New Canaan

New Canaan is known for its leading public school system, its wide range of architecture - from the Harvard Five modern houses to historic New England colonials and farms - as well as many new stately mansions and tended estates. The signature town center, which was rated as one of the most walkable towns in Connecticut, has premiere shopping, classic boutiques, and an elaborate display of lights for the Holidays. In 2017, New Canaan public schools were ranked #1 in Connecticut.
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HISTORY

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New Canaan's humble beginnings date back to 1731 when Connecticut's coloniaJ legislature established Canaan Parish as a religious entity in northwestern Norwalk and northeastern Stamford. The right to form a Congregatiional church was granted to the few families scattered through the area. As bona fide inhabitants of Norwalk or Stamford, depending on where their houses stood, Canaan Parish settlers still had to vote, pay taxes, serve on juries, and file deeds in their home towns. What no one foresaw in 1731 was that the boundaries of Canaan Parish 70 years later would become the boundaries of a new Connecticut town. New Canaan was incorporated in 1801 and the first town meeting was held on June 29 of that year. Because Canaan Parish was not planned as a town, upon incorporation, New Canaan found itself without a village, a main street, a town hall, or a central common or town green. Until the Revolutionary War, New Canaan was primarily an agricultural community. With the advent of the railroad to New Canaan in 1868, many of New York City's wealthy residents discovered the quiet, peaceful area and built magnificent summer homes. After World War II, the housing boom brought more residents and many of the summer visitors settled year-round, commuting to their jobs in New York and creating the residential community that exists today.