Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Place Names

One of the interesting things about East Haven is the colorful nature of its place names. Shepherd's Grove, for instance brings to mind a number of images: a stand of sheltering trees, sheep grazing, blue sky.

According to a 1978 New Haven Register article Shepherd's Grove was named for Sylvia (Shepherd) Means. The Means family owned the Grove for more than 100 years.

The article states:

Both Shepherd's Grove, which is a 14.1 acre tract, and Mansfield Grove,are part of an area known as Half Mile Island. It is separated from the mainland by Bradford Cove on the west, setting it off from Cosey Beach and Bradford Cove Creek, which extends north, draining the salt meadows surrounding the island.

New Haven Register August 13, 1978