Litchfield Hills

The geographic region includes colloquial subregions—rural Northwestern Connecticut and the area associated with the city of Torrington, also known as the Upper Naugatuck River Valley or simply Litchfield Hills—which have also variously corresponded to designated government councils both past and present.

The Litchfield hills are known for their distinct rural scenery, which can stand in contrast to central and southern Connecticut, which is largely urbanized or suburbanized.

The terrain in the Litchfield Hills area varies from gently rolling to the south and east to more mountainous toward the north and west.

[1] The Litchfield Hills, like the rest of Northwest Connecticut, are known for their town greens, fall foliage, and historical architecture.

Due to the rural feel of the area, the region is an extremely popular location for second homes, primarily with New York City residents.

The area has been and continues to be home to many famous or wealthy residents, including Mia Farrow, Meryl Streep, Dustin Hoffman, Denis Leary, Kevin Bacon, and is sometimes referred to as the Hamptons of Connecticut.

Northwestern Connecticut is known for its cultural activities, such as chamber performances at Music Mountain in Canaan and a wide array of art galleries.

Some notable areas settled by people from the Litchfield Hills include the Western Reserve of Ohio and Torrington, Wyoming.

Later in the 20th century, many of these industries declined or relocated, producing conditions similar to the Midwestern rust belt, but on a smaller scale.