The village arose around a church society founded in 1743, and grew with the development of small industries along area waterways.

There are 16 houses, in styles ranging from Georgian (built c. 1750) to the early 20th century Colonial Revival; while most are well preserved, they are not of great architectural significance.

[1] The larger Hadlyme area is bordered to the west by the Connecticut River where a ferry to Chester still runs (Route 148).

The ferry and dock were where shipments along the river would be received, primarily by not exclusively for Gillette Castle (Formerly Seventh Sister) during the late 1800s.

The post office for the district is located here (US ZIP 06371) as well as a country store and carriage factory turned antique shop.