South End of Stamford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
South End Historic District
|
|
Atlantic Street in the South End with many elements of the neighborhood: empty lot, modest homes and businesses, Pitney Bowes modern office building and, in upper lefthand corner, the end of the defunct Yale & Towne factory building
|
|
 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Roughly bounded by Metro-North Railroad tracks, Stamford Canal, Woodland Cemetery, and Washington Blvd., Stamford, Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Area | 177.1 acres (71.7 ha) |
| Built | 1868 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Late Victorian, Mixed (more than 2 styles from different periods) |
| NRHP reference No. | 86000472 |
| Added to NRHP | March 19, 1986 |
The South End is a lively neighborhood in Stamford, Connecticut. It sits at the very southern tip of the city, right next to the Downtown area. This part of Stamford is changing fast with new buildings and projects.
The South End is like a small land piece surrounded by water on three sides. The Stamford Canal is to the east, and the Rippowam River is to the west. Only a few streets connect it to other parts of Stamford. You can find old factories, small homes, apartment buildings, and modern offices here. A large part of the neighborhood is known as the South End Historic District. This district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Because it's a flood risk area, the South End has a special barrier. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages this barrier to protect the area from floods.
Contents
Exploring the South End Historic District
The South End Historic District covers about 177 acres. This special area includes 449 buildings. Most of these buildings were built between the 1870s and the 1930s. The district also features an old cemetery and an iron bridge.
A very important company here was the Yale & Towne Lock Works. This factory, along with other businesses, gave many people jobs. It also helped shape how the neighborhood looked. The oldest building in the district is the Peter DeMill House. Other interesting spots include a tenement building at 715 Atlantic Street and the Holy Name Rectory. The historic district also has the Pulaski Street Bridge. This is a unique wrought-iron bridge that crosses the Rippowam River.
A Look at South End History
The South End was one of the first areas in Stamford to be settled. Early settlers used this land together from 1641 to 1665. By 1699, the land was divided among individual owners.
In the 1800s and mid-1900s, the South End was the main place for manufacturing in Stamford. Many factories and businesses were located here. A big project called Harbor Point is now changing much of the South End. This project aims to bring new life to the area.
The Yale Lock Company
Linus Yale Jr. created new types of safe locks and key-operated locks around 1862. In 1868, he and Henry Robinson Towne started the Yale Lock Manufacturing Company. They built it right here in the South End to make these new locks. Yale passed away later that same year. The Yale & Towne company made locks for many years. This gave Stamford its early nickname, "Lock City." Other factories also set up their businesses in the South End.
Dealing with Floods
In 1938, a big hurricane caused severe flooding in the neighborhood. Since then, large barriers have been built in Stamford Harbor. These barriers help prevent similar floods from happening again. A two-mile-long barrier system was built in 1969. This system protects about 600 acres of downtown Stamford. It helped prevent millions of dollars in damage during Hurricane Sandy.
Major Companies in the Area
Today, many big companies have their main offices in the South End. These include Charter Communications, KAYAK.com, Design Within Reach, and Thomson Reuters. Other important companies like Bridgewater Associates and McKinsey & Company also have large offices here.
Pitney Bowes' Story
The Pitney Bowes Corporation has a long history in the South End. In 1917, Walter Bowes moved his business here. In 1920, his company joined with another to form Pitney Bowes. The company made products in the neighborhood for many decades. Their large headquarters building was once at 1 Elmcroft Road. About 550 people worked there. In 2015, Pitney Bowes sold this building. They moved their headquarters to a different street in Stamford. The old building is now called Silicon Harbor. It aims to attract new startup companies.
The 2006 Factory Fire
On April 3, 2006, a large fire broke out in the South End. It started in one of the old Yale & Towne factory buildings. The fire then spread to another building. This second building housed many antiques dealers. Dark smoke filled the sky and could be seen from miles away. About 200 people living nearby had to leave their homes. Luckily, only one firefighter had a minor knee injury.
Stamford Fire Rescue firefighters worked hard to put out the blaze. They used a million gallons of water in just three hours. When the water mains ran low, they had to pump water from the nearby harbor. The fire department spent a lot of money on overtime to control the fire.
The building where the fire started was rented out to various businesses. These included about 100 antiques dealers. The fire began on a workbench in a piano shop. The exact cause was never found.
Plans for New Development
The Stamford train station and tracks, along with Interstate 95, separate the South End from Downtown Stamford. In recent years, land near train stations has become very valuable. This is true for both offices and homes. Because of this, new office buildings are planned near the station in the South End.
In 2008, a company called Building and Land Technology (BLT) bought a large area. This area included the old Yale & Towne factory site. New apartments called "Lofts at Yale and Towne" opened in May 2010. These apartments are in a century-old factory building. Other new buildings have also been completed. They now house luxury apartments and BLT's new office.
The Yale & Towne site will also have new shops and more apartments. About 4,000 new homes are planned for the area. There will also be new retail and office spaces.
Traffic in the South End is also being studied. New developments might cause more traffic. Plans are in place to improve roads like Washington Boulevard and Atlantic Street. This includes rebuilding the underpasses beneath the railroad tracks.
Fire Department Services
The Stamford Fire Rescue Department has Fire Station #2 in the South End. This station serves the neighborhood and helps keep everyone safe.
Places to Visit in the South End
- Koscusko Park: A city park located at the very southern tip of the peninsula. It's a great place to enjoy the outdoors.
- CTE Inc.: An organization that helps people in need. It's located at 34 Woodlawn Avenue.
- South End Branch of Ferguson Library: A local library branch where you can find books and resources. It's also at 34 Woodlawn Avenue.
- Ponus Yacht Club: A club for boating enthusiasts.
- Woodlawn Cemetery: A large, old cemetery found in the southeast part of the neighborhood.
