Harwinton offers rural living next to city convenience
The rural town of Harwinton got its unique name a few hundred years ago. “Harwinton is the only town in the world with that name,” says Susan McClen, a local historian who has lived in Harwinton her whole life. “It comes from combining the names of Hartford and Windsor townships, which came together to form Harwinton in the 1700s.” The predominantly residential community has a few local businesses and several acres of land trusts dedicated to outdoor recreation. Plus, city conveniences are a short drive away. “I live on 10 acres in the woods, but I’m 10 minutes from Walmart in Torrington,” McClen says.
Houses tucked away in the woods and some lakefront properties
The town has a variety of houses built between the late 1800s and 2000s. Most homes sit on wooded back roads surrounded by mature trees offering a sense of privacy. Small cottages, ranch-style houses and split-level homes on less than an acre of land sell for around start at around $200,000 to $425,000. Similar houses on 1 to 5 acres typically cost around $350,000 to $550,000. Larger Colonial Revivals and upscale New Traditional houses with 1 to 20-acre lots sell for around $600,000 to $950,000. Some houses on Lake Harwinton have private docks. “Lake homes rarely hit the market, and they’re kind of small, so they’re actually pretty affordable,” says Sharon Chase, a local Realtor with The Washington Agency. Lake houses typically sell for $350,000 to $475,000.
Trails in nature preserves and conservation areas
The Harwinton Conservation and Recreation Area features densely wooded nature trails along the trickling Leadmine Brook. There’s also a playground and sand volleyball courts. The trail at Bull Pond Preserve goes through marshland and around the 20-acre trout-stocked fishing pond. Harwinton Sports Field has several athletic facilities, and locals 55 and older can join the Harwinton Senior Center, which offers Pilates, monthly parties, and bus trips to theaters and other towns.
Pizza shops around town, more stores and restaurants in Torrington
Harwinton doesn’t have a designated area for shopping and dining, and its local businesses are scattered around town. Residents can grab a slice of pizza and other specialties from Harwinton Pizza, Hometown Pizza II and Countryside Pizza Restaurant. “We have a lot of hometown pizza places, but they also have other really good food,” says Chase. “Hometown Pizza has the best clam chowder. They serve it on Fridays, and I get it every week.” There’s also The Edison Grill, a gastropub known for its artisan bar food and Sunday breakfast. The big-box retailers, grocery stores and restaurants in Torrington are about 10 to 20 minutes away.
Agriculture competitions at the Harwinton Fair
The Harwinton Fair takes place every October at the fairgrounds. The agriculture-focused fair features pig races, tractor pulls and ox-drawing challenges in which oxen pull several tons of concrete slabs. The fairgrounds also host car shows, concerts and other events throughout the year.
College credits earned through UConn at Lewis S. Mills High School
Kindergarten through fourth-grade students attend Harwinton Consolidated School, which receives a B-plus grade from Niche, followed by Har-Bur Middle School in Burlington, also rated B-plus. Lewis S. Mills High School is in the same building as the middle school and receives an A-minus. The high school offers the UConn Early College Experience, allowing students to earn college credits through the University of Connecticut.
Driving distance to Hartford, New Haven and New York City
Harwinton is a car-dependent community near several state routes. It takes less than an hour to drive to Hartford, about 25 miles away, and about an hour to New Haven, 40 miles away. New York City is two and a half hours. The closest hospital is in Torrington. Bradley International Airport is about 30 miles away.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
Photography Contributed By
Ed Messenger
