Area Information - Madison, CT The town of Madison, population 15,980 covering 36.3 sq. miles is located near the center of Connecticut's Long Island Sound shoreline. These lands were first purchased from the Mohegan Indians in 1641 by Rev. Henry Whitfield of Guilford. Settlement began in 1645. The East Guilford of Hammonasset Society was set off in 1703. In 1826 the town was incorporated from Guilford and named. Much of Madison wealth and success can be attributed the sea. In 1792 a porpoise fishery was started here. In 1799 a large trade in Whitefish developed because their value as fertilizer was discovered. Local farmers considered ten to fifteen thousand of these fish per acre of land to be optimum coverage. And from 1825 to 1890 this was also a large shipbuilding center. Today the business of the town are mostly mercantile. This town has been a popular summer resort ever since the first summer theater in the country was started here 1923. The largest beach in the state, Hammonasset, is located in Madison Madison is a unique town graced by the sound to the south and by farms and woodlands to the north. Its ambiance includes a little something for every taste. The Main Street area sports an award-winning., user-friendly book store, a cinema, quaint sandwich and sweet shops, linen appointed restaurants, and a growing number of clothing and gift boutiques. In addition, the town green hosts a variety of summer art and craft fairs, antique shows, musical and dramatic performances. Year-round residents boast of a superior school system, an expansive recreational program and many opportunities to volunteer their service. Madison is, indeed the perfect combination of small-town closeness and urban sophistication. It is a wonderful place to live, no less a must to visit. Community Links: Madison, CT Website Madison Chamber of Commerce Website Madison Public Schools Website Town Profile School System Profile Area Maps: Madison Street Map New Haven County Road Map CT Road Map (5.2mb) (Documents with the icon require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download the software.)