Mystic was one of the most active shipbuilding ports along New England's southern coast during the mid-1800s. At the end of the age of sail, Mystic made a successful transition to a new economy based on textile and machine manufacturing, maritime engineering, and small craft building. These industries carried the village into the twentieth century. Today Mystic is a world-class tourist destination, a community that is both divided and unified by the Mystic River. The history of Mystic mirrors the history of many coastal New England towns, but the images here are unique to this southeastern Connecticut region and will be recognized by both residents and visitors alike.