Ridgefield, Connecticut

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Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "Settlement short description".Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".Expression error: Unexpected < operator. Ridgefield is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. Situated in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains and on the New York state border, Ridgefield had a population of 25,033 as of the 2020 census.[1] The town is part of the Western Connecticut Planning Region. The town center, which was formerly a borough, is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place. The town was settled then quickly incorporated by 1709.[2]

History

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File:General David Wooster Historical Marker.jpg
David Wooster Historical Marker

Ridgefield was first settled by English colonists from Norwalk in 1708, when a group of settlers purchased land from Chief Catoonah of the Ramapo tribe.[3] The town was incorporated under a royal charter from the Connecticut General Assembly issued in 1709.[2] Ridgefield was descriptively named.[4] The most notable 18th-century event was the Battle of Ridgefield on April 27, 1777. This American Revolutionary War skirmish involved a small colonial militia force (state militia and some Continental Army soldiers), led by, among others, General David Wooster, who died in the engagement, and Benedict Arnold,[5] whose horse was shot from under him.[3] They faced a larger British force that had landed at Westport and was returning from a raid on the colonial supply depot in Danbury. The battle was a tactical victory for the British but a strategic one for the Colonials because the British would never again conduct inland operations in Connecticut, despite western Connecticut's strategic importance in securing the Hudson River Valley.[2] Today, the dead from both sides are buried together in a small cemetery on Main Street on the right of the entrance to Casagmo condominiums: "...foes in arms, brothers in death...". The Keeler Tavern, a local inn and museum, features a British cannonball still lodged in the side of the building. There are many other landmarks from the Revolutionary War in the town, with most along Main Street.

In the summer of 1781, the French army under the Comte de Rochambeau marched through Connecticut, encamping in the Ridgebury section of town, where the first Catholic mass in Ridgefield was offered.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

File:RidgefieldCTMainSt1875.jpg
Main Street, looking south, c. Template:TrimScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
File:Ridgefield Railroad Station.jpg
A reconstruction of Ridgefield station, located on the former Ridgefield Branch of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
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Main Street, looking south from Branchville Road, c. Template:TrimScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
File:PostcardTheRidgefieldSchool,CT1909.jpg
The Ridgefield School (postcard sent in 1909)

For much of its three centuries, Ridgefield was a farming community. Among the important families in the 19th century were the Rockwells and Lounsburys, which intermarried. They produced two Connecticut governors, brothers and business partners George Lounsbury and Phineas Lounsbury. The Ridgefield Veterans Memorial Community Center on Main Street, also called the Lounsbury House, was built by Gov. Phineas Chapman Lounsbury around 1896 as his primary residence. The Lounsbury Farm near the Florida section of Ridgefield is one of the only remaining operational farms in Ridgefield.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

In the late 19th century, spurred by the new railroad connection to its lofty village and the fact that nearby countryside reaches Script error: No such module "convert". above sea level, Ridgefield began to be discovered by wealthy New York City residents, who assembled large estates and built huge "summer cottages" throughout the higher sections of town. Among the more noteworthy estates were Col. Louis D. Conley's "Outpost Farm", which at one point totaled nearly Script error: No such module "convert"., some of which is now Bennett's Pond State Park; Seth Low Pierrepont's "Twixthills", more than Script error: No such module "convert"., much of which is now Pierrepont State Park; Frederic E. Lewis's "Upagenstit", Script error: No such module "convert". that became Grey Court College in the 1940s, but is now mostly subdivisions; and Col. Edward M. Knox's "Downesbury Manor", whose Script error: No such module "convert". included a 45-room mansion that Mark Twain often visited.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

These and dozens of other estates became unaffordable and unwieldy during and after the Great Depression, and most were broken up. Many mansions were razed. In their place came subdivisions of one- and Script error: No such module "convert". lots that turned the town into a suburban, bedroom community in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. However, strict planning and zoning has frozen development and locked in the aesthetic appearance of the 19th- and early 20th-century through to the 21st-century, especially along its famous mile-long Main Street.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

In 1946, Ridgefield was one of the locations considered for the United Nations Secretariat building,[6] but was not chosen due to its relative inaccessibility.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Geography

Script error: No such module "Unsubst". According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of Script error: No such module "convert"., of which Script error: No such module "convert". is land and Script error: No such module "convert"., or 1.52%, is water. Ridgefield is bordered by the towns of North Salem and Lewisboro in Westchester County, New York and the town of Southeast in Putnam County, New York to the west, Danbury to the north, Wilton to the south and Redding to the east.

