Madison, CT Town Listings and Information

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Madison, CT Town Listings and Information

A New England Gem

According to the Madison Historical Society:
“In 1639 a group of colonists from Surrey and Kent, England, settled along Long Island Sound and formed a community which they called Guilford. Their settlement grew and prospered and they purchased additional lands from the Indians. Among their purchases was one of particular interest to us, made in the fall of 1641. This was the securing of a tract of land between what is not Guilford and Tuxis Pond, by Rev. Henry Whitfield, from the pious Wequash, a Pequot sachem. The price paid for this land was a frieze coat, a blanket, an Indian coat, one faddom Dutchman’s coat, a shirt, a pair of stockings, a pair of shoes and a faddom of wampum. Three months later the Mohegan chief, Uncas, claimed the land was his by inheritance and in order to avoid unpleasantness the settlers paid again, this time more generously in the same type of goods. A little later the land between Tuxis Pond and the Hammonasset River was bought from the same Uncas by Mr. George Fenwick of Saybrook. As Mr. Whitfield and Mr. Fenwick were very intimate friends the latter was persuaded to donate his purchase to the settlers of Guilford. Mr. Fenwick did this on a condition that his friend be allowed first choice of any property in the tract.”

And so it began.

The 2000 census showed that Madison had 17,858 residents living in 7,386 housing units spread throughout its 36.78 square miles. The median age in Madison is 41 years, and the population is 96.6% white, 1.7% Asian, 1.3% Hispanic or Latino, 0.4% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% some other race, and 0.9% two or more races.

According to Wikipedia: “Madison’s center of town is the main area of all businesses and location of the town library and green. The center preserves old village charm by keeping large franchises out. The center has many boutiques and coffee shops. Although it is called the center it is not the actual center of town, It is actually located on the south eastern side of town nearClinton. It is called the center, or “downtown” by residents because it is the only part of town that has a shopping district.”

There are two state parks in Madison — the Cockaponset State Forest in the northern part of town, and the Hammonasset State Park and Beach located on the southeastern edge of Madison. Hammonassetconsists of 930 acres and 558 campsites provide concessions, bathhouses, a pavilion and picnic areas. Parking for 7,000 vehicles is available for bathers and campers alike, with overall park capacity rated to serve 16,000 people. The Park also provides a fishing jetty for surf and boat fishing

According to the Madison Chamber of Commerce: “The Town utilizes an adopted Plan of Development to maintain its rural and seashore character of Town. Under the Town Charter, the Planning and Zoning Commission is responsible for approval of all projects. Current zoning regulations were adopted on April 10, 1953, with various revisions being adopted since that time. The Town is completely zoned with approximately 80% of the land zoned residential, with one to two acre lots. The balance of the Town is zoned commercial or light industrial. The areas zoned for one acre can include apartment or condominium units. As part of the Town Plan of Development, open space and preservation of the seashore and rural character of the Town are major goals. To that end, the Town has provided for 3 parks, including the Surf Club Beach area, a 45-acre beach/recreation facility owned by the Town that provides beaches, ball fields, football and soccer fields.

“The values of new homes range from $188,000 to $881,000. The average selling price of all single family homes sold in 2000 was approximately $374,000, with prices ranging between $126,000 and $3,250,250.

“The Madison downtown business district has an active Chamber of Commerce organization, Business Council Group and an active shopping and commercial area located in the south central part of the community, extending both east and west along the Boston Post Road.”