sustainable Saybrook Community Partnership Program


• Old Saybrook Republican Town Committee