Early settlers made their way to North Canaan in the 1700s, but the town’s biggest population boom happened in the mid-1800s, when the Housatonic Railroad came to the community. In the 1870s, the Connecticut Western Railroad added a second track, and the Canaan Union Depot was built at their junction. These two lines facilitated travel between North Canaan and New York, as well as cities around New England.
When passenger service ended, about 100 years later, the town lost some of its tourist income, and the population dipped until recent years. “We got an influx of new people during COVID,” says Wendy Eichman, broker of Raynard & Peirce Realty, who has lived in North Canaan nearly all her life. “Many have stayed because they decided the quality of life is good. You have the tranquility of living in a smaller town and proximity to everything in the Northwest Corner.”
Historic homes, newer builds and a variety of lot sizes
Along Lower Road, which is part of the Upper Housatonic Valley Iron Heritage Trail, there are some homes that date back to the mid-1700s. In the village of Canaan, North Canaan’s downtown, many houses were built between the late 1800s and the early 1900s. Sidewalks line some streets, leading to Victorian-era residences with wide, grassy lawns and tall oaks. “As time has gone on, newer homes have been built along the outskirts of the village,” Eichman says. Many of these are Cape Cod or ranch-style homes.
Canaan’s lots tend to be less than an acre, and homes are connected to city water and sewer service. In the rest of North Canaan, multi-acre lots are more common, and homeowners maintain their own wells and septic systems.
House listings generally range from $200,000 to $530,000. There are a few condos and townhouses in Canaan, and one condo recently sold for around $150,000. “We have an extremely low real estate inventory,” Eichman says. “Before COVID, we had close to 50 homes on the market. Many of them were fixer-uppers. During COVID, they all sold and were fixed up.”
Public and private school options for North Canaan children
Children can attend North Canaan Elementary School from prekindergarten through the eighth grade. From there, many students transition to Housatonic Valley Regional High School, which is located in Falls Village. Both schools earn B-plus Niche ratings. High school students can compete in a variety of sports, including football, ice hockey and skiing.
Nearby private high schools include Salisbury School, an all-boys boarding and day school in Salisbury, and The Hotchkiss School, a coed boarding and day school in Lakeville. They each receive A-plus ratings.
A variety of Canaan restaurants and shopping in and out of town
Most of the town’s restaurants are in Canaan. The Industry Kitchen & Bar specializes in American cuisine, Picante’s offers both Italian and Mexican food and the Blackberry River Bistro’s menu draws from a variety of cuisines. In the mornings, some people stop by Ilse Cafe & Roastery for a latte, or they head to Cafe Gourmet Bakery & Catering for fresh pastries and French toast.
Stop & Shop is the community’s grocery store, and small markets along Norfolk Road sell maple syrup, farm-grown produce and locally made crafts. In Torrington, less than 25 miles away, there are more chain stores, including Aldi, Big Y and Lowe’s. The Lee Premium Outlets are about 25 miles north, and Westfarms Mall is approximately 45 miles east.
Youth recreation, community parks and nearby hiking
The town offers youth recreation programs, including swim lessons at the North Canaan Community Pool and baseball at the fields along Whiting Drive. Residents can also visit Bunny McGuire Park, on Main Street, which has a playground and a basketball court. In the winter, Eichman says, they turn the park’s covered pavilion area into an outdoor skating rink.
In addition to town parks, there is also a YMCA branch and two nine-hole golf courses — the Canaan Country Club and the Quarry View Golf Course, both of which are open to the public. Hiking is another popular pastime, Eichman says. The Appalachian Trail runs through Salisbury, about 10 miles west, and Campbell Falls State Park Reserve is within an 8-mile drive of most homes.
Old Railroad Days and other North Canaan events
Despite North Canaan’s population ebbs and flows, “the community has always been very proactive about having events,” Eichman says. The flagship gathering is Old Railroad Days, a multi-day celebration of trains and the town’s history. There are family-friendly activities, bands and a fireworks display. Kids can join the annual Easter egg hunt at Bunny McGuire Park, and townspeople gather to watch the North Canaan Parade of Lights each December.
Car travel connects residents to local industry and nearby services
Although freight trains periodically pass by the Canaan Union Depot, the tracks are no longer equipped for passenger trains. The Northwestern Connecticut Transit District’s Dial-A-Ride service offers bus rides into Falls Village, Torrington and other nearby towns. Most people rely on cars for travel, and drivers have access to U.S. routes 7 and 44, which are both two-lane roads. The town is home to a few industries, including a limestone quarry, dairy farms and a Becton Dickson manufacturing plant. Sharon Hospital is about 16 miles away, and the Bradley International Airport is around 40 miles east.
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