National Register Listing

Black Rock Gardens Historic District

a.k.a. Black Rock Development

Bounded by Fairfield St., Brewster St. and Nash Ln., including Rowsley and Haddon Sts., Bridgeport, CT
Black Rock Gardens, known as the Black Rock Development when built, is significant due to its direct association with the U.S. Housing Corporation's efforts to provide emergency housing for workers manning the factories of the city's war-related industries. It is a good example of the first government-subsidized housing built in Bridgeport. It survives as a local legacy reflecting the high design quality and first national housing standards achieved through the earliest government-owned housing program in the U.s. It is an excellent example of the work of the collaborative efforts of R. Clipston Sturgis, Skinner, and Walker, and planner Arthur Shurtleff, who created a well-conceived and executed model housing unit that maintains a distinctly urban character incorporating middle-class housing tastes with English Garden City and American Garden Suburb tenets. As built, the complex presents a strong visual presence and prominence derived from a cohesive site plan, shared materials, and similar scale, proportion, and design quality that set it apart from its immediate context. It is also significant for its association with Bridgeport's most intense period of growth, as housing for workers involved in defense work at the Bullard Machine Tool Company in Fairfield.
Local significance of the district:
Community Planning And Development; Architecture; Social History

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

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.

community planning and development architecture social history
Connecticut is known as the "Constitution State" because the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, which was adopted in 1639, is considered to be one of the first written constitutions in the world.
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.