Southbury

About Southbury

Nestled in the Naugatuck Valley of western New Haven County, Southbury is a rare blend of rolling countryside, historic villages, and welcoming suburban neighborhoods — all within an easy drive of both New York City and Hartford. True to its town seal's motto Unica Unaque ("The One and Only"), Southbury is literally one of a kind: the only community in the United States with its name.

What to Know

• Russian Village: In the 1920s, Count Ilya Tolstoy (son of Leo Tolstoy) and writer George Grebenstchikoff founded Churaevka, an artists' colony that attracted luminaries like composer Sergei Rachmaninoff. The enclave's St. Sergius Chapel, designed by Nicholas Roerich, still stands today and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Two Rivers: The Pomperaug River and the Housatonic River wind through town, offering scenic beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities.
• Great Location: Sitting 67 miles north of New York City and 34 miles west of Hartford, Southbury offers small-town living with big-city access.
• Historic Roots: The town was originally purchased from the Pootatuck Native Americans and carved out of the original settlement of Woodbury.

History

Southbury was incorporated in 1787, having grown from lands settled as part of Woodbury in 1673. Its 19th-century economy thrived on water-powered mills, tanneries, and distilleries, before industrialization drew those businesses north to Waterbury. The town's most colorful chapter may be its 1920s transformation into a haven for Russian expatriate artists and intellectuals.

Community & Living

Southbury strikes a balance that's hard to find — rural character and historic charm without sacrificing convenience. Residents enjoy quiet neighborhoods, scenic river trails, and a tight-knit community atmosphere that feels genuinely unhurried. It's the kind of town where history is visible on every corner, and neighbors still take pride in being the one and only Southbury.