National Register Listing

Aspetuck Historic District

Roughly, Redding Rd. from jct. with Old Redding Rd. to Welles Hill Rd. and Old Redding Rd. N past Aspetuck R., Easton, CT
Aspetuck Historic District is significant because it embodies the distinctive architectural and cultural-landscape characteristics of a farming community from the late colonial and early national periods (Criterion C). The widely spaced distribution of houses, most accompanied by a barn and all with ample yards that once served as pasture, field, or garden recalls the appearance of an inland Connecticut farming community when agriculture was the basis of the local economy. The predominant type of building in the district -- the traditional center-chimney, gable-roofed dwelling -- is also characteristic of Connecticut farming communities of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The district also embodies the distinctive characteristics of Colonial Revival architecture, in which the more ornate buildings of the late 18th and early 19th centuries were reinterpreted as houses that were at once commemorative and commodious. The historic significance of the district (Criterion A) derives from its origins as an outlying community of the town of Fairfield, an outlying community that entered a long slow decline into the 19th century, only to become an affluent suburb of Bridgeport and then New York in the 20th century. Finally, the district gains significance because one of its buildings was the long-time home of Helen Keller, who lost her hearing and sight at an early age, and whose long struggle to overcome these handicaps has provided inspiration to millions.
Local significance of the district:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1991.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

architecture
Audiobooks about the history of Connecticut.
The first telephone book was issued in New Haven, Connecticut in 1878. It contained just 50 listings.
Connecticut random facts
Fairfield County, located in the southwestern corner of Connecticut, has a rich history that spans thousands of years. The region was originally inhabited by the indigenous Paugussett tribe, who lived off the land and engaged in trade with neighboring tribes. European settlers first arrived in the late 1630s, when men from Hartford purchased land from the Paugussett people, establishing the town of Stratford.

In the 18th century, Fairfield County played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War. The region saw several important battles, including the famous Battle of Ridgefield, where American forces fought against British troops. Fairfield County also served as a strategic location for supplying and supporting the Continental Army, as it provided access to both Long Island Sound and the Hudson River.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Fairfield County experienced rapid industrialization and urbanization. Towns like Norwalk and Bridgeport became major manufacturing centers, producing goods such as textiles, machinery, and firearms. The growth of these industries brought an influx of immigrants to the area, particularly from Ireland and Italy, who played a vital role in its economic development.

Today, Fairfield County is known for its affluent communities, thriving business sectors, and cultural attractions. The county is home to renowned educational institutions, including Yale University in New Haven, and a variety of museums, theaters, and art galleries. With its picturesque coastline, charming towns, and proximity to New York City, Fairfield County continues to attract residents and visitors alike, preserving its rich history while embracing the opportunities of the present.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Fairfield County, Connecticut.

  • 1639 - Fairfield County is settled by English colonists from the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
  • 1660 - The town of Fairfield is officially incorporated.
  • 1665 - The town of Norwalk is settled and officially incorporated.
  • 1685 - The town of Stamford is settled and officially incorporated.
  • 1724 - The town of Danbury is settled and officially incorporated.
  • 1739 - The dividing line between Fairfield County and New Haven County is established.
  • 1784 - The town of Ridgefield is settled and officially incorporated.
  • 1851 - The town of Bridgeport is settled and officially incorporated.
  • 1871 - The town of Greenwich is settled and officially incorporated.
  • 1974 - The town of Newtown is settled and officially incorporated.
  • 2000 - Fairfield County becomes the most populous county in Connecticut.