National Register Listing

Beardsley Park

a.k.a. Beardsley Park;Beardsley Zoological Gardens

1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport, CT
Beardsley Park is a good example of a rural park of the type for which Frederick Law Olmsted established his national reputation as a landscape architect. The typical tree-buffered ring road runs around the perimeter of the park. Secondary roads, following the gentle natural contours, lead to open lawns surrounded by natural plantings. These characteristic Olmstedian features are in large part well-preserved. The Beardsley Zoological Gardens at first (1922) were an intrusion in the park but have now assumed significance in their own right as the only remaining zoo in Connecticut.

Beardsley Park reflects the social history of Bridgeport because, from the time of the gift of the parkland, when it was a farm in a rural area, it has been developed into an urban pleasure ground for city dwellers, become the site of the state's only remaining zoo, and in recent years been saved by state action of a type unbeknownst at the time it was founded
Local significance of the district:
Landscape Architecture; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

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.

landscape architecture architecture
Connecticut played a key role in the Underground Railroad, which was a network of secret routes and safe houses that helped enslaved African Americans escape to freedom in the 19th century. Many abolitionists in Connecticut, including Harriet Beecher Stowe, provided assistance to escaped slaves.
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 concise overview of the key events in the history 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.