The Town of
Cheshire Connecticut was
first settled by Europeans in 1694 and was originally part of
Wallingford Connecticut. It
became the separate town of Cheshire and was incorporated in 1780. Cheshire is located in the south central section of the State
in New Haven County about 15 miles north of
New Haven and just east of
Waterbury (my home town). Cheshire
has a population of about 29,000 and has a land area of 33.4 square miles.
Like many Connecticut towns, Cheshire began as a
farming and light manufacturing community. Copper was mined in Cheshire in
the 18th Century and Barytes
in the 19th. However, during the past 50 years,
it has become a suburban residential community since it is located near many
major highways including I-84, I-91 and I-691.
It has also attracted many industries to its
Industrial Park in the northern part of town. However, its farming
influences remain with thousands of acres of open space and an active
agricultural industry. It is still called the Bedding Plant Capital of
Connecticut because of the many greenhouses that are still in operation.
