Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk, Connecticut | ||
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City | ||
Norwalk City Hall | ||
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Nickname(s): Oyster Town | ||
Motto: E Pluribus Unum | ||
Location in Fairfield County, Connecticut and the state of Connecticut | ||
Coordinates: 41°05′38″N 73°25′11″W / 41.09389°N 73.41972°WCoordinates: 41°05′38″N 73°25′11″W / 41.09389°N 73.41972°W | ||
Country | United States | |
State | Connecticut | |
County | Fairfield | |
NECTA | Bridgeport-Stamford | |
Region | South Western Region | |
Purchased from Native Americans | February 26, 1640 | |
Incorporated | September 11, 1651 | |
Consolidated | June 6, 1913 | |
Founded by | Daniel Patrick[1] | |
Government | ||
• Type | Weak-mayor-City Council | |
• Mayor | Harry Rilling (D) | |
Area | ||
• Total | 36.3 sq mi (94 km2) | |
• Land | 22.8 sq mi (59 km2) | |
• Water | 13.5 sq mi (35 km2) | |
Elevation | 36 ft (11 m) | |
Population (2012)––→CERC[2] | ||
• Total | 85,853 | |
• Density | 3,765/sq mi (1,454/km2) | |
Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. 2014 | ||
Demonym(s) | Norwalker | |
Time zone | Eastern Time Zone | |
Zip Codes | 06850 through 06860 | |
Area code(s) | 203;475 | |
FIPS code | 09-55990 | |
GNIS feature ID | 0209405 |
Norwalk (pronounced nôr′wôk′),[3] officially the City of Norwalk, Connecticut, is a suburban New England city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States and is part of New York metropolitan area. The population of the city was reported at 85,853 as of 2012.[4] Norwalk also ranks sixth on the List of municipalities of Connecticut by population.
Toponymy
- "Norwalk,settled 1649; incorporated Sept., 1651, "Norwaukee shall bee a townee,"[sic] Algonkin noyank, point of land, or more probably from the Indian name, "Naramauke."[5]
- "Norwalk orignally included part of the present town of New Canaan, Wilton, and part of Westport. In the ancient records 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 scizers, 10 juseharps, 10 fathom tobacco, 3 kettles, 3 hands-about, and 10 lookine 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 lands purchased were to extend from the sea one day's " north walk" into the country."[6]
- "The common tradition concerning the name, is the account given by Barber (John Warner Barber) in his [Connecticut] Historical Collections, that the name Norwalk is derived from the one day's "North-walk" that limited the northern extent of the purchase from the Indians. It is wonderful that so awkward and improbable a fancy ever gained credit. Norwalk is the old Indian name. The Indians were called "the Norwake Indians'" and the river bore the name of "Norwake River," when the English first came to these shores. Mr. Ludlowe's purchase in 1640 was from " The Indians of Norwalke," and the land is described as lying between "the twoe rivers, the one called the Norwalke, the other Soakatuck." In the earliest town records the name is written Norwalke (the w probably silent, as in Warwick[7]). Our aged people retain the ancient (and probably true) pronunciation, Norruck. Bradley's [Connecticut] Register says that the early Colony Records call it Norrwake."[8][9]
- [Norwalk was also] "Once nicknamed "Oyster Town"."[10] "Since the 19th century, oystering has been an important source of income for local watermen. Norwalk Harbor with its sheltering Islands, accessible beds and proximity to New York has been an ideal place to harvest oysters as a local food source and a commercial product to be sent to market. Oyster shell middens (piles of discarded shells) along the Connecticut coast tell the story of Native American life and how important oysters were to pre-Columbian culture [ Pre-Columbian era ] as well."[11]
History
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 36.3 square miles (94 km2), of which, 22.8 square miles (59 km2) of it is land and 13.5 square miles (35 km2) of it (37.24%) is water.
Neighborhoods
- Broad River
- Brookside
- Cranbury
- East Norwalk
- Golden Hill
- Hospital Hill
- Marvin Beach
- Norwalk Center
- Oak Hills
- Rowayton
- Silvermine
- South Norwalk
- Spring Hill
- Springwood
- Strawberry Hill
- The Green
- West Main
- West Norwalk
- West Rocks
- Wolfpit
- Woods Pond
- Woodward
Bordering Municipalities
New Canaan, CT | Wilton, CT | |
Darien, CT | Westport, CT | |
Climate
"Norwalk, Connecticut, gets 45 inches of rain per year. The US average is 37. Snowfall is 24 inches. The average US city gets 25 inches of snow per year. The number of days with any measurable precipitation is 100. On average, there are 179 sunny days per year in Norwalk, Connecticut. The July high is around 83 degrees. The January low is 18."[12]
Government
Voters
Party | Active | Inactive | Total | % |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 8,649 | 423 | 9,072 | 19.3 |
Democratic | 16,193 | 867 | 17,060 | 36.4 |
Minor Parties (Green Party, Independent, Libertarian; Working Families) | 941 | 56 | 997 | 2 |
Unaffiliated | 18,587 | 1162 | 19,749 | 42 |
Totals | 44,370 | 2,508 | 46,878 | 99.7 |
[note: Percentages rounded off to the nearest decimal]
Source: Connecticut Secretary of State
Municipal
The city of Norwalk exists by authority of a municipal charter, granted by the Connecticut General Assembly, which is the legal document that defines the organization, powers, functions, and essential procedures of the city government.[13] Norwalk's municipal government is a Weak-mayor form of a Mayor-Council government[14] with the mayor of Norwalk elected by its voters. The city's charter gives certain administrative powers exclusively to the Council and others jointly to the Council and Mayor. The Common Council is the law-writing body of the City of Norwalk. Norwalk's common council consists of fifteen council members, five elected at-large and ten elected by district, two from each district. Administration offices are located at 125 East Avenue in Norwalk City Hall.
