[1] The densely built Borough of Stonington occupies a point of land that projects into Little Narragansett Bay.

Its colonial, Federal, and Greek revival architectures have been preserved through the lack of traffic or modern industry, together with the borough's role as a fashionable summer residence, while the activity of one of Connecticut's last remaining fishing and lobstering fleets keeps it from being simply a quaint, historic village.

On August 30, 1775, a ship's tender chased two small private sloops into Stonington Harbor during the American Revolutionary War.

The British demanded immediate surrender, but Stonington's citizens replied with a note that stated, "We shall defend the place to the last extremity; should it be destroyed, we shall perish in its ruins.

"[3] The Royal Navy pounded the town for three days, but the only fatality was that of an elderly woman who was mortally ill.

The bombardiers with bomb and ball Soon made a farmer's barrack fall, And did a cow-house badly maul That stood a mile from Stonington.

But some assert, on certain grounds, (Beside the damage and the wounds), It cost the king ten thousand pounds To have a dash at Stonington.The Stonington Harbor Light is a low stone building erected in 1840.

Throughout the 19th century, Stonington supported a small fishing, whaling, and sealing fleet, with some direct trade with the West Indies, enough in volume for it to be made a port of entry in 1842.