Stony Creek (Branford)

Stony Creek is a shorefront section of Branford, Connecticut, centered on a harbor on Long Island Sound, in the southeast corner of the town. Stony Creek residents feel it has its own distinct feeling, that of a small village with a traditional timeless and quaint charm. Two unique attractions set Stony Creek apart from other small Connecticut coastal towns: the Thimble Islands and the Stony Creek Puppet House.

The Thimble Islands are a jumble of glacial rocks, ranging from 17 acres (69,000 m²) down to stepping-stone size, at the mouth of the harbor. Despite their small size, they possess a wealth of history and local lore, as well as providing pleasant scenery for a summer cruise.

The Stony Creek Puppet House is one of the few places in the world where traditional 4- to 5-foot-high Sicilian puppets can be seen. Unfortunately, the puppets are not performing regularly, but they are on display on the walls of the Puppet House and can sometimes be coaxed into visiting other venues for demonstration purposes. Meanwhile, the 100-year-old puppet house itself serves as a theater for a wide variety of concerts, dances, plays, musicals, dinner theater, small puppet shows and children's programs, year round.

A large quarry is still working, and supplied the distinctive pink/orange Stony Creek granite for the Brooklyn Bridge, the Willoughby Wallace Library in Stony Creek, and the newest House Office Building in Washington, DC.