Pawcatuck is a river village in the historic town of Stonington. The first business was the trading post on the Pawcatuck River built by Thomas Stanton in 1661. Shortly thereafter a grist mill and later a sawmill was erected on the west bank of the river. The oldest standing house in Stonington is the Stanton-Davis Homestead in Lower Pawcatuck built in 1680.
Westerly, Rhode Island Watch Hill, Rhode Island Misquamicut, Rhode Island Hopkinton, Rhode Island Richmond, Rhode Island Pawcatuck, Connecticut King Charles II set the eastern boundary of Connecticut at the Pawcatuck River in 1662, which explains why Westerly and Pawcatuck are in different states while still being entwined in many business and recreational enterprises.
Pawcatuck has retained its neighborhoods and sense of community. Citizens take pride in their schools, especially West Broad Street School which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. The Town of Stonington has made investments in beautifying their downtown with trees and flowers and with a pleasant park on the river. Marinas are busy launching and servicing boats for sportfishing in the Atlantic. Downtown retail shops feature unique gifts, trendy clothing, a pottery studio and a jewelry studio.
Today Pawcatuck is the home of such modern enterprises as the Davis-Standard Corporation which makes extruders for the plastics industry, Cottrell Brewery which is known for its Yankee Ale, and Hi-Tech Profiles which makes plastic tubing and soccer nets.
