Bridgeport, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state
of Connecticut
. Located in Fairfield County
, the city had an estimated population of 144,229 at the 2010 United States Census and is the core of the Greater Bridgeport
area. The city is part of the Greater New York City Combined Statistical Area and the fifth largest city in New England
(behind, in order: Boston
, Worcester
, Providence
, and Springfield
.) Bridgeport is also the center of the 41st largest urban area in the United States, just behind Austin, Texas
(40th).
The city is marked by its attachment to its famous resident, the circus-promoter and once mayor P.T. Barnum. Barnum built three houses in the city, and housed his circus in town during winters.
Other than Black Rock and parts of Brooklawn which were originally part of the township of Fairfield
, Bridgeport was originally a part of the township of Stratford
. The first English
settlement on the west bank of the mouth of the Pequonnock River
was made somewhere between 1639 and 1665 and was called Pequonnock. This village was renamed Newfield sometime before 1777. More people settled further inland and to the West and the area officially became known as Stratfield in 1701, likely due to its location between the already existing towns of Stratford and Fairfield. During the American Revolution
, Bridgeport was a center of privateering. In 1800, Newfield village was chartered as the borough of Bridgeport, and in 1821 the township of Bridgeport, including more of Stratfield, was incorporated. Finally, Bridgeport was chartered as a city in 1836.
The city was home to the Frisbie Pie Company
, and therefore it has been argued that Bridgeport is the birthplace of the frisbee
.
The city is also home to the first Subway
Restaurant, opened in the North End section of the city in 1965.
and farming. The city's location on the deep Newfield Harbor fostered a boom in shipbuilding
and whaling
in the mid-19th century, especially after the opening of a railroad to the city in 1840.
The city rapidly industrialized in the late-19th century, when it became a manufacturing center. It produced such goods as the famous Bridgeport milling machine, brass fittings, carriages, sewing machines, brassiere
s, saddles, and ammunition
. Bridgeport annexed the village of Black Rock and its busy harbor
in 1870.
spoke in the city's Washington Hall, an auditorium at the old Bridgeport City Hall
(now McLevy Hall), at the corner of State and Broad streets. Not only was the largest room in the city packed, but a crowd formed outside as well. Lincoln received a standing ovation before taking the 9:07 p.m. train that night back to Manhattan. A plaque marks the site where Lincoln spoke. Other notables who have given speeches in Bridgeport include Martin Luther King, Jr.
who spoke three times at the Klein Auditorium in the 1960s;President Obama also spoke at the Harbor Yard arena in 2010 to gain support for the current running democratic Governor Dan Malloy. and President George W. Bush
who spoke before a small, selected group of Connecticut business people and officials at the Playhouse on the Green, just across the street from McLevy Hall, in 2006.
, which produced sewing machines and exported them throughout the world, and the Locomobile Company of America, builder of one of the premier automobiles in the early years of the century.
In the summer of 1915, amid increased labor demand for World War I
, a series of strikes demanding the eight-hour day
began in Bridgeport. They were so successful that they spread throughout the Northeast.
By 1930, Bridgeport was a thriving industrial center with more than 500 factories. Since the late 19th century, its industrial jobs had attracted the most recent immigrants: Irish, Italians and eastern Europeans. The build-up to World War II further helped its industries.
of the United States in the 1970s and 1980s. Suburban flight as well as overall mismanagement, for which several city officials were convicted, contributed to the decline.
In September 1978, Bridgeport teachers went on a 19-day strike due to deadlocked contract negotiations. A court order, as well as state law that made strikes illegal in Connecticut, resulted in 274 teachers being arrested and jailed.
Like other northeastern cities suffering from the effects of Post World War II
industrial decline, Bridgeport made numerous efforts at revitalization. In one proposal Las Vegas developer Steve Wynn
was to build a large casino, but that project failed to materialize. In 1991, the city filed for bankruptcy
protection but was declared solvent by a federal court.
.
Two Bridgeport firefighters, Lt. Steven Velasquez and Firefighter Michel Baik, died while fighting a fire at 41 Elmwood Ave. Saturday afternoon (07/24/2010). In a residential structure fire, they had been trapped on the 3rd floor while checking for hotspots and trapped victims.
City level:
County level:
State level:
and St. Vincent's Medical Center
. The former Park City Hospital closed in 1993 and was reopened in 2010 as elderly and homeless housing units.
at the mouth of the Pequonnock River
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 19.4 square miles (50.2 km²), of which 16 square miles (41.4 km²) is land and 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²), or 17.53%, is water. Bridgeport lies within the transition zone between a humid subtropical
and a humid continental
(Köppen
Cfa/Dfa), with very warm and humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Although the seasonal extremes are slightly moderated by Long Island Sound, the primary annual weather pattern flow is offshore, from the colder landmasses to the north and west. The adjacent waters result in Bridgeport being several degrees cooler in summer and slightly milder with less snowfall in winter than locations further away from the coast. The city receives 41.7 inches (1,059.2 mm) of precipitation and 24.8 inches (63 cm) of snowfall in an average year. The snowiest winter on record is 1996 where Bridgeport received 76.8 inches (195 cm). Bridgeport's highest temperature is 103 °F (39.4 °C) in July 1957 and the lowest temperature is -7 F in January 1984.
and is formed by the estuary of the Pequonnock River and Yellow Mill Pond, an inlet. Between the estuary and the pond is a peninsula, East Bridgeport, also known as the East Side, which was once the site of some of the largest manufacturing establishments in Connecticut
, most of which no longer exist. On the other side of the Yellow Mill Pond inlet is the East End of Bridgeport, which is the far Eastern point of the city, next to Pleasure Beach Island. Above the East End are the Mill Hill and Boston Avenue neighborhoods and the border with Stratford, Connecticut
. West of the Harbor and the Pequonnock River is the main portion of the city, with Downtown Bridgeport lining the river, the South End lining the harbor and Long Island Sound, the West Side between Fairfield, Connecticut
and Downtown, and North Bridgeport extending from Downtown and the West Side to the border with Trumbull, Connecticut
. Numerous factories, some of which are no longer in operation, line western sections the Metro North/New Haven Railroad line from the Bridgeport Station in Downtown, under Interstate 95 in the South End, and through the West Side and into Fairfield. The city is surrounding by hills in North Bridgeport/North End, the Upper East Side, and Mill Hill.
The main portion of the city is divided into three major North/South roads that somewhat parallel each other. Main Street, the city's main artery, extending from the Trumbull town line, down through North Bridgeport, under Route 25 and into Downtown, ending at the Harbor Yard Arena in the South End. Park Avenue is the far western main road that is on the borderline with the town of Fairfield and extends from the Easton, Connecticut
border in the North End to the West Side. Madison Avenue is situated parallel between Main Street and Park Avenue that extends from the Trumbull town line in the North End and continues through the West Side. East Main Street is the major North/South road through East Bridgeport, extending from the Trumbull/Stratford line though the East Side, ending near Steel Point. The major East/West roads in the city are Barnum Avenue, Boston Avenue, Fairfield Avenue/Stratford Avenue, North Avenue, Capitol Avenue, State Street, and Railroad Avenue. Barnum Avenue extends from the Stratford line, below Mill Hill, and ends at the Pequonnock River. Boston Avenue breaks off of Barnum Avenue at the Stratford line and goes Northwest through the Upper East Side into the North End. Stratford Avenue starts in the South End of the town of Stratford and travels Southwest into Bridgeport, where it briefly becomes Connecticut Avenue in the city's East End. It then travels East through Steel Point directly into the center of Downtown Bridgeport, where it turns into Fairfield Avenue at Main Street. Fairfield Avenue then travels South and then Southwest through the West Side and down into Black Rock, where it turns into the Boston Post Road, or simply, the Post Road, in Fairfield, Connecticut
. North Avenue begins at Boston Avenue in the Upper East Side above the Pequonnock River and extends Southwest diagonally through the city as Route 1. Like Fairfield Avenue, it then turns into the Post Road in Fairfield. Capitol Avenue begins by breaking off of North Avenue at Barnum Avenue and travels West across the Madison and Brooklawn neighborhoods near North Bridgeport and ends at the Fairfield line. State Street begins in Downtown and cuts across the West Side, where it terminates in Fairfield. Railroad Avenue extends from just below Downtown Bridgeport and runs parallel with the Metro North/New Haven Railroad lines. The Westbound side above the tracks, and the Eastbound side below the tracks. It terminates at Fairfield Avenue in the West Side.
There are two large parks in Bridgeport, the Park City. Beardsley is in the extreme northeastern part of the city and also contains Connecticut's only zoo, the Beardsley Zoo. It also borders a large reservoir. Seaside is west of the harbor entrance and along the Sound in the South End. It has statues in honor of Elias Howe, who built a large sewing-machine factory in 1863; and of P.T. Barnum, the showman, who lived in Bridgeport after 1846. He contributed much to the city, especially East Bridgeport. Seaside Park also has a soldiers' and sailors' monument. In the vicinity are many upscale residences.
Aside from the Pequonnock River and the Yellow Mill Pond, there is Cedar Creek. Cedar Creek is a lake-like tidal creek
that lies between Black Rock
and Seaside Park. Black Rock Harbor
lies at the mouth of the creek.
The principal municipal buildings in Bridgeport are the city's two hospitals (St. Vincent's Medical Center and Bridgeport Hospital), the Protestant orphan asylum, the Barnum Institute (occupied by the Bridgeport Scientific and Historical Society), the Bridgeport Medical Society, City Hall, the Fairfield County Courthouse, the Barnum Museum, and the United States Customs House, which also contains a post office.
of 2000, there were 139,529 people, 50,307 households, and 32,749 families residing in the city. The population density
was 8,720.9 people per square mile (3,367.0/km²). There were 54,367 housing units at an average density of 3,398.1 per square mile (1,312.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 45.02% White, 30.76% African American, 0.48% Native American, 3.25% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 14.81% from other races
, and 5.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 31.88% of the population. Other ancestry groups include: Italian
(8.6%), Irish
(5.1%), Portuguese
(2.9%), Polish
(2.8%), and German
(2.4%). http://www.city-data.com/city/Bridgeport-Connecticut.html
There were 50,307 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.0% were married couples
living together, 24.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.34.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,658, and the median income for a family was $39,571. Males had a median income of $32,430 versus $26,966 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,306. About 16.2% of families and 18.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.8% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.
According to 2010 census data, Bridgeport is the most unequal city in America.
, St. Vincent's College, University of Bridgeport
and the Yeshiva Gedola of Bridgeport
.
The city has started a large school renovation and construction program, with plans for new schools and modernization of existing buildings.
High schools
Bridgeport is notable for having had a Socialist
mayor for 24 years; Jasper McLevy
served as mayor from 1933 to 1957. A more recent mayor, Joseph Ganim, was involved in a corruption scandal, as has been the case with some other mayors in Connecticut. In June 2006, Mayor John M. Fabrizi
admitted that he had used cocaine
while in office.
, a weekend long arts, music and camping festival featuring some of the best names in festival talent. In 1999, 2000, and 2007 through 2010, thousands of people have come from all over the world to camp in Seaside Park and enjoy such talent as Buddy Guy
, Bob Weir and Ratdog, Deep Banana Blackout
, Les Claypool
, Assembly of Dust
, Dirty Dozen Brass Band
, Los Lobos
and Bridgeport's own The Alternate Routes
.
Bridgeport is also the home of the Black Rock Art Center, a multi-cultural center that presents performing artists from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Americas both at the Art Center and also in a Summer Sounds of the World concert series. The series has featured such artists as blues musician James Cotton
, Grammy-award winner Eddie Palmieri, the Cambodian Angkor Dance Company, salsa master Larry Harlow, and folk artists Richie Havens
and Odetta. The Art Center features a world music series, a cabaret series, the Black Rock Blues Festival, in addition to cinema, gallery, and educational programs.
was added as Beardsley Park. Frederick Law Olmsted
, famous for creating New York City's Central Park
, designed both Seaside and Beardsley Parks. Over time, more parks were added including 35 acres (141,640.1 m²) Beechwood Park and Pleasure Beach
, home to a popular amusement park for many years.
The "Park City" now has these parks:
The recently-built Arena at Harbor Yard
serves as the city's sports and hospitality center. Seating 10,000, the Arena serves as the home rink of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers
AHL hockey team, as well as the home court of the Fairfield University
's basketball team.
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard
serves as a minor-league baseball stadium, and was built in 1998 to serve as the homefield of the Bridgeport Bluefish
. It is located downtown on a former brownfield site. It is visually prominent to commuters on I-95
or on passing trains.
Kennedy Stadium
serves as a community sports facility. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, it was the home of an Atlantic Coast Football League
minor league football team, the Bridgeport Jets, a New York Jets
farm team
also known locally as the Hi-Ho Jets due to their sponsorship by the (Hi-Ho) D'Addario construction company.
Fairfield University is located in the neighboring town of Fairfield
, and many of the athletic teams play on campus. Only the men's and women's basketball teams play in Bridgeport.
Due to Bridgeport's close proximity to Long Island Sound, many radio stations from New York are received clearly day and night in the market. These include WMCA, WFAN, WOR, WABC, WNYC, WCBS, WEPN, and WQEW.
