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DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT ~B~ COMMITTEE SOUTH NORWALK OFFICIAL SITE Robert Burgess, Chairman Sylvester Maultsby, Vice-Chair Al Ayme, Secretary Mary R. Geake, Corresponding Secretary Yvonne Rodriguez, Treasurer We appreciate your contributions. Please send contributions payable to: DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT ~B~ COMMITTEE ~click here~ STATE OF THE CITY | '2005 - '2007 STATE OF THE CITY | '2007 - Present CT. STATE NEWS | ISSUES NATIONAL NEWS | ISSUES MAILING LIST EVENTS | PICTURES VIEW | POST - BLOG STREET MAP OF SOUTH NORWALK |
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PRESS RELEASES VOLUNTEER to join our team of members and government officials. You can make a difference. We are glad to hear from Norwalk residents with their ideas, suggestions and/or concerns, and those who recognize the importance of engaging dynamic participation in the political process. |
HISTORICAL SOUTH NORWALK
SOUTH NORWALK (Second Taxing District) The Second Taxing District (South Norwalk) of the City of Norwalk is a municipal corporation, created in 1913, by a special act of the Connecticut State Legislature. The District is considered a corporate and politic body, and as such, has the ability and power to sue and be sued, acquire and sell real estate, possess a common seal, levy taxes, "together with all the rights, powers, franchises, privileges and immunities granted to the former City of South Norwalk ...". The District is governed by a Board of seven (7) elected Commissioners who also serve as Water and Electric Commissioners. The Commission has the power and authority to handle the affairs of the District in much the same manner as selectmen of towns. The Second Taxing District owns and independently operates South Norwalk Electric and Water (SNEW), a water and electric utility. The utility serves customers with water throughout sections of South Norwalk, East Norwalk, West Norwalk, Rowayton, Silvermine and Wilton, and approximately 5,000 customers with electric service in South Norwalk. The District also maintains parks and other public spaces in the South Norwalk community. The Second Taxing District owns and independently operates water reservoirs in Wilton, CT and New Canaan, CT. HISTORICAL FACTS After the original settlement of Norwalk in 1649, additional settlements developed in the area, particularly one on the western side of the Norwalk Harbor and river. This settlement came to be known as "Old Well". In a 1738 deed, present-day Washington Street was referred to as the "High Way that Leads to ye Landing place ye Old Well". The actual well was east of present-day Water Street, about seventy-five feet south of Washington Street. In 1870, Old Well was incorporated as the city of South Norwalk. In this period, South Norwalk was a manufacturing and commercial city with a relatively large population. In 1913, South Norwalk combined with the community of Norwalk into the present day City of Norwalk. The former city of South Norwalk became the new Norwalk’s Second Taxing District. Mayors of the "City of South Norwalk" [historical ~and only available~ known records »»»1870 - 1913]
HISTORIC SoNo In the late 1970s, South Norwalk’s downtown business section, including the historic buildings centered on Washington Street, had been slated for demolition. But starting in 1977, a group of progressive minded citizens, including newly elected Democratic Mayor Bill Collins, turned South Norwalk’s fortunes around and created Historic SoNo. Now, well into to twenty-first century, SoNo thrives in a way that no one could have imagined, truly a lesson and legend in what far sighted thinking will bring. HISTORIC SoNo: Focal Point for the City of Norwalk SoNo, with its delightful mixture of classy and tasteful or just plain homey restaurants, shops, and clubs, combined with museums and galleries, has become the focal point for the city of Norwalk as well as the harbor and Long Island Sound beyond. SoNo is anchored by the Maritime Center, which invites visitors of all ages to become immersed in sea life. Exhibits, educational programs, research cruises, and a boat building shop, are topped off by the spectacular IMAX Theatre. The Norwalk Museum on North Main brings Norwalk’s past into a very sharp focus: The Norwalk Hat Factory comes back to life along with locks, 19th century pottery and a traditional hardware store. On the corner of Main and Washington, climb up a flight of stairs to the SoNo Switch Tower Museum, also of 19th century vintage. Adjacent to the Aquarium, on a bluff overlooking the Norwalk River, is Oyster Shell Park (originally named Oyster Shell Point for the thousands of oyster shells discarded there by Native Americans making Wampum) where trails and walkways wind through marsh grasses, reeds and wildflowers. The park abounds with migratory birds, fiddler crabs and other aquatic life. From this bluff is a view of Norwalk Harbor, “The Jewel of Long Island Sound,” where, besides fifteen marinas, there are 2,700 commercial vessel trips to and fro every year including those of the thriving oyster businesses. HISTORIC SoNo: Festivals In June, the festival season kicks in with a bang, or rather a splash. The Norwalk Harbor Splash emphasizes fun in and around the water with an accent on family and youth with a capital Y. A few sparkling examples: Have your face painted and join in the Cub Club activities at Black Bear Saloon; Help assemble a life-size humpback whale, great white shark or harbor seal at the Aquarium; Come face-to-face with life-like dinosaurs then board an amazing 3-D simulated adventure ride on Dinosaur Island; For a celebration of seafood, there’s the Annual Chowder Cook-Off; For a celebration of sounds, music acts with an emphasis on rhythm and adventure. Then, to top it all off, The Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat. Also in June, the Norwalk Jazz Festival features the best in traditional, contemporary and Latin jazz. The Annual Sono Arts Celebration actually pre-visioned SoNo in that bi-centennial year of 1976. Climaxing with a parade of giant puppets, this feast of talent brings together the creations of over 150 fine artists and craftsmen surrounded by an atmosphere of music and dance. And finally, the Norwalk Oyster Festival, as venerable as SoNo itself, with internationally known music acts as well as hundreds of arts and crafts booths, sky divers, environmental displays, children's activities and rides, oystering exhibits, vintage vessels, harbor cruises, and food. Sites on the National Register of Historic Places
(right click on any picture and click "E-mail Picture" to send postcard) 
 South Main Street, circa 1887 Switch Tower Museum, circa unknown 
 Railroad Place , circa 1909 Methodist Episcopal Church, circa 1910 
 South Norwalk, circa 1912 Elmwood Avenue, South Norwalk, circa 1915 
 South Main Street, circa 1919 North Main and Washington Streets, circa 1922 
 Shorehaven Inn, circa 1900 North Main and Washington Streets, circa unknown  Fairfield Avenue, South Norwalk, circa unknown |