New London is located where the Thames River flows into Long Island Sound. It is a port city in southeastern Connecticut. The harbor here is one of the deepest on the entire Atlantic coast. This depth once marked whalers. Now it refers to submarines.
This city has a multi-layered past. It was originally a Pequot settlement. Founded by John Winthrop the younger in 1646. In 1658 the name was changed to New London. It received a city charter in 1784. But 1781 was a bad year. Benedict Arnold led a British force to burn it down. During the revolution, the city was the privateer rendezvous. The British wanted to stop the privateers. But they were unable to destroy the city.
Today, the economy is no longer dependent on whale oil. It relies on naval power. There are two large facilities in the city. The US Coast Guard Academy has been here since 1876. The US Navy submarine base opened in 1917. It is located on the east bank of the Thames River. The base is located just above Groton. Nuclear submarines are built here. These operations define the region.
You can also find other anchors too. The Connecticut College is located in the city center. Established in 1911. The Connecticut College Arboretum is nearby. Mitchell College was founded in 1938. Although it is smaller than a university, it is still part of the academic fabric. If you want art, go to the Lyman Allyn Art Museum. It has colonial artifacts. The collection is solid.
Sports fans may recognize this name from rowing competitions. The Yale-Harvard Boat Race ends in New London. The course is located on the banks of the Thames River. This is an annual event. You can see the crews cross the line here.
If you like drama, why not check out Waterford? This is a nearby town. Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. O’Neill was born in Connecticut. The center hosts plays and festivals. This is a cultural center.
The population is small. In 2010, the city’s population was 27,620. The metropolitan area has 274,055 inhabitants. This is not a major expansion. This is manageable. You can walk parts of it.
Logistics matter if you go. This city is located in New London County. This is the seat of that county. The Thames River splits the view. To the west is a city. To the east is Groton. The submarine base is to the east. The academy is on the west. You need a car to get between them easily.
Public transport is available but limited. The buses are operated by the Connecticut Transit. It connects the city to Norwich and Groton. It’s only an hour’s drive from Boston. 3 hours from New York.
What is worth seeing? The waterfront. The history of whaling is visible in the architecture. Some buildings date from the 19th century. Submarine Force Library and Museum is located in Groton. It’s right next to the base. You can also tour the base. Access is restricted. ID is required. The museum is open to the public. It’s free.
The Coast Guard Academy has open houses. check
