Durham in Lower Connecticut River Valley Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Durham

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 18, 2016

1. Durham Marker

Inscription. Durham Coginchaug or “Long Swamp” was purchased from the Indians in 1673. A town plot was laid out in 1699, named Durham five years later, under a patent from King Charles II, and was confirmed by the General Assembly in 1708. It was bounded north by Middletown, east by Haddam, south by Guilford and Killingworth, and west by Wallingford. In 1710 a meeting house was built. One of the first lending libraries in the colonies was formed here in 1733 and the Durham Aqueduct Company, founded in 1798, is one of the oldest public water supplies still operating in the United States. Two oxen were driven from Durham to Valley Forge to help feed General Washington’s army. Native son Moses Austin was responsible for the first legal American settlements in Texas. Originally farming was the chief livelihood. Later mills, tanneries, quarries, metal toy and box factories developed. The annual Durham Agricultural Fair was founded in 1916 and still retains its agricultural character.
Erected by the Town of Durham
the Durham History Committee
and the Connecticut Historical Commission
1979

Erected 1979 by Town of Durham,

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Durham History Committee, Connecticut Historical Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list.

Location. 41° 28.268′ N, 72° 40.822′ W. Marker is in Durham in Lower Connecticut River Valley Region, Connecticut. It is at the intersection of Main Street (Connecticut Route 17) and Fowler Road, on the left when traveling north on Main Street. Located on the Durham Town Green. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Durham CT 06422, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Connecticut River Valley

and on the Connecticut Shoreline.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in New England,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Middlesex County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 18, 2016

2. Durham Marker

least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Patriotic Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Route of George Washington (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Durham Veterans Monument (about 300 feet away); American Legion Post 184 Memorial (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Route of George Washington (approx. 0.4 miles away); Moses Austin Birthplace (approx. 0.6 miles away); Congregational Church Bell (approx. 3.6 miles away); Middlefield Honor Roll (approx. 3.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Durham.

Also see . . .
1. Town of Durham, Connecticut. (Submitted on May 18, 2016, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Durham, Connecticut on Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 18, 2016, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Durham Town Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 18, 2016

3. Durham Town Hall

Marker on the Durham Green image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 18, 2016

4. Marker on the Durham Green

1732-1932
Route
of
George
Washington
1775
&
1789
Wallingford
Durham

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2016, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 895 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 18, 2016, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.