In 2011, WTNH-TV opened a satellite studio in the offices of the Connecticut Post downtown on State Street.
once provided regional flights to major hub cities such as Logan International Airport
in Boston and Baltimore-Washington International Airport; however, service to the airport declined in the 1990s, and US Airways Express
became the last airline to suspend operations at the airport in November 1999. Tweed New Haven Regional Airport is another nearby facility that provides scheduled air service. The closest international airports are Bradley International Airport
in Windsor Locks, Connecticut
, LaGuardia
and John F. Kennedy
in New York City and Newark
in Newark
, New Jersey
.
and the Route 8
/Route 25
Connector meet in downtown Bridgeport. I-95 runs east-west near the coast heading towards New York City to the southwest and Providence
to the northeast. Routes 8 and 25 run north-south across the city, with the two routes splitting just north of the city. Route 8 continues towards Waterbury
and Torrington
and Route 25 continues towards the Danbury
area. Both Routes 8 and 25 connect to the Merritt Parkway
in the adjacent town of Trumbull
.
Other major surface arteries are U.S. 1
(the Boston Post Road
), which runs east-west north of downtown, and Main Street, which runs north-south towards Trumbull center. The city also has several secondary state highways, namely, Route 127 (East Main Street), Route 130 (Connecticut Ave, Stratford Ave, Fairfield Ave and Water Street), and the Huntington Turnpike.
The city is connected to nearby New York City by both Amtrak
and Metro-North
commuter trains. Many residents commute to New York jobs on these trains, and the city to some extent is developing as an outpost of New York–based workers seeking cheaper rents and larger living spaces. Connecting service is also available to Waterbury
via Metro-North, and New Haven
via Amtrak and Metro-North. Shoreline East service links Old Saybrook and New London
with New Haven, which extends to Bridgeport and Stamford during weekday rush hours only.
The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry
service runs from Bridgeport across Long Island Sound
to Port Jefferson
, New York; the three vessels "Grand Republic", "P.T. Barnum" and "Park City" transport both automobiles and passengers.
(GBTA) provides bus service to Bridgeport and its immediate suburbs. Route 2 the Coastal Link goes west to Norwalk and east to Westfield's Connecticut Post Mall in Milford, from where Connecticut Transit
can bring passengers to the New Haven Green. Greyhound
and Peter Pan Bus Lines
both offer intercity bus service to points throughout the Northeast and points beyond.
:
For places on the register elsewhere in Fairfield County, see List of Registered Historic Places in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
, Connecticut
Perhaps Bridgeport's most famous resident from the past is P. T. Barnum
, the circus promoter who also served as mayor of the city. His portrait was used on the obverse of the coin commemorating the city's centennial in 1936.
Other Bridgeporters who achieved fame far outside the city include:
Fanny Crosby
, was a famous Christian hymn writer, who died in Bridgeport, Connecticut, she was also Blind for all her life.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. Located in Fairfield County
Fairfield County, Connecticut
Fairfield County is a county located in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The county population is 916,829 according to the 2010 Census. There are currently 1,465 people per square mile in the county. It is the most populous county in the State of Connecticut and contains...
, the city had an estimated population of 144,229 at the 2010 United States Census and is the core of the Greater Bridgeport
Greater Bridgeport
Greater Bridgeport is the metropolitan area centered on the city of Bridgeport in the U.S. state of Connecticut. The area is located in Southwestern Connecticut and consists of the city of Bridgeport and five other adjacent towns – Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford, and Trumbull...
area. The city is part of the Greater New York City Combined Statistical Area and the fifth largest city in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
(behind, in order: Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Worcester
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
, Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, and Springfield
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
.) Bridgeport is also the center of the 41st largest urban area in the United States, just behind Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
(40th).
The city is marked by its attachment to its famous resident, the circus-promoter and once mayor P.T. Barnum. Barnum built three houses in the city, and housed his circus in town during winters.
Other than Black Rock and parts of Brooklawn which were originally part of the township of Fairfield
Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield is a town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, Easton, Redding and Westport along the Gold Coast of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 59,404...
, Bridgeport was originally a part of the township of Stratford
Stratford, Connecticut
Stratford is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, located on Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Housatonic River. It was founded by Puritans in 1639....
. The first English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
settlement on the west bank of the mouth of the Pequonnock River
Pequonnock River
The Pequonnock River is a waterway in eastern Fairfield County, Connecticut, flowing through the city of Bridgeport. The river has a penchant for flooding, particularly in spring since the removal of a retention dam in Trumbull in the 1950s. There seems to be a sharp difference of opinion among...
was made somewhere between 1639 and 1665 and was called Pequonnock. This village was renamed Newfield sometime before 1777. More people settled further inland and to the West and the area officially became known as Stratfield in 1701, likely due to its location between the already existing towns of Stratford and Fairfield. During the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, Bridgeport was a center of privateering. In 1800, Newfield village was chartered as the borough of Bridgeport, and in 1821 the township of Bridgeport, including more of Stratfield, was incorporated. Finally, Bridgeport was chartered as a city in 1836.
The city was home to the Frisbie Pie Company
Frisbie Pie Company
The Frisbie Pie Company was founded in 1851 by William Russell Frisbie in Bridgeport, Connecticut, when he bought and renamed a branch of the Olds Baking Company. The company was located on Kossuth Street in Bridgeport's East Side, where nearby school kids tossed the plates around and yelled...
, and therefore it has been argued that Bridgeport is the birthplace of the frisbee
Frisbee
A flying disc is a disc-shaped glider that is generally plastic and roughly in diameter, with a lip. The shape of the disc, an airfoil in cross-section, allows it to fly by generating lift as it moves through the air while rotating....
.
The city is also home to the first Subway
Subway (restaurant)
Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. . Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 35,519 restaurants in 98 countries and territories as of October 25th, 2011...
Restaurant, opened in the North End section of the city in 1965.
Early years
Bridgeport's early years were marked by residents' reliance on fishingFishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
and farming. The city's location on the deep Newfield Harbor fostered a boom in shipbuilding
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to before recorded history.Shipbuilding and ship repairs, both...
and whaling
Whaling
Whaling is the hunting of whales mainly for meat and oil. Its earliest forms date to at least 3000 BC. Various coastal communities have long histories of sustenance whaling and harvesting beached whales...
in the mid-19th century, especially after the opening of a railroad to the city in 1840.
The city rapidly industrialized in the late-19th century, when it became a manufacturing center. It produced such goods as the famous Bridgeport milling machine, brass fittings, carriages, sewing machines, brassiere
Brassiere
A brassiere is an undergarment that covers, supports, and elevates the breasts. Since the late 19th century, it has replaced the corset as the most widely accepted method for supporting breasts....
s, saddles, and ammunition
Ammunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
. Bridgeport annexed the village of Black Rock and its busy harbor
Black Rock Harbor
Black Rock Harbor is located in Bridgeport, Connecticut on the Long Island Sound. The Black Rock Harbor Light on Fayerweather Island marks the entrance to the harbor on its east, while St. Mary's by the Sea forms its western beachhead. Seaside Park runs along the northeastern part of the harbor....
in 1870.
Abraham Lincoln's visit
On Saturday, March 10, 1860, Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
spoke in the city's Washington Hall, an auditorium at the old Bridgeport City Hall
Bridgeport City Hall
The old Bridgeport City Hall is located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The building was built in 1854 as both the City Hall and the Fairfield County Courthouse and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 19, 1977...
(now McLevy Hall), at the corner of State and Broad streets. Not only was the largest room in the city packed, but a crowd formed outside as well. Lincoln received a standing ovation before taking the 9:07 p.m. train that night back to Manhattan. A plaque marks the site where Lincoln spoke. Other notables who have given speeches in Bridgeport include Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
who spoke three times at the Klein Auditorium in the 1960s;President Obama also spoke at the Harbor Yard arena in 2010 to gain support for the current running democratic Governor Dan Malloy. and President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
who spoke before a small, selected group of Connecticut business people and officials at the Playhouse on the Green, just across the street from McLevy Hall, in 2006.
Industrialization and labor history
Industrialization started taking place in the mid-19th century. Famous factories included Wheeler & WilsonWheeler & Wilson
Wheeler & Wilson was an American company which produced sewing machines.- Overview :Allen B. Wilson in 1849 made possible one of the world's greatest industries, and the sound administrative policy of Nathaniel Wheeler and his associates was responsible for the transformation of the industry from...
, which produced sewing machines and exported them throughout the world, and the Locomobile Company of America, builder of one of the premier automobiles in the early years of the century.
In the summer of 1915, amid increased labor demand for World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, a series of strikes demanding the eight-hour day
Eight-hour day
The eight-hour day movement or 40-hour week movement, also known as the short-time movement, had its origins in the Industrial Revolution in Britain, where industrial production in large factories transformed working life and imposed long hours and poor working conditions. With working conditions...
began in Bridgeport. They were so successful that they spread throughout the Northeast.
By 1930, Bridgeport was a thriving industrial center with more than 500 factories. Since the late 19th century, its industrial jobs had attracted the most recent immigrants: Irish, Italians and eastern Europeans. The build-up to World War II further helped its industries.
Deindustrialization
Restructuring of heavy industry starting after the mid-20th century caused the loss of thousands of jobs and residents. Like other urban centers in Connecticut, Bridgeport suffered during the deindustrializationDeindustrialization
Deindustrialization is a process of social and economic change caused by the removal or reduction of industrial capacity or activity in a country or region, especially heavy industry or manufacturing industry. It is an opposite of industrialization.- Multiple interpretations :There are multiple...
of the United States in the 1970s and 1980s. Suburban flight as well as overall mismanagement, for which several city officials were convicted, contributed to the decline.
In September 1978, Bridgeport teachers went on a 19-day strike due to deadlocked contract negotiations. A court order, as well as state law that made strikes illegal in Connecticut, resulted in 274 teachers being arrested and jailed.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
industrial decline, Bridgeport made numerous efforts at revitalization. In one proposal Las Vegas developer Steve Wynn
Steve Wynn (developer)
Stephen Alan "Steve" Wynn is an American business magnate who played a pivotal role in the 1990s resurgence and expansion of the Las Vegas Strip...
was to build a large casino, but that project failed to materialize. In 1991, the city filed for bankruptcy
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
protection but was declared solvent by a federal court.
Twenty-first century
In the early 21st century, Bridgeport is a city that despite the longtime burdens of crime, poverty and corruption has taken steps toward redevelopment of its downtown and other neighborhoods. In 2004, artists' lofts in the former Read's Department Store on Broad Street first became available. Several other rental conversions have been completed, including the 117 unit Citytrust bank building on Main Street. The recession has halted, at least temporarily, two major mixed-use projects including a $1 billion waterfront development at Steel Point, but other redevelopment projects have proceeded, albeit slowly, such as the condominium conversion project in Bijou Square. In 2009, the City Council approved a new master plan for development designed both to promote redevelopment in selected areas and to protect existing residential neighborhoods. In 2010, the Bridgeport Housing Authority and a local health center announced plans to build a $20 million medical and housing complex at Albion Street, making use of federal stimulus funds and designed to replace some of the housing lost with the demolition of Father Panik VillageFather Panik Village
Father Panik Village was a housing project located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Ground was broken in 1939, and it opened as Yellow Mill Village, the first public housing project in the state. The Village was renamed in honor of Father Stephen Panik in 1955, a Catholic priest from Saints Cyril and...
.
Fire department
The city of Bridgeport is protected 24/7 by the 350 professional firefighters of the Bridgeport Fire Department(BFD). The Bridgeport Fire Department operates out of 8 Fire Stations, located throughout the city, in 2 Battalions. The BFD operates a fire apparatus fleet of 9 Engines(Including 1 Quint), 4 Ladders, 1 Rescue, 1 Command Vehicle, 1 Haz-Mat. Unit, 3 Fireboats, and numerous special, support, and reserve units. In 2010, the Bridgeport Fire Department responded to over 13,000 emergency calls. The current Chief of Department is Brian Rooney.Two Bridgeport firefighters, Lt. Steven Velasquez and Firefighter Michel Baik, died while fighting a fire at 41 Elmwood Ave. Saturday afternoon (07/24/2010). In a residential structure fire, they had been trapped on the 3rd floor while checking for hotspots and trapped victims.
| Engine Company | Ladder Company | Special Unit | Battalion | Address | Neighborhood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine 1 | Ladder 5 | Rescue 5, Marine 2 | Battalion 1, Deputy 1 | 30 Congress St. | Downtown |
| Engine 3, Engine 4 | Haz-Mat./Decon. Unit | 233 Wood Ave. | West Side | ||
| Engine 6 | Ladder 6 | Marine 3 | Battalion 2 | 1035 Central Ave. | East End |
| Engine 7 | Ladder 11 | Command Vehicle | 245 Ocean Terr. | Black Rock | |
| Engine 10 | Ladder 10 | Marine 1 | 950 Boston Ave. | East Side | |
| Engine 12 | 265 Beechmont Ave. | Brooklawn | |||
| Engine 15 | 104 Evers St. | North Bridgeport | |||
| Engine 16(Quint) | 3115 Madison Ave. | North End |
Law enforcement
There are 5 law enforcement agencies that serve Bridgeport. Two at the city level, one at the county level, and two at the state level.City level:
- Bridgeport Police Department – The cities primary law enforcement agency, it deals with every-day things in the city from gang violence to petty theft.
- Bridgeport Park Police Department – A separate department from the Bridgeport Police, this agency was formed to enforce law in Bridgeport's vast area of city parks.
