Sherman, Connecticut

Sherman, Connecticut

Sherman, Connecticut, the quintessential small New England town, was established by Puritan settlers in 1744 and incorporated 1802 as Sherman, named after Roger Sherman, governor of Connecticut and an early patriot.

Today, Sherman still is rural in nature and has been named one of best small towns in the state by Connecticut Magazine. In the early years the town farmed, grew and cut timber, and sold cider and grain. Later tobacco was grown and dried in the large barns that one can still see along a back road. 1928 changed the town. What is now Candlewood Lake was created and in so doing destroyed much of the open farm land of Sherman. The town declined as farmers left town and tobacco farming moved to the central part of the state.

In 1935 the population dipped below 300 residents. It was not until after the Second World War that the population began to grow as wealthy New Yorkers found Sherman.

Today the town still has many weekend inhabitants. There are over 4,200 residents, a population density of 175.6 a median family income of $ 92, 335 and the average listing of homes is $ 833,550. Sherman covers 23.4 square miles. Today there are still many good sized farms in town that raise pigs, sheep, cattle and horses.

Adapting to the market place Sherman is known as a source of organic vegetables and fruit sold locally from farm stands and shipped to larger retailers. The center of town is a Historic District and is particularly beautiful in the spring and fall.

People in town are active in preserving the rural nature of Sherman and so the zoning assures that no large industrial parks or companies will ever move here. In 1968, the Naromi Land Trust was established to preserve open space.

Shopping is limited to a small grocery store, one of two restaurants, a Post Office, gas station, etc... Serious buying is not far away along Route 7 in New Milford. There you will find all the big box stores and specialty stores. Route 39 and Route 37 take you north, south, east or west quickly.

Education is at the top of the list for Sherman. There is one school in town that covers grades up to High School. The school is consistently rated in the top four schools in the state. There are 500 students enrolled in the system. Since there is no High School in town, students can choose one of four High Schools in neighboring towns to attend. Over 95% of graduates attend college. Vassar College is 19 miles from Sherman in New York State and Western Connecticut State University is in Danbury, south of Sherman. Recreation is everywhere in or near town.

The northern end of Candlewood Lake is in Sherman and there are beaches and boat launches available to residents. There are town tennis courts, picnic areas, hiking trails and lots of open space.

What makes Sherman unique is the sense of community. If you move to town it will not take you long to make friends. If you seek a town that retains a sense of history, a town that still understands farming values, then Sherman is a good choice. A short drive will get you to major shopping centers but you will never be far from the farms and open spaces of the town of Sherman, Connecticut.