Southbury is a delightful town well-suited to family living and comprised of rural country areas, friendly suburban neighborhoods and intriguing historic districts. The town is also rich in history, tradition and culture… where eagles fly and American Indians once hunted. A bucolic setting that has been called home by Pulitzer-Prize winning journalists, television personalities, political dignitaries, artists, authors and comedians. The famous novelists, Leo Tolstoy’s son designed the Russian Village and were settled by immigrants fleeing the Russian Revolution. Southbury consists of farm country mixed with a vibrant contemporary culture. You will find art galleries, wineries, spectacular dining, specialty and boutique shopping, golf courses, country clubs, full service day spas, equestrian centers, farms, museums and country inns in the surrounding towns. Oxford Airport has services that will get you to the Hamptons, Martha Vineyard and many other destinations.
Southbury covers 40.9 miles of rolling scenic countryside. Although the town was originally settled by 1673, it took over 100 years for the town to be incorporated from Woodbury in 1787. Mill industry thrived here because of abundance of water power, especially along the Pomperaug River. Commerce then increased when the Main Street became a link of the Woodbury Turnpike in 1795. By the time the railroad came through in 1881 the town was already a regional center of trade and light industry. One characteristic specific to the loyalty was that tradesman here would travel to their customers rather than maintain a shop- a practice to as “whipping the cat.” Main Street North was once a Pomperaug Indian trail and it now showcases the fine architecture of the town’s first homes. Also on Main Street North is one of the oldest school buildings in the country, the Bullet Hill School. This school operated from 1689 till 1942 and it is used today as a classroom for children to learn about the nineteenth century school day. |