County level:
- Fairfield County Marshal – Fairfield Judicial District – This agency is responsible for judicial process and most arrest warrants in the south eastern portion of Fairfield CountyFairfield County, ConnecticutFairfield County is a county located in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The county population is 916,829 according to the 2010 Census. There are currently 1,465 people per square mile in the county. It is the most populous county in the State of Connecticut and contains...
that is also adjacent to the borders of the Greater Bridgeport Regional Planning Agency.
State level:
- Connecticut State PoliceConnecticut State PoliceThe Connecticut State Police is a division of the Connecticut Department of Public Safety responsible for traffic regulation and law enforcement across the state of Connecticut, especially in areas not served by local police departments. The CSP currently has approximately 1,248 troopers, and is...
– Maintains one of the twelve state-wide troop barracks in Bridgeport. Responsible for highway patrol and assisting the Bridgeport Police Department and surrounding municipalities when needed for situations such as stand offs. - New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police – District #8 is responsible for the security of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Services. This agency is limited to downtown around the Bridgeport (Metro-North station)Bridgeport (Metro-North station)The Bridgeport Metro-North Railroad station serves the residents of Bridgeport, Connecticut and its surrounding towns that do not have a Metro-North stop like Trumbull, via the New Haven Line. The station is the transfer point between the Waterbury Branch and the Northeast Corridor mainline...
.
Medical care
The community has two hospitals, Bridgeport HospitalBridgeport Hospital
Bridgeport Hospital is a private, not-for-profit general medical and surgical hospital in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It is a member of the Yale New Haven Health System, and affiliated with the Yale University School of Medicine.-Description:...
and St. Vincent's Medical Center
St. Vincent's Medical Center (Bridgeport)
St. Vincent's Medical Center is a 397-bed acute care Catholic hospital in Bridgeport, Connecticut.The hospital is now controlled by Ascension Health, the nation's largest Catholic and largest nonprofit health system, which is in turn controlled by several religious orders, including the Daughters...
. The former Park City Hospital closed in 1993 and was reopened in 2010 as elderly and homeless housing units.
Animal control
Animal Control has been located for many years at 525 Asylum St. and on June 2008 the animal shelter which is now referred to as Bridgeport Animal Control has moved to 236 Evergreen St. This location was the previous housing quarters for the Shoreline Star Greyhounds. This location once housed over 800 dogs. The Animal Control facility is currently the largest in the state of Connecticut. Over 1500 to 2000 animals are brought in yearly. The new facilities currently consist of three buildings. An Administration building, and two animal holding buildings. One is used as a quarantine building for the 7 day holding period and the second is the adoption building. The new shelter can house up to 80 dogs and 25 cats. During the beginning of the project the facility was planning on holding 52 cats in a fourth building but there wasn't enough money in the budget. The Director of the Animal shelter is referred to as the Chief Animal Control officer and his assistant officers are referred to as AACO's (Assistant Animal Control officers) The largest breed of dog the shelter deals with, is the "Pitbull." The BAC does not pick up cats unless they are sick or injured and this is also the same policy for wildlife.Geography and climate
Bridgeport is located along Long Island SoundLong Island Sound
Long Island Sound is an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, located in the United States between Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south. The mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, empties into the sound. On its western end the sound is bounded by the Bronx...
at the mouth of the Pequonnock River
Pequonnock River
The Pequonnock River is a waterway in eastern Fairfield County, Connecticut, flowing through the city of Bridgeport. The river has a penchant for flooding, particularly in spring since the removal of a retention dam in Trumbull in the 1950s. There seems to be a sharp difference of opinion among...
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 19.4 square miles (50.2 km²), of which 16 square miles (41.4 km²) is land and 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²), or 17.53%, is water. Bridgeport lies within the transition zone between a humid subtropical
Humid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters...
and a humid continental
Humid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
(Köppen
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Cfa/Dfa), with very warm and humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Although the seasonal extremes are slightly moderated by Long Island Sound, the primary annual weather pattern flow is offshore, from the colder landmasses to the north and west. The adjacent waters result in Bridgeport being several degrees cooler in summer and slightly milder with less snowfall in winter than locations further away from the coast. The city receives 41.7 inches (1,059.2 mm) of precipitation and 24.8 inches (63 cm) of snowfall in an average year. The snowiest winter on record is 1996 where Bridgeport received 76.8 inches (195 cm). Bridgeport's highest temperature is 103 °F (39.4 °C) in July 1957 and the lowest temperature is -7 F in January 1984.
Cityscape
The Bridgeport Harbor is bordered by the Long Island SoundLong Island Sound
Long Island Sound is an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, located in the United States between Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south. The mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, empties into the sound. On its western end the sound is bounded by the Bronx...
and is formed by the estuary of the Pequonnock River and Yellow Mill Pond, an inlet. Between the estuary and the pond is a peninsula, East Bridgeport, also known as the East Side, which was once the site of some of the largest manufacturing establishments in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, most of which no longer exist. On the other side of the Yellow Mill Pond inlet is the East End of Bridgeport, which is the far Eastern point of the city, next to Pleasure Beach Island. Above the East End are the Mill Hill and Boston Avenue neighborhoods and the border with Stratford, Connecticut
Stratford, Connecticut
Stratford is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, located on Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Housatonic River. It was founded by Puritans in 1639....
. West of the Harbor and the Pequonnock River is the main portion of the city, with Downtown Bridgeport lining the river, the South End lining the harbor and Long Island Sound, the West Side between Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield is a town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, Easton, Redding and Westport along the Gold Coast of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 59,404...
and Downtown, and North Bridgeport extending from Downtown and the West Side to the border with Trumbull, Connecticut
Trumbull, Connecticut
Trumbull, a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut in the New England region of the United States, is bordered by the towns of Monroe, Shelton, Stratford, Bridgeport, Fairfield and Easton along Connecticut's Gold Coast. The population was 36,018 according to the 2010 census.Family Circle magazine...
. Numerous factories, some of which are no longer in operation, line western sections the Metro North/New Haven Railroad line from the Bridgeport Station in Downtown, under Interstate 95 in the South End, and through the West Side and into Fairfield. The city is surrounding by hills in North Bridgeport/North End, the Upper East Side, and Mill Hill.
The main portion of the city is divided into three major North/South roads that somewhat parallel each other. Main Street, the city's main artery, extending from the Trumbull town line, down through North Bridgeport, under Route 25 and into Downtown, ending at the Harbor Yard Arena in the South End. Park Avenue is the far western main road that is on the borderline with the town of Fairfield and extends from the Easton, Connecticut
Easton, Connecticut
Easton is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 7,490 at the 2010 census. Easton contains the historic district of Aspetuck....
border in the North End to the West Side. Madison Avenue is situated parallel between Main Street and Park Avenue that extends from the Trumbull town line in the North End and continues through the West Side. East Main Street is the major North/South road through East Bridgeport, extending from the Trumbull/Stratford line though the East Side, ending near Steel Point. The major East/West roads in the city are Barnum Avenue, Boston Avenue, Fairfield Avenue/Stratford Avenue, North Avenue, Capitol Avenue, State Street, and Railroad Avenue. Barnum Avenue extends from the Stratford line, below Mill Hill, and ends at the Pequonnock River. Boston Avenue breaks off of Barnum Avenue at the Stratford line and goes Northwest through the Upper East Side into the North End. Stratford Avenue starts in the South End of the town of Stratford and travels Southwest into Bridgeport, where it briefly becomes Connecticut Avenue in the city's East End. It then travels East through Steel Point directly into the center of Downtown Bridgeport, where it turns into Fairfield Avenue at Main Street. Fairfield Avenue then travels South and then Southwest through the West Side and down into Black Rock, where it turns into the Boston Post Road, or simply, the Post Road, in Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield is a town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, Easton, Redding and Westport along the Gold Coast of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 59,404...
. North Avenue begins at Boston Avenue in the Upper East Side above the Pequonnock River and extends Southwest diagonally through the city as Route 1. Like Fairfield Avenue, it then turns into the Post Road in Fairfield. Capitol Avenue begins by breaking off of North Avenue at Barnum Avenue and travels West across the Madison and Brooklawn neighborhoods near North Bridgeport and ends at the Fairfield line. State Street begins in Downtown and cuts across the West Side, where it terminates in Fairfield. Railroad Avenue extends from just below Downtown Bridgeport and runs parallel with the Metro North/New Haven Railroad lines. The Westbound side above the tracks, and the Eastbound side below the tracks. It terminates at Fairfield Avenue in the West Side.
There are two large parks in Bridgeport, the Park City. Beardsley is in the extreme northeastern part of the city and also contains Connecticut's only zoo, the Beardsley Zoo. It also borders a large reservoir. Seaside is west of the harbor entrance and along the Sound in the South End. It has statues in honor of Elias Howe, who built a large sewing-machine factory in 1863; and of P.T. Barnum, the showman, who lived in Bridgeport after 1846. He contributed much to the city, especially East Bridgeport. Seaside Park also has a soldiers' and sailors' monument. In the vicinity are many upscale residences.
Aside from the Pequonnock River and the Yellow Mill Pond, there is Cedar Creek. Cedar Creek is a lake-like tidal creek
Creek (tidal)
A tidal creek, tidal channel, or estuary is the portion of a stream that is affected by ebb and flow of ocean tides, in the case that the subject stream discharges to an ocean, sea or strait. Thus this portion of the stream has variable salinity and electrical conductivity over the tidal cycle...
that lies between Black Rock
Black Rock, Connecticut
Black Rock is a neighborhood in the southwestern section of the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut. It was part of the Town of Fairfield before the State of Connecticut granted the land to Bridgeport...
and Seaside Park. Black Rock Harbor
Black Rock Harbor
Black Rock Harbor is located in Bridgeport, Connecticut on the Long Island Sound. The Black Rock Harbor Light on Fayerweather Island marks the entrance to the harbor on its east, while St. Mary's by the Sea forms its western beachhead. Seaside Park runs along the northeastern part of the harbor....
lies at the mouth of the creek.
The principal municipal buildings in Bridgeport are the city's two hospitals (St. Vincent's Medical Center and Bridgeport Hospital), the Protestant orphan asylum, the Barnum Institute (occupied by the Bridgeport Scientific and Historical Society), the Bridgeport Medical Society, City Hall, the Fairfield County Courthouse, the Barnum Museum, and the United States Customs House, which also contains a post office.
Neighborhoods
Bridgeport is made up of approximately 70 distinct neighborhoods and districts.- Downtown Bridgeport
- Central Business District
- Historic Downtown North
- The Hollow
- Bull's Head
- Enterprise Zone
- Golden Hill
- Hollow Proper (Golden Valley)
- Sterling Hill
- The Greene Homes (Housing Project)
- Housatonic Community CollegeHousatonic Community CollegeHousatonic Community College is a two-year public college located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It is currently one of the twelve colleges in the Connecticut Community Colleges system...
Campus
- East Bridgeport/East Side/East End
- Beardsley Park
- Boston Avenue
- Briarwood/Treeland
- Remington Woods
- Success Lake/Success Village
- Harborview Towers
- Lower East Side
- Mill Hill
- Newfield
- Newpasture Point
- Steel Point
- Upper East Side
- Washington Park
- West Side/West End
- Black RockBlack Rock, ConnecticutBlack Rock is a neighborhood in the southwestern section of the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut. It was part of the Town of Fairfield before the State of Connecticut granted the land to Bridgeport...
- Black Rock Gardens
- Captains Cove
- Grover's Hill/St. Mary's by-the-Sea
- P.T. Barnum (Housing Project)
- Brooklawn
- Mountain Grove
- Meetinghouse Hill
- Black Rock
- South End
- Liberia (Ethiope)
- Marina Village (Housing Project)
- Seaside Village
- Seaside Park
- Tongue Point
- University of BridgeportUniversity of BridgeportThe University of Bridgeport is a private, independent, non-sectarian, coeducational university located on the Long Island Sound in the South End neighborhood of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The University is fully Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges...
Campus/Marina Park - William D. Bishop Cottage Park Historical District
- North Bridgeport/North End
- Beardsley Terrace/Trumbull Gardens (Housing Project)
- Beechmont Gardens
- Brookside
- Charcoal Pond
- Chestnut Hill
- Cow Hill
- Island Brook (Berkshire)
- Lake Forest (www.lakeforestassociation.com)
- Little ItalyLittle Italy, BridgeportLittle Italy, also commonly referred to as the Central End, is a neighborhood located in the center of inner-city Bridgeport, Connecticut located on Madison Avenue near the Fairfield County Correctional Facility and Central High School. The neighborhood was referred to as Little Italy after its...
- Ox Hill
- Rocky Hill/Sylvan Crest
- St. Vincent's
- Toilsome Hill
- Whiskey Hill
Islands
- Fayerweather IslandFayerweather IslandFayerweather Island is located in Long Island Sound, south of Seaside Park and is a part the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The island is home to the Black Rock Harbor Light at the mouth of Black Rock Harbor.-Physical description:*Elevation: ~....
is connected to Seaside Park by a seawall and is home to the Black Rock Harbor LightBlack Rock Harbor LightBlack Rock Harbor Light is a lighthouse in Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States, on the south end of Fayerweather Island, that marks the entrance to Black Rock Harbor.-History:...
