Historical Markers and War Memorials in Ridgefield, Connecticut
Bridgeport is the county seat for Fairfield County
Ridgefield is in Fairfield County
Fairfield County(455) ► ADJACENT TO FAIRFIELD COUNTY Litchfield County(266) ► New Haven County(370) ► Dutchess County, New York(340) ► Nassau County, New York(269) ► Putnam County, New York(138) ► Suffolk County, New York(477) ► Westchester County, New York(296) ►
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The Methodist Episcopal Church had its beginnings in Ridgefield 1n 1787 when the first meeting was held – just 21 years after Methodism had been introduced into the U.S. from England. In 1789 Jesse Lee, a native of Virginia, was sent north as a . . . — — Map (db m31936) HM
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum acknowledges that it rests on the ancestral homelands of Wappinger and Munsee Lenape Peoples. While these Nations are no longer located on their homelands, The Aldrich is determined to make sure that their history . . . — — Map (db m230107) HM
Louis Bailey (1819-1899), a prominent member of the community, created Bailey Avenue for the purpose of building stores and residences, and for access to the train depot on Prospect St. He was an incorporator of the Ridgefield Savings Bank, a . . . — — Map (db m31998) HM
Philip Burr Bradley was one of the earliest owners of the property. Bradley, a cousin of Aaron Burr, was placed in command of the Fifth CT Regt. in the Revolutionary War, and commanded a battalion at the Battle of Ridgefield. He also served in . . . — — Map (db m24808) HM
In defense of American Independence at the Battle of Ridgefield April 27, 1777 died Eight Patriots who were laid in this ground companioned by Sixteen British Soldiers Living, their enemies, Dying their guests, in honor of service and sacrifice this . . . — — Map (db m23396) HM
On September 23, 1780, on his way through American lines to New York City, Major John Andre of the British Army was captured, taken prisoner and brought to American headquarters in South Salem, N.Y. Andre had plotted with General Benedict . . . — — Map (db m32002) HM
Hiram K. Scott set up the town's first variety and drug store in 1853. Scott was an influential businessman, serving as postmaster, town clerk, probate judge and a druggist for 50 years. He sold his store to Harvey Bissell in the summer of . . . — — Map (db m31587) HM
The Home of George G. Scott, located on Prospect Street, was razed in 1964 to make way for Ridgefield Arms, the first apartment complex to be built in Ridgefield. Scott, a descendant of the original Scott family was Judge of Probate . . . — — Map (db m230133) HM
A Small Village began to emerge in the area in 1852 with the opening of the Danbury-and-Norwalk Railroad line. Stores, a hotel, a post office, a school and small industries in the area were establishes. The building that housed the Branchville . . . — — Map (db m31967) HM
Cecile Abish was an urban planner until 1965, when she decided to be an artist. In the 1970s, she was best known for her floor pieces and earthworks, including Field Quartering, 1972; 4 Into 3, 1973; and Shifting Concern, . . . — — Map (db m230116) HM
The Keeler Tavern served as headquarters for the Patriots during the Battle of Ridgefield, April 27, 1777. It is now owned by the Keeler Tavern Preservation Society and maintained as an historical building. — — Map (db m23410) HM
Built as a farmhouse in 1713 on Lot#2 by David Hoyt, it was sold to his grandson Timothy Keeler, who converted it into an inn/tavern in 1772. The Keeler Tavern, which also served as a post office, was inherited by Anna Keeler, Timothy’s . . . — — Map (db m23411) HM
Looking south from Prospect Street, where the shops and offices of Yankee Ridge are today, stood homes at the beginning of the 20th century. From the left are the Osborn house, owned by Richard Osborn, owner of the Ridgefield Lumber Company; . . . — — Map (db m24807) HM
On the Night of December 8, 1895 a fire broke out in the undertaking and furniture store of Bedient & Mead at the northeast corner of Main St. and Bailey Ave. The fire spread rapidly to the adjoining Western Union telegraph office and Barhite . . . — — Map (db m31586) HM
Old Hundred
1783
This Structure Was Originally
The Store of Lts. Joshua King And
James Dole, Later Used As A Resi-
dence Known As "Old Hundred." — — Map (db m30464) HM
The Fire District in Ridgefield was organized in 1896 following the devastating fire of 1895. Ex-Governor Phineas Lounsbury was an early benefactor of the Department and the new engine company took his name. The firehouse is also the site of . . . — — Map (db m32050) HM
The Bridgeport Wood Refinishing Company and Silex Mills had a plant on the eastern side of Route 7, north of the Branchville train station, and a much larger one at the intersection of Branchville Road and Route 7 along the newly built branch . . . — — Map (db m31966) HM
Ridgebury, "The New Patent," was one of the last land purchases made by the Proprietors. Tradition says that the First Congregational Church in Ridgebury had its beginnings in the "New Patent Meeting House" as early as 1738. In 1768 the . . . — — Map (db m32052) HM
Gathered Built 1760 1851 This property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior < Second Plaque: > Connecticut Washington – Rochambeau Revolutionary . . . — — Map (db m23423) HM
This town was founded in 1708 by a group of families from Norwalk who purchased twenty thousand acres from the Ramapoo Indians for one hundred pounds sterling. They were aided by John Copp, a surveyor, who explored the land now lying between High . . . — — Map (db m23409) HM
Center Panel: Honor Roll
World War II and Korean War Action
“Into the Mosaic of Victory, These Priceless Jewels Were Set”
In Supreme Sacrifice
World War II
Acocella, Charles •
Bell, William P. •
Birarelli, . . . — — Map (db m23875) WM
[ west side ]
To the Memory of The
Citizens of Ridgefield
Who Served Their Country
In the Wars of the Republic
1775 – 1918
Erected by the People of Ridgefield MCMXXIV
[ east side ]
War of the . . . — — Map (db m31972) WM
Welcome to Ridgefield's History Trail!
