Wilton, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Wilton is a town
nestled in the Norwalk River
Valley in southwestern Connecticut
in the United States
. It is located in Fairfield County
. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 18,062. In 2007, it was voted as one of CNN Money's "Best Places to Live" in the United States.
Located along Connecticut's Gold Coast
, it is one of the most affluent communities in the United States. According to CNNMoney, Wilton has a median family income of $194,362 and an average home price of $1,006,017, making it one of the most expensive places to live in the country.
Wilton was officially recognized as a parish in 1726. The original 40 families of the parish began their own Congregational church
and were allowed by Norwalk
to hire a minister (Robert Sturgeon, who also became the town's first schoolmaster), open schools and build roads. During the Revolutionary War, in 1777 the British used Wilton as an escape route after their successful raid on Danbury
. Several homes were burned, but the town remained intact. In 1802, Wilton was granted a Town Charter by the Connecticut General Assembly
and became a political entity independent from Norwalk. With a strong anti-slavery
sentiment by its residents, Wilton served as a stop on the Underground Railroad
.
Today, Wilton, like many other Fairfield County towns, is an expensive residential community with open lands (a testament to its colonial farming roots), historic architecture and extensive town services. Residents commonly commute to New York City
, Stamford
, and Norwalk
, although there are a number of office buildings in town.
AIG Financial Products
was headquartered in the town. Its trading in credit derivatives essentially bankrupted its parent company, AIG
, and helped create the global financial crisis of 2008–2009.
Wilton was classified as a "dry" town until 1993, when the local ordinance was altered to permit the sale of alcoholic beverages in restaurants. The town was then referred to as "damp". On November 5, 2009, a referendum proposal to allow liquor stores was passed. The town Board enacted an ordinance to allow liquor stores to sell alcoholic beverages in 2010, and several stores have since opened.
, the town has a total area of 27.4 square miles (71 km²), of which 27 square miles (69.9 km²) is land and 0.4 square miles (1 km²), or 1.50%, is water, including the South Norwalk Reservoir.
The scenic Ridgefield Road offers a look at many historic homes, places, and sights.
The latitude of Wilton is 41.201N. The longitude is -73.438W.
Between 1999 to 2005, the town's voters endorsed spending $23 million through municipal bonds to preserve land.
South Norwalk Electric and Water (SNEW) has a reservoir on the western side of town with about 350 acres (1.4 km²) of land (along with another 25 acres (101,171.5 m²) adjacent in New Canaan). In the fall, hunters with bows and arrows — no more than 10 at a time — are allowed to hunt deer on the Wilton property in order to keep down the number of deer in the area.
Wilton's town center contains several local restaurants, boutiques, retail stores, a Starbucks
, a Stop & Shop
, and a four-screen movie theater owned by Bow-Tie Cinemas. These stores were added around 2000 next to the old Wilton Center, which consists of the Wilton Library, the Wilton Post Office, a CVS/Pharmacy, a hardware store, the Old Post Office Square, and the Village Market. In the southern part of town, U.S. Route 7
contains a commercial section.
neighborhood (which also extends into New Canaan
and Norwalk
). Georgetown
, which is primarily in Redding
and partly in Weston
, extends a bit into the northeast corner of town. Other neighborhoods in town are South Wilton, Wilton Center
, Gilbert Corners, Cannondale, and North Wilton.
of 2000, there were 17,633 people, 5,923 households, and 4,874 families residing in the town. The population density
was 654.3 people per square mile (252.6/km²). There were 6,113 housing units at an average density of 226.8 per square mile (87.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.55% White, 0.60% African American, 0.09% Native American, 2.69% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races
, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.53% of the population.
There were 5,923 households out of which 46.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.4% were married couples
living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.7% were non-families. 15.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.25.
The age distribution is 31.5% under the age of 18, 2.8% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $141,428, and the median income for a family was $158,415. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $61,611 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $65,806. About 1.3% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.
), which features accelerated classes for gifted students, music and visual arts courses, and a well-appointed resource center. An innovative language laboratory encourages foreign language studies, including French, German, Spanish, Russian and Latin and they are one of the only towns in the country that still offers Classical Greek.
