West Side of Stamford facts for kids
The West Side of Stamford is a cool neighborhood in Stamford, Connecticut. It's also known as Richmond Hill. This area is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the whole state of Connecticut!
You can find the West Side just west of Downtown Stamford. It's north of Interstate 95. The area stretches between the town of Greenwich, Connecticut and the Rippowam River. Some people say its northern edge is West Broad Street and Palmers Hill Road. Other people describe its boundaries as Stillwater Avenue, Broad Street, West Main Street, and West Avenue, up to Exit 6 on Interstate 95.
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Who Lives in the West Side?
Many people from Italy moved to the West Side of Stamford. In the 1900s, many Italian-Americans in the neighborhood came from a town called Minturno, and other nearby places in Italy.
The Minturnese Social Club
The Minturnese Social Club was started in 1939. Only families from Minturno could join. In 2007, the club had 120 members!
Festival of Wheat
A special tradition from Minturno is the Festa de la Regna, which means "Festival of Wheat." This celebration honors harvest day and the Madonna delle Grazie. It's still celebrated every year with a procession.
On July 8, 2007, the procession happened on Stephen Street. It started after a Mass (a church service) spoken in Italian at the Sacred Heart Church. The procession included:
- Women wearing traditional black and white dresses.
- A float with tiny palm trees, a stuffed rooster, bundles of wheat, and an Italian flag.
- A marching band playing music.
- A woman in a red, white, and green traditional dress holding a bundle of wheat.
- Men carrying a yellow throne with a picture of the Madonna delle Grazie.
Important Places in the West Side
The West Side has many important places that help the community.
Stamford Hospital
Stamford Hospital is the biggest building in the neighborhood. Its campus is larger than 10 acres (about 40,000 square meters). It provides healthcare for many people.
Community Centers and Parks
The Yerwood Community Center is also in West Stamford. It's a place where people can gather and take part in activities. You can also find Lione Park, a great spot for outdoor fun. The Westover Elementary School is here too, where kids go to learn. For golf lovers, the public E. Gaynor Brennan Golf Course is just to the north.
New Covenant House Soup Kitchen
The New Covenant House soup kitchen opened in 1978. It's the only soup kitchen that helps people in Stamford, Greenwich, New Canaan, and Darien. This soup kitchen is run by Catholic Charities of Fairfield County. It gives hot meals every day and helps people who are experiencing homelessness get the food they need.
Pellicci's Italian Restaurant
Pellicci's Italian restaurant has been at the same address on Stillwater Avenue since 1947. This family-owned restaurant is famous for its simple, old-fashioned Italian cooking. Many famous people have eaten there, including baseball legend Joe DiMaggio, singer Nancy Sinatra, musician Tony Bennett, and news anchor Walter Cronkite. The restaurant sells over 1,000 pounds of baked chicken every week!
Fire Department Services
The Stamford Fire Rescue Department has Fire Station #3 in the West Side. This station helps keep the neighborhood safe by responding to emergencies.