For information about Norwalk's municipal government: Official website
State Representatives and Senator
Norwalk is represented in the Connecticut General Assembly by five House Representatives corresponding to five Connecticut legislative districts and one senator from one Connecticut Senate district.[15][16]
For information about Connecticut General Assembly:Official website
Congressional Representative and Senator
Norwalk, which lies within Connecticut's 4th congressional district is represented in The United States Congress by one congressional representative in the United States House of Representatives and, along with the rest of Connecticut, by two Senators in the United States Senate.
For information about United States House of Representatives: Official website For information about United States Senate: Official website
Demographics
Population
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1880 | 5,308 | — | |
1890 | 5,826 | 9.8% | |
1900 | 6,125 | 5.1% | |
1910 | 6,954 | 13.5% | |
1920 | 27,743 | 299.0% | |
1930 | 36,019 | 29.8% | |
1940 | 39,849 | 10.6% | |
1950 | 49,460 | 24.1% | |
1960 | 67,775 | 37.0% | |
1970 | 79,288 | 17.0% | |
1980 | 77,767 | −1.9% | |
1990 | 78,331 | 0.7% | |
2000 | 82,951 | 5.9% | |
2010 | 85,603 | 3.2% | |
Est. 2014 | 88,145 | [17] | 3.0% |
U.S. Decennial Census 2011 estimate |
The population of Norwalk in 2010 was reported by the U.S. Census at 85,603.[18] A population estimation for 2014 indicates 87,214 people resided in Norwalk as of 2014, an approximate population growth of one percent. The estimate indicates a racially diverse population of 42,768 males (49%) and 44,446 females (51%).[19]
Economy
Economic Profiles
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT Economy at a Glance:→ Norwalk, Connecticut
Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Town Profile 2014:→ Norwalk, Connecticut
Large and distinctive companies
- Applera Corp. Applied Biosystems Group (ABI)[20] – headquarters, 301 Merritt Seven; the successor to Norwalk's old Perkin Elmer Corp. (the actual name of Perkin Elmer went to another company) Appelera Biosystems develops, manufactures, sells and services instrument systems, reagents and software for the life sciences industry. It is a separately traded stock under the holding company Applera Corp., also based in Norwalk. (Applera Corp. also includes Celera Genomics, best known for its work on the human genome project.) Appelera Biosystems has 4,030 employees companywide; $1.8 billion in 2005 revenues; CEO Tony L. White
- Cervalis — Colocation, and managed services Provider; Norwalk is home to company headquarters, and Connecticut's largest data center, a Cervalis facility.
- Diageo North America—U.S. headquarters of the world's largest liquor maker
- Dooney & Bourke apparel manufacturer
- Emcor Group Inc. (EME)[21] – headquarters, 301 Merritt Seven (not to be confused with "Premcor Inc." of Greenwich); a Fortune 500 company that performs mechanical and electrical construction, energy infrastructure and facilities services for a range of businesses worldwide; 26,000 employees companywide; 506 in Connecticut; $4.7 billion in 2005 revenues; CEO Frank T. MacInnis
- FactSet Research Systems – A leading provider of global financial and economic information, including fundamental financial data on tens of thousands of companies worldwide. Combining hundreds of databases into its own dedicated online service, FactSet also provides the tools to download, combine, and manipulate financial data for investment analysis. FactSet has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, its headquarters are in Norwalk.
- GE Capital - leasing and financial services company
- IMS Health — The world's largest supplier of pharmaceutical market intelligence recently moved its headquarters to Norwalk from Fairfield, Connecticut.
- Kayak.com – headquarters, Connecticut Avenue; a travel search engine Web site founded in January 2005; Steve Hafner, CEO.
- Media Storm LLC (privately held)[22] – headquarters, advertising company.
- MBI, parent company of The Danbury Mint and Easton Press.
- Northrop Grumman Norden Systems (formerly Norden Systems)[23] – a division of Northrop Grumman.
- Pepperidge Farm – a division of the Campbell Soup Company since 1961.
- priceline.com (PCLN)[24] – headquarters; online service books airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, cruises, vacation packages and mortgages; 532 employees companywide, 280 in Connecticut; $963 million in annual revenues; CEO Jeffrey H. Boyd
- SoBe – a division; founded in Norwalk in 1996, it was bought by PepsiCo in 2000.
- Southern Air - a cargo carrier airline based in Norwalk
- Stew Leonard's – headquarters and flagship store on Westport Avenue
- Tauck – An upscale escorted tour and cruise operator, with nearly 100 land tours, river cruises and ocean cruises in over 60 countries.
- Tower Optical - a small, family-owned company making coin-operated viewers at major tourist sites since 1932.
- Trans-Lux – maker of real time displays. Headquarters are in Norwalk, but manufacturing has moved elsewhere.
- Virgin Atlantic Airways – U.S. headquarters at 75 North Water Street
- The influential Financial Accounting Standards Board and related Government Accounting Standards Board are headquartered in Norwalk.
- Xerox – World headquarters located at 45 Glover Avenue; global document management company, which manufactures and sells a range of color and black-and-white printers, multifunction systems, photo copiers, digital production printing presses, and related consulting services and supplies.