. - Pleasure BeachPleasure BeachPleasure Beach is the Bridgeport portion of a Connecticut barrier beach that extends 2-1/2 miles westerly from Point No Point...
(also known as Steeplechase Island), is located in Long Island Sound, below the city's East End, and is connected by the Long Beach peninsula to Stratford, ConnecticutStratford, ConnecticutStratford is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, located on Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Housatonic River. It was founded by Puritans in 1639....
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 139,529 people, 50,307 households, and 32,749 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 8,720.9 people per square mile (3,367.0/km²). There were 54,367 housing units at an average density of 3,398.1 per square mile (1,312.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 45.02% White, 30.76% African American, 0.48% Native American, 3.25% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 14.81% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 5.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 31.88% of the population. Other ancestry groups include: Italian
Italian American
An Italian American , is an American of Italian ancestry. The designation may also refer to someone possessing Italian and American dual citizenship...
(8.6%), Irish
Irish American
Irish Americans are citizens of the United States who can trace their ancestry to Ireland. A total of 36,278,332 Americans—estimated at 11.9% of the total population—reported Irish ancestry in the 2008 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau...
(5.1%), Portuguese
Portuguese American
Portuguese Americans are citizens of the United States whose ancestry originates in the southwest European nation of Portugal, including the offshore island groups of the Azores and Madeira....
(2.9%), Polish
Polish American
A Polish American , is a citizen of the United States of Polish descent. There are an estimated 10 million Polish Americans, representing about 3.2% of the population of the United States...
(2.8%), and German
German American
German Americans are citizens of the United States of German ancestry and comprise about 51 million people, or 17% of the U.S. population, the country's largest self-reported ancestral group...
(2.4%). http://www.city-data.com/city/Bridgeport-Connecticut.html
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 24.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.34.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,658, and the median income for a family was $39,571. Males had a median income of $32,430 versus $26,966 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,306. About 16.2% of families and 18.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.8% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.
According to 2010 census data, Bridgeport is the most unequal city in America.
| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Active Voters | Inactive Voters | Total Voters | Percentage |
Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
33,374 | 2,855 | 36,229 | 58.23% |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
5,069 | 468 | 5,537 | 8.90% |
Unaffiliated | 18,538 | 1,887 | 20,425 | 32.83% |
Minor Parties | 27 | 3 | 30 | 0.05% | |
| Total | 57,008 | 5,213 | 62,221 | 100% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Top employers
According to the City's 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| St. Vincent's Medical Center St. Vincent's Medical Center (Bridgeport) St. Vincent's Medical Center is a 397-bed acute care Catholic hospital in Bridgeport, Connecticut.The hospital is now controlled by Ascension Health, the nation's largest Catholic and largest nonprofit health system, which is in turn controlled by several religious orders, including the Daughters... |
3,000 | |
| Bridgeport Hospital Bridgeport Hospital Bridgeport Hospital is a private, not-for-profit general medical and surgical hospital in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It is a member of the Yale New Haven Health System, and affiliated with the Yale University School of Medicine.-Description:... |
2,622 | |
| People's United Bank People's United Bank People's United Bank, a diversified financial services company with over $22 billion in assets, provides consumer and commercial banking services through a network of subsidiary banks with approximately 300 branches in Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine and New York... |
1,179 | |
| University of Bridgeport University of Bridgeport The University of Bridgeport is a private, independent, non-sectarian, coeducational university located on the Long Island Sound in the South End neighborhood of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The University is fully Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges... |
875 | |
| Bridgeport Health Care Center | 500 | |
| Housatonic Community College Housatonic Community College Housatonic Community College is a two-year public college located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It is currently one of the twelve colleges in the Connecticut Community Colleges system... |
482 | |
| Prime Line | 310 | |
| Derecktor Shipyards | 300 | |
| Lacey Manufacturing | 275 | |
| Watermark Retirement Communities | 165 | |
Higher education
Bridgeport is home to Housatonic Community CollegeHousatonic Community College
Housatonic Community College is a two-year public college located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It is currently one of the twelve colleges in the Connecticut Community Colleges system...
, St. Vincent's College, University of Bridgeport
University of Bridgeport
The University of Bridgeport is a private, independent, non-sectarian, coeducational university located on the Long Island Sound in the South End neighborhood of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The University is fully Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges...
and the Yeshiva Gedola of Bridgeport
Yeshiva Gedola of Bridgeport
Yeshiva Gedola of Bridgeport is a Jewish study institution in Bridgeport, Connecticut based in the Agudas Achim Synagogue on Arlington Street.The Rosh HaYeshiva, Rabbi Simcha Bunim Berger, was born in Montreal, Canada and raised in Los Angeles, California...
.
Public education
The city's public school system has 30 elementary schools, three comprehensive high schools, two alternative programs and an interdistrict vocational aquaculture school. The system has about 20,800 students, making the Bridgeport Public Schools the second largest school system in Connecticut after Hartford. It is ranked #158 out of the 164 Connecticut school districts. The school system employs a professional staff of more than 1,700.The city has started a large school renovation and construction program, with plans for new schools and modernization of existing buildings.
High schools
- Bassick High SchoolBassick High School-History:In 1924, the Bassick Family home was demolished to begin construction for a school. The E & F Construction Company was awarded the contract after submitting a bid for $692,946. Architect E.G...
- Central High SchoolCentral High School (Connecticut)Central High School is a high school in Bridgeport, Fairfield County, Connecticut in the United States. It was originally founded in 1876 as Bridgeport High School.In 2003 the school held 2,217 students and 152 teachers...
established in 1876, home to Central Magnet, largest of the high schools - Warren Harding High SchoolWarren Harding High SchoolWarren Harding High School is a public high school in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The cornerstone of Warren Harding High School was laid on May 10, 1924 and the school opened on September 9, 1925...
home to the International Baccalaureate Program (IBO) and the Health Magnet Program in association with Bridgeport Hospital, St. Vincent’s Medical Center, and Bridgeport Manor. - Bridgeport Regional Vocational Aquaculture School (BRVAS), a school specializing in marine and aquaculture curriculum. located near historic Captain's Cove and open to students from surrounding towns.
- Bullard Havens Technical High SchoolBullard Havens Technical High SchoolBullard-Havens Technical High School is one of 17 vocational state schools in Connecticut, and is a part of the Connecticut Technical High School System...
, a vocational high school. (State School) - Kolbe Cathedral High SchoolKolbe Cathedral High SchoolKolbe Cathedral High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport.-Background:...
, Bridgeport's sole Catholic high school - The Bridge Academy: Bridgeport's sole Charter High School
- Bridgeport International AcademyBridgeport International AcademyBridgeport International Academy is a private college preparatory school with an international faculty and student body. The school is located adjacent to the seaside campus of the University of Bridgeport. BIA has a well-rounded curriculum with the opportunity for students to take college...
Private education
Bridgeport is also home to several Religious schools and Private learning institutes, some including the Jewish High School of Connecticut, Bridgeport Hope School(k-8), Bridgeport International Academy(9–12), Kolbe Cathedral High School, Zion Lutheran School(PK-8), St. Ambrose, St. Raphael's, St. Augustine, St. Andrew's, St. Peter's, and St. Ann.Government and politics
The city is governed by the mayor council system. There are twenty members of the city council elected from districts. Each district elects two members. The mayor is elected by the entire city.Bridgeport is notable for having had a Socialist
Socialist Party of America
The Socialist Party of America was a multi-tendency democratic-socialist political party in the United States, formed in 1901 by a merger between the three-year-old Social Democratic Party of America and disaffected elements of the Socialist Labor Party which had split from the main organization...
mayor for 24 years; Jasper McLevy
Jasper McLevy
Jasper McLevy was an American politician who served as mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut from 1933-1957. He was a member of the Socialist Party, later leaving in protest to join the Social Democratic Federation....
served as mayor from 1933 to 1957. A more recent mayor, Joseph Ganim, was involved in a corruption scandal, as has been the case with some other mayors in Connecticut. In June 2006, Mayor John M. Fabrizi
John M. Fabrizi
John Michael Fabrizi is a former mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut, succeeded by Bill Finch. He is also a member of the U.S. Democratic Party....
admitted that he had used cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
while in office.
Theater and music
Bridgeport has a number of venues for live theater and music events, ranging from intimate performing spaces to a stadium hosting rock concerts.- Downtown Cabaret Theatre – cabaret, children's theater, concerts.
- Playhouse on the Green – (228 seats) theater with plays and varied musical events.
- Klein Memorial Auditorium – (1,400 seats) home to the Greater Bridgeport Symphony, touring shows and concerts.
- Arena at Harbor YardArena at Harbor YardThe Webster Bank Arena is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena at 600 Main Street in Bridgeport, Connecticut, built alongside The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. The Arena opened on October 10, 2001 and is managed by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Centerplate...
– Sporting events venue, but also hosts large concerts.
Music festivals and concert series
Bridgeport has been the annual home to Gathering of the VibesGathering of the Vibes
Gathering of the Vibes is an annual four-day music, camping and arts festival that celebrates the Grateful Dead & showcases a very diverse variety of music. Over the course of the event, styles often include; Funk, Bluegrass, Rock, Jam Band, Jazz, Reggae, R&B & Folk music. Since 1996, GOTV has...
, a weekend long arts, music and camping festival featuring some of the best names in festival talent. In 1999, 2000, and 2007 through 2010, thousands of people have come from all over the world to camp in Seaside Park and enjoy such talent as Buddy Guy
Buddy Guy
George "Buddy" Guy is an American blues and jazz guitarist and singer. He is a critically acclaimed artist who has established himself as a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound, and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation...
, Bob Weir and Ratdog, Deep Banana Blackout
Deep Banana Blackout
Deep Banana Blackout is a New Orleans style Jazz-funk band from Fairfield County, Connecticut. Formed in the summer of 1995 when members of two bands joined forces in their spare time to run through old Funk & Soul standards...
, Les Claypool
Les Claypool
Leslie Edward "Les" Claypool is an American musician and writer, best known as the lead vocalist and bassist in the band Primus. Claypool's playing style on the electric bass mixes tapping, flamenco-like strumming, whammy bar bends and slapping.Claypool has also self produced and engineered his...
, Assembly of Dust
Assembly of Dust
Assembly of Dust is a rock band formed in 2002 by former Strangefolk frontman Reid Genauer. Genauer formed the band while enrolled in the MBA program at Cornell University...
, Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Dirty Dozen Brass Band
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band is a New Orleans, Louisiana, brass band. The ensemble was established in 1977 by Benny Jones together with members of the Tornado Brass Band...
, Los Lobos
Los Lobos
Los Lobos are a multiple Grammy Award–winning American Chicano rock band from East Los Angeles, California. Their music is influenced by rock and roll, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B, blues, brown-eyed soul, and traditional Spanish and Mexican music such as cumbia, boleros and norteños.-History:The...
and Bridgeport's own The Alternate Routes
The Alternate Routes
The Alternate Routes are an American rock band out of Bridgeport, Connecticut formed by Tim Warren and Eric Donnelly in 2002 while studying at Fairfield University....
.
Bridgeport is also the home of the Black Rock Art Center, a multi-cultural center that presents performing artists from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Americas both at the Art Center and also in a Summer Sounds of the World concert series. The series has featured such artists as blues musician James Cotton
James Cotton
James Cotton is an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, who has performed and recorded with many of the great blues artists of his time as well as with his own band.-Career:...
, Grammy-award winner Eddie Palmieri, the Cambodian Angkor Dance Company, salsa master Larry Harlow, and folk artists Richie Havens
Richie Havens
Richard P. "Richie" Havens is an African American folk singer and guitarist. He is best known for his intense, rhythmic guitar style , soulful covers of pop and folk songs, and his opening performance at the 1969 Woodstock Festival.-Career:Born in Brooklyn, Havens was the eldest of nine children...
and Odetta. The Art Center features a world music series, a cabaret series, the Black Rock Blues Festival, in addition to cinema, gallery, and educational programs.
Theater and music
Bridgeport has a number of museums, ranging from the science-oriented to fine arts and historical, as well as the state's largest zoo.- The Discovery Museum and PlanetariumDiscovery Museum and PlanetariumThe Discovery Museum and Planetarium is a hands-on science museum in Bridgeport, Connecticut that serves as both a tourist destination and an educational resource for area schools. The museum hosts three creative traveling exhibits each year and has permanent space, sound and electricity...
emphasizes exhibits on science, with the state's only Challenger Center, affiliated with the national space program. - Housatonic Museum of ArtHousatonic Museum of ArtThe Housatonic Museum of Art is a museum at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The museum's collection is displayed throughout the college campus and in the Burt Chernow Galleries, which also hosts visiting exhibitions.-Collection:...
, located at Housatonic Community CollegeHousatonic Community CollegeHousatonic Community College is a two-year public college located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It is currently one of the twelve colleges in the Connecticut Community Colleges system...
, has the largest collection of art of any two-year college in the nation. - The Barnum MuseumBarnum MuseumThe Barnum Museum is a museum in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA with an extensive collection related to P. T. Barnum and the history of Bridgeport, Connecticut housed in an historic building on the National Register of Historic Places.- Construction :...
celebrates the showman, circuses and Bridgeport history. - Beardsley ZooBeardsley Zoo- The park :In 1878, James W. Beardsley, a wealthy farmer, donated over of hilly, rural land bordering on the Pequonnock River with a distant view of Long Island Sound to the city of Bridgeport on condition that "the city shall accept and keep the same forever as a public park...." In 1881, the...
is the only such center in Connecticut.
