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History of Norwalk, Connecticut, USA
Journey back in time to Norwalk, Connecticut, USA
Explore the history, people, photographs, newspapers, postcards, and genealogy connected to Norwalk, Connecticut, USA.
About Norwalk
Norwalk is said to have been named because when purchased from the Indians, the norther boundary was to extend from the sea one day's walk, according to the India marking of the distance. According to another authority, the name is derived from nagang, "point of land."
How New England Towns Received Their Names
The Day
New London, Connecticut
October 21, 1914
With up to 100,000 people attending each year, Norwalk's Oyster Festival is one of the largest volunteer-run events on the East Coast.
courant.com
South Norwalk is a neighborhood in Norwalk, Connecticut. The neighborhood was originally settled as Old Well, then chartered as the city of South Norwalk on August 18, 1870. The cities of Norwalk and South Norwalk were incorporated on June 6, 1913.
East Norwalk is the location of Norwalk's original colonial settlements.
Rowayton is an affluent coastal village in the city of Norwalk, Connecticut. wikipedia
Other neighborhoods in Norwalk include:
Broad River, Brookside, Central Norwalk, Cranbury
Golden Hill, Hospital Hill, Marvin Beach, Oak Hills, Silvermine, Spring Hill, The Norwalk Green, Village Creek, West Main, West Norwalk, West Rocks, Wilson Point, Winnipauk, Wolfpit, Woods Pond and Woodward. localwiki.org
Norwalk Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards

Picturesque America... Oliver Bell Bunce, William Cullen Bryant
New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1872-1874.

Procure a pair of ANKLE SUPPORTERS
R. H. Golden
South Norwalk, Conn.
The Ladies' Home Journal
May 1898

Old time atmosphere and candy, food specialties, and gifts recalling our Early American Heritage. Silvermine, Norwalk, Conn.
Built around 1810, with the repeal of Prohibition, J. Kenneth Byard bought the property in 1929 and named it the Silvermine Tavern, offering dining and overnight accommodations. Ownership of the Tavern passed to I.M. Weiss in 1948. The Whitman family operated it from 1955 until the restaurant closed in 2009. It then continued for a few years as a bed & breakfast.
historicbuildingsct.com
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Overlook Military Academy (Formerly The Old Selleck School)
"OVERLOOK" prepares boys thoroughly for the leading Colleges and Technical schools. Splendid opportunity for boys who desire preparation for business. Classes are small, thus assuming individual instruction.
Thoroughly equipped laboratories, fine Gymnasium, bowling alley, showerbath, etc. Has all modern improvements and conveniences.
One hour's ride from New York City on the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad.
All legitimate Athletics, consistent with good scholarship, are encouraged and promoted. Terms moderate.
The American Educational Review
A Monthly Review of the Progress of Higher Education · Volume 30, Published 1909

museumofcthistory.org
...Cluett, Peabody & Co. was the company that lasted the longest. It produced a number of brands, of which Arrow Shirts was probably the most famous. For the longest time, Arrow Shirts were synonymous with Troy. the Troy plant was thought to be the largest shirt factory in the world, and it sprawled along the river. In 1912, the New York Times would report that Cluett, Peabody & Co., “the largest manufacturers of collars, shirts, and cuffs in the world, is to become still larger.” At that time it had factories at Troy, Rochester, Corinth, and Waterford, NY; Leominster, MA; South Norwalk, CT; and St. Johns, Quebec. The combined annual output of those plants was then 7,000,000 dozen collars and 500,000 dozen shirts... hoxsie.org


Now part of the Silvermine Tavern complex.
"English-born Henry Guthrie owned a shipyard and three mills clustered around today’s Silvermine Tavern..." www.norwalkct.org

museumofcthistory.org
Located on Ann Street, the R & G Corset Factory was one of the largest producers of ladies corsets
and in 1901 employed about a thousand workers, almost all of them women. It turned out 650 garments daily. During World War I, R & G Corsets were the mainstay of Red Cross Nurses. The company closed during the great depression of the 1930's. The building was purchased by the Manhattan Shirt
Company to manufacture soft collar shirts, but the building eventually was converted to living quarters. norwalkct.org

museumofcthistory.org
The Norwalk, Connecticut hat manufacturer Crofut and Knapp began operations in 1858 as a result of a partnership between hatmakers James H. Knapp and Andrew J. Crofut. The firm specialized in firm or ‘hard’ hats and is credited with producing the first derby style hat in America in 1860. These were manufactured in a shop at the corner of North Main and Union Streets Norwalk. The Crofut and Knapp Company was incorporated in 1873 and by the late-19th century it occupied a second sprawling factory complex located at the corner of Tolles and Water Streets in South Norwalk, the heart of Norwalk’s hat industry at the time... connecticutmills.org

museumofcthistory.org
The Muller Gloria Mills were organized in Norwalk, Connecticut by Richard Muller in 1903. The company manufactured silk and cotton fabrics and employed roughly 200 hands by 1910... connecticutmills.org

Founded in 1924, Shorehaven enjoys a beautiful location offering spectacular water views and a unique links style 18-hole course. We have a vibrant, family-friendly membership that enjoys golf, swimming, racquet sports and social activities amongst friends and families. shorehavengc.org
Genealogy gifts & optional resources
Genealogy Gifts & Resources Related to NORWALK

SAVIN ROCK, CT Memories - Vintage Amusement Park Connecticut Postcards Ceramic Mug
Take a nostalgic trip to Connecticut’s beloved Savin Rock amusement park with this charming ceramic mug. Featuring vintage-inspired images and iconic landmarks, it’s perfect for reminiscing about summer days, family outings, and the golden age of amusement parks.

