It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, and includes a diversity of 18th and 19th-century styles, as well as the town's main civic structures, and the Goodspeed Opera House.

The Upper and Lower Landings each developed somewhat independently, but over time became united into a long linear village, caused in part by the steep terrain immediately to the east which limited growth in that direction.

Both landings flourished up to the American Civil War, as centers of international commerce doing business with the East and West Indies.

The landings declined in economic importance after the war, owing to the rise of the railroad as the principal means of commercial transport, which was run up the west side of the river.

The southern landing eventually became more significant as a tourist destination, and is where the East Haddam Bridge is now located, as is the village's commercial district.