Home to the first factory in the nation devoted exclusively to bell manufacturing, the town of East Hampton now combines its bell factory with a diverse, light industrial base. Most of the development is focused along routes 16, 66, and 196, particularly in the Old Town Center and lake area. The community has remained very scenic and primarily rural in nature, creating an idyllic backdrop for suburban neighborhoods. Natural beauty abounds with wooded hills that hover over the state’s largest Lake, Lake Pocotopaug. Streams and valleys blend in a landscape etched by the sparkling Salmon and Connecticut Rivers to create a paradise of patched hills and waterfront vistas. Civic pride is strong, and new residents have an opportunity to become involved and play an active role in projects and decisions.