Old Saybrook, Connecticut

Old Saybrook is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 10,242 at the 2010 census. It contains the incorporated borough of Fenwick, as well as the census-designated places of Old Saybrook Center and Saybrook Manor.

History
in 1624, shortly after establishing their first settlement at Governor's Island, Dutch settlers established a short-lived factorij at present day Old Saybrook. The trading post was named Kievits Hoek, or "Plover's Corner". Kievits Hoek was soon abandoned as the Dutch consolidated settlement at New Amsterdam. In 1633, Fort Goede Hoop (Huys de Goede Hoop), was established at present-day Hartford.

The Saybrook Colony was established in late 1635 at the mouth of the Connecticut River, in what is today Old Saybrook and environs. John Winthrop, the Younger, son of the Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, was designated Governor by the group that claimed possession of the land via a deed of conveyance from Robert Rich, 2nd Earl of Warwick. Winthrop was aided by Colonel George Fenwick and Captain Lion Gardiner. As the principals of the group who had planned to settle the colony were supporters of Oliver Cromwell and remained in England during the English Civil War, the colony struggled. In 1644, Fenwick agreed to merge the colony with the more vibrant Connecticut Colony a few miles up river, which purchased the land and fort from him.

The design of the Flag of Connecticut comes from the seal of Saybrook Colony. The seal was brought from England by Colonel George Fenwick, and depicted 15 grapevines and a hand in the upper left corner with a scroll reading "Qui Sustinet Transtulit".

In 1659, settlers from Saybrook purchased land from Chief Uncas, leader of the Mohegan Native American tribe, to found Norwich, Connecticut.

On October 9, 1701 the Collegiate School of Connecticut was chartered in Old Saybrook. It moved to New Haven in 1716, and was later renamed Yale University.

The Turtle - the first American submarine - was invented in Westbrook Connecticut in 1775 by David Bushnell; a replica is housed at Old Saybrook Senior High School.

Later development
In early 2007, plans were established to return the former town hall building to its original use as a theater. The theatre was completed in 2009 and is named "Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center and Theater".

The town has committed spending almost $2 million on the renovation, and at least $810,000 is to be contributed by the state. A committee is attempting to raise another $2.5 million, partly for the renovation and to add two wings, but also for an endowment. The structure was originally built in 1901 and was a theater until the 1940s. After renovations, the theater will seat 250, and Hepburn memorabilia will be displayed there.

Notable residents

 * Vin Baker &mdash; Professional basketball player in the NBA (1993–2006)
 * Art Carney &mdash; Academy Award– and Emmy Award-winning American actor in film, stage, television and radio.
 * Katharine Hepburn &mdash; A four-time Academy Award–winning American star of film, television and stage, she lived in the borough of Fenwick.
 * John Clellon Holmes &mdash; American writer and poet associated with the "Beat Generation" crowd.
 * Ann Petry &mdash; African-American novelist, journalist and biographer.
 * Elmer Eric Schattschneider &mdash; A prominent political scientist and former president of the American Political Science Association from 1956 to 1957

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 21.6 square miles (56.0 km²), of which, 15.0 square miles (39.0 km²) of it is land and 6.6 square miles (17.0 km²) of it (30.45%) is water.

Principal communities

 * Chalker Beach
 * Cornfield Point
 * District of Fencove
 * Borough of Fenwick
 * District of Fenwood
 * Indian Town
 * Knollwood
 * Old Saybrook Center (includes Saybrook Point)
 * District of Otter Cove
 * Saybrook Manor

Climate
The lower Connecticut River Valley, where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound, and eastward along the Connecticut coast to the Rhode Island state line, is generally regarded as mildest part of Connecticut - often referred to locally as the “banana belt”. Under the Köppen climate classification system, Old Saybrook/Old Lyme along with much of the eastern Connecticut coast, lies in the broad transition zone from the colder continental climate of the northern USA (coldest month has mean temperature below 32 F/0 C) to the more mild temperate/subtropical zone to the south (coldest month has mean temperature above 32 F/0 C).

