Litchfield is over 300 years old, with original rural character and charm
Between the heavy woods and rolling hills of Litchfield, Connecticut, are stately homes, scenic parks and historic districts, including a small downtown area on the National Register of Historic Places. "It's such a dynamic little downtown area," says Stacey Matthews, broker and owner of William Raveis Lifestyles Realty, who has lived and sold in the area for over 30 years. Litchfield, part of Litchfield County, was established in 1719, and much of its original character remains. "It's quaint and charming and authentically small-town Connecticut," Matthews says. The town of about 8,000 people has many part-time residents and weekenders from large cities looking to step back from the action and step into a cozy New England town. "If people are moving here full-time, however, I think it's for the small-town feel, the space and the schools," Matthews says.
Part-time and full-time residents in homes from as far back as the 1700s
New traditional and modern Craftsman homes are available in Litchfield. Still, the old town is known for its equally old homes with rich history and antique architecture. Farmhouses, Colonial and Victorian homes are among the oldest, some dating as far back as the late 1700s and early 1800s. Newer styles, like bi-levels and Cape Cods from the mid-1900s, are also around the wooded area. Homes range between $345,000 and $2 million. There are some higher outliers with prices well into the multi-million-dollar range. "There's a pretty good weekender population here," Matthews says. "Many people from the cities would love to move here full-time, but their jobs won't allow it. We saw a big shift during Covid though, which brought a lot of new full-timers to Litchfield." Condos range between $280,000 and the high $500,000s, and parcels sell between $90,000 and $400,000, depending on acreage.
A historic downtown and a dairy farm are known throughout the state
Downtown Litchfield has locally owned restaurants, clothing boutiques and home goods stores in two-to-three-story, brick, Italianate buildings. "There are also three small boutique hotels transformed from older buildings," Matthews says. "The Abner Hotel is in the old courthouse, and it has a restaurant and a great rooftop bar." Outside of the downtown area, on U.S. Route 202, is a restaurant and dairy farm that ships its specialty cheeses and ice cream all over the state. The fine dining restaurant is called Arethusa Al Tavolo and uses local, seasonal ingredients, like dairy and cheese made on their own property, meat and protein from a farm only 25 miles away and alcohol from Litchfield Distillery, just up the road. Also on Route 202 is a small shopping corridor with Stop & Shop, pharmacies, a bank and other home stores.
Regional School District No. 20 is newly formed
Litchfield Public Schools and nearby Regional School District No. 6 recently combined, creating a new district called Regional School District No. 20. Litchfield Center School teaches kindergarten through third grade and is rated A-minus by Niche. B-plus-rated Litchfield Intermediate School teaches fourth and fifth graders. Students of Litchfield and surrounding towns come together at Plumb Hill Middle School and Lakeview High School, unrated by Niche. "The public schools in the area are great," Matthews says. "There are fantastic private schools within a 45-minute drive as well." Private schools in Litchfield County include The Hotchkiss School, The Taft School, Kent School and the Frederick Gunn School, each rated A-plus by Niche.
National Register of Historic Places and schools that made history
The town was home to the country's first law school, Litchfield Law School. The one-room school was opened in 1784 by lawyer and judge Tapping Reeve, and notable alums include Aaron Burr, Horace Mann, John Caldwell Calhoun and Levi Woodbury. Litchfield Historical Society maintains the building that's on the National Register of Historic Places as Tapping Reeve House and Law School. Another institution was Litchfield Female Academy, one of the earliest schools for girls in the country, which opened in 1792. Ten locations in Litchfield are on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Litchfield Historic District's downtown area of shops and restaurants.
Large stretches of conservation forest and wetland
White Memorial Foundation is a local organization that preserves over 4,000 acres of land, called White Memorial Conservation Center. The nature center has wetlands, forests, fields and ponds and is a popular spot for hiking, bird watching and school trips. Topsmead State Forest and Humaston Brook State Park are also in the town, as are hiking trails, a town beach on Bantam Lake and campgrounds. Litchfield Community Field is a traditional park with baseball diamonds, tennis courts and a large playground.
Traffic is minimal, and large Connecticut cities aren't far
U.S. Route 202 is the town's main street, leading east to Torrington, the county seat and most populated city of Litchfield County, and continuing to Hartford. Bradley International Airport is 40 miles away, and the nearest hospital is Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington. Northwestern Connecticut Transit District has one bus that goes through the area, and most residents use personal cars. "What's nice is there's no traffic in the area at all," Matthews says. "You're never going to get stuck in a backup or struggle to make a reservation at one of the local restaurants like one might in the suburbs where it's much more crowded."
Written By
Heather Haggerty