Culture
- St. George Greek Orthodox Festival, held in late August, the festival features Greek delicacies, Pontic Greek dance exhibitions and a large carnival.
- Round Hill Highland Games,[25] a festival of Scottish culture and athletic events, was started in 1923 in Greenwich, CT but interrupted during World War II, then restarted in 1952, and has been held in Norwalk's Cranbury Park on or around July 4 for a number of years. In 2006, the 83rd annual event attracted 4,000 people to hear bagpipes and watch the caber toss, the hammer throw, and other events; with athletes often wearing wool kilts. Games for children are also offered. Food and Scottish items are offered for sale. Organizers say the event is the third-oldest Scottish games festival in the United States.[26]
- SoNo Arts Celebration,[27] held in mid-summer
Places of Worship
- Al Madany Islamic Center Of Norwalk, 1 Union Park
- Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 31 Merwin St
- Bridge Church, 20 N Main
- Calvary Baptist Church, 21 Concord St
- Calvin Reformed Church, 19 Lexington Ave
- Canaan Institutional Baptist, 31 Concord St
- Christ Episcopal Church, 2 Emerson St
- Christ Temple Pentecostal Church, 109 Woodward Ave
- Christian Fellowship, 25 Van Zant St
- Church Of God, 155 S Main St
- Church Without Walls Ministries, 16 Isaac St
- Community Advent Christian Church, 16 Van Zant St
- Congregational Church United Church Of Christ, 23 Park Ln
- Deliverance Pentecostal Church, 164 S Main
- East Avenue United Methodist, 224 East Ave
- Faith Lighthouse Church/Conservative Baptist, 50 Lexington Ave
- Gethsemane Outreach Ministries, 25 Kossuth St
- Holy Temple Church Of God In Christ, 1 Quincy St
- House Of Prophecy & Prayer Inc, 2 Berkeley St
- Iglesia Betania Church, 1 Union Park
- Kingdom Restoration Ministries, 11 Commerce St
- Little Zion Church of God In Christ, 1 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Dr
- Macedonia Church, 70 S Main St (# 1)
- Methodist Church East Av, 244 East Ave
- Mt Nebo Baptist Church, 5 Gregory Blvd
- New Jerusalem Baptist Church, 4 Tito Ct
- New Light Missionary Baptist Church, 21 Lexington Ave
- Norwalk Seventh Day Adventist Church, 101 S Main St
- Norwalk United Methodist Church, 718 West Ave
- Pentecostal Christian Church, 523 West Ave
- Pentecostal Church John 3 16, 8 Woodward Ave
- Salvation Army, 12 Byington Pl
- Shiloh Baptist Church, 68 Van Zant St
- Saint Jerome Church, 23 Half Mile Road
- Saint Joseph Church 85 S Main St
- Saint Ladislaus Church, 25 Cliff St, Norwalk
- Saint Mary Church, 669 West Ave
- Saint Matthew Church, 216 Scribner Ave
- St Paul's Church Of God, 7 Raymond St
- St. Philip Church, 25 France St
- Saint Thomas the Apostle Church 203 East Ave
- Word Alive Bible Church, 536 West Ave
Attractions / Amenities
- Norwalk Harbor Splash!,[28] held in early June and started in 1995, the festival features arts and crafts booths, food vendors, music, a parade, and dragon boat races.
- Kayak for a Cause, a fund-raising event held every summer since 2000 at Calf Pasture Beach.
- The Norwalk Oyster Festival, held first weekend after Labor Day
- Norwalk Boat Show,[29] held in late September
- The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum has hosted an annual antique show since 1978. In 2006 the show was held the last weekend in October and attracted dealers from Ohio and Pennsylvania as well as Connecticut.[30]
Norwalk sites and districts on the National Register of Historic Places include the Norwalk Green Historic District (roughly bounded by Smith and Park Streets, Boston Post Road, East and Morgan Avenues). The district contains examples of Federal Style, Greek Revival, and Late Victorian architecture. (added 1987)[31] Another local site on the Register is the Former Joseph Loth Company Building (25 Grand St.). The 133,000-square-foot (12,400 m2) building, since renovated as an apartment building and renamed "Clocktower Close" in the mid-1980s, has an 85-foot (26 m)-high Romanesque Revival clocktower[32] (added 1984) These other sites are also on the Register: the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion (added 1970), the former Rock Ledge estate in Rowayton (1977), the Norwalk Museum (1995), and three lighthouses—the Sheffield Island Lighthouse, Peck Ledge Lighthouse, the Onion domed, 1906 Moorish Revival building of Beth Israel of Norwalk/Westport and Greens Ledge Lighthouse. The most recently added site to the historical register is Village Creek, which was the first community in the United States to be racially integrated. The community was added to the register in August 2010.
- Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum[33] This 62-room mansion is considered one of the oldest and finest surviving Second Empire style country houses ever built in the United States. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971. Recently, it was used for interior shots in the 2004 remake of The Stepford Wives.
- Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, a major aquarium that specializes in displaying the marine life and ecology of Long Island Sound.
- The Mill Hill Historic Park and Museum, a collection of historic buildings open to visitors on weekends from May through September and by appointment year round, and is maintained by the Norwalk Historical Society.
- The Norwalk Islands are used by powerboaters, fishers, kayakers and canoeists as well as birdwatchers and campers for day trips and sometimes overnight camping stays.