The warm season in Old Saybrook is from late May through mid October. Warm and often humid weather, with highs in the 80's F and lows in the 60's F are common. Late day thundershowers are common in the hottest months, despite the mostly sunny skies. The cool/cold season is from late November though mid March, with highs near 40 F and lows in the upper 20's F. Winter weather is far more variable than summer weather along the Connecticut coast, ranging from sunny days with high temperatures in the low 50's F...to cold and blustery conditions with occasional snow. Like much of the Connecticut coast and nearby Long Island, NY, some of the winter precipitation is rain or a mix and rain and wet snow. As such, Old Saybrook receives from one half to one third as much winter snowfall as inland Connecticut and New York State (Old Saybrook and New London, CT average about 25 inches of snowfall annually compared to 45 inches in Hartford and 61 inches in Albany, NY for example).

In Old Saybrook, winter temperatures are moderated not only by Long Island Sound, but also by the Connecticut River and the large system of marshes and tidal rivers in and around its delta. The maritime influence in the area also depresses summertime temperatures (due to a sea breeze which does not reach areas further inland).

Flora
Coastal Connecticut (including Old Saybrook) is the broad transition zone where so-called "subtropical indicator" plants and other broadleaf evergreens can successfully be cultivated. Old Saybrook averages about 90 days annually with freeze (temperatures of 32 F/0 C) - about the same as Baltimore, Maryland or Albuquergue, NM for example. As such, Southern Magnolias, Needle Palms, Windmill palm, Loblolly Pines, and Crape Myrtles are grown in private and public gardens.

2000 U.S. Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 10,367 people, 4,184 households, and 2,920 families residing in the town. The population density was 689.5 people per square mile (266.1/km²). There were 5,357 housing units at an average density of 356.3 per square mile (137.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.75% White, 1.01% African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.72% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.87% of the population.

There were 4,184 households out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the town the population was spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 4.1% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $62,742, and the median income for a family was $72,868. Males had a median income of $48,527 versus $36,426 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,720. About 1.5% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

2010 U.S. Census
As of the 2010 census, the total population was 10,242. There were 4,247 households and 2,923 families living in the town. 1,108 households had children under the age of 18. The population density was 682.8 people per square mile (263.6/km²). There were 5,602 housing units at an average density of 373.5 per square mile (144.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.9% White, .9% African American, 0.1% Native American, 2.4% Asian, 0.0003% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.3% of the population.

There were 4,247 households out of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the town the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 20, 3.4% from 20 to 24, 16.4% from 25 to 44, 33.5% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50.1 years. The population consisted of 4,852 (47.4%) males and 5,390 (52.6%) females.

The median income for a household in the town was $80,347, and the median income for a family was $97,399. Males had a median income of $74,298 versus $49,913 for females. The per capita income for the town was $43,266. About 4.5% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation


Old Saybrook's train station opened in 1873 and was rebuilt in 2002. Amtrak, the national rail passenger system, provides daily service along the Northeast Corridor to Boston, New York and points south. The high-speed Acela Express passes through Old Saybrook but does not stop; service is provided by the conventional Northeast Regional. The Connecticut Department of Transportation provides regular commuter service to New Haven and Stamford via the Shore Line East.

The Estuary Transit District provides public transportation services throughout Old Saybrook and the surrounding towns through its 9 Town Transit services.

Media
One radio station is licensed to Old Saybrook: WLIS AM 1420 (variety)

National Register of Historic Places in Old Saybrook

 * Black Horse Tavern, added December 1, 1978
 * Elisha Bushnell House, added November 29, 1978
 * Connecticut Valley Railroad Roundhouse and Turntable Site, added April 28, 1994
 * Jedidiah Dudley House, added April 12, 1982
 * Samuel Eliot House, added November 9, 1972
 * General William Hart House, added November 9, 1972
 * James Pharmacy, added August 5, 1994
 * Lynde Point Lighthouse, added May 29, 1990
 * Old Saybrook South Green, added September 3, 1976
 * Parker House, added November 29, 1978
 * Humphrey Pratt Tavern, added November 7, 1972
 * Saybrook Breakwater Lighthouse, added May 29, 1990
 * William Tully House, added March 15, 1982
 * Ambrose Whittlesey House, added August 23, 1985
 * John Whittlesey Jr. House, added October 26, 1984