Introduction and Town Hall

The Branford Green has been the center of the town’s religious and social life since the land was given to the town in 1699. It has seen many uses over the years from cow pasture and militia training to town carnivals, concerts and today’s Branford Festivals.

The first stop on our history hunt is the Town Hall and the Branford history sign. Town Hall was built in 1860 and has hosted many activities including voting, banking, dances, roller skating and even boxing matches. The porch and pillars were added to the building in the early 1900s and further additions added in the 1960s. An old stone jail stood directly behind the building from 1878 until the 1970s.

Question: What was the original name of the Branford settlement (meaning “Tidal River”)?