- Norwalk Historical Society Museum,[34] 141 East Avenue.
- Norwalk Symphony Orchestra performs five concerts annually in the Norwalk Concert Hall, 125 East Avenue
- Norwalk Youth Symphony performs at concerts held in the Norwalk City Hall on East Avenue.
- Sheffield Island Lighthouse is open to the public seasonally.
- SoNo Switchtower Museum[35]
- The Silvermine Tavern[36] in a historic riverside mill complex of buildings in the Silvermine section of the city, closed its popular restaurant in 2009, though the inn remains open as a bed and breakfast and for special functions.
- Stepping Stones Museum for Children at Mathews Park, near the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum. For children ages 10 and under.
- Seaside Depths
Sports/Athletics
Baseball and softball are popular amateur sports with active leagues across many age groups in Norwalk. There are 4 baseball fields and 16 Little League fields in the city.[37] Several of the fields are illuminated for nighttime play.[38] The Norwalk Little League team won the Little League World Series in 1952.[39] The 14-year-old Babe Ruth League team won the championship in 2008.[40] In 2010, the cal Ripken 12-year-old Norwalk all star team made to the Cal Ripken league World Series and placed 3rd in the country. In 2011, the Norwalk American Senior Legion baseball team won the Connecticut State Championship. This had not been accomplished by any other Norwalk Legion team in the storied 83-year history. The team defeated Branford, CT in the championship game. The girls Norwalk Pride fast pitch softball team won the Connecticut State Championship in 2005, 2006, and 2007.
Gallagher Estate has a disc golf course.
The Norwalk Biddy Basketball All Star team Won the State and Regional titles and then went on to the World Championships in New Orleans, LA in 1986 and placed 7th in the world.
Being a coastal city Norwalk is home to a great many water sports including competitive swimming, recreational boating and fishing, sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking. The Norwalk River and inner Norwalk Harbor host rowing events and organizations.[41] Norwalk resident Daniel Walsh won a bronze medal in Beijing with the U.S. Olympic rowing team in the 2008 Summer Olympics.[42]
There are three golf courses in the city of Norwalk.[43]
The cross town rivalry between the city's two largest high schools' sports teams can be rather fierce, particularly for the football, soccer and field hockey teams in the fall; as well as lacrosse, baseball, and softball teams in the spring. Brien McMahon high school's football team won the FCIAC (Fairfield County InterAthletic Conference) and Class M State Football championship in 1994. McMahon high school's boys lacrosse team went on to win the state division 2 lacrosse championship in 2000.
In professional team sports, Norwalk is represented by the Connecticut Wildcats in the American National Rugby League.
Infrastructure
Public Bus
Public transport bus service within Norwalk is provided by Norwalk Transit District, also known as Wheels. Norwalk Transit District operates fixed route public bus service in Norwalk and Westport with Evening and Sunday shuttles (serving South Norwalk, Main Avenue and Connecticut Avenue), Services for the Elderly & People with Disabilities and Commuter Shuttles. Access to regional bus services include Coastal Link (Norwalk-Milford), 7 Link (Norwalk-Danbury) and Rt 41 (Norwalk-Stamford). All fixed route buses meet at the Wheels Hub located on Burnell Boulevard, between Main St and Belden Ave.
For information about Norwalk Transit District: Official website
Commuter Rail
Metro-North’s New Haven Line runs through and stops in Norwalk. The Danbury Branch runs from South Norwalk to Danbury, CT. There are four stations in Norwalk, three of them on the main line which is: Rowayton, South Norwalk and East Norwalk. The fourth station, Merritt 7, is on the Danbury Branch. Metro-North provides commuter service for all four stations.[44] A fare to any station on the New Haven line from South Norwalk cost less than $15 USD per adult.[45]
For information about MTA: Official website
Roads and Highways
Interstate 95 in Connecticut and Merritt Parkway lead through Norwalk, and there are several exits within the Norwalk city limits. Both of these roads are designated to be north/south routes, although both lead east/west in Connecticut. The major north-south corridor in Norwalk is U.S. Route 7 in Connecticut which can be accessed via Interstate 95 in Connecticut, both northbound and southbound, via Exit 15. Traveling north on the U.S. Route 7 expressway, exit 3 leads to Merritt Parkway southbound only and access to northbound Merritt Parkway can be made via Route 123 and Norwalk's Main Ave/Street from exit 2. Traveling south, the half-built exit 3 also leads to the Merritt Parkway southbound only. There is no direct northbound access to the Merritt Parkway, traveling south, from this expressway. Northbound the expressway section ends at Grist Mill Road in Norwalk from where Route 7 resumes northbound along Norwalk's Main Avenue. Traveling south, access to Interstate 95, both north and south, can be accomplished via their respective exits. Other state highways in Norwalk are Route 53, Route 123, and Route 136.
Utilities
Electric power and natural gas in most of Norwalk is provided by Eversource Energy.
The First Taxing District[46] provides water to the Third, Fourth and Fifth Taxing Districts.[47]
The Second Taxing District[48] serves sections of South Norwalk, East Norwalk, West Norwalk, Rowayton and Silvermine.[48] and also owns and operates South Norwalk Electric and Water.[49]
The Third Taxing District[50] provides electric power for East Norwalk.
