Greenwich, CT: A Look into Its History

Greenwich was founded in 1640 and is considered one of America’s oldest continuously settled towns. You can find its history embodied in its streets. Still, as the town becomes more densely populated, it must compile its past in an easier place to find. In this blog, we’ll go through some of the most memorable events that led to Greenwich becoming what it is today. Keep reading!

The Colonial Greenwich History

English settlers who came to what is now Old Greenwich, CT, named their town after Greenwich in England, which started the Western records of Greenwich history. Greenwich is Queen Elizabeth’s favorite town in England; therefore, this was an attempt to gain favor with her. The newcomers subsequently carved out increasingly extensive land holdings to grow potatoes, grain, and fruit. Settlements grew along the shore from Stamford on the east to the Byram River on the west and north to the New York State boundary. The almost 50 square miles that make up modern-day Greenwich were laid out by 1730.

Greenwich & The Revolutionary War

Grist mills heralded the beginnings of local industry; however, it was the purchase and development of farmland that became Greenwich’s major enterprise for the first 200 years. The Revolutionary War, when Greenwich was a garrison town subject to incursions by both the British army and “cowboys,” shattered the relative peace of these years. Greenwich’s roads and farms were the scenes of a seven-year conflict that destroyed homes, crops, and human lives.

Greenwich’s Railroad: A Big Improvement in Transportation

The railroad arrived in Greenwich in 1848, bringing with it a significant increase in transportation and a large influx of immigrants who made Greenwich their home. The Irish arrived in town to work on the railroad and settled near Greenwich Avenue, the town’s main thoroughfare. Italian stonemasons swarmed in Chickahominy, a nearby neighborhood, to be near the Byram quarry. The Germans found work in the Abendroth Foundry in Byram, known as East Port Chester. Distinct neighborhoods developed, and second-and third-generation descendants now live there.

Greenwich At the Beginning Of The Century

While large land estates were built around the beginning of the century, they were dismantled after WWII to make way for newcomers. Growth and development resulted in the reorganization of the town administration, the consolidation of the school system, and the formation of a network of independent, nonprofit organizations that provide social services and cultural institutions to the town.

The Creation Of Local History Districts

Greenwich’s intentions to protect its heritage grew in the second half of the century, leading to the development of municipal historic districts, six National Register districts, and over 280 individually listed structures recognized by the Greenwich Historical Society’s Landmarks Program. Undeveloped property has been acquired as park and conservation areas by both the town and private, not-for-profit organizations.

Don’t Hesitate on Visiting Greenwich To Know More About The Town

If you’re interested in Greenwich’s history, there’s nothing more fulfilling than visiting the town by yourself. You’ll find many tours and museums that will distill facts about Greenwich.