Northfield, Connecticut facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Northfield, Connecticut
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Unincorporated village
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 Northfield, Connecticut
Location in Connecticut
Northfield, Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| U.S. state |  Connecticut |
| County | Litchfield |
| Town | Litchfield |
Northfield is a small village located in Litchfield, Connecticut. It's a part of Litchfield County in the United States. This quiet village is in the southeastern part of Litchfield.
Northfield shares its borders with other towns. To the east is Harwinton. To the south is Thomaston. To the west is Morris. In 2010, about 1,378 people lived in Northfield. Students from Northfield attend schools in the Litchfield Public School system.
Northfield was once home to the Northfield Knife Company. This company made knives and was very important to the village. Today, you can still see the old factory foundations. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
Discovering Northfield's History
Northfield has a cool history, especially with its old knife factory.
The Northfield Knife Company
The Northfield Knife Company started in 1858. It was a big deal for the village. The factory was right across from a place called Knife Shop Dam. This company made many popular knives. It stopped working in 1926.
The old factory foundations are still there. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. This means they are important historical sites.
Humaston Brook State Park
Both Northfield Pond and the Knife Shop Dam are part of Humaston Brook State Park. This park is a large natural area. It covers 141 acres. Visitors can enjoy hiking and fishing here. It's a great place to explore nature.
Community Life in Northfield
Northfield has its own special community features.
Northfield's Postal Services
The village of Northfield has its own Postal Zip Code, 06778. However, it does not have an active Post Office.
The Gilbert Library
The Gilbert Library is located at 38 Main Street. This library was created from the estate of William L. Gilbert. He was a famous clockmaker from Northfield. The library is a great place for reading and learning.
Northfield Volunteer Fire Company
Northfield has a volunteer fire department. It's called the Northfield Volunteer Fire Company. It started in 1938. The fire station is on Knife Shop Road. This team has 37 active members. They respond to over 250 emergency calls each year. They moved to their current location in the 2010s.
Education and Fun in Northfield
Northfield offers places for learning and recreation.
Litchfield Montessori School
The Litchfield Montessori School is on Knife Shop Road. This building used to be the Northfield Elementary School. The Montessori school started in 1972. It moved to its current spot in 1979. This school teaches children from 1½ to 12 years old.
Public Recreation Areas
Next to the Montessori school is a public basketball court. Many local residents enjoy playing there. Northfield also has other outdoor places for fun. These include Humaston Brook State Park, Nystrom's Pond, and Northfield Brook Lake. These spots are perfect for outdoor activities.
Local Schools
Students living in Northfield attend Litchfield Public Schools. Older students go to Litchfield High School (Litchfield, Connecticut).
Notable People from Northfield
Northfield has been home to several important people.
J. Howard Catlin
J. Howard Catlin helped build the Northfield Knife Company. He worked with his brother Franklin. Together, they made it one of the most famous knife makers in the world.
Albert M. Turner
Albert M. Turner was very important for Connecticut's parks. He was the first secretary of the Connecticut Park and Forest Commission. He worked from 1914 to 1941. He helped buy and develop many state parks and forests. He worked hard to create three shoreline state parks: Sherwood Island, Hammonasset, and Rocky Neck.
William L. Gilbert
William L. Gilbert was born in Northfield. He became one of the best clockmakers in Connecticut during the 1800s. His legacy continues with the Gilbert Library in Northfield.