The town of Wilton has 4,151 students who attend pre-K through 12th grade in the 5 schools. Two of the elementary schools (Miller and Driscoll schools) are located on the same campus, and they teach children from preschool through 2nd grade. The third elementary school (Cider Mill School) teaches 3rd through 5th grade. (Previously, Cider Mill shared 3rd grade classes with Miller/Driscoll due to construction on the school buildings.) The three elementary schools have class sizes ranging from 18 to 22 and a 19 to 1 student/ teacher ratio. Language studies begin in the 3rd grade with French and Spanish. The junior high school (Middlebrook) is for grades 6-8 and features interdisciplinary instruction teams in languages and science, mathematics, social studies, computers, art, and gifted student instruction. Class sizes range from 20 to 25 students with a student/teacher ratio of 13 to 1. In the past five years, over 91% of Wilton High School graduates have gone on to colleges and universities. The mean SAT scores at Wilton High School are 584 verbal and 598 math. The schools are supported by an active PTA organization.
Wilton's sports teams have won many FCIAC and state titles, and many individuals have been recognized on those levels as well.
and Route 33, which form the main north-south roadways in town. While not passing through any part of Wilton, the Merritt Parkway
(Route 15
) also serves the town via the Route 33 exit (Exit 41) which is signed for Wilton, as well as the Route 7 exits (Exits 39B & 40B) which are signed for Danbury. Other state highways that run through Wilton are Route 53
and Route 106.
and Cannondale
(a sub-station where tickets are not sold), both part of the Danbury Line of Metro-North Railroad
.
that runs between Norwalk and Danbury along the Route 7 corridor. A commuter shuttle bus during rush hours is also available between southern Wilton and the South Norwalk railroad station on the New Haven Line.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
nestled in the Norwalk River
Norwalk River
The Norwalk River is a river in southwestern Connecticut, approximately long. The word "Norwalk" comes from the Algonquian word "noyank" meaning "point of land".-Description:...
Valley in southwestern 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...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is 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...
. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 18,062. In 2007, it was voted as one of CNN Money's "Best Places to Live" in the United States.
Located along Connecticut's Gold Coast
Gold Coast (Connecticut)
The Gold Coast, also known as Southwestern Connecticut or Lower Fairfield County, is a region of the state of Connecticut, United States, that includes the entire southern portion of Fairfield County as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, Super-Public Use Microdata Area Region 09600.This area is...
, it is one of the most affluent communities in the United States. According to CNNMoney, Wilton has a median family income of $194,362 and an average home price of $1,006,017, making it one of the most expensive places to live in the country.
Wilton was officially recognized as a parish in 1726. The original 40 families of the parish began their own Congregational church
Congregational church
Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs....
and were allowed by Norwalk
Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the city is 85,603, making Norwalk sixth in population in Connecticut, and third in Fairfield County...
to hire a minister (Robert Sturgeon, who also became the town's first schoolmaster), open schools and build roads. During the Revolutionary War, in 1777 the British used Wilton as an escape route after their successful raid on 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....
. Several homes were burned, but the town remained intact. In 1802, Wilton was granted a Town Charter by the Connecticut General Assembly
Connecticut General Assembly
The Connecticut General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is a bicameral body composed of the 151-member House of Representatives and the 36-member Senate. It meets in the state capital, Hartford. There are no term limits for either chamber.During...
and became a political entity independent from Norwalk. With a strong anti-slavery
Abolitionism
Abolitionism is a movement to end slavery.In western Europe and the Americas abolitionism was a movement to end the slave trade and set slaves free. At the behest of Dominican priest Bartolomé de las Casas who was shocked at the treatment of natives in the New World, Spain enacted the first...
sentiment by its residents, Wilton served as a stop on the Underground Railroad
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
.
Today, Wilton, like many other Fairfield County towns, is an expensive residential community with open lands (a testament to its colonial farming roots), historic architecture and extensive town services. Residents commonly commute to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Stamford
Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
, and Norwalk
Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the city is 85,603, making Norwalk sixth in population in Connecticut, and third in Fairfield County...
, although there are a number of office buildings in town.
AIG Financial Products
AIG Financial Products
AIG Financial Products Corporation. is a subsidiary of the American International Group, headquartered in Fairfield, CT, with major operations in London, it is currently in the process of winding down all of its operations. The collapse of AIG Financial Products is considered to have played a...
was headquartered in the town. Its trading in credit derivatives essentially bankrupted its parent company, AIG
AIG
AIG is American International Group, a major American insurance corporation.AIG may also refer to:* And-inverter graph, a concept in computer theory* Answers in Genesis, a creationist organization in the U.S.* Arta Industrial Group in Iran...
