Sandy Hook (Newtown)

Sandy Hook post office and dam, from a postcard sent in 1914

Sandy Hook is a village in the town of Newtown, Connecticut. Sandy Hook borders the Botsford section of town, Newtown borough, and the town of Southbury along the Housatonic River. Sandy Hook was founded in 1711.

The village of Sandy Hook includes the communities of Berkshire, Riverside, Walnut Tree Hill, and Zoar.

History

Within a year of the settlement of Newtown, some of its proprietors began moving away from the central village to some of their larger parcels. Several proprietors with land in the same area relocated to these areas together to reduce isolation. Sandy Hook was one of the first of the outlying areas settled. Colonists found the Pootatuck River at Sandy Hook allowed for the setting up of saw and grist mills. The neighborhood would not grow dramatically until the industrialization of the mid 19th century.

Over the last decade, many new expensive homes have been built. Sandy Hook is also the location of many antique colonial homes, several of which have old barns that have been converted to guest houses. Sandy Hook also enjoys water activities (swimming, boating, fishing) on the Housatonic River. In addition, the village's proximity to Interstate 84 makes it a desirable location.

Landmarks

• Nathan B. Lattin Farm — 22 Walker Hill Road, National Register of Historic Places
• New York Belting and Packing Co. — 45-71 and 79-89 Glen Road, National Register of Historic Places

Points of interest

• Fire Department Sandy Hook is home to Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, Inc. It is the only fire station in Newtown with two locations: the main one at 18-20 Riverside Road and a substation at 249 Berkshire Road. This fire department is led by Chief William Halstead, who is also the Fire Marshal for the Town of Newtown. It has over 60 members, and 10 pieces of apparatus. They have won numerous awards for their outstanding service to the community. Every June they host their annual LobsterFest, a major fundraiser for the company that runs on Friday and Saturday following the first Monday of the month.

• McLaughlin Vineyards is a family-owned vineyard and winery located at 14 Albert's Hill Road, 160 acres (0.65 km²) bordering the Housatonic River, with a tasting room in a converted 19th Century barn and access to hiking trails and picnic spots. McLaughlin Vineyards is committed to producing wines that reflect the terrier of the Northeast, and thus use only grapes from this region.

• Timothy B. Treadwell Memorial Park located on Philo Curtis Road is an outdoor recreational area that features four tennis courts, basketball courts, multi-purpose sports fields (including two artificial surface fields), a baseball/softball field, Newtown's community swimming pool (an eight-lane 25-yard pool with a diving L and wading pool), pavilion, and two playground areas. In season, the park is open from 8 am until 8 pm, The park was named for the late Timothy Treadwell, who served as First Selectman of Newtown before his death in February 1972. Mr Treadwell also served, from 1959 until 1962, on the town’s Parks & Recreation Commission.

• Eichler's Cove Marina is located off Route 34 at the end of Old Bridge Road. It offers a small beach on Lake Zoar with a marina, town boat launch and picnic area for residents of Newtown. Eichler's Cove is the only public access to Lake Zoar for Newtown residents.

Notable Residents, Past and Present

• Suzanne Collins, author of the "Underland Chronicles" and "Hunger Games" series.
• Anthony Edwards, actor, known for his roles in Top Gun, Gotcha!, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise and the television series 'ER'
• William Hamilton Gibson 19th century American illustrator, author, and naturalist
• Bruce Jenner, 1976 Summer Olympics decathlon gold medalist
• Steven Kellogg, children's author and illustrator, previously occupied the home now owned by Mr. Edwards.
• Thelma Wood, American sculptor