New Haven Water Department

New Haven Water Department Municipal Water Report Info

New Haven was originally platted by Henry Burgess and was incorporated as a town under Indiana law in 1866. The community later achieved city status in 1963. Several historic Burgess family homes remain standing in New Haven today. The Burgess residence on Summit Street represents the oldest brick structure in Jefferson Township, while Henry Burgess' son-in-law, E.W. Green, constructed an impressive Greek Revival house overlooking what is now Central Lutheran School. Another notable Burgess building stands at the intersection of Summit and Eben Streets.

Transportation has significantly shaped New Haven's development throughout its history. The city was strategically positioned along the Wabash and Erie Canal (the Gronauer Lock was excavated during I-469 construction in the late 1980s and is now exhibited at the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis). Later, the Wabash and Nickel Plate Railroads served the community, with Norfolk Southern Railway maintaining important operations in New Haven today. Major roadways including U.S. 24, U.S. 30 (the historic Lincoln Highway), and Interstate 469 all serve area residents.

The historic French settlement of Besancon sits on New Haven's eastern edge along the Lincoln Highway. Saint Louis Catholic Church at Besancon is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

New Haven offers residents a unique "front porch" community experience within Allen County, sharing a border with Fort Wayne, Indiana's second-largest city. This proximity provides access to big-city amenities while maintaining small-town affordability and quality of life. More than 15,700 residents call New Haven home, with housing options ranging from quaint established neighborhoods to new developments, apartments to rural properties.

As part of the Fort Wayne Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), New Haven enjoys a low cost-of-living index and affordable housing. CNN Money recognized New Haven as America's #2 most affordable city. The community combines some of the Midwest's most productive farmland with diverse housing options in various price ranges.