, and helped create the global financial crisis of 2008–2009.
History
For more information: History of Wilton, ConnecticutHistory of Wilton, Connecticut
Wilton, Connecticut is a rural residential town rich in New England history.- Colonial Days :The first written records of the areas that are now Wilton date back to 1640, when Roger Ludlow and his friends purchased land from the Indians between the Norwalk and Saugatuck Rivers and "a day's walk...
Wilton was classified as a "dry" town until 1993, when the local ordinance was altered to permit the sale of alcoholic beverages in restaurants. The town was then referred to as "damp". On November 5, 2009, a referendum proposal to allow liquor stores was passed. The town Board enacted an ordinance to allow liquor stores to sell alcoholic beverages in 2010, and several stores have since opened.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 town has a total area of 27.4 square miles (71 km²), of which 27 square miles (69.9 km²) is land and 0.4 square miles (1 km²), or 1.50%, is water, including the South Norwalk Reservoir.
The scenic Ridgefield Road offers a look at many historic homes, places, and sights.
The latitude of Wilton is 41.201N. The longitude is -73.438W.
Housing stock and land use
Wilton has, by some estimates, more than 500 restored 18th- and 19th-century homes. "Teardowns have become quite an issue in town," Marilyn Gould, Wilton's second selectman and director of the Wilton Historical Society, told the New York Times in 2005. "People aren't taking down historic houses but the more modest homes that were built in the '50s and '60s," she said. "What that's doing is changing the affordability of the town and the demographic of the town. Wilton used to have a wide demographic of people who worked with their hands - artisans, builders, mechanics. Now it's management and upper management."Between 1999 to 2005, the town's voters endorsed spending $23 million through municipal bonds to preserve land.
South Norwalk Electric and Water (SNEW) has a reservoir on the western side of town with about 350 acres (1.4 km²) of land (along with another 25 acres (101,171.5 m²) adjacent in New Canaan). In the fall, hunters with bows and arrows — no more than 10 at a time — are allowed to hunt deer on the Wilton property in order to keep down the number of deer in the area.
Wilton's town center contains several local restaurants, boutiques, retail stores, a Starbucks
Starbucks
Starbucks Corporation is an international coffee and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world, with 17,009 stores in 55 countries, including over 11,000 in the United States, over 1,000 in Canada, over 700 in the United Kingdom, and...
, a Stop & Shop
Stop & Shop
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company is a chain of supermarkets located mostly in the northeastern United States. Its main rivals are Shaw's Star Market and Hannaford in New England, while ShopRite and the A&P family of supermarkets are its main competition in New York and New Jersey.- History :Stop...
, and a four-screen movie theater owned by Bow-Tie Cinemas. These stores were added around 2000 next to the old Wilton Center, which consists of the Wilton Library, the Wilton Post Office, a CVS/Pharmacy, a hardware store, the Old Post Office Square, and the Village Market. In the southern part of town, U.S. Route 7
U.S. Route 7
U.S. Route 7 is a north–south United States highway in western New England that runs for from Norwalk, Connecticut, to Highgate, Vermont. The highway's southern terminus is at Interstate 95 in Norwalk, Connecticut...
contains a commercial section.
Neighborhoods
The southwest corner of town includes part of the SilvermineSilvermine, Connecticut
Silvermine is a neighborhood in Fairfield County, Connecticut extending into three southwestern Connecticut municipalities -- Norwalk, New Canaan and Wilton....
neighborhood (which also extends into New Canaan
New Canaan, Connecticut
New Canaan is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, northeast of Stamford, on the Fivemile River. The population was 19,738 according to the 2010 census.The town is one of the most affluent communities in the United States...
and Norwalk
Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the city is 85,603, making Norwalk sixth in population in Connecticut, and third in Fairfield County...
). Georgetown
Georgetown, Connecticut
Georgetown is a village and census-designated place in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is located at the point where the towns of Wilton, Redding, Ridgefield, and Weston meet....
