BRANFORD - "In 1638 the New Haven Colony traded "eleven coats of trucking cloth and one coat of English cloth made in the English fashion" to the Mattabesec Indians for land known as Totokett (Tidal River). The first permanent settlement was established in 1644 when people from Wethersfield came to Totokett, later rename Branford after the town of Brentford in Middlesex County, England. The Sound provided many of the settlers with a livelihood of shipbuilding and coastwise trade. Industry began in 1655 when the first iron furnace in Connecticut was set up and operated at Lake Saltonstall. Yale College was founded in 1701 when ten ministers met and made a contribution of books. In 1852 upon completion of the railroad, industrialization flourished. Two leading manufacturing firms were founded during this era: the Malleable Iron Fittings Company in 1854, and the Branford Lock Works in 1862. The twentieth century has brought some changes to Branford, but much of its historical heritage remains in the form of old buildings and well-preserved villages."
When it comes to The Connecticut Shoreline there are seven towns in New Haven County with frontage on the Sound but only three are classified as "The Shoreline" - Branford, Guilford & Madison. Branford being the closest to the City of New Haven is also the most populated and diverse of the three towns. Housing stock consists of everything from Trailer Parks to Condos to Waterfront Mansions. 
Several small sections of town offer their own unique character. In the Pine Orchard sections you find the exclusive Yacht & Country Club where there is usually a waiting list to join and membership is by invitation only.
Stony Creek has nice views and guided tours of the Thimble Islands that normally run from May - October. You can hop aboard with Captain Bob or Captain Mike and enjoy a 45 minute narrated tour for about the cost of a movie.
Father's Day Weekend is time for the Branford Festival that monopolizes the downtown area with activities.
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