Brookfield Facts
Fact 1: Brookfield is one of five towns that border the state's largest lake, Lake Candlewood. The lake has over 60 miles of shoreline and is ideal for boating, fishing and water skiing. A number of quality resorts, restaurants and shops have also sprung up around this picturesque lake, adding to the area's tourism appeal.
Fact 2: Historically known as "The Park City," Bridgeport, located about 35 miles southeast of Brookfield, is the state's largest city. It's also known as the city that Barnum built. Showman Phineas Taylor Barnum was also a politician and savvy businessman who helped transform the industry and economy of Bridgeport in his day.
Fact 3: Travel about 55 minutes northeast of Brookfield to Bristol, and you'll find the oldest amusement park in America. It's called Lake Compounce and features an old timey wooden rollercoaster named the Boulder Dash. It's been serving up summer fun and excitement to families since its opening in 1846.
Fact 4: Ridgefield, CT, boasts one of the most impressive Main Streets in all of New England. Traverse this historic road, and you'll be awed by the palatial 19th-century homes in the Classical Revival and Victorian architectural styles. Whether viewed during the beauty of Fall foliage, under cover of Winter's snow or when Spring flowers bloom, these homes are a magnificent sight.
Fact 5: The Fayerweather Island Lighthouse is located in Fairfield County near Bridgeport. It has a unique octagonal structure that's made out of wood, and it's located on the southern tip of the island. First lit in 1817, the lighthouse led the way into the area's Black Rock Harbor until its deactivation in 1932.
Fact 6: Affectionately called "SoNo," the South end of Norwalk has become one of the city's premiere destinations. The area's revitalization began with the construction of the city's impressive Maritime Aquarium. From there, a host of trendy restaurants, coffee shops, nightspots and boutique stores grew up around the aquarium making it a popular entertainment district.
Fact 7: Residents of Connecticut are proud of the signature products that are manufactured and sold in the Nutmeg State. The unique PEZ candies in their character dispensers, the Wiffle Ball, Woodbury Pewter and Liberty Candles are just some of the many Connecticut products sold in the area. Be sure to visit the The Connecticut Store, located in Woodbury just 30 minutes northeast of Brookfield, as it carries the largest selection of "made in Connecticut" products.
Fact 8: From 1912 until 1970, Bridgeport, CT, served as the home of the corporate headquarters for Remington UMC. UMC stands for Union Metallic Cartridge, the company that purchased Remington and moved it from New York to Bridgeport in 1888. Today, the company still produces a U.M.C. ammunition that bears the historic initials.
Fact 9: Did you know that the famous Frisbee flying disc actually came from a pie tin? The Frisbie Pie Company was founded in Bridgeport, CT, in 1871. Soon thereafter, Yale students realized that the pie tins made for easy amusement. The official Frisbee disc was patented in 1958, ironically, the same year the pie company shut its doors.
Fact 10: The Still River that runs through Brookfield was a large player in the area's early economy. In fact, the area became known as the Iron Works district because of the many iron furnaces, grist mills, saw mills and cotton mills that called the area home. Today, a historic grist mill still remains along the river. The mill is the home to the prestigious Brookfield Craft Center, a non-profit arts school that sits on 2.5 acres and has 4 historic structures on campus. The school offers classes in a variety of media and hosts nationally recognized instructors.
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