, which is primarily in Redding
Redding, Connecticut
Mark Twain, a resident of the town in his old age, contributed the first books for a public library which was eventually named after him.-Government:...
and partly in Weston
Weston, Connecticut
Weston is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The population was 10,179 at the 2010 census. The town is served by Route 57 and Route 53, both of which run through the town center. About 19% of the town's workforce commutes to New York City, about to the southwest.Like many towns in...
, extends a bit into the northeast corner of town. Other neighborhoods in town are South Wilton, Wilton Center
Wilton Center Historic District
Wilton Center Historic District in the town center area of Wilton, Connecticut, was established as a town historic district in 1970 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992....
, Gilbert Corners, Cannondale, and North Wilton.
On the National Register of Historic Places
- Cannondale Historic DistrictCannondale Historic DistrictCannondale Historic District is a historic district in the Cannondale section in the north-central area of the town of Wilton, Connecticut. The district includes 58 contributing buildings, one other contributing structure, one contributing site, and 3 contributing objects, over a . About half of...
— Roughly bounded by Cannon, Danbury and Seeley Rds. (added December 12, 1992) Consists of authentic renovated 17th- and 18th-century buildings that were moved to the site. The train station is the only building at the site that was originally built at that location. The site itself does not hold any special historic value. - David Lambert HouseDavid Lambert HouseDavid Lambert House is a historic house at 150 Danbury Road in Wilton, Connecticut.It was built in 1750 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.-References:...
— 150 Danbury Rd. (added August 24, 1992) - Georgetown Historic District, located on the northeast of town.
- Hurlbutt Street SchoolHurlbutt Street SchoolThe Hurlbutt Street School in Wilton, Connecticut was built in 1834. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.The property includes the schoolhouse and its privy, which have both been moved. It is the only historic school in Wilton preserved in something like its original...
— 157 Hurlbutt St. (added August 25, 1996) - Marvin TavernMarvin TavernThe Marvin Tavern, also known as Matthew Marvin House, was built in 1760. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984....
— 405 Danbury Rd. (added May 26, 1984) - Sloan-Raymond-Fitch HouseSloan-Raymond-Fitch HouseThe Sloan-Raymond-Fitch House in Wilton, Connecticut was built in 1772. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.The house has been moved from its original location...
— 224 Danbury Rd. (added May 29, 1982) - Weir Farm National Historic SiteWeir Farm National Historic SiteWeir Farm National Historic Site is located in Ridgefield and Wilton, Connecticut, in the United States. It commemorates the life and work of J. Alden Weir, the American impressionist painter and member of the Cos Cob Art Colony. Tours of his studio are offered by National Park Service rangers....
— 735 Nod Hill Road (added November, 1990) located both in Wilton and RidgefieldRidgefield-Places:United States*Ridgefield, Connecticut**Ridgefield Playhouse, a theater located in Ridgefield*Ridgefield, New Jersey*Ridgefield Park, New Jersey*Ridgefield Township, New Jersey*Ridgefield, Washington*Ridgefield Township, Huron County, Ohio...
. - Wilton Center Historic DistrictWilton Center Historic DistrictWilton Center Historic District in the town center area of Wilton, Connecticut, was established as a town historic district in 1970 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992....
— Roughly, area around jct. of Lovers Ln. and Belden Hill and Ridgefield Rds. (added September 19, 1992). The historic district includes 20 buildings and 1 structure over 240 acre (0.9712464 km²), including the Old Town Hall building and the Wilton Congregational Church buildings.
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 17,633 people, 5,923 households, and 4,874 families residing in the town. 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 654.3 people per square mile (252.6/km²). There were 6,113 housing units at an average density of 226.8 per square mile (87.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.55% White, 0.60% African American, 0.09% Native American, 2.69% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.27% 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 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.53% of the population.
There were 5,923 households out of which 46.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.4% were married couples
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, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.7% were non-families. 15.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.25.
The age distribution is 31.5% under the age of 18, 2.8% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $141,428, and the median income for a family was $158,415. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $61,611 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 town was $65,806. About 1.3% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.
Public schools
Modern facilities include two elementary schools (Miller-Driscoll Elementary School (pre-k-2), Cider Mill (3-5) School), one middle school (Middlebrook Middle School (6-8)), and one high school (Wilton High SchoolWilton High School
Wilton High School is a public high school in Wilton, Connecticut, and considered "one of Connecticut’s top performers" in various measures of school success. The current principal is Robert O'Donnell. Previously the long-time-principal was Timothy H. Canty, who also attended the school in the...
