Page 42 - 586 Bridgeview Place brochure 2024

THE STORY OF

STRATFORD

Founded in 1639, Stratford is a community rich in history and
abundant natural beauty. Situated on Long Island Sound, and
bounded to the east by the Housatonic River, Stratford has
long viewed its waterfront as an important natural resource.
The Town's location on Long Island Sound affords residents
and visitors alike with two public bathing beaches, five
marinas, several fishing piers and two public boat-launching
facilities. Within an hour's drive of New York City, Stratford
is the easternmost town in Fairfield County-Connecticut's
Gold Coast. Major highways such as I-95, Route 8/25 and
the Merritt Parkway bisect Stratford, and provide convenient
access to the entire Northeast corridor. The deep water harbor
of neighboring Bridgeport provide excellent docking and
terminal facilities for either domestic or overseas shipping, in
addition to ferry passenger service to Long Island. Rail service
provided by Metro North with connections to Amtrak further
round out an excellent array of transportation choices.

Stratford has a long association with the aviation industry.
Stratford became the birthplace of the American helicopter
industry, when in 1939, a Russian immigrant, Igor Sikorsky,
successfully flew the first helicopter at his Stratford-based
aircraft plant. More than a half-century later, Sikorsky Aircraft,
the world's leading helicopter manufacturer, still designs
and produces state-of the art helicopters for both military
and commercial applications at its sprawling manufacturing
facility on Stratford's north side. Drawn by a highly skilled and
productive work force, excellent access to transportation, and
a large inventory of affordable housing, it's no surprise that
many businesses have chosen to call Stratford home.

The diversity of Stratford's natural resources is as rich as its
cultural heritage, ranging from the 250 acre, town owned
Roosevelt Forest to the Great Meadows Salt Marsh, one of
the largest salt marshes remaining in New England and now a
portion of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge.
Stratford is host to a variety of cultural attractions as well,
including the Boothe Memorial Park, a Municipally owned park
and museum showcasing an assortment of architecturally
unique structures and vast collection of Americana.¨

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