Stonington’s special character, preserved as we know it today, evolved from some remarkable moments in its history. Its founders in 1649 recognized the desirable location – just inside the protected waters of Long Island Sound, yet at the edge of open sea at a time when the water was Main Street to everyone.

     Local seamen, going about their business of seal hunting, whaling and trading, traveled incredible distances using only hand-held instruments and sailed to remote corners of the continent. Edmund Fanning, in the ship Betsey, sailed to the Orient and on around the world in 1797-1798. He discovered several Pacific islands along the way, one near the equator which bears his name. Most notable is Nathaniel Palmer’s discovery of the peninsula of Antarctica in the winter of 1820-1821 in the 47 foot sloop Hero. He was only 21 years old at the time and hunting for seals in the South Shetland Islands along with several other Stonington vessels. Later Palmer designed, built and captained clipper ships involved in the China trade. The architecture and treasures of Stonington homes still reflect the worldly travels by men such as these and many other local people.

     After forcing British retreats from Stonington Harbor in both the Revolutionary War (The HMS Rose) and the War of 1812 (we repelled the attack of five British Warships), Stonington gradually turned its attention to developing local industries. Soon the need for a lighthouse at Stonington Point became evident to guide the increasing boat traffic safely in and out of our harbor. There were no breakwaters then, causing storms to roll right into the mainland. By 1840 it became necessary to move the lighthouse to higher ground, where it still sits today, and now serves as a museum of the historical society.

     A significant change in Stonington’s focus came in 1837 when tracks for the new railroad were completed south from Providence to Stonington’s town dock. The track bed was designed by George W. Whistler, father of the painter James McNeil Whistler. Steam trains from Boston now chugged across the village to the water to exchange passengers with large steamboats arriving from New York City. Owners of the railroad built an impressive hotel, The Wadawanuck, in the village to accommodate those passing through town. It is said that at one point in the 1870s over 1200 guests were registered at that hotel. Trains were able to shift position on as many as seventeen tracks near the harbor. That structure sat on the town green where Stonington’s village library sits today.

     Stonington’s first banks opened in the 1840s, along with its own custom house, indicating the level of international exchange active locally. Our first factory opened on Water Street in 1851 to make horse shoe nails. This business evolved into several industries, including Joslyn Firearms during the Civil War, machines for spinning silk up to World War II (known as Atwood’s), and gradually became known as Monsanto where some of the first plastic containers were designed. The factory remained closed from 1989 until 2003 when a massive afternoon fire quickly leveled the structure to rubble. The building has now been reconstructed to house condominiums, a yacht club and other community uses. A velvet mill also thrived in Stonington from the early 1890s to very recently. That building has now been converted to art studios and small businesses.

     The Portuguese from the Azores came to Stonington during the whaling years and later established the fishing fleet that survives today as the state’s last commercial fishing operation. Our town still enjoys the annual Blessing of the Fleet each summer, along with other events associated with local Portuguese customs.

     The flurry and noise of trains and steamboats meeting at the harbor faded abruptly in the 1890s with the last links of railroad bridges connecting over the Thames and Connecticut Rivers, allowing trains to pass on through to New York from Boston without a necessary halt in Stonington. No longer was there a need to turn the trains around at our town dock, which lead to the end of the era of steamboat traffic.

     No brief statement can cover the richness and diversity of Stonington’s past. Take a walk to enjoy the architecture and charm of this early village as you stroll the length of Water Street to the north for a delightful array of early homes that make this port one of the most memorable you may find on your travels.