Parks
Bridgeport's first public park was the 4 acres (16,187.4 m²) Washington Park in East Bridgeport, first set aside as a park in 1851. As the city rapidly grew in population, residents recognized the need for more public parks and by 1864, Barnum and other residents had donated approximately 35 acres (141,640.1 m²) to create Seaside Park, now increased to 375 acres (1.5 km²). In 1878, over 100 acres (404,686 m²) of land bordering the Pequonnock RiverPequonnock River
The Pequonnock River is a waterway in eastern Fairfield County, Connecticut, flowing through the city of Bridgeport. The river has a penchant for flooding, particularly in spring since the removal of a retention dam in Trumbull in the 1950s. There seems to be a sharp difference of opinion among...
was added as Beardsley Park. Frederick Law Olmsted
Frederick Law Olmsted
Frederick Law Olmsted was an American journalist, social critic, public administrator, and landscape designer. He is popularly considered to be the father of American landscape architecture, although many scholars have bestowed that title upon Andrew Jackson Downing...
, famous for creating New York City's Central Park
Central Park
Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
, designed both Seaside and Beardsley Parks. Over time, more parks were added including 35 acres (141,640.1 m²) Beechwood Park and Pleasure Beach
Pleasure Beach
Pleasure Beach is the Bridgeport portion of a Connecticut barrier beach that extends 2-1/2 miles westerly from Point No Point...
, home to a popular amusement park for many years.
The "Park City" now has these parks:
- Alice Street Lot, located on Alice Street
- Baldwin Plaza, on Broad Street
- Beardsley Park, located on Noble Avenue where Harding High School plays Baseball and Softball games; picnic areas are also visible, located adjacent to Beardsley Zoo
- Beechwood Park, Madison Avenue, incorporating Kennedy Stadium
- Ellsworth Park, on Ellsworth Street
- Fairchild Memorial Park, located on Trumbull Road
- Glenwood Park, where tennis courts are abundant
- James Brown Park (Waterview Park), located on Waterview Avenue
- Johnson Oak Park on Logan Street (now part of the Tisdale Elementary School)
- Lafayette Park, located on Oak Street
- Longfellow Park, on St. Stephens Road
- Newfield/Jessup ParkNewfield ParkNewfield Park is an outdoor park located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It is located in the East end of the city at 698 Seaview Avenue.The historic park has had various notable events over the years.-Baseball:...
located on Newfield Avenue has a playground, - Pleasure BeachPleasure BeachPleasure Beach is the Bridgeport portion of a Connecticut barrier beach that extends 2-1/2 miles westerly from Point No Point...
is closed - Puglio Park on Madison Avenue consecutive to the North End Library
- Rogers Elton Park on Frenchtown Road
- Seaside ParkSeaside Park (Connecticut)Seaside Park, located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is a long crescent-shaped park bordering Bridgeport Harbor, Long Island Sound, and Black Rock Harbor. The park lies partly within Bridgeport's South End neighborhood.-History:...
, the largest park in Bridgeport with baseball/softball/soccer fields, fishing areas, picnic areas, playgrounds, Groomed beach and swimming, and boat launch stretching from Bridgeport Harbor to Black Rock Harbor - Saint Mary's-By-the-Sea located on Grovers Avenue
- Success Park on Granfield Street
- Svihra Park on Ezra Street
- Upchurch Park on Hallett Street
- Wood Park on Wood Avenue
- Veteran's Memorial Park, formerly, 90 Acres Park, runs between Park and Madison Avenues in the North End (undeveloped/reclaimed)
- Washington Park located on East Washington Avenue
- Waterfront Park located on Water Street primarily for baseball usage
- Went Field Park on Wordin Avenue (play area, Baseball/softball was Barnum's Circus winter grounds
- West Side 2 Park located on Bostwick Avenue
In popular culture
- The city was mentioned at the beginning of Mark TwainMark TwainSamuel Langhorne Clemens , better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American author and humorist...
's novel, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's CourtA Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's CourtA Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court is an 1889 novel by American humorist and writer Mark Twain. The book was originally titled A Yankee in King Arthur's Court...
. - In Stephen KingStephen KingStephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
's short story "I Know What You Need," the protagonist Elizabeth and her suitor Ed first meet in elementary school in Bridgeport, where Ed's family had moved fleeing the gambling debt accumulated by his father. - The city is mentioned in a scene from the 1938 Katharine HepburnKatharine HepburnKatharine Houghton Hepburn was an American actress of film, stage, and television. In a career that spanned 62 years as a leading lady, she was best known for playing strong-willed, sophisticated women in both dramas and comedies...
/Cary GrantCary GrantArchibald Alexander Leach , better known by his stage name Cary Grant, was an English actor who later took U.S. citizenship...
film, Bringing Up BabyBringing up BabyBringing Up Baby is an American screwball comedy film directed by Howard Hawks, starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant, and released by RKO Radio Pictures....
. - The character Joseph Wykowski in Neil SimonNeil SimonNeil Simon is an American playwright and screenwriter. He has written numerous Broadway plays, including Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues, and The Odd Couple. He won the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play Lost In Yonkers. He has written the screenplays for several of his plays that...
's play Biloxi BluesBiloxi BluesBiloxi Blues is a semi-autobiographical play by Neil Simon. The second chapter in what is known as his Eugene trilogy, it follows Brighton Beach Memoirs and precedes Broadway Bound....
was from Bridgeport. - The character Robert E. Hogan in Bernard FeinBernard FeinBernard Fein was an American actor, television producer, screenwriter and film director. He is best known for co-creating and associate producing the 1960s American television sitcom, Hogan's Heroes; a show which he also occasionally wrote for, including the pilot episode...
's television show Hogan's HeroesHogan's HeroesHogan's Heroes is an American television sitcom that ran for 168 episodes from September 17, 1965, to March 28, 1971, on the CBS network. The show was set in a German prisoner of war camp during the Second World War. Bob Crane had the starring role as Colonel Robert E...
was from Bridgeport. - The song "157 Riverside Avenue157 Riverside Avenue"157 Riverside Avenue" is a song by REO Speedwagon from their first album, REO Speedwagon, released in 1971. It was written by all five band members at the time, Terry Luttrell, Gary Richrath, Gregg Philbin, Neal Doughty, and Alan Gratzer...
" by REO SpeedwagonREO SpeedwagonREO Speedwagon is an American rock band. Formed in 1967, the band grew in popularity during the 1970s and peaked in the early 1980s. Hi Infidelity is the group's most commercially successful album, selling over ten million copies and charting four Top 40 hits in the US...
mentions Bridgeport. It gets its title from the address in the nearby town of WestportWestport, Connecticut-Neighborhoods:* Saugatuck – around the Westport railroad station near the southwestern corner of the town – a built-up area with some restaurants, stores and offices....
where the band was staying while they recorded their first album in Bridgeport in a studio run by Paul LekaPaul LekaPaul Leka was an American songwriter, pianist, arranger, and orchestrator, most notable for his writing associations with the 1960s hits "Green Tambourine" and "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye", the latter of which has become a standard song at sporting events.-Life and career:Born in Bridgeport,...
. - The city and P.T. Barnum formed the portmanteau name of the ursine character, P.T. Bridgeport, from Walt KellyWalt KellyWalter Crawford Kelly, Jr. , or Walt Kelly, was an American animator and cartoonist, best known for the comic strip, Pogo. He began his animation career in 1936 at Walt Disney Studios, contributing to Pinocchio and Fantasia. Kelly resigned in 1941 at the age of 28 to work at Post-Hall Syndicate,...
's comic strip Pogo. - Comedian Fred AllenFred AllenFred Allen was an American comedian whose absurdist, topically pointed radio show made him one of the most popular and forward-looking humorists in the so-called classic era of American radio.His best-remembered gag was his long-running mock feud with friend and fellow comedian Jack Benny, but it...
once said, "Everywhere outside New York City is Bridgeport, Connecticut." - The TV series Family GuyFamily GuyFamily Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
took a shot at Bridgeport in its episode Road to the North PoleRoad to the North Pole"Road to the North Pole" is the seventh episode of the ninth season of the animated comedy series Family Guy. Directed by Greg Colton and co-written by Chris Sheridan and Danny Smith, the episode originally aired on Fox in the United States on December 12, 2010...
. After mistaking a tall gloomy factory for Santa's workshopSanta's WorkshopSanta's workshop may refer to:*Santa's workshop, the mythological workshop at the North Pole*Santa's Workshop , Wilmington, New York, USA*Santa's Workshop , an 1932 animated short by Disney...
, StewieStewie GriffinStewie Griffin is a fictional character from the animated television series Family Guy. Once obsessed with world domination and matricide, Stewie is the youngest child of Peter and Lois Griffin, and the brother of Chris and Meg....
said, "This can't be Santa's Workshop, this looks like Bridgeport, Connecticut!" To which BrianBrian GriffinBrian Griffin is a character from the animated television series Family Guy. He is voiced by Seth MacFarlane and first appeared on television, along with the rest of the family, in a 15-minute short on December 20, 1998. Brian was created and designed by MacFarlane himself...
replied, "Oh boy, here come the letters." The screen then portrays an enraged fan from the city with a thick New England AccentNew England EnglishNew England English refers to the dialects of English spoken in the New England area. These include the Eastern New England dialect , the Western New England dialect , and some Subdialects within these two regions...
, writing a hate letter out loud as follows. "Dear 'Family Guy' Bastards, Who the hell do you think you are? I'll have you know that Bridgeport is among the world leaders in abandoned buildings, shattered glass, boarded up windows, wild dogs and gas stations without pumps..." The series' creator Seth MacFarlaneSeth MacFarlaneSeth Woodbury MacFarlane is an American animator, writer, comedian, producer, actor, singer, voice actor, and director best known for creating the animated sitcoms Family Guy, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show, for which he also voices many of the shows' various characters.A native of Kent,...
is a ConnecticutConnecticutConnecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
native from KentKent, ConnecticutKent is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, alongside the border with New York. The population was 2,858 at the 2000 census. The town is home to three New England boarding schools: South Kent School, Kent School and The Marvelwood School. The Schaghticoke Indian Reservation is also located...
. - Bridgeport is an address listed on a piece of evidence in the 2011 detective video game, L.A. NoireL.A. NoireL.A. Noire is a 2011 crime video game developed by Team Bondi and published by Rockstar Games. It was released for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows. It was released as a 3-disc game for the Xbox 360 console, which prompts the player to switch to another disc at certain points in the...
. - Bridgeport Harbor is referenced in Die Hard 3, and is where Jon McClain is rescued.
Movies filmed in Bridgeport
A list of films shot or partially filmed in the city:- A Dance for Grace (2010)
- Ironmen (2010)
- 3 Weeks to Daytona (2009)
- Accidental Mayor (2009)
- All Good ThingsAll Good Things (film)All Good Things is a 2010 romantic mystery film directed by Andrew Jarecki starring Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst. The film is inspired by the life of accused murderer Robert Durst. All Good Things was filmed between April and July 2008 in Connecticut and New York...
(2009) - Confessions of a ShopaholicConfessions of a Shopaholic (film)Confessions of a Shopaholic is a 2009 American romantic comedy film based on the Shopaholic series of novels by Sophie Kinsella. Directed by P. J. Hogan, the film stars Isla Fisher as the shopaholic journalist and Hugh Dancy as her boss.-Plot:...
(2009) - Dear Beautiful (2009)
- The Godfather Musical Part III: Luca Brasi Sleeps with the Fishes (2009)
- House of Satisfaction (2009)
- Made for Each Other (2009)
- The Music of Erich Zann (2009/II)
- Old DogsOld Dogs (film)Old Dogs is a 2009 American ensemble comedy film directed by Wild Hogs Walt Becker and starring Robin Williams and John Travolta with an ensemble supporting cast played by Kelly Preston, Matt Dillon, Justin Long, Seth Green, Rita Wilson, Dax Shepard, and Bernie Mac...
(2009/I) - College Road TripCollege Road TripCollege Road Trip is a 2008 American family/comedy directed by Roger Kumble and starring Martin Lawrence, Raven-Symoné, Brenda Song, Margo Harshman, and Donny Osmond. The film centers on college-bound teen Melanie Porter , who goes on a road trip to different colleges with her father...
(2008) - Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
- Pistol WhippedPistol WhippedFor the fire-arm technique of pistol whipping, see : Pistol whippingPistol Whipped is a 2008 action film starring Steven Seagal, Lance Henriksen, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Blanchard Ryan, Lydia Jordan and Arthur J. Nascarella. Filmed in Connecticut, in May and June 2007, it was directed by Roel Reiné...
(2008) - Righteous KillRighteous KillRighteous Kill is a 2008 crime thriller film with elements of a buddy cop film directed by Jon Avnet, and starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. Righteous Kill also features John Leguizamo, Carla Gugino, Donnie Wahlberg, Brian Dennehy, and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson...
(2008) - The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 is a 2008 sequel to the 2005 film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. The original cast , return to star in the movie, which was directed by Sanaa Hamri...
