Branford, Coastal town in New Haven County, Connecticut.
Branford is a coastal town in New Haven County, Connecticut, situated along Long Island Sound with a distinctive shoreline environment. The landscape includes numerous small islands, tidal marshes, and exposed granite formations that shape the town's natural character.
The town was established in 1644 when settlers purchased land from the Mattabesec Native Americans. This early founding made it one of Connecticut's oldest European settlements in the region.
The Blackstone Memorial Library, completed in 1896 with Renaissance Revival architecture, stands as a gathering place where locals and visitors encounter local art and community events. The building reflects how residents have valued education and the arts throughout the town's history.
The town is about 30 km (19 miles) east of New Haven and easily reached by car for visitors exploring the region. Public beach access is available in southern areas, and the downtown core is walkable for strolling and browsing.
The Thimble Islands archipelago contains about 365 small islands made of pink granite, remnants from the last ice age embedded in the town's waters. Many visitors overlook that these islands can be explored by boat, offering a different view of the coastal landscape.
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