), which features accelerated classes for gifted students, music and visual arts courses, and a well-appointed resource center. An innovative language laboratory encourages foreign language studies, including French, German, Spanish, Russian and Latin and they are one of the only towns in the country that still offers Classical Greek.
The town of Wilton has 4,151 students who attend pre-K through 12th grade in the 5 schools. Two of the elementary schools (Miller and Driscoll schools) are located on the same campus, and they teach children from preschool through 2nd grade. The third elementary school (Cider Mill School) teaches 3rd through 5th grade. (Previously, Cider Mill shared 3rd grade classes with Miller/Driscoll due to construction on the school buildings.) The three elementary schools have class sizes ranging from 18 to 22 and a 19 to 1 student/ teacher ratio. Language studies begin in the 3rd grade with French and Spanish. The junior high school (Middlebrook) is for grades 6-8 and features interdisciplinary instruction teams in languages and science, mathematics, social studies, computers, art, and gifted student instruction. Class sizes range from 20 to 25 students with a student/teacher ratio of 13 to 1. In the past five years, over 91% of Wilton High School graduates have gone on to colleges and universities. The mean SAT scores at Wilton High School are 584 verbal and 598 math. The schools are supported by an active PTA organization.
Wilton's sports teams have won many FCIAC and state titles, and many individuals have been recognized on those levels as well.
Private schools
There are three private elementary schools in town:- Connecticut Friends SchoolConnecticut Friends SchoolConnecticut Friends School is a K-8 elementary and middle school located in Wilton, Connecticut run by the Religious Society of Friends. Founded in 1998, the school's enrollment consists of approximately 60 students....
, a Quaker school, kindergarten through eighth grade - Our Lady of Fatima, a Catholic school, preschool through eighth grade
- The Montessori School, preschool through eighth grade.
Clubs and organizations
Clubs and civic organizations in town include a Newcomers Club, League of Women Voters, Kiwanis Club, The Wilton Kiwanis youth coalition, senior meal delivery, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, the Wilton Land Conservation Trust, the Wilton Family Y and the Moms Club of Wilton http://wiltonmoms.com. Cultural amenities include the Wilton Historical Society, a Library Association, an Arts Council, an Audubon Society, the Wilton Singers and the Wilton Playshop.Events in town
- Minks to Sinks is a large, twice-a-year flea market that benefits Family & Children's Agency http://www.familyandchildrensagency.org, a not-for-profit family serving agency that supports people and families in crisis or transitional moments.
- Cannon Grange, "a kind of 4-H club for adults," hosts an annual fair.
- Ambler Farm Day, an annual fall event that spotlights farm activities such as hay rides, apple sling shots, and scarecrow-making contests.
- CNSW Pumpkin Festival, an annual fall festival run by the families of The Community Nursery School of Wilton. Launched in 1984, it features games, pony rides, and entertainment, and is the school's only public fundraiser for local scholarships.
Highways
There are several highways that crisscross the town, including U.S. Route 7U.S. Route 7
U.S. Route 7 is a north–south United States highway in western New England that runs for from Norwalk, Connecticut, to Highgate, Vermont. The highway's southern terminus is at Interstate 95 in Norwalk, Connecticut...
and Route 33, which form the main north-south roadways in town. While not passing through any part of Wilton, 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...
(Route 15
Route 15 (Connecticut)
Route 15 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Connecticut that runs from a connection with New York's Hutchinson River Parkway in Greenwich, Connecticut to its northern terminus intersecting with Interstate 84 in East Hartford, Connecticut...
) also serves the town via the Route 33 exit (Exit 41) which is signed for Wilton, as well as the Route 7 exits (Exits 39B & 40B) which are signed for Danbury. Other state highways that run through Wilton are Route 53
Route 53 (Connecticut)
Route 53 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Connecticut, connecting the cities of Norwalk and Danbury. Most of the route has been made redundant by U.S...
and Route 106.
Railroad
The town has two railroad stations: WiltonWilton (Metro-North station)
The Wilton Metro-North Railroad station serves residents of Wilton, Connecticut, via the Danbury Branch of the New Haven Line.The station is to Grand Central Terminal and the average travel time from there is 1 hour, 19 minutes regardless of through trains or transfers at Stamford or South...
and Cannondale
Cannondale (Metro-North station)
The Cannondale Metro-North Railroad station serves residents of the Cannondale area of Wilton, Connecticut via the Danbury Branch of the New Haven Line....
