History of Brookfield, Connecticut facts for kids

The History of Brookfield, Connecticut goes back about 300 years. It's a story of how a small settlement grew into the town we know today.

Early Days: Before 1800

Native American History in Brookfield

Long before English settlers arrived, the land that became Brookfield was home to Native American tribes. These included the Wyantenuck and Paugusset people. They were part of a larger group called the Algonquin Federation.

An important leader was "Sachem Pokono," the son of Sachem Waramaug. A "Sachem" was a chief or leader in the Algonquin language. Pokono led the local Native Americans for many years. Even today, people sometimes find old Native American tools and items in Brookfield.

Some local names still remind us of these first inhabitants. Lake Waramaug is named after Chief Waramaug. Lillinonah was the name of his daughter. Pocono Road also got its name from Chief Pocono. There was even a special wild cherry tree on Route 133, known as the "Indian Tree." It was said to be a meeting spot for the local tribes.

How Newbury Became Brookfield

In the 1700s, the area was first called "Newbury." This name came from parts of three nearby towns: New Milford, Newtown, and Danbury.

It was hard for people living in Newbury to travel to churches in those distant towns, especially in winter. So, in 1752, the government allowed them to hold church services in local homes during the colder months.

By 1754, Newbury was allowed to build its own church and have its own minister. The first church building was finished in 1757. Reverend Thomas Brooks became their first minister. In 1787, when the community officially became a town, they changed its name to Brookfield. This was done to honor Reverend Brooks, who was still their minister.

Early Industries and Businesses

Brookfield was a busy place with many different businesses. Along the Still River, mills were operating as early as 1732. This area became known as the Iron Works District.

Brookfield had iron furnaces, mills for grinding grain (grist mills), and sawmills for cutting wood. There were also shops that made combs, and factories for processing wool and cotton. Other businesses included a paper mill, a knife factory, hat factories, and shops that built stagecoaches. People also made lime and harnesses here.

The old grist mill still stands today and is now the Brookfield Craft Center. In 1837, a company called the Iron Works Aqueduct Company was formed. It brought water from mountain springs to the Iron Works District. This company still supplies water today as the Brookfield Water Company.

The Masonic Federal Lodge #41 was started in Brookfield on November 7, 1797.

Brookfield in the 1800s and 1900s

Life in the 1850s: A Teen's Diary

Imagine what life was like in Brookfield over 150 years ago! A young woman named Susan Sherman kept a diary in 1850–1851. You can read parts of it online today.

Her diary talks about her frequent trips to nearby cities like Hartford, Danbury, and New Haven. She also wrote about her hobbies, like embroidering and quilting. Susan shared details about her own engagement and described her wedding day. There's even a section in her diary with recipes, mostly for desserts!

Train Travel and Town Hall Changes

Before 1912, Brookfield had two train stations. One was in the Iron Works District, and the other was called Brookfield Junction station. Young people often used the train to go to high school in Danbury.

The first Town Hall, originally called the "Town House," was built in 1794. It was located across from the church. Town business was done there until a new Town Hall was built in 1876. This new building cost $4,000. In 1975, the Town Hall moved again to a new location. The old 1876 building is now used by the Brookfield Museum and Historical Society.

Electricity came to Brookfield in 1915, thanks to the Danbury & Bethel Gas and Electric Company.

Changes from New Lakes

Two large lakes changed Brookfield's map. Candlewood Lake was created first. After it was built, some parts of the town of New Fairfield ended up on the Brookfield side of the lake. So, in 1961, several areas like Candlewood Shores, Hickory Hills, Candlewood Orchards, Arrowhead Point, and the land that became Brookfield Town Park all became part of Brookfield.

In 1955, Lake Lillinonah was created. This lake is about 14 miles (23 km) long. It was formed when the Shepaug Dam was built.

Modern Developments and Growth

In the early 1970s, a special gun called the .475 Wildey Magnum was developed in Brookfield by Wildey J. Moore. This gun later became famous in the 1985 movie Death Wish 3 starring Charles Bronson. The factory has since moved to another town.

Also in the early 1970s, Brookfield was home to the headquarters for LEGO USA.

By the late 1900s, many people from New York City started moving to the suburbs. This led to a lot of new homes being built in Brookfield. The town became a popular place for people who work in New York City to live and travel from. The building of Interstate 684, a direct highway to New York City, also helped Brookfield's population grow a lot.

In 1991, most of the buildings in Brookfield Center's Historic District were added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized as important historical sites.

Brookfield Schools: A History of Learning

The first Center School building was built in 1762. It later served as the Town Hall. Today, it is rented by the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials.

When Brookfield officially became a town in 1788, it had eight school districts by 1807. These included Brookfield Center, Iron Works, Longmeadow, Whisconier, Obtuse, Bound Swamp, North Mountain, and South Mountain (Huckleberry Hill). In the 1800s, Brookfield also had a private school for boys and a music school that was known internationally.

The Molly Fund: Supporting Education

A special fund for education in Brookfield started with a woman named Mary Northrop. When she passed away on June 29, 1794, she left all her money and property to the town. Her will, written in 1793, said that the money should be used for a school in the center of town. The interest earned from her estate was to be used each year to support the school.

Mary Northrop, who was called "Molly," could not read or write herself. She signed her will with an "X." The town received about 138 pounds from her estate in 1794. By 1804, the fund became known as the "Molly Fund," and it's still called that today. Because Molly's will said the money should be used in the center of town, the fund was used to pay the singing teacher at the town's Sing School, which was located there.

The Long Meadow Hill School was built in 1959. It later became Brookfield High School, and its first class graduated in 1967.

Books About Brookfield's History

If you want to learn even more about Brookfield's past, here are some books:

• Whittlesey, Marilyn, Images of America, Brookfield (1999). This book has many pictures of Brookfield's history.
• Whittlesey, Marilyn, A look back: Brookfield, Connecticut (1988).
• Hawley, Emily Carrie, Annals of Brookfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut (1929). This is a very detailed book about the town's history. It has been republished several times.