Montville

About Montville

Tucked into the hills of southeastern Connecticut along the Thames River, Montville is a town with deep roots and a vibrant present. Home to distinct villages — Uncasville, Oakdale, Mohegan, and Chesterfield — it's the kind of place where residents often feel more attached to their neighborhood than the town name itself. Rich in Mohegan heritage and anchored by one of the world's most celebrated casino resorts, Montville balances small-town charm with big draws.

What to Know

• Mohegan Sun — Located in Uncasville, this massive resort and casino is one of the largest in the United States, drawing millions of visitors annually for gaming, concerts, and dining.
• Fort Shantok State Park — A sacred site on the Mohegan reservation, this park preserves the ancestral fortified village of the Mohegan sachem Uncas, dating to the 1630s.
• Village identity — Residents proudly identify with Uncasville, Oakdale, Chesterfield, or Mohegan, giving the town a neighborly, village-by-village feel rather than a single downtown center.
• Oxoboxo Lake — A beloved local freshwater lake popular for fishing, swimming, and warm-weather recreation.
• Name meaning — "Montville" literally means mountain village in French — a fitting nod to its elevated, wooded terrain.

History

Montville's story is inseparable from the Mohegan people, who built fortified villages here in the early 17th century to defend against Pequot rivals during a turbulent era of colonial New England. The town was carved out of New London's North Parish and officially incorporated in 1786. In 1819, the neighboring town of Salem was formed from portions of Montville's original territory.

Community & Living

Montville offers a genuine mix of forested landscapes, lakeside living, and easy access to the amenities of southeastern Connecticut. Residents enjoy a quieter pace of life while staying close to major employers, cultural attractions, and the coastline. The town's layered Indigenous and colonial history gives everyday life here a grounded, meaningful sense of place.