Your Guide to Buying a Home in West Haven, CT

Buying a Home in West Haven, Connecticut

(Memorial City Hall)

West Haven is located in New Haven County

West Haven is an urban shoreline community consisting of 10.6 square miles. Much of the city's economy is based on local businesses, though tourism is another large industry. West Haven sits just off of I-95 and is within minutes of both downtown New Haven and Yale University, allowing it easy accessibility to the surrounding metropolitan area. In addition, an excellent parks system and a wide variety of housing make West Haven a quality place to live and do business.

Brief History

West Haven is Connecticut's youngest city, celebrating 70 years of independence in 1996. The city was first settled in the mid-1640's as part of the New Haven Colony. In 1719 West Haven became the separate parish of West Haven. In 1822 it joined North Milford to form the Town of Orange.

In 1921 West Haven became its own separate town, and in 1961 it became a city. It is located in New Haven County approximately 58 miles east of New York City, and 40 miles south of Hartford, Connecticut. It is bounded on the north and east by the City of New Haven and the New Haven Harbor, south by Long Island Sound, and west by the Towns of Orange and Milford.

West Haven is most noted for Savin Rock, an area for family fun. Savin Rock was a turn of the century resort. There were elegant hotels and restaurants, and a gigantic amusement park right upon the beach. There was swimming, biking, boating, fishing, and picnics. But what set Savin Rock apart from other resort areas was its theme park, White City.

The rich folk, along with the working families, flocked there every summer. Rides there, such as the "Chutes" (a water ride) were prototypes for what was to be found many years later in modern day theme parks.

Also inside of White City was a dance hall, a theater, a cafe, a Castle, a Fun House, a Railroad, and the Hoosac Tunnel, a zoological garden with all sorts of animals.

With time West Haven became more densely populated and Savin Rock deteriorated. The park area was closed in the early 1960s. By then many other amusement parks had opened and the grandeur of the area had diminished. Today there are shopping plazas and condominiums on the site of old Savin Rock, along with a beautiful walking path that runs for several miles along the beach. (Courtesy of WestHaven.com)