The districts purchase wholesale power and arrange for its delivery to, and distribution within, their respective districts. Power lines and meters in East Norwalk, South Norwalk, and parts of Rowayton are maintained by the districts. Both the second (SNEW) and third (TTD) district electric departments belong to the six member Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative which pools their wholesale power purchasing to obtain lower rates for their customers.[51]
Connecticut Light and Power [now: Eversource Energy] operated a power plant, Norwalk Harbor Station on Manresa Island, from 1960 to 1999 when it was acquired by NRG Energy, which then began its deactivation in 2013.[52]
In 2004 the third taxing district installed 3 diesel powered generators at the Norden complex on Norden Place that were initially licensed only for emergency power supply. By summer 2008 the generators, with a combined capacity of 6 Megawatts, had been upgraded to allow licensed operation as regular power providers for the grid (not just emergency power).[53]
In 2007 and 2008 the construction of the Middletown-Norwalk transmission line disrupted traffic along the Boston Post Road, but the completion of the line is hoped to help provide additional power to lower Fairfield County. In addition a high-voltage undersea line runs from Manressa Island to Long Island to help provide electric power to
Long Island Power Authority customers. In 2008 the city government of Norwalk started initial investigations of whether the city might resume generating power for sale to electricity customers in the city.[54]
Emergency Medical Services
Norwalk is served 24/7 by Norwalk Hospital and Norwalk Hospital EMS, a progressive 911 paramedic service. The service consists of hospital based paramedics and EMT-Is who serve Norwalk as well as New Canaan, Wilton, Weston, and Westport. The service responded to over 9,500 medical emergencies in 2008 in the city of Norwalk and 6,000 in the neighboring communities. Norwalk Hospital EMS is widely known as one of the top services in the state and region. Typically the ambulances respond out of Norwalk Hospital as the paramedics and EMT-I assist in the Emergency Department while not in the field. Norwalk Hospital EMS works closely with other Norwalk first responders (Norwalk Fire and Police Departments).
Fire Department
Operational area | |
---|---|
Country | United States |
State | Connecticut |
City | Norwalk |
Agency overview | |
Annual calls | 6,639 (2014) |
Employees | 140 |
Fire chief | Lawrence Reilly |
EMS level | BLS First Responder |
IAFF | 830 |
Facilities and equipment | |
Battalions | 1 |
Stations | 5 |
Engines | 5 |
Trucks | 2 |
Rescues | 1 |
HAZMAT | 1 |
USAR | 1 |
Fireboats | 2 |
The city of Norwalk is protected 24/7, 365 by the 140 paid, professional firefighters of the city of Norwalk Fire Department. The Norwalk Fire Department operates out of 5 Fire Stations, located throughout the city, under the command of a Deputy Chief per shift. The Norwalk Fire Department also maintains and operates a fire apparatus fleet of 5 Engines, 2 Trucks, 1 Rescue, 1 Tactical Rescue, 1 Haz-Mat. Unit, 1 Tanker, 1 Fireboat, and numerous special, support, and reserve units. There are 33 firefighters on duty at all times. The Norwalk Fire Department responded to 6,639 emergency calls in 2014.[55][56][57] The city's most recent fireboat, the 42-foot high Robert L. Bedell—delivered in October 2012—was paid for from a grant from the Department of Homeland Security's Port Security Grant Fund.[58][59][60][61]
Fire Station Locations and Apparatus Below is a list of all fire station locations and apparatus in the city of Norwalk.
Engine Company | Truck Company | Special Unit | Command Unit | Address | Neighborhood |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Engine 1 | Truck 1 | Marine Unit 238 | 90 New Canaan Ave. | Broad River | |
Engine 2 | Truck 2 | Rescue 2, Safety Officer 1, Support Units | Car 1(Chief of Department), Car 2(Deputy Chief) | 121 Connecticut Ave. | Central Norwalk |
Engine 3 | 56 Van Zant St. | East Norwalk | |||
Engine 4 | 180 Westport Ave. | Cranbury | |||
Engine 5 | 23 Meadow St. | South Norwalk |
The Norwalk Fire Department also operates a Fire Apparatus Maintenance Facility in Central Norwalk at 100 Fairfield Ave. It houses a Haz-Mat./Crane Unit, a Transport Unit, 1 Reserve Engine (E6), 2 Spare Engines (E7 & E9), 1 Reserve Truck (T3), 2 Spare Trucks (T4 & T5), 2 Spare Rescues (R2 & R3), 1 Tac. Rescue Unit(Tac. Rescue 2), a Reserve Deputy Chief's vehicle (Car 3), and numerous support vehicles. The city's fireboat, Marine 224 is docked at the boat ramps at Veterans Memorial Park in East Norwalk.