The Metro-North Railroad's Branchville station is in the Branchville corner of town. The census-designated place (CDP) corresponding to the town center covers a total area of Script error: No such module "convert"., of which 0.16% is water. Other locales within the town include Titicus on Route 116 just north of the village; Ridgebury in the northern section of town; Scotland, which is south of Ridgebury; Farmingville, located northeast and east of the town center; Limestone, located northeast of the town center; Flat Rock, located south of the town center; and Florida, located just north of Branchville.

Geology

Ridgefield consists of hilly, rocky terrain, ranging from Script error: No such module "convert". above sea level (at Pine Mountain) to Script error: No such module "convert". at Branchville. Its average village elevation is Script error: No such module "convert". above sea level.[7] The landscape is strewn with countless rocks deposited by glaciers, and among the town's bodies of water is Round Pond, formed in a kettle left by the last glacier 20,000 years ago. Another interesting body of water in the town is Mamanasco Lake, an Script error: No such module "convert". lake near Ridgefield High School. A particularly interesting feature is Cameron's Line, named for Eugene N. Cameron, who discovered that rocks west of the line differed greatly from those east of it. This fault line was formed some 250 million years ago by the collision of "Proto North America" and "Proto Africa", and there are still occasional light earthquakes felt along its length. The line bisects the southern half of the town, running generally north of West Lane, across the north end of the village, past the south end of Great Swamp and generally easterly into Redding in the Topstone area.[8] North of Cameron's Line, the town is rich in limestone. The mineral was extensively mined, and remnants of several limekilns exist today. Also mined here in the 19th century was mica, pegmatite, and quartz. Gold, as well as gemstones such as garnet and beryl, have been found here, and dozens of minerals have been unearthed at the old Branchville Mica Quarry. Uraninite, a source of uranium, is found here, too.

Climate

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Demographics

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Historical population
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Population 1756–2000[9]

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As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 23,643 people, 8,433 households, and 6,611 families residing in the town. The population density was Script error: No such module "convert".. There were 8,877 housing units at an average density of Script error: No such module "convert".. The racial makeup of the town was 96.12% White, 0.62% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 2.08% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.97% of the population.

There were 8,433 households, out of which 43.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.6% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.6% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 30.6% under the age of 18, 3.2% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $107,351, and the median income for a family was $127,981 (these figures had risen to $125,909 and $154,346 respectively as of a 2007 estimate[11]). Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $50,236 for females. The per capita income for the town was $51,795. About 1.3% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 7,212 people, 2,933 households, and 1,994 families residing in the CDP. The population density was Script error: No such module "convert".. There were 3,078 housing units at an average density of Script error: No such module "convert".. The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.52% White, 0.54% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 2.44% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races, while 2.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,933 households, out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. Of all households, 28.5% were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the CDP the population was spread out, with 26.9% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $81,179, and the median income for a family was $127,327. Males had a median income of $93,084 versus $47,232 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $46,843. 3.2% of the population and 1.7% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 1.6% of those under the age of 18 and 6.8% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Arts and culture

The Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra, formerly called the Ridgefield Symphony Youth Orchestra, has performed at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall at the Lincoln Center.[12]

The Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra began as the "Ridgefield Symphonette" in 1965 with 20 players, only a third of them professionals. It became fully professional by the end of the decade and today has 75 musicians and draws soloists of international reputation. In 1984, Maxim Shostakovich, then a Ridgefielder, conducted a sold-out concert of music by his father, Dmitri Shostakovich, with the composer's grandson, Dmitri, performing as piano soloist.[13]

The Keeler Tavern Museum preserves an early 18th-century house that, by the time of the Revolution, had become a tavern and inn. The tavern was a center of community activities, an early post office, and a stop on the northern New York to Boston post road. In the early 20th century, it was the home of noted architect Cass Gilbert. The tavern is open several days a week, offers tours, and has a gift shop.[14]

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum is a leading venue for the world's best contemporary artists. Its exhibitions have attracted national attention and respect.[15] The museum was redesigned and expanded in 2004, and offers many special programs, including concerts.