CONNECTICUT Roots Mug: Bed-and-Breakfast Enthusiast Edition
Start your day with a sip of history and charm from our Connecticut-inspired ceramic mug, proudly proclaiming: "My ancestors came from Connecticut, that explains a lot about my love for charming bed-and-breakfasts and discussing the nuances of colonial architecture." This delightful mug is perfect for those who appreciate the finer things in life, like cozy mornings at quaint inns and lively conversations about the elegance of colonial design.
Discover Norwalk: History, News, Travel, and Stories
Explore the events, newspaper stories, people, and moments that shaped Norwalk through the years.
Almanac of American Military History, Volume 1
Editor Spencer C. Tucker
Edition illustrated
Publisher ABC-CLIO, 2012
ISBN 1598845306, 9781598845303
Page 324
Fairfield county. This pleasant town lies on Long Island Sound, 32 miles W.S.W. from New Haven, 22 S. from Danbury, and 48 N.E. from New York. Population, 1830, 3,792.
Norwalk originally included part of the present towns of New Canaan and Wilton, and part of Westport. In the ancient record the bounds are stated to be "from Norwalk river to Sauhatuck river, from sea, Indian one day walk into the country." For this tract the following articles were given, viz; "8 fathom wampum, 6 coats, 10 hatchets, 10 hoes, 10 knives, 10 scissors, 10 jewsharps, 10 fathom tobacco, 3 kettles, 3 hands-about, 10 looking glasses." The following articles were given to the Indians for the tract "from Norwalk river to Five mile river, from sea, Indian one day in country," viz. "10 fathom wampum, 3 hatchets, 3 hoes when ships come, 6 glasses, 12 tobacco pipes, 3 knives, 10 drillers, 10 needles." The name of Norwalk is derived from the above bargain, viz; the northern bounds of the...
10 P. M. Thus far, 49 dead bodies have been recovered, and two of the injured have died; 18 others are seriously injured, and three dangerously. Among the lost is the daughter of the Rev. Thomas Griswold.
There are probably ten or more dead bodies in the creek. Most of the bodies recovered were those of physicians who had been attending the medical Convention in this city and were on their way home. The conductor, Mr. Comstock, was in the second car, but escaped with many bruises, but not...
About thirty passengers were injured, and both trains were badly smashed. The engineer of the express train was unable, on account of a curve, to see the other train until too late to prevent the collision.
Names of the most seriously injured:
W. C. COATES, Newark, N.J.
AARON LOCKWOOD, Sanford's Station.
GEORGE B. WATERMAN, Sanford's Station.
CHARLES GODMAN, Sanford's Station.
MATILDA E. RICHARDSON, Newark, N.J.
MARY A. GODFREY, Sanford's Station.
EMILY MARTIN, New York.
Was an Unlucky Run.
Previous to this disaster, which destroyed its usefulness and stopped its career of death, the train had two other mishaps, or rather was the cause of trouble to three other people. Just below Hartford it killed a woman who was crossing the track, and just below Meriden two men got in its way and were...
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NORWALK, Conn., Sept. 27.--Word reached here today of a tornado, which raged in the Norwalk River Valley last night, and did great damage to buildings, orchards, and timber land.
The storm came up from the southwest out of an apparently cloudless sky, and passed to the northeast with terrific force. The villages most affected are West Norwalk, Winnipauk, Silver Mine, Wilton, Cannons, Georgetown, Branchville, Redding, and the country near Danbury. The path varied from fifty to three hundred feet in width, and it was marked with destruction. Trees were uprooted and dropped across highways, buildings were destroyed, and roofs carried away. Witnesses describe it as a dark, foggy cloud, apparently rolling over and over, and filled with leaves, limbs of trees, and other debris.
The residents of the section over which the tornado passed were terror stricken, and many sought refuge in cellars. The wind was preceded by thunder and lightning and jet black ...
Several people in boats left Calf Pasture beach and other points in the harbor and went to the island, but the whole structure was enveloped in flames and there was no posibility of saving it. All the contents were destroyed and the loss is estimated at $9,000.
Mr. Scofield is out of town and could not be reached today. How the fire started is an unsolved mystery.
Stepping Stones Museum for Children: If you have kids, this museum is a must-visit. It's a fun and educational place where children can engage in hands-on learning experiences through various interactive exhibits and activities.
Calf Pasture Beach: Enjoy a day at this beautiful beach with scenic views of Long Island Sound. You can swim, sunbathe, have a picnic, or play beach volleyball. There's also a playground for the kids.
Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum: Step back in time by visiting this historic mansion. It's an architectural gem showcasing the opulence of the Gilded Age. Take a guided tour to learn about the history and elegance of this place.
Norwalk Islands: Take a boat tour to explore the Norwalk Islands, ...
Discover YOUR Roots: Norwalk Ancestry
Explore ancestors connected to Norwalk through births, deaths, marriages, cemeteries, and local genealogy resources.
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Norwalk, Connecticut, USA
We currently have information about 222 ancestors who were born or died in Norwalk.
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