Police Department
Founded in 1913, the Norwalk Police Department currently has approximately 180 sworn police officers and 3 police dogs.[62]
Education
Public Schools
High Schools:
·Norwalk High School and The Norwalk Early College Academy 55 County St, Norwalk, CT 06851
·Brien McMahon High School and The Center for Global Studies, 300 Highland Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854
·Norwalk Pathways Academy, 350 Main Ave, Norwalk, CT 06851
Middle Schools:
·Nathan Hale Middle School, 176 Strawberry Hill Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851
·Ponus Ridge Middle School, 21 Hunters Ln, Norwalk CT 06850
·West Rocks Middle School,81 West Rocks Road, Norwalk, CT 06851
Elementary Schools:
·Brookside Elementary School, 382 Highland Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854
·Columbus Magnet School, 46 Concord Street, Norwalk, CT 06854
·Cranbury Elementary School, 10 Knowalot Lane, Norwalk, CT 06851
·Fox Run Elementary School, 228 Fillow Street, Norwalk, CT 06850
·Jefferson Science Magnet School, 75 Van Buren Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06850
·Kendall Elementary School, 57 Fillow Street, Norwalk, CT 06850
·Marvin Elementary School, 15 Calf Pasture Beach Road, Norwalk, CT 06855
·Naramake Elementary School, 16 King Street, Norwalk, CT 06851
·Rowayton ELementary School, 1 Roton Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06853
·Silvermine Elementary School, 157 Perry Ave, Norwalk, CT 06850
·Tracy Elementary School, 20 Camp Street Norwalk, CT 06851
·Wolfpit Elementary School, 1 Starlight Dr, Norwalk, CT 06851
For further information about Norwalk Public Schools see: Official website
Charter Schools
Side by Side Community School, 10 Chestnut St, Norwalk, CT 06854[63]
Private Schools
All Saints Catholic School, 139 West Rocks Road Norwalk, CT 06851[64]
Montessori Middle School, 24 Lois Street, Norwalk, CT 06851[65]
Winston Preparatory School, 57 West Rocks Road, Norwalk, CT 06851[66]
In 2006, three of the city's four middle schools and nine of its twelve elementary schools, along with a "community school" were cited as falling behind in standards for the federal "No Child Left Behind" Act. Three elementary schools had not met the standards for two years in a row, so students in those schools are offered the choice to go to a Norwalk public school that hasn't been designated as needing improvement.
Post-secondary education
Media
Several publications regularly cover news in Norwalk, including one daily newspaper, two professional news websites affiliated with large companies and one independent professional news website. The Hour was an independent daily newspaper based in Norwalk and founded in 1871, but was bought by Hearst Corporation on April 12, 2016. The Advocate (Stamford), a unit of Hearst Corp., had a Norwalk edition with a bureau in the city, but both have since closed down; the Advocate provided occasional coverage, much of which also appeared in the Norwalk Citizen-News, a weekly also owned by Hearst, which went defunct in 2013. Norwalk Patch is part of a news division owned by AOL. The Norwalk Daily Voice (owned by The Daily Voice, which is headquartered in New York City). NancyOnNorwalk.com (independent website) focuses on local government, schools, social services and other taxpayer-relevant issues. It is owned by Chapman Hyperlocal Media Inc., a 501(c)(3), headquartered in Norwalk. News 12 Connecticut, a 24-hour regional news channel covering events in southwestern Connecticut is based in Norwalk. News 12 Connecticut is owned and operated by Cablevision, a unit of Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. and is available to subscribers of that cable television service. Rowayton is also covered by New Canaan-Darien & Rowayton magazine, a glossy monthly is owned by Moffly Publications. NorwalkPlus is a publication of Canaiden, LLC of Stamford.[67]
Notable people
Notable people from Norwalk include the late Andy Rooney, commentator on 60 Minutes, who lived in Rowayton. Author Philip Caputo. A. Scott Berg, an award-winning biographer of celebrities was born in Norwalk. Johnny Gruelle, artist and author, creator of Raggedy Ann, before moving to Wilton. Big Band composer Arthur (Artie) Shaw lived in Norwalk in the 1950s. Jazz-piano great Horace Silver was also born in Norwalk. Cartoonist B. Kliban was born and raised in Norwalk. Rapper Chris Webby also hails from Norwalk. Nano Biologist and physician Andrew Borocan was also born in Norwalk; who has made contributions to the medical and nano fieldsBio-MEMS Multi-Grammy award winner Vince Mendoza was born and raised in Norwalk. NBA Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy, and former Major League Baseball player (1995 American League MVP) Mo Vaughn both hail from Norwalk. The late Bob Miller was born in the city. Two Medal of Honor recipients came from Norwalk: John D. Magrath in World War II and Daniel J. Shea in the Vietnam War.
Movies filmed in Norwalk
Full-length features and documentary movies, partially filmed or completely taking place in Norwalk, listed in reverse chronological order:[68]
- Hope Springs (2012).[69]
- Best Laid Plans (2009).
- Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009).[70] — filmed along Washington Street in SoNo.
- Old Dogs (2009).
- Birds of America (film) (2008).[71]
- College Road Trip (2008). — scenes filmed in town in mid-July 2007; shooting locations were the former Norwalk police headquarters building in Matthews Park, on the Merritt Parkway and along the Route 7 connector.[72]
- Pistol Whipped (2008).
- Revolutionary Road (2008).[73]
- Righteous Kill (2008).
- The Six Wives of Henry LeFay (2008). - Filmed in 2007 on Wall Street in Norwalk Center.[74]
- Wetlands Preserved: The Story of an Activist Nightclub (2008).
- Freezer Burn (2007).
- The Life Before Her Eyes (2007). Uma Thurman filmed a scene at Norwalk Community College in August, 2006.[75]
- Henry May Long (2006) — filmed at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion.
- Satan's Little Helper (2004).
- The Stepford Wives (2004).[76]
- The Object of My Affection (1998).
- The Stepford Wives (1975).[77]
Television
- For One More Day (television movie, ABC, December 2007). — filmed in July 2007 on Broad Street.[78]
- To All My Friends On Shore (1972, made-for-TV movie).[79]
- House of Dark Shadows (1970, TV series). — "Abandoned Monastery" portions filmed at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion.[80]
Mentioned in films/literature etc.
