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This area was settled in 1639 as an independent
colony by a congregation of English Puritans led by their minister,
the Reverend Peter Prudden. Land was purchased from Ansantawae, a sachem
of the Paugusset Indians, for 6 coats, 10 blankets, 1 kettle, 12 hatchets,
12 hoes, 24 knives, and 12 small mirrors. The land was originally named
Wepawaug. It was renamed Milford in November of 1640, joined New Haven
Colony in 1643, and Connecticut Colony in 1664. Early industries included shipbuilding (1690), oystering (1752), seed growing, and the manufacture of carriages, boots, shoes, straw hats, and brass/bronze fabrication. Each of these industries died out due to changes in the economy. However, Oystering ended rapidly due to the pollution from the Housatonic ruining the industry along the coast. |
Liberty Rock  |
Directions: |
The terms "minutemen" and "militia"
are often thought of as one and the same. However, in early America--
especially in the 18th century-- there was a distinct difference. Minute-men
represented a small hand-picked force selected from the ranks of local
militia companies and regiments. Approximately one-third of the men
in each militia unit were chosen "to be ready to march or fight
at a minute's notice."
The true minute-men--- always the first to appear at
or await a battle--- stood at Lexington Green on the morning of April
19, 1775, and led the attack on Concord Bridge. Their numbers were reinforced
by the regular militia that turned out in that day's historic battles.
Actually, the concept of minute-men existed in America as early as the
17th century, while the term itself came into use in 1759 during the
French and Indian War. The title "minute-men" was formally adopted the year before the American Revolution started. At that time, in October of 1774, the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts voted to enroll 12,000 men under the title of Minute-Men--- volunteers who would be ready at a minute's warning to take to the field with arms. After Congress authorized a Continental Army under the
command of George Washington, minutemen units eventually ceased to exist.
But their contribution as a trained and battle-hardened corps of veterans
was an important and significant force as patriots took up arms to oppose
the British army in the Revolutionary War. |
Devon
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Directions: Take a right out of the shopping center and continue along Route 1 At the fourth light, turn left onto River Cliff Drive Immediately turn right and park in one of the two parking spots next to the park |
The Village of Devon makes up the south western-most
portion of the City of Milford. This area is predominantly a beach community
along the Housatonic River and Long Island Sound. For many years people
crossed the river via ferry boats. In 1802 the Washington Bridge was
erected. This bridge was rebuilt as a steel bridge to allow trains to
cross the water. The bridge is still in use and can be seen slightly
up river from this park. As traffic increased along the Post Road the
need for another bridge to connect Milford with Stratford became evident.
The bridge that runs along the northern edge of this park was built
in 1921. This park is newly created and allows for views of the two
bridges and the Housatonic River. |
| CT Audubon Society Center at Milford Point
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Directions: |
Opened in 1995, the Coastal Center is located on
an 8.4-acre barrier beach known as the Smith-Hubbell Wildlife Refuge
that is situated next to the 840-acre Wheeler Wildlife Management Area
(a salt marsh) at the mouth of the Housatonic River. These diverse and
interactive environments of salt water, tidal marsh and fresh water
create rich habitats which abound in plant and animal communities that
are ideal for observation and study. Almost 400 bird species known to
nest in Connecticut have been observed from the observation decks and
observation towers of the Audubon Center. More information can be found at the CT Audubon Society Center at Milford Point web page. This link also has the Live Osprey Cam which was placed at the Osprey nest seen in the pictures above. |
Walnut Beach 
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Directions: Exit the Audubon onto Seaview Avenue Continue straight as Seaview turns into Broadway. At the stop sign after Saint Gabriel's Church continue straight to East Broadway Walnut Beach will be on your right Parking at Walnut Beach requires a Milford Beach Sticker Parking along the road is for no more than 2 hours and open to the public |
Walnut Beach is commonly referred to as Myrtle Beach
in many of the history books. The original Myrtle Beach spanned from
the edge of Laurel Beach to Silver Sands State Park. This areas was
a popular summer destination in the 1800 and early 1900's. My mother-in-law
remembers coming to then Walnut Beach as child where there was miniature
golf and many other activities where the parking lot now stands. A full
account of the changes that occurred to this beautiful beach area can
be found in the book: "Sand in Our Shoes" Walnut Beach-Mytle Beach Historical Association copyright 2004 ISBN 0-9669159-4-1 |
Silver Sands State Park
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Directions: |
The early history of Silver Sands focuses on Charles
Island. The Island is connected to the mainland by a sand/gravel bar
(tombolo) that is submerged at high tide. Captain Kidd is reputed to
have buried his treasure on the island in 1699. The only remains on
the island are of a Catholic retreat center from the 1920's-30's. The
island's interior is closed May 1 through August 31 to protect heron
and egret rookeries. State Park acquisition, ultimately involving over 300 parcels, began after hurricane "Diane" destroyed 75 homes in 1955. Early vision of the park was to create a "Hammonasset" type sand beach backed by parking lots on filled wetlands. The present master plan seeks to return the site to its historic past of interior tidal wetlands separated from the Sound by sand dunes. More information can be found at the Connecticut DEP web page. |
