History of Branford, Connecticut, USA

1644 - (Branford, CT) - The first settlers of New Haven bought land from the area’s Native peoples in 1638 and established Branford in 1644.

connecticuthistory.org/ towns-page/ branford/

1819 - Branford
Branford is a post township, situated upon Long-Island sound, 8 miles from New-Haven, and 40 miles from Hartford; bounded on the north by Wallingford, on the east by Guilford, on the south by Long-Island sound, and on the west by North and East-Haven. Its average length is 9 miles, and its average breadth 5 miles; comprising 45 square miles, or about 30,000 acres...
A Gazetteer of the States of Connecticut and Rhode-Island: Written with Care and Impartiality, from Original and Authentic Materials : Consisting of Two Parts ... with an Accurate and Improved Map of Each State Authors John Chauncey Pease, John Milton Niles Publisher W.S. Marsh, 1819

1839 - Branford
Branford, Connecticut
New Haven county. An uneven township, of strong soil, on Long Island Sound, about 7 miles E. from New Haven. Thimble islands and Indian islands lie within the limits of the town. Here are fish of various kinds, a small stream of water, a harbor, and some vessels engaged in the fishery. The town was settled in 1644. Population, 1830, 2,332. A beautiful pond called Saltonstall's lake lies between Branford and East Haven.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1854 - Branford
Branford, a post-township of New Haven county, Connecticut, bordering on Long Island found. Population, 1423.

Branford, a post-town and seaport in the above township, on the New Haven and New London railroad, 8 miles E. by S. from New Haven. The harbor, which is about 1 J mile S. W., is well protected from the sea, and of sufficient depth for vessels of over 300 tons. A substantial wharf has been constructed here for the accommodation of the shipping. This port, in early times, was the rival of New Haven, and the centre of an important foreign trade.
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.

1858 - Benjamin Green opened Branford’s first quarry in 1858.

connecticuthistory.org/ branfords-history- is-set-in-stone/

1865 -ANOTHER RAILROAD DISASTER. PASSENGER TRAIN ON THE NORWICH ROAD THROWN OFF THE TRACK. TEN OR TWELVE PERSONS SERIOUSLY INJURED.
New Haven, Wednesday, Aug. 23.
The Palladium says that about 7 1/ 2 o'clock last night, the evening train from New London ran over a cow, three miles this side of Branford, and the baggage, mail and first passenger cars were thrown from the track.

The baggage car turned a complete somersault down an embankment, and rolled over twice, and was badly smashed.

Almost all the employes of the road, ten or twelve in number were injured, some seriously, but none fatally. But one passenger was badly injured.

A special train returned to this city with the wounded, at 12 o'clock in the night.

Second Dispatch.
New Haven, Wednesday, Aug. 23.

The following is a list of those injured by the accident on the Shore Line last night:
L. P. HEMPSTEAD, mail agent, head bruised, mouth cut, and right knee injured.
IRA HICKS, express messenger, hurt in the back, and it is feared has received internal injuries.
CHARLES PETTIBONE, baggage-master, slightly bruised.
HIRAM DAVISON,... Read MORE...

1895 - Branford
Bran'ford, a post-town and watering-place of New Haven co, Conn., on Long Island Sound, and on the Shore Line Railroad, 8 miles E.S.E. of New Haven. It has 9 churches, a graded school, good hotels, extensive granite quarries, and an establishment for the manufacture of locks and malleable iron, in which together about 1000 men are employed. Pop in 1890, 4460.
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

1899 - SCHOONER ANNA MELIA SUNK. Went Down in 40 Feet of Water Off the Branford Beacon. CAPTAIN AND CREW WERE SAVED.
Vessel Was Loaded with Brick, From New York for New London - Suddenly Sprung a Leak and Went Down in a Few Minutes Crew Narrowly Escaped Drowning.

Branford, Nov. 7. - The schooner Anna Melia, bound from New York to New London loaded with brick, sprang a leak about one mile and a half south and east of the Branford Beacon about 2:30 Monday afternoon, and sank in about 40 feet of water.

Walter Averill, of the Ark, who was fishing off Spectacle Rock, seeing that some accident had happened to the schooner, made for her in his sailboat, but she went down so quickly that the men aboard had only time to get into their yawl and put off.

Walter Averill towed them into the Thimble Islands, and they went ashore at Stony Creek, and from there took the evening train to New Haven. They had put into New Haven harbor on Sunday and remained over night.

The schooner was built in 1853. Her tonnage was 17,54-100; length, 67 feet, ? inches; breadth of beam, 29 feet, ? inches, and she drew 6... Read MORE...

1916
Branford, a banking post-borough and watering-place of New Haven co.. Conn., on Long Island Sound and on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 8 miles ESE. of New Haven. It has manufactures of locks, general hardware, malleable iron, etc. Pop. in 1890, 4460; in 1900, 2473.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1949 - Highway Safety Commission Lists 1948 Freak Accidents - Runaway Accident
...A similar incident occurred in Branford one night last November. A driver and two passengers saw a runaway horse and the next thing they knew there was a loud crash. The car was halted and the occupants alighted to find a dead horse on the roof of the car. The horse owner who witnessed the affair reported that the horse had escaped from a corral and was being chased by the owner. In his opinion the horse had become frightened by the headlights and had attempted to leap over the car. The roof and the front of the automobile were considerably damaged...
Naugatuck News
Naugatuck, Connecticut
Wednesday, January 5, 1949

Here are some of the best places to go and things to do in Branford:
1. Branford Point

Start your exploration of Branford at Branford Point. This beautiful waterfront area provides stunning views of Long Island Sound, especially during sunset. You can take a leisurely walk along the shore, have a picnic, or simply enjoy the tranquility of the sea.

2. Stony Creek

Stony Creek is a quaint village within Branford, known for its picturesque harbor and unique pink granite quarries. The town's small beach is perfect for a day of swimming or sunbathing. Don't forget to stroll along Thimble Islands Road to get a glimpse of the charming cottages and historic homes that dot the shoreline.

3. Thimble Islands

One of Branford's most famous attractions is the Thimble Islands, a collection of small islands and rocky outcrops in Long Island Sound. Take a boat tour to explore these natural wonders and hear fascinating stories about the islands' history and inhabitants.

4. Farm Tours

Branford is home to several farms that offer tours and the chance... Read MORE...