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Guilford, CT

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Guilford, CT

Guilford is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, that borders Madison, Branford, North Branford, and Durham, and is situated on I-95 and the Connecticut seacoast. The town is part of the South Central Connecticut Planning Region. The population was 22,073 at the 2020 census.

Guilford was named after the town of Guildford, in England, the native home of a share of its first settlers. In early maps of the Connecticut Colony, the town is seen on several maps as Gilford.

First settled by Europeans in 1639 after a treaty with the “Sachem Squaw” Shaumpishuh. 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. 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 in Guilford.

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.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 49.7 square miles (129 km²), of which 47.0 square miles (122 km²) 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.

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 50-mile (80 km) Mattabesett Trail traverses Bluff Head; a shorter network of trails crisscross the Sugarloaves. Guilford also contains the Westwoods Trail System which covers 39 miles (63 km) of trails on 1,200 acres (4.9 km²) of land.

Guilford places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, providing residents with access to quality healthcare services. Yale New Haven Health System offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Planet Fitness and Anytime Fitness offer comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. For fitness enthusiasts, Healthtrax Fitness & Wellness provides state-of-the-art gym facilities, group fitness classes, and personalized training programs. Yoga practitioners can join sessions at Soul Space Yoga & Wellness, offering a serene environment for yoga and meditation. For holistic health services, the Health Options Center for Wellness offers acupuncture, chiropractic care, and nutritional counseling.

The top sites in Guilford, CT are Hyland House, Henry Whitfield State Museum, and Chaffinch Island Park.

Population: 22,264 (2024). ZIP codes: 06437. Area codes: 203, 475. Elevation: 56 ft (17 m). Area: 49.7 sq mi (128.7 km²).

FAQs

What is the history of Guilford, CT?

It was settled in 1639, renamed Guilford, and admitted to New Haven Colony in 1643. One of the few shore towns to escape British attack in the Revolutionary War, Guilford citizens organized a raid on British provisions stored at Sag Harbor, Long Island. Stone quarried from Leete’s Island has been used in the building of the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Lighthouse at Lighthouse Point, New Haven.

Does Guilford, CT have a downtown?

Guilford has a small-town, historic, charming atmosphere which is highlighted by its rustic character and individuality. Our beautiful town sits on the waterfront and extends North to include expansive land and offers a public park, two beaches, a historic downtown shopping district that includes the “famous” Guilford Green, restaurants, art galleries, nature trails, and boating. We are a growing community offering a Class-A school district and various places of worship. Guilford truly has something for everyone.

What is the crime rate in Guilford, CT?

The crime rate in Guilford is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 13 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. Despite this, efforts to address and mitigate crime remain ongoing, reflecting the town's commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its residents. Collaborative initiatives involving law enforcement, community organizations, and residents themselves contribute to maintaining Guilford's reputation as a relatively safe and secure place to live.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Guilford

Neighborhood Scout

Connecticut History

Hyland House

Henry Whitfield State Museum

Chaffinch Island Park

Yale New Haven Health System

Planet Fitness

Anytime Fitness

Healthtrax Fitness & Wellness

Soul Space Yoga & Wellness

Health Options Center for Wellness

Marketplace Guilford

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