Oxford in Naugatuck Valley Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Oxford

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 30, 2009

1. Oxford Marker

Inscription. Originally part of Derby, Oxford was settled by people pushing inland from Derby, Stratford, and New Haven. Land was acquired in five purchases from the Paugussett and Pootatuck Indians. The first grant of settlement appears in Derby records of 1678. Bounds were set with Mattatuck, now Waterbury, in 1680. In 1741 the “Oxford district” was made a parish but did not become a separate town until 1798. Oxford long remained rural with grist and saw mills, wool growing, and coastal commerce via Derby and New Haven until the embargo of 1807. Many small farm industries flourished into mid-century, when the railroad in the Naugatuck Valley caused sweeping changes. With dwindling population, Oxford turned to poultry and dairy farming, which later declined as new highways provided better access to employment in neighboring towns. The airport, opened in 1969, with adjacent industrial areas, began a new chapter in the economic development of Oxford.

Erected 1978 by the Town of Oxford, the Oxford Historical Society, Inc., and the Connecticut Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these

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topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1678.

Location. 41° 26.299′ N, 73° 7.27′ W. Marker is in Oxford in Naugatuck Valley Region, Connecticut. It is on Oxford Road (Connecticut Route 67) half a mile north of Academy Road, on the right when traveling north. Located in front of Oxford Town Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 486 Oxford Rd, Oxford CT 06478, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Connecticut River Valley,

on the Connecticut Shoreline,

and in Greater New Haven.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Haven County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Oxford World War I Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Our Hero Dead World War II (approx. 0.7 miles away); Beacon Falls (approx. 3.2 miles away); Beacon

Oxford Marker and Oxford Town Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 30, 2009

2. Oxford Marker and Oxford Town Hall

Falls Veterans Monument (approx. 3.2 miles away); Seymour School Bell (approx. 3.9 miles away); The Falls (approx. 3.9 miles away); Seymour Soldiers Monument (approx. 3.9 miles away); Seymour Korean War Memorial (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oxford.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2009, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,500 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 30, 2009, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.