Serving Hamden Real Estate, Bethany, CT, Cheshire, Connecticut, West Haven homes for sale, Guilford Properties, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Prospect, Wallingford

Quick Search

Listing Number

Email Me New Listings!

Town of Hamden
Connecticut (CT), 06514

"Sleeping Giant"

Hamden, affectionately known as the Land of the Sleeping Giant, is a thriving town midway between New York and Boston which is considered one of Connecticut's finest mid-sized communities.

History of Hamden:

Hamden was originally settled in 1638 as part of the New Haven Colony. Over a century later, two different settlements -- the inhabitants of the parish of Mount Carmel and members of the 17th Militia Company -- sought independence. In 1786 they incorporated as a separate town, naming it after the English statesman John Hampden (who pronounced his name with a silent "p"). The population at the time was recorded as roughly 1400 "souls."

As Hamden grew, it was composed of small independent-minded villages, including Mt. Carmel, Whitneyville, Highwood and the State Street section, some of which still retain a suggestion of their original identity.

Hamden played a historic role in the Industrial Revolution, thanks to Eli Whitney, who invented mass production at his arms factory, and to A.C. Gilbert and Charles Goodyear.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the town attracted Italian, German and Irish immigrants searching for work, first in stone quarries and sawmills, and later in factories. Eventually small businesses, shops and banks sprouted up.

Today, Hamden is recognized as an attractive residential and business community. It boasts a rich and varied landscape with mountains, parks and hiking trails, and offers a wide variety of cultural and recreational attractions, educational resources, community services, shopping areas and an ever-expanding selection of restaurants.

Recreation:

Farmington Canal

A converted canal line and railroad route into a paved trail for pedestrian traffic. Enjoy walking, jogging, cycling or rollerblading along 7.2 miles of scenic Hamden. Mt. Sanford Road in the north to Connolly Parkway, trail enthusiasts can learn about the history of the Farmington Canal Line and Railroad. Parking facilities located at Sherman Avenue, Todd Street and at Brooksvale Park.

Doggy Park

1.09 acre wooded park outfitted with stone dust walking paths, benches and picnic tables. Facility is completely fenced in, allowing pets to run off-leash. Separate entrances for small pets. Handicapped accessible and wheelchair friendly. Established in 2002. Located at Bassett Park � corner of Ridge Rd. & Waite St.

Sleeping Giant Golf Course

The 9-hole "Sleeping Giant" course at the Sleeping Giant Golf Course facility features 2,671 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 35. The course rating is 32.7 and it has a slope rating of 99 on rye grass. Designed by Ralph Barton, the Sleeping Giant golf course opened in 1924. Carl Swanson manages the course as the Golf Professional. Located at 3931 Whitney Ave.

Laurel View Country Club

The golf course at Laurel View Country Club was built in 1969. The course is a Jeffrey Cornish design and features eighteen golf holes carved out of the Hamden landscape. There are four sets of tees to play from and the golf course measures almost 7000 yards from the championship tees. The golf course is designed to be played in a maximum of 4 hours and 30 minutes. The golf course is open year round, weather permitting. Located at 310 West Shepard Ave.

Paradise Country Club

A private pool club on land donated by A.C. Gilbert. Features: an Olympic size swimming pool, diving area, 8 tennis courts, boating, picnicking and many other family activities. Located at 83 Hill St.

YMCA

Great group of facilities offering aquatics, before and after school care, a health and fitness center, outdoor nature center, and summer camps. Located at 1605 Sherman Ave.

The Fat Robin Bird Watching Shop

The Fat Robin is a family owned and operated business now in its 13th year. They specialize in providing quality products for bird feeding and birding as well as unique gifts for those who love nature. They invite anyone to join them for their annual spring bird walks every Saturday morning in May. If you haven't been to one and always thought about it "try it.... you'll like it!" They are for any level of birder from novice to expert. They meet at the store at 7:45, carpool to either East Rock Park or the Farmington Canal/Brooksvale Park and spend approximately 2 hours walking the woods and fields looking for newly arriving migrants and also local birds that may be around. Located at 3000 Whitney Ave.

Lake Wintergreen

Part of West Rock State Park. Nature trail around lake as well as additional trails in the park. Canoeing and fishing. Sunrise to sunset. Located at West Rock Park, Main St.

Quinnipiac Trail

The 23 mile Quinnipiac Trail is the oldest in the Connecticut Blue Trail system. The trail passes over Sleeping Giant State Park and Mt. Sanford along its route from Quinnipiac River State Park in North Haven to Route 68 in Cheshire.

Sleeping Giant State Park

This wonderful park boasts 32 miles of hiking trails, picnic area and shelter, and river stocked with trout for spring fishing. The tower trail, as well as some of the other trails, lead to a stone tower offering a 360� view of the countryside. In the winter, a cross country ski trail can be accessed from either Chestnut (east side) or Tuttle Roads (north side.) 8am to sunset. Fee charged weekends and holidays Mid-Apr-Nov 1. Located at 200 Mt. Carmel Ave.

Eli Whitney Museum

Eli Whitney was an idealist and visionary who has been forgiven the unwitting consequences of his brilliant inventions; the cotton gin turned slavery from a tottering institution into a thriving business, and the milling machine gave rise to the horrific abuses of American industry. The museum occupies several buildings erected by Whitney as a model for a factory town, and preserves the roots of the industrial revolution that changed the country and the world. The museum is two miles north of the New Haven Green. Admission: adults, $3; children, $2. Located at 915 Whitney Ave.

Historical Sites:

Jonathan Dickerman House

Carefully preserved late 18th century farming home; includes herb garden with plants used in documented folk medicines. Open July-August, weekends 1-4pm.; call for appointment Sept-June. Free.
Located at 105 Mt. Carmel Ave.

Eli Whitney Barn

Circa 1816 Barn which offers country dances, folk music and summer theater. Located at 916 Whitney Ave.

Transportation:

Easy access to Merritt, Wilbur Cross Parkways and Interstates 91 and 95

10 minutes to New Haven

35 minutes to Hartford

1 hour 45 minutes to New York City