Darien encompasses 12.9 square miles within its boundaries, with many miles of shoreline on Long Island Sound. Originally settled in 1641 as part of Stamford, the area we know as Darien became Middlesex Parish in 1737. In 1820, residents petitioned the state legislature to establish Darien as a separate town.

In the early years, Darien's businesses were primarily located at Ring's End Landing on Goodwives River and Loading Rock on Five Mile River. Today, several convenient shopping areas include Goodwives Shopping Plaza, stores along the Post, Tokeneke, and Heights Roads, plus Noroton Heights Shopping Center.

Darien is a community recognized for its excellent schools, active churches representing seven denominations, social clubs, civic organizations and a variety of philanthropic activities. There are three country clubs - Wee Burn and Woodway Country Club, both with attractive beach Clubs on Long Island Sound, and the Country Club of Darien. In addition, Tokeneke Beach Club, Noroton Yacht Club, Middlesex Swim Club, and Ox Ridge Hunt Club are also located in Darien.

Additional Features

* Altitude: 0-250 feet above sea level
* Local Newspapers: Darien News-Review, Darien Times
* Communications: Major New York area television and radio AM-FM stations, plus local Connecticut stations and Cablevision
* Postal Service: Two Post Offices ? Darien and Noroton Heights
* Education: Five elementary schools, one middle school and one senior high school
* Financial Services: Many Banks aid several brokerage houses
* Health Facilities: Three hospitals in neighboring communities: Stamford: Stamford Hospital; Norwalk: Norwalk Hospital; Greenwich: Greenwich Hospital.
* Library ? Rated best small library in Connecticut
* Recreation Facilities: Private: indoor ice skating rink, indoor tennis facility. Public: six parks, two beaches with picnic areas, tennis and paddle courts, youth facilities, plus a YMCA and YWCA.

Churches

Calvary Baptist
655-0318
988 Post Road

New Life Christian Fellowship
655-7194
65 Tokeneke Road

Christian Science
655-3407
2331 Post Road

First Congregational
655-0491
Brookside Road

St. Luke's Episcopal
655-1456
1882 Post Road

St. Paul's Episcopal
655-8773
471 Mansfield Avenue

Noroton Presbyterian
655-1451
2011 Post Road

St. John's RC
655-1145
1986 Post Road

St. Thomas More RC
655-3303
374 Middlesex Road

United Methodist
655-1469
345 Middlesex Road

Health Services

Darien Health Department 656-7320

Hospitals Greenwich 863-3000 5 Perryridge Road
Norwalk 852-2000 34 Maple Street
Stamford 325-7000 Shelburne Road

Nursery Schools