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• 1635 - Fort erected at Saybrook by Lion Gardiner.
  Founded by a group of high-falutin' Englishment of Puritan descent, Saybrook Colony was first reported seen in 1614 by Dutchman Adrien Block, who explored and charted the river past what is now Hartford. Long after Block had sailed away from the pesky Saybrook Bar, the English arrived in 1635, to ready the place for the building of their fort. Viscount Saye and Lord Brooke were among the fifteen lords who were granted land by the Earl of Warwick, and they gave their names to the colony. Surprisingly, however, neither of these two ever lived in the settlement. John Winthrop was the gentleman actually responsible for the establishment of the town, and Lion Gardiner was its first engineer.
  
  GUIDE TO THE CONNECTICUT SHORE
  Globe Pequot Series
  Guide to Series
  Insiders' guide, ISSN 1541-8014
  Author Doe Boyle
  Publisher Globe Pequot, 2006
  ISBN 0762734833, 9780762734832
  Page 197
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
• On April 26, 1636 the Gardiner’s son, David, was born at Fort Saybrook, the first child of European parents born in Connecticut.
  
  saybrookhistory.org
  
• In 1639, Warwick patentee George Fenwick arrived at Saye-Brooke with his wife, two sisters and their servants to become its second governor.
  In 1643, a council for mutual military defense, “the United Colonies of New England” was created between Saye-Brooke, New Haven, Connecticut, Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay and also resulted in the Articles of Confederation being drawn up which was the first constitution of the American people. In 1644, Fenwick, acting as agent of the 14 other patentees, sold the Saye-Brooke Colony to the Connecticut Colony and also turned over to Connecticut the Saybrook Seal.
  saybrookhistory.org
  
• 1819 - Saybrook
  Saybrook is an extensive maritime post township, situated at the mouth of Connecticut river, upon Long Island sound, 40 miles southeast of Hartford, 18 west of New-London, 34 east of New-Haven and 70 southwest of Providence; bounded easterly upon Connecticut river, southerly upon Long Island sound, westerly by Killingworth, and northerly by the town of Haddam. The mean length of the township, from north to south, is about 11 miles, and its average breadth, from east to west, is more than 6 miles, comprising an area of about 70 square miles.
  
  The general character of this township is rough, and considerably broken, being hilly and stony; but there are some intervals, and other sections that are level. Its geological features are primitive; the prevailing strata of rocks consisting of granite and micaceous schistus. Within these strata, there are, at different places, several valuable quarries of stone. The prevailing soil, which is a gravelly loam, is considerably fertile; it... Read MORE...
  
  
• 1839 Description of Saybrook, Connecticut
  Saybrook, Ct.
  
  Middlesex co. This is one of the most ancient towns in the state. Lord Say and Seal, Lord Brook and other gentlemen in England, dissatisfied with the government of Charles I., contemplating a removal to this country, procured, in 1632, of Robert, Earl of Warwick, a patent of all the country "which lies west from Narraganset river, a hundred and twenty miles on the sea coast; and from thence in latitude and breadth aforesaid, to the South Sea." In 1635, they appointed Mr. John Winthrop, a son of the governor of Massachusetts, to build a fort on Connecticut river, and appointed him governor for one year.
  
  In the summer of 1639, Colonel George Fenwick, one of the patentees, arrived from England, and in honor of Lord Say and Seal, and Lord Brook, gave the tract about the mouth of the Connecticut river, the name of Saybrook. Colonel Fenwick superintended the affairs of the colony until 1644, when, his associates having relinquished the design of removal to... Read MORE...
  
  
• 1854 - Old Saybrook / Saybrook
  Old Saybrook, a township of Middlesex co., Conn. Incorporated in 1852. See Saybrook.
  
