Black Rock, Bridgeport facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Black Rock
|
|
|---|---|
|
Neighborhood of Bridgeport
|
|
Location in Bridgeport
|
|
| Municipal | City of Bridgeport |
| NECTA | Bridgeport-Stamford |
| Region | Greater Bridgeport |
| County | Fairfield County |
| Settled | 1644 |
| Population
(2006)
|
|
| • Total | 9,979 |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP code |
06605
|
| Area code(s) | 203 |
| FIPS code | 09-08000 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0205720 |
Black Rock is a cool neighborhood in the southwest part of Bridgeport, Connecticut. It's located near Fairfield and the Ash Creek river on the west. To the north and east, it borders other parts of Bridgeport. To the south, you'll find Black Rock Harbor and Long Island Sound.
Most of the buildings in Black Rock are homes (about 86%). There are also some businesses (10%) and other types of buildings (4%).
Contents
Discovering Black Rock's Past
Black Rock was first settled in 1644. A group of people led by Thomas Wheeler started the community. Before that, Native Americans lived in the area. They later moved from this settlement in 1681.
In the early days, another community called Stratfield was also nearby. Stratfield was eventually included in modern Bridgeport. The Stratfield Burying Place cemetery is still there. Many of Black Rock's first settlers are buried in this historic spot.
Black Rock officially became part of Bridgeport in 1870.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, rich merchants built fancy homes here. These houses had different styles, like Mediterranean Revival and Tudor Revival. One of these homes, called "The Chimneys," has 16 rooms and a large yard.
The S. S. Norden Club is a private club that started in 1902. It was one of the first of many clubs in the neighborhood.
A Carnegie Library was built in Black Rock in 1932. These libraries were funded by Andrew Carnegie. Today, it's known as the Black Rock Branch Library. It's part of the Bridgeport Public Library system.
Historic Places in Black Rock
Black Rock has two special areas called historic districts. These districts are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important places to protect because of their history.
The Black Rock Historic District was created in 1979. It includes many old houses and buildings from the 1700s and 1800s. The other district is the Black Rock Gardens Historic District, created in 1990. This area covers 7 acres. It has emergency homes built for workers during World War I.
Black Rock Today
Black Rock feels different from the rest of Bridgeport. It has a lot of trees and a seaside feel. Bridgeport is more industrial and city-like. Even so, Black Rock is often more affordable than towns nearby. This is partly because it's connected to Bridgeport.
The neighborhood is home to many different cultures. You'll find large Irish, Mexican, Jamaican, and Indian communities here. Many older people move to Black Rock to retire. But it also has a growing art scene, attracting new artists.
In 2009, the Black Rock Branch Library got bigger. It grew from 6,000 to 11,000 square feet. It was also updated with wi-fi and public computers.
A new train station, the Fairfield Metro station, opened nearby in 2011. This made it easier for people in Black Rock to travel by train. It also helped reduce crowding at the Fairfield station.
While Black Rock is mostly homes, there are many businesses on Fairfield Avenue. This is the main road that connects Black Rock to Fairfield and downtown Bridgeport. Fairfield Avenue is changing. Older shops are being replaced by cool restaurants, cafes, and art galleries.
The homes in Black Rock are on both sides of Fairfield Avenue. The area called St. Mary's-by-the-Sea has bigger properties. Grovers Hill is the highest point in Black Rock. Some of the most expensive homes are here, with views of Long Island Sound. There are also homes right on the water. St. Mary's-by-the-Sea also has a 9-acre public park along the Sound. It has sidewalks and a great spot for bird watching.
Getting Around Black Rock
Fairfield Avenue is the main road in Black Rock. You can also get to Black Rock from exit 25 on I-95 and from Route 1. These roads are just north of the area.
Black Rock has its own train station, the Fairfield–Black Rock station. It's on Metro-North's New Haven Line. This station opened on December 5, 2011. It's just across Ash Creek in nearby Fairfield.
Two bus routes from Greater Bridgeport Transit run through Black Rock. They mostly travel along Fairfield Avenue. The Coastal Link bus goes east to the Connecticut Post Mall in Milford. It goes west to the Norwalk Wheels Hub in Central Norwalk. Greater Bridgeport Transit's Route 5 also runs along Fairfield Avenue. It connects to Downtown Bridgeport. There, you can catch other buses or the train. Buses usually run every 30 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays. On Sundays, they run every hour.
Black Rock Business Association
The Black Rock Business Association (BRBA) started in 2005. It's a group of business owners in Black Rock. They work together to make Black Rock a great place to shop, eat, and have fun.
Some of the things the BRBA does include:
- Black Rock Harvest Hootenanny (a fun event!)
- Running a local website and calendar for www.EnjoyBlackRock.com
- Helping with neighborhood clean-up projects
- Hosting workshops to help businesses grow
- Supporting improvements in the neighborhood, like trash pick-up
Waterways of Black Rock
Black Rock is surrounded by several important bodies of water:
- Black Rock Harbor
- Cedar Creek
- Ash Creek
- Rooster River
- Long Island Sound
- Burr Creek
Black Rock's Climate
Black Rock has a moderate climate. In January, the average temperature is about 23 degrees Fahrenheit. In July, the average high is 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Black Rock has had some big snowstorms in the past. The average snowfall is 29 inches per winter. Here are some of the snowiest winters on record:
- 1995-96: 75.7 inches
- 2002-03: 64 inches
- 2010-11: 62.6 inches
- 1966-67: 61.6 inches
- 2012-13: 61.3 inches
Famous People from Black Rock
Some well-known people have lived in Black Rock:
- John Ratzenberger, an actor
- Christopher Shays, a former congressman
- David Walker, who used to lead the Government Accountability Office (GAO)
- Sidney Wood, a tennis player