(2008) - What Just Happened (2008)
- Bobby Dogs (2007)
- Dear Beautiful (2007)
- Praying to Hendrix (2007)
- A Walk with Death (1993)
- Route One USA (1989)
- There's a Nightmare in My Closet (1987)
- Without a TraceWithout a Trace (film)Without a Trace is a 1983 dramatic film. It is based on the Beth Gutcheon novel Still Missing, which is loosely-based on the real-life disappearance of Etan Patz. The film stars Kate Nelligan, Judd Hirsch, David Dukes and Stockard Channing.-Plot:...
(1983) - The Case of the Cosmic Comic (1976)
- The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon MarigoldsThe Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon MarigoldsThe Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds is a 1964 play written by Paul Zindel, a playwright and science teacher. Zindel received the 1971 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and a New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for the work. The play's world premiere was staged in 1964 at the Alley Theatre...
(1972) - The Light that FailedThe Light that FailedThe Light That Failed is a novel by Rudyard Kipling that was first published in 1890 in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine. Most of the novel is set in London, but many important events throughout the story occur in Sudan or India. The Light that Failed follows the life of Dick Heldar, a painter who...
(1916)
Television filmed in Bridgeport
- Brian Boitano Skating Spectacular (2010) (TV)
- Ghost AdventuresGhost AdventuresGhost Adventures is a weekly American paranormal television series that premiered on October 17, 2008 on the Travel Channel. Currently produced by MY-Tupelo Entertainment , the program follows and stars ghost hunters Zak Bagans, Nick Groff, and Aaron Goodwin, as they investigate locations that are...
:"Remington Arms Factory" (Episode 21, November 2009) - WWE Raw is War (Dec. 19 2005, April 9, 2007 and April 27, 2009)
- Oprah Winfrey Presents: Mitch Albom's For One More DayOprah Winfrey Presents: Mitch Albom's For One More DayFor One More Day is a 2007 television film adaptation of the Mitch Albom's novel by the same title, which was a The New York Times Best Seller. Produced by Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions, the film stars Michael Imperioli and Ellen Burstyn as leads. Director Lloyd Kramer, also directed the TV...
(2007) - WWE Raw's 15th Anniversary Special (2007)
- Flip This House: "Burning Down the House" (2005)
- Extreme Makeover: Home EditionExtreme Makeover: Home EditionExtreme Makeover: Home Edition is a reality television series providing home renovations for less fortunate families and community schools etc...
(2003 & 2007) - Made in America (2003)
- U.S. Bounty Hunter (2003)
- Muggsy (1976)
- The Twentieth CenturyTwentieth Century (TV series)The Twentieth Century is a half-hour documentary television series broadcast over CBS-TV from 1957 until 1966. It was hosted and narrated by Walter Cronkite and telecast Sunday evenings...
(1957, The Class of '58 episode)
Sports
| Club | League | Venue | Established | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport Bluefish Bridgeport Bluefish The Bridgeport Bluefish is an American professional baseball team based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball... |
ALPB Atlantic League of Professional Baseball The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League... , Baseball |
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard The Ballpark at Harbor Yard The Ballpark at Harbor Yard is a 5,300-seat baseball park in Bridgeport, Connecticut that hosted its first regular season baseball game on May 21, 1998, as the tenants of the facility, the Bridgeport Bluefish, lost to the Aberdeen Arsenal. The stadium is located next to the Arena at Harbor Yard... |
1998 | 1 |
| Bridgeport Sound Tigers Bridgeport Sound Tigers The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are an ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League. It has been the AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, who also own the franchise, since its inception, and use the same team colors as the parent Islanders do. The team is based in... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... , Ice hockey |
Arena at Harbor Yard Arena at Harbor Yard The Webster Bank Arena is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena at 600 Main Street in Bridgeport, Connecticut, built alongside The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. The Arena opened on October 10, 2001 and is managed by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Centerplate... |
2001 | 0 |
The recently-built Arena at Harbor Yard
Arena at Harbor Yard
The Webster Bank Arena is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena at 600 Main Street in Bridgeport, Connecticut, built alongside The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. The Arena opened on October 10, 2001 and is managed by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Centerplate...
serves as the city's sports and hospitality center. Seating 10,000, the Arena serves as the home rink of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Bridgeport Sound Tigers
The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are an ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League. It has been the AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, who also own the franchise, since its inception, and use the same team colors as the parent Islanders do. The team is based in...
AHL hockey team, as well as the home court of the Fairfield University
Fairfield University
Fairfield University is a private, co-educational undergraduate and master's level teaching-oriented university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, in the New England region of the United States. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, and today is one of 28 member institutions of the...
's basketball team.
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard is a 5,300-seat baseball park in Bridgeport, Connecticut that hosted its first regular season baseball game on May 21, 1998, as the tenants of the facility, the Bridgeport Bluefish, lost to the Aberdeen Arsenal. The stadium is located next to the Arena at Harbor Yard...
serves as a minor-league baseball stadium, and was built in 1998 to serve as the homefield of the Bridgeport Bluefish
Bridgeport Bluefish
The Bridgeport Bluefish is an American professional baseball team based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
. It is located downtown on a former brownfield site. It is visually prominent to commuters on I-95
Interstate 95 in Connecticut
Interstate 95, the main north–south Interstate Highway on the East Coast of the United States, runs in a general east–west compass direction for 111.57 miles in Connecticut from the Rhode Island state line to the New York State line. I-95 Southbound from East Lyme to the New York State...
or on passing trains.
Kennedy Stadium
John F. Kennedy Stadium (Bridgeport)
John F. Kennedy Stadium is a 12,000-seat lighted stadium located at Central High School in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The stadium is designed for use for football, soccer, lacrosse games and track and field meets....
serves as a community sports facility. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, it was the home of an Atlantic Coast Football League
Atlantic Coast Football League
The Atlantic Coast Football League was a minor football league that operated from 1962 to 1973. Until 1969, many of its franchises had working agreements with NFL and AFL teams to serve as farm clubs. The league paid a base salary of $100 per game and had 36 players on each active roster.For the...
minor league football team, the Bridgeport Jets, a New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
farm team
Farm team
In sports, a farm team, farm system, feeder team or nursery club, is generally a team or club whose role is to provide experience and training for young players, with an agreement that any successful players can move on to a higher level at a given point...
also known locally as the Hi-Ho Jets due to their sponsorship by the (Hi-Ho) D'Addario construction company.
Fairfield University is located in the neighboring town of Fairfield
Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield is a town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, Easton, Redding and Westport along the Gold Coast of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 59,404...
, and many of the athletic teams play on campus. Only the men's and women's basketball teams play in Bridgeport.
Radio
- WCUMWCUMWCUM is a radio station broadcasting a Spanish Tropical format. Licensed to Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA, it serves the Bridgeport area. The station is currently owned by Radio Cumbre Broadcasting....
AM 1450; 1,000 watts (formerly WJBX-AM, and before that, WNAB-AM) Spanish Format station better known as Radio Cumbre. - WDJZWDJZWDJZ is a radio station broadcasting a World Ethnic format. Licensed to Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA, it serves the Bridgeport area. The station is currently owned by People'S Broadcast Network....
AM 1530; 5,000 watts (daytime only) Gospel Radio that serves the African American and Caribbean communities in the Bridgeport Metro area. - WICC-AMWICC (AM)WICC is a news and information radio station in Bridgeport, Connecticut, owned by Cumulus Media. Its signal reaches down into Long Island, New York.-History:...
600; 1,000 watts (daytime), 500 watts (nighttime) – WICC began broadcasting on November 21, 1926, when a previous radio station, WCWS, was given a new name, WICC. The last three letters standing for Industrial Capitol of Connecticut. The Bridgeport Broadcasting Company Inc. was the new station's owner. Back then, the station was powered at 500 watts. From 1951 to 1956 one of the station's radio hosts was Bob CraneBob CraneRobert Edward "Bob" Crane was an American actor and disc jockey, best known for his performance as Colonel Robert E...
, who later went on to play Col. Robert Hogan on the Hogan's Heroes television comedy series. WICC's transmitter is located on Pleasure BeachPleasure BeachPleasure Beach is the Bridgeport portion of a Connecticut barrier beach that extends 2-1/2 miles westerly from Point No Point...
, an island located between downtown Bridgeport and Long Island Sound. - WEBEWEBEWEBE 107.9 FM , owned by Cumulus Media, is an Adult Contemporary music formatted radio station licensed to serve the community of Westport, Connecticut. The station is usually ranked number one the Stamford-Norwalk,Bridgeport and Fairfield County ratings, and is in the top 5 of the New Haven Market...
-FM 107.9; 50,000 watts. WEBE 108 is "Connecticut's Best Music Variety!" owned and operated by Cumulus Media. Licensed to Westport, CT, with studios and transmitter in Bridgeport. - WEZN-FMWEZN-FMWEZN is a radio station broadcasting an Adult Contemporary format, licensed to the Bridgeport, Connecticut community. The station is currently owned by Cox Radio and it has a strong signal which reaches into most of Westchester County, New York and well north of Hartford, Connecticut...
99.9; 27,500 watts. STAR 99.9 is "Connecticut's Best Mix of the 80's, 90's and Today!" The station is owned by Cox Radio, Inc. Lincensed to Bridgeport, CT, with studios and transmitter in Milford. - WPKNWPKNWPKN is a 100% non-commercial, listener-supported† radio station broadcasting at 89.5 FM in Bridgeport, Connecticut and formerly 88.7 FM in Montauk, New York. Its volunteer programmers present a wide variety of music and public affairs programming including the syndicated weekly radio news magazine...
-FM 89.5; 10,000 watts; From the station's web site: "WPKN is somewhat inscrutable. We break all of the rules, and we observe few, if any, of the conventions. We have no format whatsoever, we permit our programmers to do whatever they will, and we don't accept funding from the sources which might restrict our freedoms. We are totally accountable to our listeners in that we publish our budget to everyone on our mailing list, and we also invite you to our monthly staff meetings and, in particular, the June meeting at which we discuss the budget. (...) WPKN's programming can be heard on two frequencies: 89.5 FM from our transmitter at Trumbull, CT and 88.7 FM (formally known as WPKM) at Montauk on Long Island. If you're driving eastward and you start to lose the 89.5 signal, you can tune over to 88.7 and continue to hear us until about Exit 6 on I-95 in Rhode Island."
Due to Bridgeport's close proximity to Long Island Sound, many radio stations from New York are received clearly day and night in the market. These include WMCA, WFAN, WOR, WABC, WNYC, WCBS, WEPN, and WQEW.
Media
- Elsolnews.com, a community Spanish Language Weekly Newspaper covering news and events.
Television
- WEDW channel 49; one of the Connecticut Public TelevisionConnecticut Public TelevisionConnecticut Public Television is the PBS member network for the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is owned by Connecticut Public Broadcasting, who also owns Connecticut Public Radio. Together, the television and radio stations make up the Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network...
stations, broadcasts from Bridgeport and can be seen in Hartford.
In 2011, WTNH-TV opened a satellite studio in the offices of the Connecticut Post downtown on State Street.
Airports
Nearby Sikorsky Memorial AirportSikorsky Memorial Airport
Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport , formerly known as Bridgeport Municipal Airport, is a public airport located in Stratford, three miles southeast of the central business district of Bridgeport, in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States...
once provided regional flights to major hub cities such as Logan International Airport
Logan International Airport
General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport is located in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts . It covers , has six runways, and employs an estimated 16,000 people. It is the 19th busiest airport in the United States.Boston serves as a focus city for JetBlue Airways...
in Boston and Baltimore-Washington International Airport; however, service to the airport declined in the 1990s, and US Airways Express
US Airways Express
US Airways Express is an airline brand name, rather than a fully certified airline, and as such, the US Airways Express name is used by several individually owned airlines or airline holding companies which provide regional airline and commuter service for US Airways.Operations are conducted from...
became the last airline to suspend operations at the airport in November 1999. Tweed New Haven Regional Airport is another nearby facility that provides scheduled air service. The closest international airports are Bradley International Airport
Bradley International Airport
Bradley International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located in Windsor Locks on the border with East Granby and Suffield, in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is owned by the State of Connecticut....
in Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Windsor Locks is a town located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2000 census, its population was 12,043. It is the site of Bradley International Airport, which serves the Greater Hartford-Springfield region. It is also the site of the New England Air Museum...
, LaGuardia
LaGuardia Airport
LaGuardia Airport is an airport located in the northern part of Queens County on Long Island in the City of New York. The airport is located on the waterfront of Flushing Bay and Bowery Bay, and borders the neighborhoods of Astoria, Jackson Heights and East Elmhurst. The airport was originally...
and John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport is an international airport located in the borough of Queens in New York City, about southeast of Lower Manhattan. It is the busiest international air passenger gateway to the United States, handling more international traffic than any other airport in North...
in New York City and Newark
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
in Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
.
Major highways
Bridgeport has several major roadways. Interstate 95Interstate 95 in Connecticut
Interstate 95, the main north–south Interstate Highway on the East Coast of the United States, runs in a general east–west compass direction for 111.57 miles in Connecticut from the Rhode Island state line to the New York State line. I-95 Southbound from East Lyme to the New York State...
and the Route 8
Route 8 (Connecticut)
Route 8 is the portion of the multistate New England Route 8 within the state of Connecticut. It is a state highway running north–south from Bridgeport, through Waterbury, all the way to the Massachusetts state line where it continues as Route 8...
