Beacon Falls, Connecticut facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Beacon Falls, Connecticut
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Depot Street Bridge, March 2017
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 New Haven County and Connecticut Naugatuck Valley Planning Region and Connecticut |
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| Country |  United States |
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| U.S. state |  Connecticut |
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| County | New Haven | |
| Region | Naugatuck Valley | |
| Incorporated | 1871 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Selectman-town meeting | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 9.9 sq mi (25.6 km2) | |
| • Land | 9.8 sq mi (25.3 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km2) | |
| Elevation | 207 ft (63 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,000 | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) | |
| ZIP Code |
06403
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| Area code(s) | 203/475 | |
| FIPS code | 09-03250 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0213387 | |
Beacon Falls is a town in western New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. It is part of the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region. The town is about six miles from Waterbury and is split by the Naugatuck River. In 2020, about 6,000 people lived in Beacon Falls.
Contents
How Beacon Falls Started
Long ago, the area of Beacon Falls was home to Native American tribes like the Paugusetts. It was first known as Nyumps. Old records say that a former Native American slave named Toby bought much of this land on September 7, 1693. He paid 10 pounds and a barrel of cider for it.
Settlers from Derby, Connecticut moved to the area in 1678. The town of Beacon Falls was officially created in 1871. Its land came from parts of nearby towns: Bethany, Seymour, Naugatuck, and Oxford. The town got its name from Beacon Hill, where a small waterfall flowed down.
Beacon Falls' History and Factories
The history of Beacon Falls is closely linked to the factories that once operated there. These factories were impressive brick buildings on North Main Street, right next to the Naugatuck River.
Rubber Shoe Manufacturing
The most successful factory was the Beacon Falls Rubber Shoe Company. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, making rubber products was very popular in the Lower Naugatuck Valley. This was thanks to Charles Goodyear, a Connecticut native. In 1844, he invented a process called Vulcanization. This process turns natural rubber into a strong, flexible, and waterproof material.
In the 1850s, the American Hard Rubber Company built a brick factory in Beacon Falls. They used the river's water power to make buttons and other items. Later, the Home Woolen Company bought this building in the 1860s. They made woolen shawls, which were popular at the time. This company operated for over 20 years.
The Beacon Falls Rubber Shoe Company
In 1898, George Lewis and his son Tracy S. Lewis started a new business. They bought the old Home Woolen Company factory. This became the Beacon Falls Rubber Shoe Company. The company quickly became very successful. In 1899, they made 150 pairs of shoes. By 1920, they shipped 5.5 million pairs! During this time, the town's population doubled.
The company was famous for its rubber-soled boots with leather tops, like modern hiking boots. They also made rubber-soled athletic shoes with canvas tops, which we now call "sneakers." Their shoes were sold under the brand name "Top Notch."
Impact on the Town
The Beacon Falls Rubber Shoe Company was a huge part of the town. It helped the town and its employees in many ways. The company built a movie theater, which also had a room for meetings and dances. They even sponsored a music band that played daily. The famous landscape design firm Olmsted Brothers helped plan the company's lands and buildings. This plan included the Tracy S. Lewis House and homes for workers near the factory.
Sadly, Tracy Lewis died in 1921. After his death, the company was bought by the United States Rubber Company. The Beacon Falls athletic shoes were then renamed "Keds." Production at the factory ended in 1930 during the Great Depression. The buildings were later used for storage.
Some of the company's buildings, including the movie theater, were destroyed. This happened when a road was widened in 1949 and during the Flood of 1955 (Connecticut). In 1984, the brick factory buildings were added to the National Register of Historical Places. In the late 1980s, they were turned into apartments called Beacon Mill Village. The "Depot Street Bridge," which crosses the Naugatuck River, is also on the National Register of Historical Places. It was built in 1935.
The Homer D. Bronson Company
Another important business in Beacon Falls was the Homer D. Bronson Company. It moved to Beacon Falls in 1884 from Waterbury, Connecticut, which was known as "the brass capital of the world." This company made many brass items, especially hinges for industries and homes. Car hood hinges were a major product. The company survived the Great Depression and the Flood of 1955. Today, it is called HDB Inc. and still makes hinges and metal parts. In 1986, the company moved to Winsted, Connecticut.
Notable People and Events
Beacon Falls is home to some well-known people. These include national Meteorologist Jim Cantore and former U.S. Congressman Ronald A. Sarasin.
On May 15, 2018, an EF1 tornado hit Connecticut. Its path started in Beacon Falls and caused serious damage to homes and buildings.
Geography of Beacon Falls
Beacon Falls covers about 9.9 square miles (25.6 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
The small village of Pine Bridge is located within the town, south of the town center. Beacon Falls has also been known by other names, like Beacon Falls Station or Beacon Falls Village.
The Beacon Falls (Metro-North station) is a train station in town. It is on the Waterbury branch of the New Haven line.
Historic Places in Beacon Falls
Beacon Falls has several places listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places. These places are important because they tell us about the town's past.
National Register of Historic Places
- Depot Street Bridge: This bridge was added to the National Register in 2007. It replaced an older wooden bridge and was built in 1935.
- Home Woolen Company: This factory building was added to the National Register in 1984. It was also known as the Beacon Falls Rubber Shoe Factory.
State Register of Historic Places
- Tracy S. Lewis House: This was the home of the president of the Beacon Falls Rubber Shoe Company. It was built around 1855.
- Rimmon Schoolhouse: This is a one-room schoolhouse on Pinesbridge Road. It dates back to 1789.
- Riggs House: Located on Old Pinesbridge Road, this is thought to be the oldest home in Beacon Falls.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 379 | — | |
| 1890 | 505 | 33.2% | |
| 1900 | 623 | 23.4% | |
| 1910 | 1,160 | 86.2% | |
| 1920 | 1,593 | 37.3% | |
| 1930 | 1,693 | 6.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,756 | 3.7% | |
| 1950 | 2,067 | 17.7% | |
| 1960 | 2,886 | 39.6% | |
| 1970 | 3,546 | 22.9% | |
| 1980 | 3,995 | 12.7% | |
| 1990 | 5,083 | 27.2% | |
| 2000 | 5,246 | 3.2% | |
| 2010 | 6,049 | 15.3% | |
| 2020 | 6,000 | −0.8% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 6,206 | 2.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, Beacon Falls had 6,049 people living in 2,360 households. Most residents were White (91.2%). Other groups included African American, Asian, and people of two or more races. About 5% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
In 2000, there were 5,246 people. About 34.1% of households had children under 18. The average age in town was 37 years old.
Education in Beacon Falls
Beacon Falls is home to Woodland Regional High School, which opened in 2001. This high school is part of Regional School District #16. This district also includes the town of Prospect.
The district also has:
- Long River Middle School (in Prospect)
- Laurel Ledge Elementary School (in Beacon Falls)
- Prospect Elementary School (in Prospect)
Getting Around Beacon Falls
The Beacon Falls train station offers train service. You can travel to places like Bridgeport, Stamford, and even Grand Central Terminal in New York City. These trains run on the Waterbury Branch of the Metro-North Railroad's New Haven Line.
Connecticut Route 8 also runs through Beacon Falls. Bus service is provided by Connecticut Transit Waterbury Division on its 479X route.