- In J. D. Salinger's novel, The Catcher in the Rye, Holden's parents are attending a party in Norwalk the night he sneaks into his apartment to visit his sister, Phoebe.[81]
- In Jonathan Franzen's novel, The Corrections, Chip Lambert holds a "twelve-hour vigil" at a Dunkin' Donuts in Norwalk (stalking Melissa Paquette in neighboring Westport).
- In the 20th-Century-Fox film noir classic Laura (1944 film) Gene Tierney as Laura Hunt says: "Then I got off the train at Norwalk"[82]
Sister cities
- Nagarote (Nicaragua) since 1986 (see Norwalk/Nagarote Sister City Project)[83]
See also
List of mayors of Norwalk, Connecticut
References
- ↑ McCurdy, Kathy and Larry. "Captain Daniel Patrick". John Cardinal's Second Site v5.3.5. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
- ↑ "CERC Town Profile". Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. 2014. p. 2. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- ↑ "Norwalk". The Free Dictionary by Farlex. 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
- ↑ "Norwalk, Connecticut Town Profile". Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. 2014. p. 2. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- ↑ "CONNECTICUT TOWNS IN THE ORDER OF THEIR ESTABLISHMENT; WITH THE ORIGIN OF THEIR NAMES". Retrieved October 15, 2015.
- ↑ Barber, John Warner (1837). "Connecticut historical collections, containing a general collection of interesting facts...etc.". Durrie & Peck and J.W. Barber. p. 389. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
- ↑ "Pronunciation of Warwick". PronounceNames.com. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
- ↑ "The Ancient Historical Records of Norwalk, Conn,; With a plan of the Ancient Settlement, and of The Town in 1847 p14-15". Retrieved October 16, 2015.
- ↑ "The Connecticut Register Being An Official State Calendar of Public Officers and Institutions...1847 p.125". Retrieved October 16, 2015.
- ↑ "Norwalk, Connecticut". Retrieved October 15, 2015.
- ↑ "The Hour: Not Bread Alone". Retrieved October 15, 2015.
- ↑ "Norwalk, Connecticut". Sperling's BestPlaces©. 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
- ↑ "Article I, Chapter 1, Charter and Related Laws, City of Norwalk, Fairfield, CT". eCode360. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
- ↑ "Forms of Municipal Government". National League of Cities. 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
- ↑ "State/Federal Voting Districts". Where Do I Vote?. City of Norwalk, Connecticut. November 30, 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
- ↑ "FIND YOUR CONNECTICUT STATE SENATOR". Connecticut Senate Democrats. 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
- ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ↑ "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010". U.S. Department of Commerce. 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
- ↑ "ACS DEMOGRAPHIC AND HOUSING ESTIMATES (2014)". U.S. Department of Commerce. 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
- ↑ applera.com
- ↑ "emcorgroup.com". emcorgroup.com. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
- ↑ "Media Storm". Media Storm. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
- ↑ "Norden Systems Historical Information". Nordenretireesclub.org. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
- ↑ "priceline.com". priceline.com. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
- ↑ "roundhill.org". roundhill.org. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
- ↑ "Great Scots: Kilts and cabers fly at the 83rd annual Highland Games", no byline, article in The Advocate of Stamford, July 2, 2006, pages A3, A4
- ↑ South Norwalk Arts Celebration. "sonoarts.org". sonoarts.org. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
- ↑ "norwalkharborsplash.com". norwalkharborsplash.com. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
- ↑ "boatshownorwalk.com". boatshownorwalk.com. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
- ↑ "Antiques show will benefit museum" in "Area briefs" feature, The Advocate of Stamford, October 25, 2006, page A18, Stamford edition, "... the 29th annual Lockwood-Mathews Antiques Show ..." Remember, if the 29th was held in 2006, the first would have been held in 1978, counting must be done the way we count centuries such as the "first century" from the years 1–100 AD.
- ↑ "National Register of Historical Places - CONNECTICUT (CT), Fairfield County". Nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
- ↑ "Postings - Postings - Norwalk Conversion - Nytimes.Com". New York Times. 1985-02-03. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
- ↑ "lockwoodmathewsmansion.org". lockwoodmathewsmansion.org. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
- ↑ "The Norwalk Historical Society". Norwalk Historical Society. 2010. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
- ↑ "Welcome to the SONO Switch Tower Museum!". Westctnrhs.org. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
- ↑ Gizmo Graphics Web Design - Bruce C. brown. "silverminetavern.com". silverminetavern.com. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
- ↑ "Norwalk Park Facilities" (PDF). Retrieved September 6, 2008.
- ↑ The fields at Calf Pasture Beach are illuminated.
- ↑ "Little League Baseball". Retrieved September 6, 2008.
- ↑ "Babe Ruth World Series". Archived from the original on September 19, 2008. Retrieved September 6, 2008.
- ↑ "The Norwalk River Rowing Association". Retrieved September 6, 2008. and the "New Canaan Crew". Retrieved September 6, 2008. are two such rowing organizations.
- ↑ Hine, Tommy (August 22, 2008). "Summer Bronze: Norwalk's Walsh Garners Olympic Medal". Norwalk Citizen~News 12 (34): A1,A15. Archived from the original on September 15, 2008. Retrieved August 27, 2008.
- ↑ The Shorehaven club is a private club in East Norwalk, the Silvermine club is a private club in Silvermine (part of the course lies in the town of Wilton), and the Oak Hills Park golf course is a public course in West Norwalk.
