Photo credit: Branford Historical Society
Trolleys and ferries were important modes of transportation for people traveling to Branford in the early 1900’s. The first trolley service from New Haven to Branford began in 1900 and in 1905 service was extended to Stony Creek. By 1936 the trolleys no longer ran to Stony Creek and in 1947 trolley service to Branford ended as automobiles had become more popular and buses replaced the trolleys. Steamboats and ferry boats brought summer visitors and provided service to island residents. Branford was a very popular summer resort, both for day visitors and for those who came to stay in the many summer hotels.