Fort Trumbull |
Directions: From the light at the entrance/exit of Silver Sands State Park turn right Follow Meadows End Road to its end Turn right onto Seaside Avenue At the end of Seaside, turn left onto Trumbull Avenue |
During the Revolutionary War, Milford had become
such a prosperous town that Fort Trumbull was built housing six canons
for its defense. This site was also the original location of Captain
Stephen Stows home which was later moved to the Milford Historical Society
site. The Connecticut
Society of the Sons of the American Revolution recounts Captain
Stephen Stow and his heroic events on a cold December night in 1776. |
Milford Center Walking Tour  |
Directions: Continue along Trumbull Avenue and turn left onto Rogers Avenue Bear left onto Lafayette Avenue At the stop sign, turn right onto Broad Street At the first light turn right onto High Street Take your first left onto Helwig Street/Factory Lane Pass the boat yard and park in the public parking (large gravel lot) |
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The Simon Lake Submarine Turn right out of the parking lot |
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Hotchkiss Bridge Continue along the harbor |
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Stonebridge At the other side of the Hotchkiss Bridge, make a 'U' turn and head uphill The side of the library will be on the right At the intersection with the road explore Stonebridge from both sides of the road In 1888, Milford celebrated the 250th anniversary of the founding of the First Church. To celebrate this important date, the City of Milford paid $3,00 for the building of Stonebridge. The bridge bears a commemorative stone for each of the founding fathers of Milford. The first sermon ever given at the First Church can also be found carved into the stone. At each end of the bridge are large quarter-circle stones commemorating some of the most influential of the founding fathers. The towers on the west side of the bridge include bow and arrow hinges and knockers on the door to symbolize the signing of the deed for the purchase of Milford from the Paugusset. |
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Saint Peters Episcopal Church Make your way up Daniel Street Pass Stonebridge Restraint on the right Pass Daniel Street on the left At Cafe Atlantique turn right onto River St. Pass underneath the train tracks You will find St. Peters on the right Saint Peters Episcopal Church is in the National Register of Historic Places. |
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Founding Fathers Monument |
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Milford Duck Pond On the left side of the bridge is the Milford Duck Pond Make your way around the Duck Pond Head up North Street Left onto West Main Street Left onto River Street The Milford Duck Pond sits begin the old Town hall. The waters that flow over the dam feed into Milford harbor. |
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The Old Town Hall and War Memorial |
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Milford Chamber of Commerce Continue down River Street Go under the train tracks Be sure you are on the right side At the next light look to your right The building that houses the Milford Chamber of Commerce used to be the known as the Taylor Library. This building was sold to the Town of Milford in 1895 by the Fowler family. |
| Milford Green From the Milford Chamber of Commerce, make your way to the middle of broad street to the Milford Green
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Milford Historic Society  |
Direction: |
The Milford Historical Society is made up of three
houses that were transplanted from their original sites. Each building
is of historical significance to the Town of Milford. The building shown
above is the Eels-Stow House circa 1700. It is the home of Samuel Eels
and Captain Stephen and Freelove Baldwin Stow. You will recall the story
from the Sons of the American Revolution telling of Stows heroics. |
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Bryan-Downs House The Bryan Downs House was owned by Captain Jeheil Bryan (circa 1785) and Ebenezer Downs (circa 1837). The building currently houses a museum with exhibits that are changed on a regular basis. |
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Nathan Clark Stockade House The Nathan Clark Stockade House circa 1659 was rebuilt in 1780 and was the original Milford Hospital. The modern day Milford Hospital is built on the land where this building used to reside. |
Wilcox Park  |
Directions: |
Wilcox Park, affectionately known as "Harbor
Woods" is a 20 acres on the east bank of the harbor. The land was
given to the Town of Milford in August of 1909 by Clark Wilcox. This
park has a hard packed surface for easy hiking and allows for wonderful
views of Milford Harbor. It also serves as a wildlife preserve for birds.
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Gulf Beach  |
Directions: |
Anchor Beach  |
Directions: Continue along Gulf Street until you reach a small children's park on the right Take your next right onto O'Dell Street At the stop sign turn left onto Bayshore Drive At the stop sign stay straight (becomes Melba Street) Continue straight through the light At the next light stay straight (becomes Edgefield Avenue) At the next light you will notice Sloppy Jose's on the right Continue straight onto Merwin Avenue The road will split in front of the Beach House Restraunt Bear to the right onto Abigail Street At the stop sign take a right onto Mark Street Take a left onto King's Highway Take your first right onto Beach Avenue Follow along the water |
Anderson Avenue Beach  |
Directions: Continue along Beach Avenue Take your first right onto Beach Avenue At the stop sign take a right and follow along Anderson Avenue Beach |
To complete your tour of Milford and return to I95
follow the directions below: |