East Norwalk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
East Norwalk, Connecticut
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_Stone_Monument.jpg)
Founding Monument in East Norwalk
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Connecticut |
| County | Fairfield |
| City | Norwalk |
| Time zone | UTC-5:00 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4:00 (Eastern) |
| Area code(s) | 475, 203 |
East Norwalk is a lively neighborhood in Norwalk, Connecticut. It's mostly part of Norwalk's Third Taxing District, which helps manage local services. This area is special because it was one of the very first places settled in Norwalk. You can even find a special stone monument marking this important history at the corner of Fitch Street and East Avenue.
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Exploring East Norwalk's Past
East Norwalk is where the first colonial settlements of Norwalk began. In 1640, a man named Roger Ludlow bought the land from the Norwalke Indians. Today, you can see historical markers like the Founding Monument on East Avenue. There's also the First Settlers Monument inside the East Norwalk Historical Cemetery. These markers remind us of the area's long history.
The Revolutionary War in Norwalk
During the American Revolutionary War, British forces attacked Norwalk. On July 10, 1779, General William Tryon and his troops arrived at Fitch's Point. They destroyed most of Norwalk by setting it on fire. Only six houses were left standing after the attack.
A part of former Governor Thomas Fitch's house survived the fire. In the 1950s, this piece of history was moved. It went to the Mill Hill Historic Park to make way for the new Connecticut turnpike (I-95).
Joining the City of Norwalk
In 1913, East Norwalk officially joined with other parts of the area. These included the Town of Norwalk, the City of Norwalk, and the city of South Norwalk. Together, they formed the present-day City of Norwalk. East Norwalk is now an important part of the city's Third Taxing District.
Community Groups in East Norwalk
East Norwalk has active groups that help improve the community. These groups work to make the neighborhood a great place to live.
- East Norwalk Association: This group started in 1910 as the "East Norwalk Improvement Association." It changed its name in 2013 but has been active for over 100 years. In 1915, it even started the East Norwalk Association Library.
- East Norwalk Neighborhood Association (ENNA): This group began in 2001. It was first called 'VZSHAN' (Van Zant to Sunset Hill Association of Neighbors). It formed to deal with issues like building rules, new developments, and traffic. Today, ENNA covers a large area from Calf Pasture Beach north to Interstate 95. It also stretches from the Norwalk River and Harbor east to Westport. If you live in the 06855 zip code, you are automatically a member!
Where is East Norwalk?
Norwalk's neighborhoods don't have exact borders. However, we can generally describe where East Norwalk is located. It is south of Interstate 95. It's also east of the Norwalk River. The neighborhood is north of a line from the Norwalk River to Gregory Boulevard. It is west of a line along Gregory Boulevard to Emerson Street, then Stanley Street, and then Strawberry Hill Avenue back to Interstate 95.
Fun Places and Landmarks
East Norwalk has several interesting places to visit and enjoy.
Overton's Seafood
One famous spot is Overton's. It's a well-known food stand that has been around for over 60 years! It closes during the colder months. The owner also runs the nearby Harbor Lights waterfront restaurant and the East Side cafe. Overton's was started by Willis Overton in 1948. In 2000, it was sold to the Gavrielidis family. They promised not to tear it down, which was important to Willis's son, Neil.
East Norwalk Historical Cemetery
This cemetery is the resting place for some of Norwalk's first settlers. These include Governor Thomas Fitch, IV. His son, Thomas Fitch, V, is even said to be the inspiration for the famous song "Yankee Doodle"!
Veterans Memorial Park
Veteran's Memorial Park and Marina is a large park covering 35 acres. It has a marina and a place to launch boats. You can also find a playground, paths for biking and jogging, and courts for basketball. There are fields for soccer, hockey, and football, plus baseball diamonds. The park also has visitor docks with power for boats. A boating center and a lovely walk overlooking Norwalk Harbor are also here. This park is also where the annual Memorial Day parade gathers.
The land for the park, once called Duffy's Field, used to be a dumpsite. It was built before the state had rules for old dumpsites.
Norwalk Oyster Festival
The Norwalk Oyster Festival is a popular yearly event. It takes place in Veterans Memorial Park every September. It's a great way to celebrate the local history and seafood!
Getting Around East Norwalk
- Bus Service: Public buses in Norwalk are run by the Norwalk Transit District, also known as Wheels.
- Train Service: The New Haven Line of Metro-North Railroad goes through East Norwalk. You can catch a train at the East Norwalk station.
Emergency Services
The Norwalk Fire Department has a fire station in East Norwalk. Fire Station #3 is located at 56 Van Zant Street. This station was once home to the Mayflower Volunteer Hook & Ladder Co. 1. This was one of the city's first volunteer fire companies.
