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. It 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, it 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.
