Old Saybrook
Connecticut
Town of Old Saybrook
History :
Old Saybrook, located at the mouth of the Connecticut River, was the home of Algonquin Nehantic Indians for years before Europeans arrived. They were peace loving Indians who farmed in the area and had a village at Saybrook Point. Around 1590 the peaceful Nehantic and other gentle Algonquin tribes living in the Connecticut River Valley were conquered by the Pequots, a warlike tribe from the north.
The first European to sail up the Connecticut River was Adrian Block who, in 1614, was sent by the Dutch West India Company in New Amsterdam on an expedition to explore, map and claim the eastern coast of "New Netherlands" for the Dutch. In 1623, fearing English competition, the Dutch deposited a small group of Dutch men and women at Saybrook Point to establish a permanent colony. After a few miserable months, the settlers gave up and returned to New Amsterdam.
As Saybrook grew, settlers moved further and further away from the original settlement and eventually they received permission to form their own parishes so that they would not have to travel so far on Sundays to attend church services. As these outlaying parishes grew, they separated from Saybrook and became the present day towns of Lyme, Old Lyme, Westbrook, Chester, Essex and Deep River.
Because of its location at the mouth of the river, Saybrook became an important center for coastal trade and for transshipment from riverboats to ocean ships. Its main harbor was North Cove which, before the railroad reduced the opening of the mouth of the cove with fill in 1871, was a much deeper harbor than it is today. The ships sailing to and from Saybrook visited Europe, Africa and South America, but their primary trade was with the West Indies and along the eastern seaboard.
Recent News
Town of Old Saybrook: Presentation Of Fiscal Year 2024 Proposed Budget
Click HERE for the online version of the FY 2024 proposed budget The proposed budget is the final product of several joint Boards of Selectmen and Finance budget workshops designed to review and assess budget presentations by Town department…
Read More »Town of Old Saybrook News - DEEP 2022 MS4 Annual Report to be Posted
DEEP 2022 MS4 Annual Report to be Posted In accordance with the requirements of the CT DEEP General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems, residents of the Town of Old Saybrook are hereby…
Read More »Town of Old Saybrook - Give The Cops The Bird
Please help the
Old Saybrook Police Department
Collect 200+ Turkeys & Canned Goods
For Local Families in Need
Old Saybrook Stop & Shop, Saturday & Sunday, 9-5
Read More »Town of Old Saybrook News - "Old Saybrook Cares" Accepting Grant Applications
“OLD SAYBROOK CARES” ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS Town Residents Impacted by COVID-19 are Encouraged to Apply for a Grant by December 9th Deadline The Town of Old Saybrook announced that the Old Saybrook CARES committee…
Read More »Town of Old Saybrook : Announcement - For Immediate Release October 28, 2022
On October 28, 2022, the Old Saybrook Police Department served an arrest warrant on Larry Bonin, the Director of Public Works for the Town of Old Saybrook. Immediately following Mr. Bonin’s arrest, he was placed on administrative leave by Carl…
Read More »CCM Public Policy Bulletin Series
A Focus On Municipal Issues This election season, CCM is focused on bringing municipal issues to the forefront, with a particular focus on educating candidates and the public on specific issues impacting local government. It is critical that the…
Read More »Town of Old Saybrook to Partner with Dock and Dine on Grant Application
Town of Old Saybrook to Partner with Dock and Dine on Grant Application October 6, 2022 Old Saybrook, CT — After a decade of vacancy, the Town of Old Saybrook and the owner of the property where Dock and Dine was formerly located, Jon…
Read More »Town of Old Saybrook News - Avoid COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Payment Scams
Avoid COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Payment Scams With the initiation of a new round of COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Payments in the news, scammer attempts to hijack your potential stimulus payment or steal your personal financial information are on the…
Read More »Free And Gratis - School Supplies - Escolare Suministros
Free Back to School Supplies For All Grades Tuesday, August 23, 2022 1-4 PM Gratis De Vuelta a la Escuela Suministros Escolare Para Todos Los Grados Martres, Augusto 23, 2022 1-4 PM Old Saybrook Police Department 36 Lynde…
Read More »A Message From Connecticut Water - Please Conserve
Conservation Request for Clinton, Guilford, Madison, Westbrook and Old Saybrook Due to continued drought conditions, customers are asked to reduce water use by 15% to ensure that adequate water is available for public health and fire protection.…
Read More »Town of Old Saybrook - Invites Applications forAmerican Rescue Plan Act ARPA Funding
June 29, 2022 Old Saybrook, CT—The Town of Old Saybrook has opened an application process for community-based organizations, nonprofits, businesses as well as Town of Old Saybrook departments, boards and commissions to apply to receive a…
Read More »Town of Old Saybrook - Primary Elections Day - Tuesday August 9
Republican and Democrat primary elections will be held on Tuesday August 9, 2022. District 1 Poll Location Old Saybrook Middle School 60 Sheffield St District 2 Poll Location Old Saybrook High School 1111 Boston Post Rd Click HERE to view the…
Read More »CCM And NLC Partnership On Ukraine Humanitarian Fund At The United Nations
As the Russian war on Ukraine enters its third month, many Old Saybrook residents are asking how they can help. The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) has developed a page in partnership with the National League of Cities (NLC) that…
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