File:Schoolhouse2.jpg
Peter Parley Schoolhouse

The Ridgefield Playhouse, opened in December 2000, is housed in the former Ridgefield Alternate High School auditorium, and was remodeled as a playhouse. It is the year-round venue for dozens of concerts and other performances, many by internationally known artists. The Playhouse also shows movies, many of them first-run.[16]

Weir Farm National Historic Site, which straddles the Ridgefield-Wilton border, preserves much of the farm of J. Alden Weir (1852–1919), a painter of the American Impressionism style. The property was later used by his son-in-law, Mahonri Young (1877–1957), noted sculptor and a grandson of Brigham Young. The site includes the Weir Farm Art Center and a gallery, and many special events take place there, including shows by visiting artists in residence. Weir Farm is one of only two official National Park Service units in the state.[17]

The Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance was founded as the Ridgefield Studio of Classical Ballet in 1965 by Patricia Schuster. In 2002 it became the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. The Conservatory is home to three pre-professional performance companies: the Ridgefield Civic Ballet, The Junior Dance Ensemble, and the Contemporary Dance Ensemble. The conservatory presents The Nutcracker annually at the Ridgefield Playhouse.[18]

File:Ridgefieldgolfcoursefifteenthholemensteebox.jpg
Ridgefield golf course

Thrown Stone Theatre Company is a professional theatre company in town that focuses primarily on new work.[19]

Located at the intersection of West Lane and Route 35, the Peter Parley Schoolhouse (c. Template:TrimScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".), also known as the Little Red Schoolhouse or the West Lane Schoolhouse, is a one-room schoolhouse in use by the town until 1913. The site and grounds are maintained by the Ridgefield Garden Club. The building is open certain Sundays and displays the desks, slates, and books the children used.[20]

Ridgefield's public open space includes Aldrich Park, Bennett's Pond State Park, Brewster Farm, Florida Refuge, Hemlock Hills/Lake Windwing, Pine Mountain, Seth Low Pierrepont State Park, and the Weir Farm National Historic Site. Its public open spaces make up Script error: No such module "convert"., accounting for 23% of the towns overall land.[21]

Ridgefield Golf Course is the town's municipal 18 hole golf course designed by George Fazio and Tom Fazio and opened in 1974.[22]

The town's largest industry is Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, whose United States headquarters are located in the Ridgebury section of town.

In 2006, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree selected to be displayed in New York's Rockefeller Center for the Christmas season came from Ridgefield.[23]

The town also features a skatepark, owned by the town and maintained by the town's parks and recreation service, in which both skateboarding and aggressive inline skating are done. In 2010 the skatepark was rebuilt and expanded as a result of the need to expand the Ridgefield Playhouse parking lot.[24]

Annual events

  • The Nutmeg Festival on Main Street is in August. It has been organized by St. Stephen's Church and held on its grounds since 1906, when it was started there as an "apron and cake sale" by the Ladies Guild to raise money for charity.[25] The event has recently been transformed into Nutmeg and Neighbors, a fundraising event.
  • The Antiques Flea Market is held every June outdoors on the grounds of the Veterans Memorial Community Center.
  • A local farmers market is held every Thursday during the summer months.

On the National Register of Historic Places

Part of the town center is a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as Ridgefield Center Historic District.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". The district was added to the Register in 1984 and includes representations of mid-19th-century revival, Late Victorian, and Colonial revival architectural styles.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Noted architect Cass Gilbert purchased historic Keeler Tavern within the district and renovated it for his use as a summer home.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Roughly bounded by Pound Street, Fairview Avenue, Prospect Ridge, and Whipstick Roads, the district was added on October 7, 1984.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". In addition to the town center historic district, there are a number of individual properties and at least one other historic district in the town that are NRHP-listed:

