Welcome to Tolland
The historic town of Tolland is a gem of a community in Northern Connecticut. It has reaped various accolades from Money Magazine, including one of the Best Places to Live in the United States and Best Small Towns to Live in America.
Situated just 20 minutes from Hartford, the capital of Connecticut, Tolland boasts a great location that puts its 15,200 residents close to the conveniences and opportunities of the big city. Interstate 84 bisects the town, providing easy access to the rest of the region.
Job and economic options also abound. As the seat of Tolland County, Tolland is home to numerous businesses of all sizes, including several significant tech companies. The University of Connecticut, located just 15 minutes from downtown, provides not only jobs and education but cultural and entertainment options as well.
Tolland residents love their town’s tranquil rural environment and beautiful natural surroundings. About 16% of the town’s 40.4 square miles are permanently protected open space and 95% of this is dedicated to passive use only.
A Brief History of Tolland, CT
Tolland was named in 1715 after a town in Somerset, England. Originally part of the Town of Windsor, the land the town now occupies was purchased from Native Americans, who were the first occupants of the area. As Windsor’s population grew and started overcrowding the town, people looking for homesteads moved to the hilly portion of the land, which was then incorporated as the town of Tolland in 1722.
Tolland County was established in 1785 with Tolland as the county seat. The town saw the rise of several municipal and commercial buildings, some of which still stand to this day. Tolland Green, the acknowledged center of the community, has been designated a National Historic District and features beautiful historic buildings and establishments that give visitors a glimpse of the county’s earliest days.
Real Estate & Houses for Sale in Tolland, CT
There’s something for everyone in Tolland’s real estate market. You’ll find elegant luxury homes with a square footage of around 4,000 and up, as well as cozier single-family homes of around 2,000 to 2,500 square feet. Found in picturesque neighborhoods, these homes come in a wide range of prices to suit various budgets.
Popular architectural styles include Colonial and ranch. Many properties come in lot sizes of one acre or more, perfect for raising horses or starting a hobby farm. If you want to start your farm, you’ll find homes for sale with horse stables, barns, and other farm essentials.
With the abundance of creeks, ponds, and lakes in the area, homebuyers have plenty of opportunities for waterfront homes. The properties near Lake Shenipsit are highly sought-after, providing gorgeous views and great access to the popular lake.
There’s also a good mix of older homes and new construction. If you’re looking for a property with plenty of character, you’ll love the historic Colonial homes for sale, some of which date back to the 1700s and early 1800s. There’s also a wide selection of new homes built in the last five to ten years, including several townhomes and condos.
Living in Tolland, CT
Schools
Students in Tolland can go to the highly rated Tolland School District, which includes the Birch Grove Primary School for Pre-k to Grade 2, Tolland Intermediate School for Grades 3, 4, and 5, Tolland Middle School, and Tolland High School.
The Outdoors
Outdoor recreation is an integral part of the Tolland way of life. Every year, thousands of visitors join the locals in various outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, fishing, camping, and more. There are 13 conservation areas around the town, including the Schindler/Schmidt Conservation Area, the Knofla Conservation Area, and the King Riverside Conservation Area. Two of the most popular destinations in the area are the Nye-Holman State Forest and Shenipsit Lake Reservoir.
The town maintains several community parks and recreation facilities, featuring sports fields, water activities like canoeing and swimming, and miles of walking trails. See this page for more information.
History & Culture
The
Tolland Green Historic District was included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 and is supervised by the town’s Historic District Commission. It encompasses Tolland Green, a strip of green open space that used to be the town’s major thoroughfare, as well as the smaller roads that stem from it. Along these roads are some of Tolland’s earliest homes and buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Many of these have been converted into modern uses, such as museums, the town library, craft stores, and inns.
The
Tolland Historical Society is tasked with maintaining three historic museums, including the Daniel Benton Homestead, the Old Tolland County Jail and Museum, and the Old Tolland County Courthouse. The group also stages cultural events, such as quilt shows, antique shows, guided tours, and others.
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