(a sub-station where tickets are not sold), both part of the Danbury Line of Metro-North Railroad
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...
.
Buses
The town is served by "7 Link" bus route of the Norwalk Transit DistrictNorwalk Transit District
The Norwalk Transit District is the primary provider of public transportation services in Norwalk, Connecticut and surrounding communities. The district's fixed-route bus transit system, known as WHEELS, is the primary service of the system linking Norwalk and its immediate suburbs as well as...
that runs between Norwalk and Danbury along the Route 7 corridor. A commuter shuttle bus during rush hours is also available between southern Wilton and the South Norwalk railroad station on the New Haven Line.
Commute times
- HartfordHartford, ConnecticutHartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
: 80 minutes - LaGuardia AirportLaGuardia AirportLaGuardia 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...
(LGA): 50 minutes - ManhattanManhattanManhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
: 60-70 minutes by Metro-North train, 50-70 minutes by car - StamfordStamford, ConnecticutStamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
: 20 minutes
- White Plains, New YorkWhite Plains, New YorkWhite Plains is a city and the county seat of Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located in south-central Westchester, about east of the Hudson River and northwest of Long Island Sound...
: 30 minutes - JFK AirportJohn F. Kennedy International AirportJohn 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...
: 60 minutes - The BronxThe BronxThe Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
: 45–60 minutes
Notable residents
- Chance BrowneChance BrowneRobert "Chance" Browne is an American musician, painter, and cartoonist. He was born in New York City.After his father Dik Browne died in 1989, Browne took over drawing the family comic strip Hi and Lois. The comic is syndicated throughout the United States and stars the characters Hi, Lois, Dot,...
, cartoonist of syndicated comic strip Hi and LoisHi and LoisHi and Lois is a comic strip about a suburban family. Created by Mort Walker and illustrated by Dik Browne, it debuted on October 18, 1954, distributed by King Features Syndicate.-Characters:... - Dave BrubeckDave BrubeckDavid Warren "Dave" Brubeck is an American jazz pianist. He has written a number of jazz standards, including "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "The Duke". Brubeck's style ranges from refined to bombastic, reflecting his mother's attempts at classical training and his improvisational skills...
, jazzJazzJazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
musician - David CanaryDavid CanaryDavid Hoyt Canary is an American actor, who starred in both soap operas and prime time television. He is best known for his roles as the ranch foreman, Candy Canaday on Bonanza and identical twins Adam Chandler from 1983 to 2010 and Stuart Chandler from 1984 to 2009 on the daytime serial, All My...
, actor, All My ChildrenAll My ChildrenAll My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most... - Matt DaviesMatt DaviesMatthew Davies may refer to:* Matthew Davies MP for Cardiff in 1604 and Hindon* Matthew Davies , British figure skater...
, Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist. - Abby ElliottAbby ElliottAbigail "Abby" Elliott is an American actress and comedian currently appearing as a cast member on Saturday Night Live.-Life and career:...
, actress/comedian - Chris ElliottChris ElliottChristopher Nash "Chris" Elliott is an American actor, comedian and writer. He is best known for his comedic sketches on Late Night with David Letterman, starring in the cult comedy series Get a Life and for his recurring role as Peter MacDougall on Everybody Loves Raymond...
, actor/comedian - Ace FrehleyAce FrehleyPaul Daniel "Ace" Frehley is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of the "Spaceman" or "Space Ace" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics...
, rock guitarist, lived in Wilton in the early 1980s - Charles GrodinCharles GrodinCharles Grodin is an American actor, comedian, author and former cable talk show host. Grodin began his acting career in the 1960s appearing in TV serials including The Virginian. He had a small part as an obstetrician in Roman Polanski's Rosemary's Baby in 1968...
, actor - Johnny GruelleJohnny GruelleJohnny Gruelle was an American artist, political cartoonist, children's book author and illustrator . He is known as the creator of Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy...
, artist who created Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy - June HavocJune HavocJune Havoc was a Canadian-born American actress, dancer, writer, and theater director. Havoc was a child Vaudeville performer under the tutelage of her mother. She later acted on Broadway and in Hollywood and stage directed . She last appeared on television in 1990 on General Hospital...