/Route 25
Route 25 (Connecticut)
Route 25 is a , primary state highway connecting the city of Bridgeport and the town of Brookfield in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Route 25 is a six-lane freeway from Bridgeport to northern Trumbull and a two-lane surface road the rest of the way to Brookfield.Route 25 was...
Connector meet in downtown Bridgeport. I-95 runs east-west near the coast heading towards New York City to the southwest and Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
to the northeast. Routes 8 and 25 run north-south across the city, with the two routes splitting just north of the city. Route 8 continues towards Waterbury
Waterbury, Connecticut
Waterbury is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, on the Naugatuck River, 33 miles southwest of Hartford and 77 miles northeast of New York City...
and Torrington
Torrington, Connecticut
Torrington is the largest city in Litchfield County, Connecticut and the northwestern Connecticut region. It is also the core city of the largest micropolitan area in the United States. The city population was 36,383 according to the 2010 census....
and Route 25 continues towards the Danbury
Danbury, Connecticut
Danbury is a city in northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It had population at the 2010 census of 80,893. Danbury is the fourth largest city in Fairfield County and is the seventh largest city in Connecticut....
area. Both Routes 8 and 25 connect to the Merritt Parkway
Merritt Parkway
The Merritt Parkway is a historic limited-access parkway in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The parkway is known for its scenic layout, its uniquely styled signage, and the architecturally elaborate overpasses along the route. It is designated as a National Scenic Byway and is also listed in the...
in the adjacent town of Trumbull
Trumbull, Connecticut
Trumbull, a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut in the New England region of the United States, is bordered by the towns of Monroe, Shelton, Stratford, Bridgeport, Fairfield and Easton along Connecticut's Gold Coast. The population was 36,018 according to the 2010 census.Family Circle magazine...
.
Other major surface arteries are U.S. 1
U.S. Route 1 in Connecticut
In the U.S. state of Connecticut, U.S. Route 1 is a major east–west state highway along Long Island Sound. It has been replaced by Interstate 95 as a through route, which it closely parallels, and now primarily serves as a local business route...
(the Boston Post Road
Boston Post Road
The Boston Post Road was a system of mail-delivery routes between New York City and Boston, Massachusetts that evolved into the first major highways in the United States.The three major alignments were the Lower Post Road The Boston Post Road was a system of mail-delivery routes between New York...
), which runs east-west north of downtown, and Main Street, which runs north-south towards Trumbull center. The city also has several secondary state highways, namely, Route 127 (East Main Street), Route 130 (Connecticut Ave, Stratford Ave, Fairfield Ave and Water Street), and the Huntington Turnpike.
Railroad and ferries
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
and Metro-North
Metro-North Railroad
The Metro-North Commuter Railroad , trading as MTA Metro-North Railroad, or, more commonly, Metro-North, is a suburban commuter rail service that is run and managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority , an authority of New York State. It is the busiest commuter railroad in the United...
commuter trains. Many residents commute to New York jobs on these trains, and the city to some extent is developing as an outpost of New York–based workers seeking cheaper rents and larger living spaces. Connecting service is also available to Waterbury
Waterbury, Connecticut
Waterbury is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, on the Naugatuck River, 33 miles southwest of Hartford and 77 miles northeast of New York City...
via Metro-North, and New Haven
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
via Amtrak and Metro-North. Shoreline East service links Old Saybrook and New London
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
with New Haven, which extends to Bridgeport and Stamford during weekday rush hours only.
The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry
Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry
The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry crosses Long Island Sound between the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut and the Long Island village of Port Jefferson, New York.-History:The first ferry service began in 1872 and proved popular....
service runs from Bridgeport across Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound is an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, located in the United States between Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south. The mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, empties into the sound. On its western end the sound is bounded by the Bronx...
to Port Jefferson
Port Jefferson, New York
The Incorporated Village of Port Jefferson is located in the town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the 2000 United States Census, the village population was 7,837...
, New York; the three vessels "Grand Republic", "P.T. Barnum" and "Park City" transport both automobiles and passengers.
Buses
The Greater Bridgeport Transit AuthorityGreater Bridgeport Transit Authority
The Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority is a transit service serving the Greater Bridgeport region of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The GBTA provides local bus service to the cities/towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, Stratford, Fairfield, and Monroe....
(GBTA) provides bus service to Bridgeport and its immediate suburbs. Route 2 the Coastal Link goes west to Norwalk and east to Westfield's Connecticut Post Mall in Milford, from where Connecticut Transit
Connecticut Transit
Connecticut Transit is a bus system serving much of the U.S. state of Connecticut and is a division of that state's Department of Transportation. CT Transit provides bus service via contract providers for seven different metropolitan areas in the state, mostly concentrated in Hartford and New...
can bring passengers to the New Haven Green. Greyhound
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed...
and Peter Pan Bus Lines
Peter Pan Bus Lines
Peter Pan Bus Lines is a long-distance bus carrier headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts. It operates in the northeastern United States. Over four million passengers per year travel on Peter Pan's bus routes....
both offer intercity bus service to points throughout the Northeast and points beyond.
Historic sites
Bridgeport has a number of sites listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
:
- Berkshire No. 7Berkshire No. 7Berkshire No. 7 is a wood and steel barge that was sunk in Bridgeport Harbor, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. It was built in 1935, which makes it unusually young for NRHP listing...
— boat, Bridgeport Harbor (added 1978) - Barnum MuseumBarnum MuseumThe Barnum Museum is a museum in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA with an extensive collection related to P. T. Barnum and the history of Bridgeport, Connecticut housed in an historic building on the National Register of Historic Places.- Construction :...
— 805 Main St. (added December 7, 1972) - Barnum/Palliser Historic District — Roughly bounded by Myrtle and Park Aves., Atlantic and Austin Sts. (both sides) (added 1982)
- Bassickville Historic DistrictBassickville Historic DistrictBassickville Historic District is a historic district in Bridgeport, Connecticut that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. It then included 38 contributing buildings....
— 20–122 Bassick, 667–777 Howard, and 1521–1523 Fairview Aves., and 50-1380 State St. (added October 8, 1987) - Beardsley Park — 1875 Noble Ave. (added April 18, 1999)
- Bikur Cholim Synagogue — 1545 Iranistan Ave. (added December 27, 1995)
- Black Rock Gardens Historic DistrictBlack Rock Gardens Historic DistrictBlack Rock Gardens Historic District is a historic district in the Black Rock neighborhood of Bridgeport, Connecticut.It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 and at that time included 12 contributing buildings....
— Bounded by Fairfield St., Brewster St. and Nash Ln., including Rowsley and Haddon Sts. (added October 26, 1990) - Black Rock Historic DistrictBlack Rock Historic DistrictThe Black Rock Historic District is a historic district in the Black Rock neighborhood of Bridgeport, Connecticut.It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979...
— Roughly bounded by Black Rock Harbor, Grovers Ave., Beacon and Prescott Sts. (added April 15, 1979) - Bridgeport City HallBridgeport City HallThe old Bridgeport City Hall is located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The building was built in 1854 as both the City Hall and the Fairfield County Courthouse and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 19, 1977...
— 202 State St. (added October 19, 1977) - Bridgeport Downtown North Historic District — Roughly bounded by Congress, Water, Fairfield Ave., Elm, Golden Hill & Chapel Sts. (added December 2, 1987)
- Bridgeport Downtown South Historic DistrictBridgeport Downtown South Historic DistrictBridgeport Downtown South Historic District is a historic district in Bridgeport, Connecticut that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987....
— Roughly bounded by Elm, Cannon, Main, Gilbert, and Broad Sts. (added October 3, 1987) - Connecticut Railway and Lighting Company Car BarnConnecticut Railway and Lighting Company Car BarnThe Connecticut Railway and Lighting Company Car Barn is located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The building was built in 1910 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 3, 1987...
— 55 Congress St. (added 1987) - David Perry House — 531 Lafayette St. (added April 22, 1984)
- Deacon's Point Historic District — Roughly bounded by Seaview Ave. and Williston, Bunnell and Deacon Sts. (added September 21, 1992)
- Division Street Historic District — Roughly bounded by State St., Iranistan, Black Rock and West Aves. (added July 3, 1982)
- Elmer S. Dailey — boat, Bridgeport Harbor (added 1978)
- Eagle's Nest — 282–284 Logan St. (added April 5, 1979)
- East Bridgeport Historic District — Roughly bounded by railroad tracks, Beach, Arctic, and Knowlton Sts. (added May 25, 1979)
- East Main Street Historic District — Bounded by Walters and Nichols Sts. from 371–377, 741–747, 388–394 and to 744 East Main Sts. (added March 21, 1985)
- Ein Jacob (Ayn Yacob) Synagogue — 746 (aka 748) Connecticut Ave. (added December 27, 1995)
- Fairfield County CourthouseFairfield County Courthouse (Bridgeport, Connecticut)The Fairfield County Courthouse, also known as the Court of Common Pleas, in Bridgeport, Connecticut is a Richardsonian Romanesque brick building built in 1888...
— 172 Golden Hill St. (added February 21, 1982) - Fairfield County Jail — 1106 North Ave. (added May 18, 1985)
- First Baptist Church — 126 Washington Ave. (added March 22, 1990)
- Gateway Village Historic District — Roughly bounded by Waterman St., Connecticut Ave. and Alanson Ave. (added October 26, 1990)
- Golden Hill Historic District — Roughly bounded by Congress St., Lyon Terr., Elm, and Harrison Sts. (added October 3, 1987)
- Hotel Barnum — 140 Fairfield Ave. (added 1978)
- Lakeview Village Historic District — Roughly bounded by Essex St., Boston Ave., Colony St., Plymouth St. and Asylum St. (added October 26, 1990)
- Maplewood SchoolMaplewood SchoolThe Maplewood School, also known as Grammar School No. 5, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, was built in 1893, and was designed by Longstaff & Hurd. The school was enlarged later. And an annex building designed by architect Joseph Northrup was added later...
— 434 Maplewood Ave. (added March 21, 1990) - Marina Park Historic District — Marína Park, Park and Waldemere Aves. (added May 27, 1982)
- Mary and Eliza Freeman HousesMary and Eliza Freeman HousesThe Mary and Eliza Freeman Houses are located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The wood-framed, clapboard-covered, two-family houses were built in 1848 and were added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 22, 1999 as the last surviving houses of Little Liberia, a neighborhood settled...
— 352-4 and 358-60 Main St. (added March 22, 1999) - Nathaniel Wheeler Memorial FountainNathaniel Wheeler Memorial FountainNathaniel Wheeler Memorial Fountain is located in Bridgeport, Connecticut at the intersection of Fairfield and Park avenues. The fountain was built in 1912–1913 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 4, 1985...
— Park and Fairfield Aves. (added May 4, 1985) - Priscilla Dailey — boat, Bridgeport Harbor (added 1978)
- Palace and Majestic Theaters — 1315–1357 Main St. (added 1979)
- Park Apartments — 59 Rennell St. (added October 26, 1990)
- Penfield Reef LightPenfield Reef LightPenfield Reef Lighthouse is a lighthouse in Connecticut,United States, on Penfield Reef at the south side of Black Rock Harbor entrance on the Long Island Sound, off the coast of Fairfield, Connecticut. Constructed in 1874, it was one of the last offshore masonry lights...
house — Long Island Sound off Shoal Point (added October 27, 1990) - Pequonnock River Railroad BridgePequonnock River Railroad BridgeThe Pequonnock River Railroad Bridge is a railroad drawbridge over the Pequonnock River in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Owned by the State of Connecticut and maintained and operated by Metro-North Railroad, it is also referred to as Pequonnock River Bridge, PECK Bridge, and Undergrade Bridge 55.90...
— Amtrak right-of-way at Pequonnock River (added July 12, 1987) - Peyton Randolph Bishop House — 135 Washington Ave. (added September 25, 1987)
- Railroad Avenue Industrial District — Roughly bounded by State and Cherry Sts., Fairfield and Wordin Aves. (added October 30, 1985)
- Remington City Historic District — Roughly, Bond, Dover, and Remington Sts. and Palisade Ave., between Stewart and Tudor Sts. (added October 26, 1990)
- Remington Village Historic District — Roughly, Willow and East Aves. between Boston and Barnum Aves. (added October 26, 1990)
- Seaside InstituteSeaside InstituteThe Seaside Institute in Bridgeport, Connecticut is a Richardsonian Romanesque rock-faced granite, brick, brownstone and terracotta building designed by Warren R. Briggs and completed in 1887 at the corner of Lafayette and Atlantic avenues, not far from Seaside Park...
— 299 Lafayette Ave. (added July 14, 1982) - Seaside ParkSeaside Park (Connecticut)Seaside Park, located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is a long crescent-shaped park bordering Bridgeport Harbor, Long Island Sound, and Black Rock Harbor. The park lies partly within Bridgeport's South End neighborhood.-History:...
— Long Island Sound (added August 1, 1982) - Seaside Village Historic District — West side of Iranistan Ave. between South St. and Burnham St. (added October 26, 1990)
- St. John's Episcapal Church — 768 Fairfield Ave. (added September 2, 1984)
- Sterling Block-Bishop Arcade — 993–1005 Main St. (added 1978)
- Sterling Hill Historic DistrictSterling Hill Historic District (Bridgeport, Connecticut)The Sterling Hill Historic District in Bridgeport, Connecticut is a historic district that was listed on the NRHP in 1992. The district is a two-block area of 43 urban residential structures dating as far back as 1821. Most of the buildings are from later in the 19th century when the neighborhood...
