History of Sherman, Connecticut
Early Inhabitants and Settlement
Before European settlers arrived, the area now known as Sherman was inhabited by indigenous peoples of Algonquian lineage. In 1724, colonial settlers from Fairfield, Connecticut, sought permission to establish a new township. By 1729, they had acquired a 31,000-acre tract of land—encompassing present-day New Fairfield and Sherman—for 65 pounds sterling. This acquisition laid the foundation for future settlements in the region. [Source]
Sherman Incorporated 1802
Settling initially in New Fairfield, the Puritans established "The New Fairfield Meeting" with a meeting house at its center. As the northern seven miles of the town became well-populated, residents established their own "North Meeting" in 1744, complete with a Congregational Church and schools.
Eventually, the North Meeting petitioned the Connecticut General Assembly to become a separate town. In 1802, Sherman was incorporated, named in honor of Roger Sherman, the only American to sign all four great state papers of the United States: The Continental Association, The Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and The Federal Constitution. His legacy is commemorated through the town's name and his reconstructed cobbler's shop, which still stands behind the Northrup House in the town center. [Source]
Roger Sherman and the Connecticut Compromise
Roger Sherman, a Connecticut politician and Superior Court judge, is best remembered as the architect of the "Connecticut Compromise," which prevented a stalemate between states during the creation of the United States Constitution.
During the summer of 1787, delegates gathered in Philadelphia were deadlocked over how to manage legislative voting. Sherman proposed a system he had advocated for in 1776: a bicameral legislature. This model provided for representation in the House of Representatives according to population, while the Senate granted equal numbers for each state regardless of size. Sherman's compromise was adopted on July 16, 1787, by a vote of five states to four. It saved the crumbling convention and provided the momentum needed to resolve other issues. [Source]
19th Century: An Agrarian Community
For much of the 19th century, Sherman thrived as a farming community. The town featured mills for timber, shingles, cider, and grain, supporting a self-sufficient population that included a doctor, builders, and merchants. By 1810, the population had reached 949 residents.
The town's fertile soil supported various farming activities, with tobacco cultivation gaining particular prominence in the early 1900s. Considered to be of superior quality, Sherman tobacco was dried in barns and shipped out as the wrapper leaf for cigars. However, as industrialization drew many workers to urban centers, Sherman's population experienced a gradual decline, dropping to 658 by 1900. During this period, local farmers diversified, growing corn, wheat, and rye, while raising livestock. [Source]
The Creation of Candlewood Lake
The 20th century brought a massive transformation to the landscape. On July 15, 1926, the Connecticut Light & Power Company's board of directors approved a daring plan to build a man-made reservoir to produce electric power. What would become Candlewood Lake was the first large-scale project in the United States to employ the concept of a pumped-water storage facility. Essentially, water from the Housatonic River was pumped up a 13-foot-diameter pipe into a massive reservoir. When electricity was needed, this water would flow back down into a turbine to generate power.
It took 26 months to complete Connecticut's largest lake. The project involved building a dam and flooding 5,420 acres of farmland and forest across Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, and Sherman. A workforce of 1,400 laborers—some housed in four temporary work camps built on-site—hand-cleared 4,500 acres of woodland.
The human cost of the project was significant. In all, 35 families owned property in the flood zone. While Connecticut Light & Power held the right of eminent domain, most families sold their property voluntarily; however, a few refused, and some small portions of the lakebed remain privately owned to this day. Approximately 100 buildings—including schools, houses, barns, and churches—were demolished or moved. Even the dead were not spared; workers were paid $1 to exhume remains from local cemeteries for reburial elsewhere. The small community of Jerusalem, located in what is now the New Milford portion of the lake, was completely submerged.
On February 25, 1928, water was first pumped into the valley. By September 29, 1928, the lake was officially complete, sitting at 429 feet above sea level. Today, Candlewood Lake is 16 miles long, 3.2 miles wide, and covers a surface area of 8.4 square miles (5,400 acres), with an average depth of 40 feet. [Source]
Modern Sherman
The creation of the lake turned Sherman into a favored weekend retreat for New York City residents, shifting the economy from purely agrarian to one supported by tourism and summer homes. While the population dipped to a low of 549 in 1950, it rebounded as the town became a desirable residential haven. By 2020, the census reported 3,527 residents. [Source]
Today, Sherman is known for its high standard of living and commitment to conservation. The Sherman Land Trust works to preserve the town’s rural character, maintaining trails and protecting open spaces. Agriculture still survives in smaller forms; local farms raise livestock or grow organic produce for the open market, and riding stables can be found throughout the town.
Community & Infrastructure
Education and community remain the cornerstones of the town. The Sherman School serves students from pre-school through grade 8, while high school students have the option to attend area schools in New Milford or New Fairfield with tuition covered by the town. The historic town center, anchored by the Library, the Historical Society, and the volunteer fire department, serves as the hub of civic life.
From its early days as indigenous land to its current status as a tranquil residential community, Sherman's history reflects resilience and adaptability. The town's commitment to preserving its natural beauty ensures that it remains a cherished place for residents and visitors alike. [Source]
Frequently Asked Questions about Sherman, CT
Who is Sherman, Connecticut named after?
Sherman, CT is named after Roger Sherman. He is famously known as the only person to sign all four founding documents of the United States.
When was Candlewood Lake built?
Candlewood Lake was completed in 1928. It was a massive engineering project that involved flooding 5,420 acres of land to create a hydroelectric gravity battery.
What is the population of Sherman, CT?
As of the 2020 decennial census, the population of Sherman, Connecticut is approximately 3,527 residents, making it the least populous town in Fairfield County.