Government and politics

Ridgefield has a traditional New England Board of Selectmen–Town Meeting form of government, which is created by Town Charter and approved by the voters.[27] The Charter calls for an annual Town and Budget Meeting to be held on the first Monday of May each year. The following are the elective offices of the Town of Ridgefield: Board of Selectmen, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer and Tax Collector. The following are the elective boards and commissions of the Town of Ridgefield: Board of Education, Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Appeals on Zoning, Board of Tax Review, Board of Police Commissioners and Board of Finance. The chief executive is The First Selectman, who also serves a legislative function as a member of the Board of Selectmen. The current First Selectman, Rudy Marconi (D), was first elected in 1999.[28]

Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 31, 2023[29]
Party Active voters Inactive voters Total voters Percentage
Democratic 6,305 901 7,206 34.54%
Republican 4,722 796 5,518 26.45%
Unaffiliated 6,547 1,269 7,816 37.45%
Minor parties 274 53 327 1.56%
Total 17,848 3,019 20,867 100%
Ridgefield town vote
by party in presidential elections[30]
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|2024 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|62.70% 9,704 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|35.67% 5,520 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|1.63% 251
align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|2020 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|63.31% 10,278 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|35.04% 5,689 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|1.65% 268
align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|2016 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|55.31% 7,907 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|39.73% 5,680 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|4.96% 709
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|2012 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|46.30% 6,461 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|52.74% 7,360 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.96% 134
align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|2008 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|52.17% 7,480 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|47.33% 6,786 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.50% 71
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|2004 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|46.42% 6,554 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|52.47% 7,408 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|1.11% 157
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|2000 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|43.50% 5,760 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|52.13% 6,902 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|4.37% 578
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1996 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|41.62% 4,974 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|50.56% 6,042 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|7.82% 935
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1992 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|35.58% 4,729 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|46.39% 6,166 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|18.03% 2,396
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1988 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|33.73% 4,055 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|65.39% 7,860 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.88% 106
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1984 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|27.29% 3,206 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|72.47% 8,512 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.24% 28
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1980 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|24.25% 2,591 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|61.23% 6,542 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|14.53% 1,552
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1976 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|34.34% 3,451 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|65.01% 6,533 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.65% 65
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1972 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|29.33% 2,621 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|69.03% 6,169 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|1.64% 147
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1968 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|32.73% 2,267 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|63.38% 4,390 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|3.90% 270
align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|1964 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|56.81% 3,085 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|43.19% 2,345 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1960 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|33.83% 1,407 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|66.17% 2,752 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1956 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|20.81% 656 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|79.19% 2,496 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1952 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|25.70% 757 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|73.96% 2,178 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.34% 10
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1948 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|23.77% 525 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|73.46% 1,622 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|2.77% 61
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1944 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|32.43% 652 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|67.57% 1,358 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1940 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|31.48% 625 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|68.52% 1,360 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1936 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|31.61% 556 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|68.39% 1,203 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1932 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|30.46% 450 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|69.54% 1,027 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1928 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|26.23% 341 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|73.47% 955 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.30% 4
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1924 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|18.67% 181 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|78.64% 762 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|2.69% 26
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1920 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|19.60% 174 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|77.81% 691 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|2.59% 23
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1916 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|39.55% 229 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|59.58% 345 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.87% 5
align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|1912 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|43.21% 229 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|42.45% 225 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|14.34% 76
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1908 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|31.16% 163 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|68.46% 358 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.38% 2
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1904 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|33.70% 184 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|66.30% 362 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1900 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|31.04% 158 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|68.96% 351 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1896 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|18.95% 105 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|77.08% 427 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|3.97% 22
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1892 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|41.13% 220 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|58.31% 312 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.56% 3
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1888 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|37.58% 189 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|62.23% 313 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.19% 1
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1884 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|39.56% 199 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|60.44% 304 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1880 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|40.38% 210 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|59.62% 310 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1876 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|44.21% 214 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|55.79% 270 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|1872 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|50.59% 214 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|49.41% 209 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1868 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|46.60% 226 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|53.40% 259 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1864 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|41.50% 193 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|58.50% 272 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1860 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|7.05% 33 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|62.18% 291 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|30.77% 144
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|1856 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|39.41% 186 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Republican Party (US)/meta/shading"|60.59% 286 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Party color"|1852 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|43.11% 194 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Party color"|56.89% 256 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Party color"|1848 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|38.24% 169 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Party color"|61.09% 270 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.67% 3
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Party color"|1844 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|41.23% 202 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Party color"|58.77% 288 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
align="center" style="background-color:Template:Party color"|1840 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|36.09% 144 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Party color"|63.91% 255 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|1836 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|61.65% 119 align="center" style="background-color:Template:Party color"|38.35% 74 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0
1832 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|9.22% 20 88.48% 192 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|2.30% 5
1828 align="center" style="color:black;background-color:Template:Democratic Party (US)/meta/shading"|8.04% 7 91.96% 80 align="center" Template:Party shading/Independent|0.00% 0

