Fenwick, human settlement in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, United States of America
Fenwick is a residential community in Middlesex County, Old Saybrook, Connecticut. It covers about 195 acres and contains roughly 60 historic buildings, predominantly summer cottages with shingle exteriors from the late 1800s and early 1900s, set among winding roads and spacious lawns. The area includes a golf course and tennis courts on its peninsula location surrounded by water on three sides.
George Fenwick received land rights through the Warwick Patent in 1631 and later became governor of the Saybrook colony, established in 1637 as a fortified settlement against Dutch and indigenous threats. After selling the colony's lands to Connecticut, Fenwick returned to England but left a lasting mark on the region through his name and legacy.
The community takes its name from George Fenwick, an English lawyer who played a key role in establishing the Saybrook colony in 1639. His family's influence shaped the area's identity, and locals continue to honor this connection through the place name and shared stories of early settlement.
Fenwick sits on a peninsula with winding roads that are easy to explore on foot, especially along the water edges for views. Walk the area during quieter seasons when you can see the old architecture, golf course, and tennis facilities without crowds, as it remains a quieter summer retreat.
The Fenwick Yacht Club was founded in 1928 and became a popular gathering place for boaters, reflecting the area's water traditions. Famous visitors including Katherine Hepburn and Governor Morgan G. Bulkeley spent summers here, showing how this quiet retreat once attracted notable figures from politics and the arts.
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