About Us

Old Saybrook, CT

Welcome to Old Saybrook, Connecticut, where the Connecticut River Meets the Sound. We are one of the oldest towns in the state, incorporated on July 8, 1854. We have a long history dating back to 1635 when we began as an independent colony known as the Saybrook Plantation. The colony was started when a company of English Puritans headed by Viscount Saye and Sele and Lord Brook, and led by one John Wintrhop, Jr. erected a fort to guard the river entrance. We are the site of the Pequot Conflict (war) in 1636. Yale University was founded in Old Saybrook as the Collegiate School for the education of ministers in 1700. The Saybrook College of Yale University Seal is used as the Town logo on its letterhead and town-owned vehicles.

We are a community of approximately 10,000, located in Middlesex County, on the West side of the Connecticut River, 105 miles from Boston, 101 miles from New York and 45 miles from Hartford, with easy access to I-95 and Route 9. There is a conveniently located Amtrak railroad station with frequent connections to New Haven, New York and Boston. We are nearby to many attractions such as the casinos, theater, Mystic Seaport & Aquarium, just to name a few. 

Old Saybrook offers beautiful shores, vistas, marinas and an eclectic collection of shops and restaurants on Main Street and nearby.

There are also two public beaches and several parks within the town, and a mini-golf course at Saybrook Point, operated and maintained by our Parks & Recreation department. We have a number of boat marinas and a state-owned boat launching area.

We also have several professional offices (doctors, dentist, attorneys), real estate brokers, antique shops, and art galleries. Old Saybrook is an ideal place for walking and bicycling. Route 154 is particularly picturesque as it winds its way along our coastline. We have two lighthouses and many lovely homes that date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. We have an active historical society, a hard-working Chamber of Commerce and an enthusiastic Business-Merchants Association. These, along with many other civic-minded organizations and individuals, take great pride in making our community the lovely place that it is.

Old Saybrook is governed by a three member Board of Selectmen, seven-member Board of Finance, and the legislative body at Town Meeting. We have two senatorial voting districts with the 20th Senatorial District being Voting District 1 and the 33rd Senatorial District as Voting District 2.

Our educational system ranks as one of the best in Connecticut with three schools: Goodwin Elementary (Pre-K through 3), Middle School (4 through 8), and Senior High (9 through 12). We also have one parochial school, St. John's (Pre-K through 8). There are also several fine day-care centers for young children.

Our houses of worship include The Assembly of God, Trinity Baptist, Grace Baptist, First Church of Christ - Scientist, First Church of Christ - Congregational, Grace Episcopal, Full Gospel, St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran, Presbyterian of Southern New England, St. John's Roman Catholic and Congregation Beth Shalom.

We have 36 active civic clubs and organizations covering a wide variety of interests with activities for all ages.

A staff of twenty-five men and women make up our Police Department. We are also fortunate to have an experienced volunteer Fire Department. The Old Saybrook Ambulance Association, a private non-profit organization, provides emergency services and transportation to area hospitals and clinics. The Middlesex Hospital Shoreline Clinic, located in Essex, is nearby.

Each year, we have a Memorial Day parade. Every summer, under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce, we have an Arts & Craft show and sidewalk sales. We also have early evening outdoor concerts on the Town Green once a week in the summer. During the holidays, there is a Christmas Stroll along Main Street and the annual Torchlight Muster and Carol Sing.

The Town has worked hard to maintain its small town atmosphere by controlling growth and providing for open space. We have worked hard to revitalize Main Street and renovate our public buildings such as our library, firehouse and town hall to provide services ensuring quality of life for all of our citizens.

For more information on our Town government, please see the Annual Report on the Board of Selectmen section of this website.