— Roughly bounded by Pequonnock St., Harral Ave., James St. and Washington Ave. (added May 2, 1992) - Stratfield Historic District — CT 59 and U.S. 1 (added July 23, 1980)
- Thomas Wheeler HouseThomas Wheeler HouseThe Thomas Wheeler House, is a historic Colonial home located at 266 Brewster Street, in the village of Black Rock Harbor in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The core of the house was built in 1644 as a -story house and was enlarged to its present size around 1680. Thomas Wheeler was Black Rock's first...
, 266 Brewster Street, Black Rock HarborBlack Rock HarborBlack Rock Harbor is located in Bridgeport, Connecticut on the Long Island Sound. The Black Rock Harbor Light on Fayerweather Island marks the entrance to the harbor on its east, while St. Mary's by the Sea forms its western beachhead. Seaside Park runs along the northeastern part of the harbor.... - Tongue Point LightTongue Point LightTongue Point Light Lighthouse, also known as Bridgeport Breakwater or Bug Light, is a lighthouse on the west side of the Bridgeport Harbor entrance, in the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut in the United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.-History:The lighthouse...
house — West side of Bridgeport Harbor at Tongue Point (added June 29, 1990) - United Congregational Church — 877 Park Ave. (added August 19, 1984)
- United Illuminating Company Building — 1115–1119 Broad St. (added March 21, 1985)
- U.S. Post Office — 120 Middle St. (added April 17, 1986)
- West End Congregation—Achavath Achim SynagogueAchavath Achim SynagogueAchavath Achim Synagogue is located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The building was built in 1926 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 11, 1995 as West End Congregation--Achavath Achim Synagogue...
— 725 Hancock Ave. (added June 11, 1995) - William D. Bishop Cottage Development Historic District — Cottage Pl. and Atlantic, Broad, Main and Whiting Sts. (added July 28, 1982)
- Wilmot Apartments Historic District — Junction of Connecticut and Wilmot Aves. (added October 26, 1990)
For places on the register elsewhere in Fairfield County, see List of Registered Historic Places in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
Notable people, past, and present
For further information, see People of BridgeportPeople of Bridgeport, Connecticut
People associated with Bridgeport, Connecticut who achieved great public distinction, listed in the category for which they are best known:-Baseball players:These baseball players were born in or lived in the city:...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
Perhaps Bridgeport's most famous resident from the past is P. T. Barnum
P. T. Barnum
Phineas Taylor Barnum was an American showman, businessman, scam artist and entertainer, remembered for promoting celebrated hoaxes and for founding the circus that became the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus....
, the circus promoter who also served as mayor of the city. His portrait was used on the obverse of the coin commemorating the city's centennial in 1936.
Other Bridgeporters who achieved fame far outside the city include:
- Actors: Robert MitchumRobert MitchumRobert Charles Durman Mitchum was an American film actor, author, composer and singer and is #23 on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest male American screen legends of all time...
, Brian DennehyBrian DennehyBrian Mannion Dennehy is an American actor of film, stage and screen.-Early years:Dennehy was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Hannah and Edward Dennehy, who was a wire service editor for the Associated Press; he has two brothers, Michael and Edward. Dennehy is of Irish ancestry and was...
, Bob CraneBob CraneRobert Edward "Bob" Crane was an American actor and disc jockey, best known for his performance as Colonel Robert E...
, and John RatzenbergerJohn RatzenbergerJohn Deszo Ratzenberger is an American actor, voice actor, and entrepreneur. He is best known for his role as Cliff Clavin in Cheers.-Early life:...
, actor/comedian Kevin NealonKevin NealonKevin Nealon is an American actor and comedian, best known as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1986 to 1995, acting in several of the Happy Madison films, for playing Doug Wilson on the Showtime series Weeds, and providing the voice of the title character, Glenn Martin on Glenn Martin,...
and the actor and comedian Richard BelzerRichard BelzerRichard Jay Belzer is an American stand-up comedian, author, and actor. He is perhaps best known for his role as John Munch, which he has portrayed as a regular cast member on the NBC police drama series Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as well as in guest...
who once worked as a reporter for The Connecticut PostConnecticut PostThe Connecticut Post is a daily newspaper located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It serves the greater Bridgeport area, Fairfield County, and the Lower Naugatuck Valley. Municipalities in the Post's circulation area include Bridgeport, Ansonia,...
, Michael Jai WhiteMichael Jai WhiteMichael Jai White is an American actor and martial artist who has appeared in numerous films and television series. He is the first African American to portray a major comic book superhero in a major motion picture, having starred as Al Simmons, the protagonist in the 1997 film Spawn...
. - Cartoonists: Al CappAl CappAlfred Gerald Caplin , better known as Al Capp, was an American cartoonist and humorist best known for the satirical comic strip Li'l Abner. He also wrote the comic strips Abbie an' Slats and Long Sam...
, who created Li'l AbnerLi'l AbnerLi'l Abner is a satirical American comic strip that appeared in many newspapers in the United States, Canada and Europe, featuring a fictional clan of hillbillies in the impoverished town of Dogpatch, Kentucky. Written and drawn by Al Capp , the strip ran for 43 years, from August 13, 1934 through...
, and Walt KellyWalt KellyWalter Crawford Kelly, Jr. , or Walt Kelly, was an American animator and cartoonist, best known for the comic strip, Pogo. He began his animation career in 1936 at Walt Disney Studios, contributing to Pinocchio and Fantasia. Kelly resigned in 1941 at the age of 28 to work at Post-Hall Syndicate,...
, who created Pogo, attended Bridgeport High Schools in the 1920s. - Entertainers: P.T. Barnum, General Tom ThumbGeneral Tom ThumbGeneral Tom Thumb was the stage name of Charles Sherwood Stratton , a dwarf who achieved great fame under circus pioneer P.T. Barnum.-Early life:...
. - Industrialists: Harvey HubbellHarvey HubbellHarvey Hubbell II , was a U.S. inventor, entrepreneur and industrialist. His best known inventions are the electrical plug, and the pull-chain light socket....
, Edwin H. LandEdwin H. LandEdwin Herbert Land was an American scientist and inventor, best known as the co-founder of the Polaroid Corporation. Among other things, he invented inexpensive filters for polarizing light, a practical system of in-camera instant photography, and his retinex theory of color vision...
, Nathaniel WheelerNathaniel WheelerNathaniel Wheeler was an American manufacturer and legislator.- Family background :...
. - Military: David HawleyDavid HawleyDavid Hawley , Captain in the newly formed United States Navy and Privateer, commanded the USS Royal Savage in the first U.S. naval battle of the American Revolutionary War in 1776.-Biography:...
, naval commander and privateerPrivateerA privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime. Privateering was a way of mobilizing armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers...
during the American RevolutionAmerican RevolutionThe American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. Henry A. Mucci, who led the raid that rescued survivors of the Bataan Death MarchBataan Death MarchThe Bataan Death March was the forcible transfer, by the Imperial Japanese Army, of 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war after the three-month Battle of Bataan in the Philippines during World War II, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of prisoners.The march was characterized by...
in World War II. - Musicians: The Metropolitan Opera star Mimi BenzellMimi BenzellMimi Benzell was an American soprano who performed with the Metropolitan Opera before establishing herself as a Broadway musical theatre, television, and nightclub performer....
. The pianist Samuel SanfordSamuel SanfordSamuel Simons Sanford was an American pianist and educator.He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He studied piano in New York with William Mason...
and composers Joseph CelliJoseph CelliJoseph Celli is an American musician and composer specializing in contemporary and improvised music for oboe and English horn...
and Jin Hi KimJin Hi KimKim Jin-Hi is a geomungo player and composer.She is known for introducing the geomungo to the wider world through her contemporary chamber and orchestral compositions and large-scale multimedia pieces, as well as her extensive work in avant-garde and cross-cultural free...
. Before relocating to Fairfield, Grammy Award winner John MayerJohn MayerJohn Clayton Mayer is an American pop rock and blues rock musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and music producer. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. He moved to Atlanta in 1997, where he refined his...
grew up in Bridgeport. Antonio PappanoAntonio PappanoAntonio Pappano is a British conductor and pianist of Italian parentage.Pappano's family relocated to England from Castelfranco in Miscano near Benevento, Italy in 1958 and at the time of his birth his parents worked in the restaurant business, but Pasquale Pappano, his father, was by vocation a...
, Syesha MercadoSyesha MercadoSyesha Raquel Mercado is an American singer, songwriter, actress and model. Mercado was the third place finalist on the seventh season of American Idol. Prior to Idol, Mercado was on The One: Making a Music Star and she won Florida Super Singer...
, and singer Jessica DelfinoJessica DelfinoJessica Delfino is a controversial singer, songwriter, and comedienne based in New York City. Her songs tend to ridicule taboos and typically include jokes about vaginas and other sexual or dark topics. In her act, she plays an assortment of instruments including guitar, flying V ukulele and a...
are also all from Bridgeport as well as Vinnie VincentVinnie VincentVincent John Cusano, better known as Vinnie Vincent, is an American guitarist from Bridgeport, Connecticut and songwriter known for his brief membership in the band Kiss.-Replacing Ace Frehley in Kiss:...
. Fanny CrosbyFanny CrosbyFrances Jane Crosby , usually known as Fanny Crosby in the United States and by her married name, Frances van Alstyne, in the United Kingdom, was an American Methodist rescue mission worker, poet, lyricist, and composer. During her lifetime, she was well-known throughout the United States...
, composer of more than 8,000 Christian hymns, lived here for the last fifteen years of her life, and is buried in the Mountain Grove CemeteryMountain Grove Cemetery, BridgeportMountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport, Connecticut, was laid out in 1849 in a park-like, rural setting away from the center of the city.The cemetery was designed by P. T. Barnum, who himself is buried there.-Notable interments:...
. - Politicians: Jasper McLevyJasper McLevyJasper McLevy was an American politician who served as mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut from 1933-1957. He was a member of the Socialist Party, later leaving in protest to join the Social Democratic Federation....
, who was the first socialist mayor of a city in New EnglandNew EnglandNew England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
. - Religious: Neal ChaseNeal ChaseNeal Chase is the disputed leader of a small Bahá'í sect known as the Bahá'ís Under the Provisions of the Covenant , which was last known to have fewer than 100 members in 1990, mostly concentrated in Montana, and declined rapidly in the 1990s...
, a leader of a small Bahá'í sect, the Baha'is Under the Provisions of the CovenantBahá'ís Under the Provisions of the CovenantThe Bahá'ís Under the Provisions of the Covenant is a small Bahá'í sect founded originally by Leland Jensen in the early 1970s. The claims of the BUPC focus on a dispute in leadership following the death of Shoghi Effendi in 1957, and a subsequent dispute among the followers of Mason Remey...
was born here. Edward Egan, the former Roman Catholic bishop of Bridgeport, later became the cardinal archbishop of New York.
Fanny Crosby
Fanny Crosby
Frances Jane Crosby , usually known as Fanny Crosby in the United States and by her married name, Frances van Alstyne, in the United Kingdom, was an American Methodist rescue mission worker, poet, lyricist, and composer. During her lifetime, she was well-known throughout the United States...
, was a famous Christian hymn writer, who died in Bridgeport, Connecticut, she was also Blind for all her life.
- Sportsmen: NBA players Charles SmithCharles D. SmithCharles Daniel Smith is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA.- College career :...
, John Bagley and Chris SmithChris Smith (basketball)Christopher 'Chris' Gerard Smith is an American former professional basketball player, in the point guard position.-Basketball career:Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Smith played collegiately at the University of Connecticut...
and baseball players George "Kiddo" DavisKiddo DavisGeorge Willis "Kiddo" Davis , was a Major League Baseball outfielder. He played all or part of eight seasons in the majors, and -. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Giants, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies.-External links:...
, and Jim O'Rourke, the first player to be credited with a hit in a professional baseball game as well as Rob DibbleRob DibbleRobert Keith Dibble is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and television analyst.-Personal life:Dibble is a graduate of Southington High School in Southington, Connecticut...
, Charles NagyCharles NagyCharles Harrison Nagy is an American former Major League Baseball All-Star right-handed pitcher who played for 14 seasons in the major leagues from to , mostly with the Cleveland Indians, and currently serves as the pitching coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks.-Early life and amateur career:Nagy...
, and Ed WojnaEd WojnaEdward David Wojna is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher who played with the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Indians.Wojna was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies...
, and lacrosse player Victor RossVictor Ross-Early life:Ross was Jewish, and was born in Kiszalo, Hungary.He graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1918. He then attended Syracuse University, where he played on both the soccer and lacrosse teams. He subsequently attended Syracuse Law School, where he earned an LLB degree in 1924...
.
See also
- History of Bridgeport, ConnecticutHistory of Bridgeport, ConnecticutThe history of Bridgeport, Connecticut was, in the late 17th and most of the 18th century, one of land acquisitions from the native inhabitants, farming and fishing. From the mid-18th century to the mid-19th century, Bridgeport's history was one of shipbuilding, whaling and rapid growth...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Bridgeport, ConnecticutNational Register of Historic Places listings in Bridgeport, ConnecticutThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bridgeport, Connecticut.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States...
- List of people from Bridgeport, Connecticut