Page 34 - James Farm

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 2 public beaches, 5 marinas, several
fishing piers and 2 public boat-launching facilities. Within an hour's drive of NYC,
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 Bridgeport provides excellent docking and terminal facilities for either
domestic or overseas shipping, in addition to ferry passenger service to Long Island.
Sikorsky Memorial Airport, located in the Lordship section of Stratford, remains a hub
of corporate activity and provides commuter service to other cities in the northeast.
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 soon to be revitalized
Shakespeare Theatre and Boothe Memorial
Park, a Municipally owned park and museum
showcasing an assortment of architecturally
unique structures and vast collection of
Americana.