Education

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". Ridgefield has nine public schools and two private schools. The public schools are managed by Ridgefield Public Schools. The six public elementary schools are Veterans Park, Branchville, Farmingville, Scotland, Barlow Mountain, and Ridgebury. Scotts Ridge Middle School (Ridgefield's newest school) and East Ridge are the town's two middle schools. The high school is Ridgefield High School. The high school's teams are called the Tigers.[31]

Ridgefield's Roman Catholic schools are St. Mary, serving preschool through eighth grade, and St. Padre Pio Academy, serving kindergarten through eighth grade and run by the Society of St. Pius X.

Ridgefield Academy is a co-educational, independent school serving preschool through eighth grade, situated on a Script error: No such module "convert". turn-of-the-20th-century estate on West Mountain that was once home to the Congregation de Notre Dame.[32]

There are also various preschools and a Montessori school.

Infrastructure

File:Branchville Station platform 005.JPG
Branchville station is located in the southeast corner of town, in the Branchville neighborhood. The station is part of Metro-North Railroad's Danbury Branch.

Neighborhoods

File:Ridgefield, Connecticut.jpg
Main Street in Downtown, c. Template:TrimScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Ridgefield is predominantly made up of 19 encompassing neighborhoods. Ridgefield, Main Street, Branchville, Titicus, Farmingville, Ridgebury, Topstone, West Mountain, Cooper Hill, Ramapoo, Route 7, Georgetown, Deer Run, Peaceable Hill, Quail Ride, Westmoreland, Twixt Hills, Long Ridge, and Starrs/Picketts Ridge. It also contains the census-designated places Lakes East and Lakes West.

Notable people

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References

  • Images of America: Ridgefield (1999) 127 pages; 1890s to 1950s.
  • Ridgefield 1900–1950, by Jack Sanders (2003) 126 pages
  • Farmers against the Crown, by Keith Jones. An account of the Battle of Ridgefield during the Revolutionary War. 162 pages, paperback (2002)
  • The Farms of Farmingville, by Keith Marshall Jones, 509 pages (2001)
  • Five Village Walks, by Jack Sanders, 56 pages
  • Ridgefield in Review, by Silvio A. Bedini (1958) Out of print, but used copies often available locally
  • History of Ridgefield, by George L. Rockwell, 583 pages, long out of print
  • The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Records, Volume 36, an index to Ridgefield births, marriages and deaths from 1709 to 1850. Genealogical Publishing Company (2000)
  • The History of Ridgefield, Connecticut, by the Rev. Daniel Teller (1878), 251 pages. Teller was pastor of the First Congregational Church.
  • The Proprietors of Ridgefield, by Glenna M. Welsh (1976)
  • St. Stephen's Church: Its History for 250 years: 1725 to 1975, by Robert S. Haight, 220 pages,
  • Saint Stephen's Church Reaches the Millennium, by Dirk Bollenback, 114 pages, covers 1975 to 2000.
  • Lost in Place: Growing Up Absurd in Suburbia, by Mark Salzman (1996), 288 pages, Ridgefield native reflects on the idiosyncrasies and absurdities of suburban Connecticut life.

Footnotes

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ "Nutmeg festival at 100: Ridgefield's oldest fair is today", article by Kathleen Flaherty in The Ridgefield Press, August 12, 2006
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

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