Located near the source of the Willimantic River,[4] the mill industry grew in the town due to its location and became the largest industry in the area.[5] The village has the Holt Memorial Fountain and the former railroad station.[6]
In the 18th century, the spring at Stafford Springs was famous for its reputed ability to cure "the gout, sterility, pulmonary, hysterics, etc."[7] In 1771, John Adams, then a young lawyer, visited Stafford Springs for several days after suffering from overwork and anxiety.[7]
Stafford Springs was once the headquarters of Station C of the Connecticut State Police, and subsequently was the site of the Troop C Barracks.[8]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.41 mi2 (16.6 km2), of which 6.37 mi2 (16.5 km2) is land and 0.036 mi2 (0.093 km2) (0.56%) is water.[10]