  Saybrook, a post-township of Middlesex co., Connecticut, on the W. bank of Connecticut river, above 35 miles S. S. E. from Hart ford, contains the village of Deep River. Old Saybrook, bordering on Long Island sound, was separated from this township in 1852. It was formerly the seat of Yale College. The shad fisheries at this place are more valuable than at any other point on the river. The village of Saybrook has a steamboat landing, 2 churches, 6 stores, and a depot on the New Haven, and New London railroads. The passengers by the cars cross the river by a steam ferry at the village of Saybrook Ferry, 17 miles W. by S. from New London. Pop. of Saybrook, about 1300 ; of Old Saybrook. 3000.
  A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
  
• 1895 - Old Saybrook
  Saybrook, a post-village in Old Saybrook township, Middlesex co., Conn., on Long Island Sound, at the mouth of the Connecticut River, 32 miles E. of New Haven. It is at the S. terminus of the Connecticut Valley Railroad, and near the Shore Line Railroad. It contains the Seabury Institute, 4 churches, and a manufactory of augers and gimlets.
  
  Saybrook, a township of Middlesex co., Conn. Pop. 1362. It contains Deep River and Winthrop. See also Old Saybrook.
  
  Old Saybrook, a township of Middlesex co, Conn. Pop. 1215. It contains Saybrook village, Saybrook Point, Saybrook Station, Fenwick, &c., and lies on the Sound and on the W. bank of the Connecticut, at its mouth.
  Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
  
•   1896 - Invasion of Crabs
  The other morning the beach for a mile or more near Old Saybrook, Conn., was covered in spots with hundreds of fine softshell crabs. The fishermen were unable to account for the phenomenon, but they promptly turned it to good account by gathering the crustaceans and shipping them to the markets.
  genealogybank.com
  New York Herald-Tribune
  New York, New York
  January 29, 1896
  
• 1906
  Old Saybrook, a township (town) of Middlesex co., Conn. It contains Fenwick borough. Pop. in 1900, 1431.
  Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906
  
•   1914 - Broke Through Gates - Auto Smashed Protection at Essex Road Crossing.
  Old Saybrook, March 6.
  An automobile from Essex road, owner not known, as Gateman M. J. Mooney could not get the number because it was covered with slush, went right through the gates at the crossing without stopping as the 8:15 a. m. train was coming in from New London. The arm broke off in the body where the lift is manipulated and landed some distance on the track without injuring anyone.
  The Day
  New London, Connecticut
  March 6, 1914
  
•   1917 - Connecticut Hotel Destroyed by Fire
  SAYBROOK POINT, Conn., May 19.- Fenwick Hall, for forty years a noted Summer hotel on the Long Island shore and located on the point which juts out into the Sound at the mouth of the Connecticut River, was completely destroyed by fire this afternoon. Edward Stokes, who owned the Hoffman House in New York City, built the hotel in 1872. In recent years former United States Senator Morgan G. Bulkeley had the property. This Spring he decided that the building had outlived its usefulness as a hotel and ordered it torn down.
  The New York Times
  New York, New York
  May 20, 1917
  
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• 2023 - There's something for everyone in Old Saybrook. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in this lovely town:
  Saybrook Point: Start your visit with a trip to Saybrook Point, where you can enjoy stunning views of the Connecticut River meeting Long Island Sound. There's a marina, a park, and the Saybrook Point Inn & Spa, which is a great place to stay and dine.
  
  Harvey's Beach: Spend a relaxing day at Harvey's Beach, a family-friendly spot with sandy shores, picnic areas, and a playground for the kids. It's perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing.
  
  Fort Saybrook Monument Park: Explore history at Fort Saybrook Monument Park, home to the iconic monument commemorating the original Fort Saybrook. This park also features walking trails and peaceful spots to relax by the water.
  
  Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center: If you're a fan of classic films and the iconic actress Katharine Hepburn, don't miss the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, often referred to as "The Kate." It hosts live performances, concerts, and film screenings.
  
  General William Hart House: Step back in time ... Read MORE...