Of course. It’s important to clarify that you are asking about New London, a historic city in Connecticut, USA, and not a “new” history of London, UK. Assuming this is correct, here is the location history of New London, Connecticut.
A City Forged by the Sea: The History of New London, Connecticut
The history of New London is inextricably linked to its location on a magnificent, deep-water harbor at the mouth of the Thames River. This strategic position shaped its destiny, transforming it from a Puritan colonial outpost into a global whaling capital, a key military hub, and a city of enduring maritime character.
1. Pre-Colonial Era: The Lands of the Pequot
Before any European settlement, the land where New London now stands was the territory of the Pequot people, one of the most powerful Algonquian tribes in the region. The river, which they called the Pequot River, was central to their way of life, providing rich resources for fishing and transportation. Their main settlement was located just upriver from the present-day city.
2. Founding and a New Name (1646-1658)
The area was opened to English settlement following the brutal Pequot War of 1637. In 1646, a group of colonists led by John Winthrop the Younger, son of the Massachusetts Bay Colony governor, established a settlement here. They initially named it “Pequot Plantation.”
Winthrop, however, had grand ambitions. He envisioned the settlement becoming a major commercial hub, a “new” London in the Americas. In 1658, driven by this vision, the colonists successfully petitioned the General Court to officially rename the settlement New London and, in a parallel move, renamed the Pequot River the Thames River, forging a direct link to the identity of its famous English namesake.
3. The Revolutionary War and Benedict Arnold’s Betrayal (1781)
During the American Revolution, New London’s harbor made it a crucial base for privateers—privately owned ships authorized to attack British merchant vessels. The city became a thorn in the side of the British Royal Navy.
This led to one of the most infamous events in its history. In 1781, the notorious American traitor Benedict Arnold, now a British general, led a raid on his home state of Connecticut. His forces attacked and burned New London to the ground, devastating the city and its waterfront. Simultaneously, across the river, the British overran Fort Griswold in the bloody Battle of Groton Heights.
4. The Golden Age of Whaling (19th Century)
Despite its wartime destruction, New London rebuilt and entered its most prosperous era in the 19th century. The city’s deep, sheltered harbor was perfectly suited for the burgeoning whaling industry. New London quickly grew to become the second-busiest whaling port in the world, behind only New Bedford, Massachusetts.
This was a period of immense wealth and global reach. Ships sailed from New London on multi-year voyages to the Pacific and Arctic oceans in the dangerous pursuit of whales for their oil, which lit the lamps and lubricated the machines of the industrial world. The immense profits from this industry built the grand Greek Revival mansions for ship captains and merchants, many of which still stand today, particularly on “Whale Oil Row.”
5. Industrial Decline and Military Rebirth (Late 19th – 20th Century)
The discovery of petroleum in 1859 spelled the end for the whaling industry. As the demand for whale oil collapsed, New London’s economic engine sputtered. The city transitioned into manufacturing and shipping but lost its former prominence.
Its fortunes were revived by the military. The city’s strategic harbor was once again its greatest asset. In 1868, the U.S. Navy established a naval station across the river in Groton, which would become the nation’s first U.S. Navy Submarine Base. In 1915, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy relocated permanently to New London. These institutions, along with the major defense contractor General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, tied New London’s 20th-century identity and economy firmly to the U.S. armed forces.
6. A Modern City of Arts and Heritage
Like many post-industrial American cities, New London faced economic challenges and urban decline in the latter half of the 20th century. However, in recent decades, it has undergone a significant cultural renaissance. The city has embraced its rich history, preserving its architectural heritage while fostering a vibrant arts scene, centered around landmarks like the Garde Arts Center and the Custom House Maritime Museum. Today, New London remains a city defined by the sea—a hub for ferries, home to the Coast Guard’s future leaders, and a place where the legacy of its deep and dramatic history is visible on every street.
