A rural setting and quiet lifestyle appeal to Sprague residents
Sprague fuses its rich textile history with a laidback town center and abundant access to recreation, but its promise of a peaceful lifestyle amidst eastern Connecticut’s verdant rural landscape is its main appeal to residents. “Sprague is a little country town in a good location,” says local Realtor Georgia LaBonne of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty. “There’s not much there, but that’s what people like about it.”
The town consists of 3 villages: Baltic, Hanover and Versailles. Once home to one of the largest textile mills in the country, Baltic serves as the town center of Sprague and the entire Baltic Village is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The historic Sprague Grist Mill still stands, though now occupied by the Sprague Public Library and the Sprague Community Center. Baltic’s Main Street also still serves as the community epicenter of Sprague, with local stores and the town’s post office still clustered between churches and homes.
Colonial homes and Cape Cods add to Sprague’s rustic charm
Colonial architecture captures Sprague’s rural history, with most homes built between the mid-1800s and the mid-1900s. Country Cape Cods and Cape-influenced homes are common as well, featuring distinct dormer windows and cottage-like layouts. A few ranch and saltbox styles built in the late 19th century and newer Colonial Revival examples built in the last 10 years are peppered within the mix. Prices range from $146,000 to $635,000, though outliers like estates on properties spanning close to 20 acres can fetch up to $2 million.
Centrally located Sayles School and a choice of nearby high schools
Located in Baltic, Sayles School serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grades and receives a C-minus Niche score. Starting in seventh grade, students can then choose to attend one of many neighboring high schools in the area. Norwich Free Academy is the designated high school for Sayles graduates. The private academy boasts a diverse student body and gets a B-plus grade from Niche. Public schools include B-minus-rated Griswold High School and B-rated Norwich Technical High School. The town of Sprague provides transportation for students attending all three high schools.
Outdoor recreation and the Mohegan Sun Golf Club
Sprague maintains its rural feel due to the 600-plus acres of town-owned land, which includes a reservoir. The Sprague Land Preserve swallows the village of Baltic, stretching across close to 700 acres. The preserve features wooded and open space with 11 miles of trails that run along the Shetucket River. Flowing through the heart of Sprague, the Shetucket is a destination for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. In Baltic, the Babe Blanchette Memorial Fields and adjacent Labbe Field also hug the riverside.
Golfers of all skill levels can practice their swing at the Mohegan Sun Golf Club, which is part of the Mohegan Sun casino and resort located 12 miles south in Uncasville. The club’s Golf Academy provides locals with an indoor and outdoor training facility with comprehensive lessons and instructive sessions. After hitting the greens, club visitors can refuel at the Greenside Grille & Pub or browse the merchandise at the club’s golf shop.
Shopping in Norwich or Lebanon
The main strip in Baltic has a few local establishments and services, such as the Baltic Convenience Store and Moore Pizza, a no-frills eatery serving specialty pizzas, grinders and pasta dishes. LaBonne says residents mostly head into downtown Norwich or Lisbon for groceries and other necessities. “Lisbon Landing is the next exit over to the north,” she says, noting the shopping center that houses Walmart, Target and a handful of additional stores. Local shops and specialty stores, as well as a collection of diverse eateries, are located 12 miles south in downtown Norwich.
Library-hosted community events and summer concerts
A collection of organizations hosts community events for Sprague residents. The Sprague Public Library offers year-round programs for all ages, such as children’s storytime, crafts and game nights. Family-friendly events at the library include workshops and bingo nights. Bands strike up a lively scene along the Shetucket River during River Park Music Nights, a summer concert series featuring local talents every Saturday in July and August. Every winter, the Baltic Fire Department puts on the Holly Jolly Bazaar, an arts and crafts market where local vendors display and sell their creations.
Access to 395 and beyond
Sprague’s location at the in southeastern Connecticut offers access to Route 395, connecting residents north to Worcester or south to New London and the state’s coast. Norwich sits less than 10 miles from the heart of Sprague. LaBonne says Hartford, Boston and Rhode Island are all about an hour’s drive away.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
Photography Contributed By
Matt Barrett