, actress, who also renovated buildings to create the Cannon Crossing center of small shops. Her sister Gypsy Rose LeeGypsy Rose LeeGypsy Rose Lee was an American burlesque entertainer famous for her striptease act. She was also an actress, author, and playwright whose 1957 memoir was made into the stage musical and film Gypsy.-Early life:...
frequently visited her. - Sterling HaydenSterling HaydenSterling Hayden was an American actor and author. For most of his career as a leading man, he specialized in westerns and film noir, such as Johnny Guitar, The Asphalt Jungle and The Killing. Later on he became noted as a character actor for such roles as Gen. Jack D. Ripper in Dr...
, actor - Patty HearstPatty HearstPatricia Campbell Hearst , now known as Patricia Campbell Hearst Shaw, is an American newspaper heiress, socialite, actress, kidnap victim, and convicted bank robber....
, now known as Patricia Hearst-Shaw, heiress and actress - Lydia Hearst-ShawLydia Hearst-ShawLydia Marie Hearst-Shaw is an American actress, fashion model, columnist, socialite and heiress to the publishing fortune established by her maternal great-grandfather William Randolph Hearst. The 2008 Michael Awards recognized her as their Model of the Year...
, supermodel and heiress - Ira LevinIra LevinIra Levin was an American author, dramatist and songwriter.-Professional life:Levin attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa...
, writer, lived in Wilton in the 1960s and claimed in a March 27, 2007 letter to the New York Times that he based the fictional town of StepfordThe Stepford WivesThe Stepford Wives is a 1972 satirical thriller novel by Ira Levin. The story concerns Joanna Eberhart, a photographer and young mother who begins to suspect that the frighteningly submissive housewives in her new idyllic Connecticut neighborhood may be robots created by their husbands.Two films of...
on Wilton. - Kristine LillyKristine LillyKristine Marie Lilly Heavey is a retired American soccer player who last played for Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer and was a member of the United States women's national soccer team for 24 years...
, US Olympic Soccer Team, holds world record for most professional soccer match appearances in history - Joe PantolianoJoe PantolianoJoseph Peter "Joe" Pantoliano is an American film and television actor. He played the character of Ralph Cifaretto on The Sopranos, Bob Keane in La Bamba, Cypher in The Matrix, Teddy in Memento, Francis Fratelli in The Goonies, Guido "the Killer Pimp" in Risky Business, and Jennifer Tilly's...
, actor - Steve PhillipsSteve PhillipsSteve Phillips is a former American baseball analyst for ESPN and baseball executive. He served as the general manager of the New York Mets from 1997–2003...
, former NY Mets General Manager and former ESPN baseball analyst - Charles E. PontCharles E. PontCharles Ernest Pont was a Swiss-American artist and Baptist minister. Although his ministerial career was not particularly noteworthy, he was a prolific artist in many media including watercolor, printmaking, oil, pen and ink, and pencil...
, artist and Baptist minister, lived here from 1958 until his death in 1971. - Randy RasmussenRandy RasmussenRandall Lee Rasmussen was an American football guard for fifteen seasons for the New York Jets, beginning with the 1967 American Football League season...
, former left guard of the New York Jets for 15 years (1967–1981), started in Super Bowl III - John ScofieldJohn ScofieldJohn Scofield , often referred to as "Sco," is an American jazz guitarist and composer, who has played and collaborated with Miles Davis, Dave Liebman, Joe Henderson, Charles Mingus, Joey Defrancesco, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, Pat Martino, Mavis Staples, Phil Lesh, Billy Cobham,...
(not a current resident, but grew up in the town), jazz guitarist - Frank SesnoFrank SesnoFrank Sesno is an award-winning American journalist, former CNN correspondent, anchor and Washington bureau chief, and director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at The George Washington University. Sesno is also the creator and host of Planet Forward, a web-to-television show on PBS. Sesno...
, journalist and professor - Christopher WalkenChristopher WalkenChristopher Walken is an American stage and screen actor. He has appeared in more than 100 movies and television shows, including Joe Dirt, Annie Hall, The Deer Hunter, The Prophecy trilogy, The Dogs of War, Sleepy Hollow, Brainstorm, The Dead Zone, A View to a Kill, At Close Range, King of New...
, actor