New London Waterfront

New London Waterfront. A Gateway to the Connecticut Blue Heritage Trail. , The Connecticut Blue Heritage Trail links important sites of Connecticut's marine environment and maritime heritage. , Place of Connections , Water has been New London's lifeblood since people began living here after the last Ice Age. The Pequot Tribe's name for New London was Nameaug, meaning "fishing place," reflecting their reliance on Thames River and Long Island Sound resources. Arriving colonists also depended on marine resources for subsistence and profit. The natural deep-water harbor at the mouth of the Thames River served as colonial Connecticut's first official port. Trade connected New London with the West Indies and beyond as international commerce expanded. Some New London ships brought enslaved West Africans to the Americas. A privateering hub during the American Revolution, New London has served as an important naval and Coast Guard center ever since. In the mid-19th century, sealing and whaling extracted oil and other products, conveying great wealth to New London and contributing its enduring nickname, Whaling City. The Waterfront Park, built where a working waterfront once was, reflects the rise of recreational uses of the river. Maritime activities including defense, shipping, transportation, fishing, and recreational boating keep the city's maritime heritage alive today. , Explore Follow one of the many scenic and historic walking, biking, driving, or boating trails, augmented by physical signage and virtual content hosted on our website blueheritage.maritimestudies.uconn.edu and on the IZI.TRAVEL app. , Learn Immerse yourself in Connecticut's marine environment and maritime history, economy, and culture. The Blue Heritage Trails composed of gateway sites that act as portals to trails. , Share Send us your stories, memories, and images of these places. Forge your own path and let us know what you find! , Visit blueheritage.maritimestudies.uconn.edu , ( photo captions ) , , Aerial map of New London from 1876. O.H. Bailey and Co. Source: Archives and Special Collections, University of Connecticut Library. , , Downtown New London from the water.