Downtown New London

The Whaling City

New London is an historic "port city" located on Long Island Sound where the Thames River greets the Atlantic Ocean. Founded in 1646 by John Winthrop Jr. of Mass Bay Colony. New London quickly became reknown as having one of the best deep water defended ports on the entire Eastern Coast of the Colonies.

New London quickly became one with the sea and many of the sons of New London worked the sea and related trades for their living. Ship building and eventually Whaling became the preferred trades and the owners of the ships and shipyards soon built large mansions along modern day State Street and throughout the various cove areas such as Winthrop and Shaw's Cove.

The population of New London grew steadily throughout the 18th century and at the time of the outbreak of the American Revolution in 1775 New London was one of the 15 largest cities in the colonies. Local Sons of Liberty outfits like those in Boston were active from the time of the late 1760s. During the Lexington Alarm in 1775 New London sent more than 70 men to the defense of Boston including Nathan Hale, William Coit, Samuel H. Parsons, Jonathan Latimer, James Chapman and Richard Douglass - the so called "First Band of Brothers". During the war New London sent out dozens of "privateers" or legal pirates who raided British shipping that plied the Long Island Sound by the close of the war more than 400 prizes (ships) were taken by these privateers, many financed by Nathaniel Shaw whose mansion remains on Blinman Street.
  (Shaw Mansion)

While New London virtually escaped direct attack the year 1781 brought a raid from Norwich native Benedict Arnold. The burning of New London on September 6,1781 and attack on Groton Heights across the river decimated New London. More than 130 buildings were burned and a dozen ships. Many more escaped just in time up river. More than 80 defenders of New London and Groton were killed on that fateful day.

(Battle of Groton Heights & Burning of New London by David Wagner)

coiffers of the city and citizens. It was at this time the Richard Douglass House was built. By the early 19th century Whaling became the chief trade, New London then became the 2nd largest Whaling port behind only New Bedford, MA. in the world. Thus the name.."The Whaling City". Alexander Douglass son of Richard was a very successful Whaling Master having sailed from 1805 through 1838.

New London's downtown grew from the immediate downtown (center) area along the Thames to the Long Island Sound Shore and north and westward. Summer retreats, hotels and more popped up in the late 1800s in modern day Ocean Beach area, then known across America as "the Pequot Colony". The great depression put a halt to the riches and growth but at the close of WW2 New London continued as a leading defense industry center of Naval Research & Development. The city center transformed as re-development showed its ugly head leveling many of the finest 18th and 19th century buildings. However New London's chore survives... re-urbanization this time in a most positive manner via artists and their studios & apartments, niche shops and diehard business owners continue to help bring New London back.

The Downtown

The Downtown area of New London or the "District" consists of about 26 blocks of historic structures from about Shaw Mansion to the west just off Bank and Blinman along the waterfront area via a glorious Waterfront Park to the north of State Street and the Ancient Burial Ground to the area around the historic 1787 Court House.

New London can be said is divided into two main entertainment areas. The Bank or Bank Street area consists of a new eclectic mix cafes, shops, restaurants. Highlights of this slowly rebounding area are the new Shaws Cove Landing Residences, the Gateway Commons Residences to the Lobster on the River and Havana Cafe, Bulkeley House and Patio Restaurant, Thames River Wine & Spirits, Brie & Bleu, Mariekes Cafe and Lucca Bistro & Wine Bar among others. Bank Street runs to State Street the areas other entertainment area. State Street has new residences in historic buildings like the Crocker House and a lively and growing cafe seen with Northern Indian, Bangkok City, Hanafins Publick House, Kream, Mangetout Bistro, Thames River Greenery, CourtYard Cafe and more...

New London's downtown has seen over the past years a steady improvement and re-urbanization to its side streets. From Golden Street with the Hygienic Gallery & Park, the group that started it all where it meets Bank Street with the Peacock & Feathers Vintage Shop and residences to the Backstage Pass (El n Gee) and INet and Muse Shoes & Gallery and Golden Street Gallery. The historic Starr Street and Tilley Street areas... and the historic Green Street where The Richard Douglass House stands. 140 below art gallery also highlights this street on Green Street. Further afield is the NEW New London Market building with a locally appreciated Bean & Leaf Coffee Shop, Tree Hugger Organic and apartments and of course apartments in the old SNET building on Washington. All have been in great demand... a sign that New London is back.

More information on where 2 eat can be seen at:
http://newlondonmainstreet.org/directory/dining/

More information on where 2 live can be seen at:
http://newlondonmainstreet.org/property/residential/

The future is bright for New London with new developments, New restorations, festivals, events and more all making New London New again to a New generation.