Granby’s history dates back centuries
Legend says an inebriated surveyor was at fault for “The Notch,” the biggest anomaly on Connecticut’s otherwise even-keeled northern border. In reality, the cartographic oddity was a peace offering to calm a border dispute with Massachusetts, and the community of Granby now surrounds most of the indentation. More than 200 years later, Granby is encircled by dense New England woods, retaining its historic past with landmarks that include a tree estimated to be nearly 500 years old. “Granby is a small-town type of area,” says Karen Kopeski, a broker and manager at Today Real Estate. “There’s a mix of lifestyle, location and community appeal, all on the Massachusetts border. It’s a very nice area, rural without really being too remote.” Historic homes offer literal windows into Granby’s past, and residents are less than 20 miles from Hartford and Springfield.
Cape Cods, colonial-style and ranch-style varieties in Granby
Homes in Granby are closer together on the east side, with properties increasingly spread out as one heads west. “They have the classic New England colonials, new builds and larger properties with land,” Kopenski says. “Homes there have more privacy and space than neighboring towns closer to Hartford.” The colonial-style homes, along with Cape Cods and ranch-style homes, are the most common architectural designs. Granby has a similarly wide range of housing prices, as single-family home prices range between $350,000 and $700,000. Most ranch-style homes and Cape Cods are less than $500,000, while larger colonial-style homes typically cost around $500,000 or more. Additionally, a small selection of townhouses in southeastern Granby can sell for between $200,000 and about $500,000.
Students attend a quartet of Connecticut schools
The Granby School District receives a rating of A from Niche and serves the community. Many students start at Kelly Lane Primary School, which spans kindergarten through second grade and garners an A-minus rating. Wells Road Intermediate School and Granby Memorial Middle School both receive B-plus ratings. Granby Memorial High School earns an A-minus, and its athletic teams have won numerous championships in sports including field hockey, soccer and tennis.
Granby offers preserves, established parks and historic recreation
McLean Game Refuge is the largest recreational landmark in the area, sprawling across more than 4,000 acres. Birdwatching is a popular pastime there, while hikers and runners can take to over 17 miles of trails. Visitors can ski or snowshoe during the winter months. Enders State Forest, Mary Edwards Mountain Property and Godard Preserve each offer additional miles of trails. The Dewey-Granby Oak is a historical tree known by several names near the center of the community, gauged to be nearly 500 years old. The tree serves as a picturesque background for photos, a place for kids to explore and climb, and a spot to just relax in the shade. Salmon Brook Park sits along the East Branch of Salmon Brook and blends nature with sports fields and courts. “Salmon Brook Park is popular for hiking, biking, fishing and nature walks,” Kopeski says.
Commuters can get to Hartford and Springfield
Granby has limited public transportation provided by CTtransit’s Simsbury-Granby Express line, but most residents rely on personal vehicles to get around. The community is nearly equidistant from major cities in Connecticut and Massachusetts: Hartford is nearly 20 miles southwest of Granby, while Springfield is about 20 miles north across the state line. Interstate 91 is about 9 miles east and connects the area to both cities. Hartford HealthCare – GoHealth Urgent Care is the closest medical center. Bradley International Airport is less than 10 miles east, offering more than a dozen airlines.
Connecticut flavor at local restaurants, wineries and breweries
Most of the area’s restaurants are scattered on the east side of Granby. Diners can find Asian far at the Tiger Belly Noodle Bar and Mexican cuisine at Rancho Viejo. @ The Barn Restaurant offers a cocktail lounge, brunch and events like live music and Paint & Sip Nights. Cambridge House Brew Pub serves casual dishes. Almost Famous Brewing Company has craft drinks on tap. Brignole Vineyards hosts events like murder mystery nights and comedy performances, and both Brignole and Lost Acres Vineyard have tasting rooms. Locals can buy groceries at Stop & Shop in Granby, and Walmart is about 12 miles east.
Christmas-themed events take place in Granby
December is a time for community events in Granby. The Holiday Marketplace at Holcomb Farm has local vendors and businesses, along with food trucks. The Pints, Paws & Santa Claus Vendor Fair offers photos with Santa while partnering with Dream Dog Rescue at Almost Famous Brewing Company.
![Ed Messenger]()
Photography Contributed By
Ed Messenger
