Lyme, Connecticut

Lyme, Connecticut
Name	Lyme, Connecticut
Settlement type	Town
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	U.S. state
Subdivision name1	Connecticut
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	New London
Subdivision type3	Metropolitan area
Subdivision name3	Southeastern Connecticut
Established title	Incorporated
Established date	1667
Government type	Selectman-Town Meeting
Leader title	First Selectman
Leader name	David Lahm
Area total km2	88.5
Area land km2	71.6
Area water km2	16.9
Population as of	2020
Population total	2,352
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	Eastern Time Zone
Utc offset	-5
Timezone DST	EDT
Utc offset DST	-4
Coordinates	41, 23, N, 72...
Postal code type	ZIP Code
Postal code	06371
Area code	860
Website	www.townlyme.org

Lyme, Connecticut. Lyme is a coastal town in New London County within the Southeastern Connecticut planning region. Settled in 1667 and retaining a distinctly rural and historic character, it is renowned for its extensive preserved landscapes along the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound. The town is part of the Lower Connecticut River Valley and is a designated National Natural Landmark area, attracting visitors for its natural beauty, historic sites, and artistic heritage.

History

The land was originally part of the Saybrook Colony and was purchased from the Wangunk and Mohegan peoples. It was officially incorporated in 1667, named after Lyme Regis in Dorset, England. Early economy centered on farming, shipbuilding, and maritime trade, with the Black Hall River and Connecticut River serving as vital waterways. The town was a significant site during the American Revolutionary War, with local privateers operating against British shipping. In 1819, the northern portion separated to become Old Lyme. The Lyme Art Colony, flourishing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries around Florence Griswold in Old Lyme, cemented the area's artistic reputation, though many artists resided and painted landscapes within its bounds. Historic structures like the Lyme Street Historic District and the Hadlyme Ferry, one of the last remaining river ferries in Connecticut, underscore its preserved heritage.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 88.5 square kilometers, of which 71.6 square kilometers is land and 16.9 square kilometers is water. It is bordered by the Connecticut River to the east, which separates it from Old Saybrook and Essex, and by Long Island Sound to the south. The town's geography is characterized by rolling hills, extensive forests, tidal marshes, and rocky shoreline. Significant natural areas include the Selden Neck State Park, an island in the Connecticut River, and much of the Eightmile River watershed, which is part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The town lies within the New England town political tradition and contains the villages of Hadlyme and Gilead.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 2,352. The population density is low, reflecting its rural nature. The racial makeup is predominantly White, with small percentages of other groups. The median household income is significantly above the state average, and a high percentage of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Housing is primarily single-family homes on large lots, with a notable number of properties designated as historic. The town has experienced slow, managed growth, prioritizing conservation of its open space and rural character, with large tracts protected by the Nature Conservancy and the Lyme Land Conservation Trust.

Government and infrastructure

Lyme employs a Selectman-Town Meeting form of government, with a three-member Board of Selectmen headed by a First Selectman. Key town services include a volunteer Lyme Fire Department and resident Texas Rangers, a unique, historically-rooted constabulary. The town is part of the 2nd Congressional District and the 18th State Senate District. Public education is provided through the Regional School District 18, which it shares with Old Lyme, operating Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School and Lyme-Old Lyme High School. Major infrastructure includes Connecticut Route 156 and the seasonal Hadlyme Ferry, which connects to Chester.

Notable people

Notable individuals associated with the town include artist and naturalist J. Alden Weir, who maintained a farm there; Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Henry Taylor; author and illustrator Tasha Tudor; and former United States Senator and United States Secretary of the Treasury Oliver Wolcott Jr., who is buried in the town. Scientist and inventor Peter J. Kindelmann also resided in Lyme. The area's natural beauty has attracted numerous writers, artists, and academics over the centuries.

In popular culture

The town's picturesque landscapes and historic ambiance have served as a backdrop for several films and literary works. Scenes for the 1999 supernatural horror film The Haunting in Connecticut were filmed at locations in the area. The region's atmosphere and history have inspired settings in novels by authors such as Alice Mattison. Furthermore, the legacy of the Lyme Art Colony and the Florence Griswold Museum in neighboring Old Lyme frequently places the Lyme name within discussions of American Impressionism in popular cultural media.

Category:Towns in Connecticut Category:Towns in New London County, Connecticut Category:Populated coastal places in Connecticut Category:1667 establishments in Connecticut