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New Haven, Connecticut

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New Haven is a busy city in the state of Connecticut.

New Haven County Connecticut Incorporated and Unincorporated areas New Haven Highlighted
New Haven County Connecticut Incorporated and Unincorporated areas New Haven Highlighted

It sits right on the edge of New Haven Harbor. This harbor is part of the Long Island Sound.

New Haven from above, 2009-12-10
New Haven from above, 2009-12-10

The city is quite large and has many people. In the 2020 census, the population was 134,023. This makes it the third-most populous city in Connecticut. The whole metropolitan area has about 577,000 residents.

South Central Connecticut incorporated and unincorporated areas New Haven highlighted
South Central Connecticut incorporated and unincorporated areas New Haven highlighted

The city is famous for its very special layout. It was one of the first planned cities in the U.S. In 1638, English Puritans founded the town. A year later, they laid out eight streets in a grid.

Atwater1881 p10 Map New Haven in 1641
Atwater1881 p10 Map New Haven in 1641

This design is called the "Nine Square Plan." The very center of this grid is the New Haven Green.

Second meeting house, new haven, ct
Second meeting house, new haven, ct

This Green is now a National Historic Landmark. The plan itself is also a National Planning Landmark.

Long before the settlers arrived, the Quinnipiac people lived here. They lived in villages around the harbor. They were very good at fishing and farming maize.

Quinnipiac River from Fair Haven
Quinnipiac River from Fair Haven

In 1614, a Dutch explorer named Adriaen Block visited the area. Later, in 1638, a group of 500 Puritans sailed into the harbor. They were led by John Davenport and Theophilus Eaton.

Theophilus Eaton house in New Haven
Theophilus Eaton house in New Haven

They wanted to build a community linked closely to their church. The Quinnipiacs sold their land to the settlers for protection.

New Haven has a very long and interesting history. It served as a co-capital of Connecticut for a long time. This lasted from 1701 until 1873. In 1718, a man named Eli Yale gave a large donation to a local school.

Yale University 08
Yale University 08

Because of this gift, the school was renamed Yale College. The city also saw many changes during the American Revolution. In 1779, British troops landed in the harbor and raided the town.

New Haven 1786
New Haven 1786

This event was a very scary time for the residents.

Today, the city is known as the "Cultural Capital of Connecticut." It has many wonderful theaters, museums, and music venues.

Yale University is the biggest employer and helps the economy grow. The city was once called "The Elm City" because of its many trees.

Large American Elm Tree, New Haven, CT - June 10, 2017
Large American Elm Tree, New Haven, CT - June 10, 2017

It also has a history of making important things. For example, Eli Whitney helped start a big manufacturing era here. Samuel Colt even invented the automatic revolver in a local factory.

Harbor and long Wharf, from Depot Tower, New Haven, by Whitney, Beckwith & Paradice
Harbor and long Wharf, from Depot Tower, New Haven, by Whitney, Beckwith & Paradice
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File:New Haven County Connecticut Incorporated and Unincorporated areas New Haven Highlighted.svg
New Haven County Connecticut Incorporated...
File:South Central Connecticut incorporated and unincorporated areas New Haven highlighted.svg
South Central Connecticut incorporated...
File:I-95.svg
I-95.svg
File:I-91.svg
I-91.svg
File:Connecticut Highway 15.svg
Connecticut Highway 15.svg
File:Amtrak logo 2.svg
Amtrak logo 2.svg
File:Hartford Line Transparent.png
Hartford Line Transparent.png
File:MTA NYC logo.svg
MTA NYC logo.svg
File:Atwater1881 p10 Map New Haven in 1641.jpg
Atwater1881 p10 Map New Haven in 1641.jpg
File:Theophilus Eaton house in New Haven.png
Theophilus Eaton house in New Haven.png
File:New Haven 1786.jpeg
New Haven 1786.jpeg
File:Second meeting house, new haven, ct.png
Second meeting house, new haven, ct.png

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