- ↑ "MNR Map". MTA. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
- ↑ "MTA Metro-North TripPlanner". MTA NYCT. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
- ↑ "First District Water Department". 2010. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ↑ "Norwalk Tax District Map". Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- 1 2 "Second Taxing District of the City of Norwalk, Connecticut". Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ↑ "South Norwalk Electric and Water". Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ↑ "Third Taxing District". JumarMarketing, LLC. 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ↑ "CMEEC". Retrieved September 29, 2008.
- ↑ Rivard, Nicole (May 24, 2013). "NRG to deactivate Norwalk power plant". Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ↑ "TTD Commission Invests in Norden Generators to Help to Control Electricity Prices". Inside Your Third; The Newsletter for Norwalk's Third Taxing District 7 (8): pg. 1. August 2008.
- ↑ Koch, Robert (July 28, 2008). "Power panel looking to fulfill a unique request". The Hour. p. A1.
- ↑ "Norwalk Fire Fighters Assoc. Local 830 - Department Facts". local830.org. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
- ↑ Archived December 10, 2006, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Norwalk Fire Fighters Assoc. Local 830". Local830.org. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ↑ Nancy Guenther Chapman (2012-10-24). "New Norwalk Fire Boat Increases Homeland Security". Norwalk Daily Voice. Archived from the original on 2013-12-02. Retrieved 2014-10-24.
It was ordered in 2009 and fully paid for by a Port Security Grant through the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency, Norwalk Fire Department Lt. Steve Popadoulos said. It was shipped from Oregon and delivered to Cove Marina two weeks ago.
- ↑ "Meet Norwalk's New Fire Boat!". Norwalk Cove. 2012-10-22. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
The aluminum boat, which was constructed by the Almar division of North River Boats in Roseburg Oregon, was delivered to Norwalk Cove Marina yesterday. North River personnel were familiarizing Norwalk Fire staff on the complex systems today before handing over the boat.
- ↑ Harold F. Cobin (2012-11-26). "City Christens New Fireboat [Video]: The 38-foot-long Robert L. Bedell was built in Oregon.". Norwalk Patch. Archived from the original on 2014-10-24.
Besides the abililty to fight fires, the Bedell is outfitted with sensors that can detect chemicals or radiation. The grant from FEMA requires that it participate in homeland security operations on Long Island Sound.
- ↑ "Pumped up: Fire boat deployed for firefighting drill". Westport News. 2014-07-29. Archived from the original on 2014-07-30. Retrieved 2014-10-24.
The fire boat, which has a pumping capacity of 2,300 gallons of water per minute, "had no problem" supplying a water deed to the pumper, which can pump 1,500 gallons per minute, fire officials reported in a statement.
- ↑ "Norwalk, CT – Official Website - Police Department". Norwalkpd.com. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ↑ "Side by Side Charter School". Side by Side Charter School. 2011. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
- ↑ "All Saints Catholic School". All Saints Catholic School - Norwalk CT. 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
- ↑ "The Montessori School". Finalsite. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
- ↑ "Winston Preparatory School". Winston Prepartory School. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
- ↑ Canaiden home page. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
- ↑ "Internet Movie DataBase Web site's page for Norwalk". Retrieved June 1, 2008.
- ↑ "Hope Springs (2012) – Filming locations". Retrieved August 2, 2012.
- ↑ "Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009) – Filming locations". Retrieved June 1, 2008.
- ↑ "Bird of America (2008) – Filmin locations". Retrieved July 28, 2008.
- ↑ Road Trip' hits the highway", photographs and long caption in The Advocate of Stamford, Connecticut, Norwalk and Stamford editions, July 17, 2007, page 1
- ↑ Gizmo Graphics Web Design - Bruce C. brown. "Current Events". Silverminetavern.com. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ↑ "The Six Wives of Henry Lefay (2008) – Filming locations". Retrieved July 28, 2008.
- ↑ "Star-Struck over Uma," article by Alexandra Fenwick in The Advocate of Stamford, August 16, 2006
- ↑ "The Stepford Wives (2004) – Filming locations". Retrieved June 1, 2008.
- ↑ "The Stepford Wives (1975) – Filming locations". Retrieved June 1, 2008.
- ↑ Nickerson, John, "Chase Scene / Police: Man speeds through Oprah movie set", news article in The Advocate of Stamford, Connecticut, Norwalk edition, pp A9-A10
- ↑ "To All My Friends on Shore (TV Movie 1972)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
- ↑ "House of Dark Shadows (1970)". IMDb. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
- ↑ MJC. "The Catcher in the Rye: Free Study Guide". Cummingsstudyguides.net. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ↑ "Laura Script - Dialogue Transcript". script-o-rama.com. 2005. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
- ↑ "About Us". Norwalk/Nagarote Sister City Project. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Norwalk, Connecticut. |
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Norwalk, Connecticut. |
Wikisource has the text of a 1905 New International Encyclopedia article about Norwalk, Connecticut. |
Government
- City of Norwalk official web site
- Norwalk Public Schools web site
- Norwalk Public Library system web site
Community associations and institutions
- Norwalk Chamber of Commerce
- Norwalk Seaport Association, Sponsors of the annual Oyster festival (a 3-day carnival usually held the 2nd weekend of September) and other local heritage events
- Web page about the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument at the intersection of Washington Street and Martin Luther King Drive
- Norwalk Connecticut Exchange Club
Other
- Facts about Norwalk
- Fairfield County Business Journal slideshow
- Norwalk Transit District routes, maps, guides, timetables.
- Reynolds, Francis J., ed. (1921). "Norwalk (Connecticut)". Collier's New Encyclopedia. New York: P.F. Collier & Son Company.
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