Our History
Over 130 Years of Friendship, Love and Truth
Founded in 1892, Fairview is a mission-driven nonprofit serving seniors on a beautiful waterfront campus overlooking the Thames River in Groton, Connecticut. Established by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, our organization’s legal name remains The Odd Fellows Home of Connecticut, Inc., though we are proudly known as Fairview. For more than a century, thousands of individuals have lived, worked, and received care on our campus, shaping the community we are today. As a nonprofit, every dollar we earn is reinvested into our campus to support those who live and work here. While our buildings and services have evolved over time, our core values, Friendship, Love, and Truth, have remained constant.
Our Beginning
In 1892, the Connecticut Independent Order of Odd Fellows purchased this property and established a nonprofit home for seniors. The original mansion and the 30-unit Davis Hall, built in 1905, formed the foundation of the Odd Fellows Home of Connecticut. Although originally intended for members of the fraternal order, the campus soon opened its doors to the broader community, a tradition that continues today, with most individuals served being nonmembers. These two buildings were razed in 1987
In 1925, an infirmary was constructed to provide healthcare services for approximately 50 years. During World War II, it even served as a small Navy surgical center and school for the enlisted sailors children. In 1987, the building was repurposed into Fellowship Manor, offering independent living apartments for seniors, a use it continues today.
Fairview Today
Today, Fairview not only remains true to its original purpose, but has evolved considerably. The nursing home/health center was erected in 1976 and continues to provide both long-term and short-term care as well as outpatient rehab services. In 2014, Thames Edge at Fairview redefined the organizational identify from nursing home to full life plan community with the construction of 40 beautiful entrance fee homes in two Phases. At this time, Grille92 was also constructed as the primary amenity offering both a clubhouse, indoor fitness & outdoor pool for activities and programing along with a quality restaurant experience serving both our Fairview campus as well as the general public.
As of 2025, are very excited to discuss our Phase 3 expansion project which is our most ambitious project to date known as Vista Point at Fairview. Vista Point will radically transform the scale, scope and beauty of our life plan community into something progressive, modern, dynamic and unlike anything in southeastern CT. A total of 193 brand new Independent Living apartment units along with a 70-unit Assisted Living facility are planned for construction to begin in 2026. These new units will be over 565,000 sq feet with an impressive 43,000 sq feet dedicated to exciting amenities, such as dining venues, auditorium, aquatic center, tennis, pickleball, fitness, walking trails, gardening, and so much more. Please see our dedicated webpage for this project at www.vistapointatfairview.org for some incredible renderings and information.
Whether you are familiar with Fariview or not, we encourage you to visit our brand-new sales and marketing office on campus called Chelsea Cottage located at 231 Lestertown Rd to learn more. The future of premiere upscale retirement living is coming soon to Groton CT. Our long-time neighbors at the US Navy submarine base, US Coast Guard, Pfizer, UConn and Connecticut College will have a very impressive campus to look at, as we enjoy the “sunsets, sailboats, and submarines” that define our location each day.