Ridgefield, Connecticut – 1708
The Fundamental Orders adopted by Connecticut in 1639 directed would-be settlers, able to support a minister, to establish a settlement, build a Congregational Church . . . — — Map (db m31997) HM
Welcome to Ridgefield's History Trail!
Ridgefield, Connecticut – 1708
The Fundamental Orders adopted by Connecticut in 1639 directed would-be settlers, able to support a minister, to establish a settlement, build a Congregational Church . . . — — Map (db m32234) HM
The First Recorded Plan for settlement was in 1697 when a group of Congregationalists primarily from Norwalk petitioned "to purchase of the Indians a certain tract of land lying about 14 miles northward of the town of Norwalk to settle a . . . — — Map (db m32048) HM
The first surveyors came north from Norwalk to determine the suitability of the land for settlement as a plantation. Tradition says that they spent their first night on top of Settler’s Rock and that fires were built at its base to protect . . . — — Map (db m23420) HM
The Smith Tavern stood on the site of the present library. Ebenezer Smith arrived from Milford in 1709 and was assigned Lot # 26. He opened a small tavern in his home. By 1797 a new building was erected on the site by Amos Smith, who ran a . . . — — Map (db m24806) HM
A New Catholic Church was first planned in 1896. This Victorian Gothic building was completed and dedicated on July 5, 1897. This building is described by the Ridgefield Preservation Trust as "… one of Ridgefield's finest buildings…a complex . . . — — Map (db m32049) HM
Looking Towards East Ridge from Governor Street, the four buildings on the hill have been an important part of Ridgefield's landscape for the last 100 years. On the left is the George Rockwell home, which, with the house next door was once the . . . — — Map (db m31588) HM
The chief engagement of Connecticut’s only inland battle during the War for Independence was fought approximately 100 yards from this site. Several hundred hastily-mustered militia joined a handful of Continental troops under Generals Benedict . . . — — Map (db m23400) HM
British General Tryon’s Raid on Danbury occurred on April 26, 1777. The beginning of the 1777 campaign was the first British invasion and the only pitched battle in Connecticut. Following the burning of Danbury the British troops marched . . . — — Map (db m23412) HM
The Confederate bell was captured during the Civil War by Colonel Alexander Warner who later presented it to Governor Phineas Lounsbury. For many years the bell stood on the Grounds of the Lounsbury Mansion, which in 1953 became the Community . . . — — Map (db m23575) HM
In 1799, Thomas Rockwell opened a small carpentry shop which later became part of the Elms Inn. It was also a shoemaker’s shop and later, a tin shop operated by Francis Rockwell. Francis was also a vintner whose vineyard was across the street . . . — — Map (db m23435) HM
The First Society of Ridgefield
was formed in 1725
under the leadership of
The Reverend Samuel L. Johnson
The name St. Stephen's was given
in the year 1831, the year
in which it became a parish.
The Church of the Living God, the . . . — — Map (db m31965) HM
Built by Benjamin Stebbins for his daughter Sarah and her husband Amos Baker, a Revolutionary War Hero, the first surgeon in Ridgefield and the originator of the famous Baker Apple. — — Map (db m23602) HM
On these grounds in 1786 the Town Proprietors built the Independent School House from materials taken from the razed old town house that stood on the Village Green. In 1896 Governor Phineas Lounsbury built his estate, Grovelawn, on this site. . . . — — Map (db m230125) HM
The East Side of Main Street as it appeared the day after the devastating fire of 1895. (See Panel #17 for a description of the fire.)
Barhite & Valden General Store and the Western Union telegraph office next door were located just . . . — — Map (db m31585) HM
Whitlock's Livery, later the Sperry Livery stable, was across the street from the firehouse. Whitlock ran a stage to the Branchville station before the branch line was built in 1870. The livery stable also boarded horses, including those used . . . — — Map (db m32051) HM
Here stood the original
Episcopal Church
erected in 1740
partly burned by
British soldiers
during the battle
of Ridgefield
April 27, 1777 — — Map (db m31964) HM
In 1870, A Branch Line from the Branchville train station was built to offer service to the wealthy New Yorkers who began arriving to spend their summers in Ridgefield. Many of these "summer people" had their own private railroad cars. . . . — — Map (db m31591) HM
The small, white octagonal building on the corner was originally built as a boathouse on the estate of F.E. Lewis. It was moved behind the high school on East Ridge during World War II, and used as a warming hut for volunteers looking for . . . — — Map (db m31590) HM
The First Meeting House was built on the green in 1713. In 1723 the first Congregational Meeting House was erected and served as a school, church and government building. It was replaced in 1800 by a second Meeting House, in use until 1888 . . . — — Map (db m31999) HM
Henry Mead and His Wife are seen standing on the stoop of their grocery store in the early part of the 20th century. The building was moved when Ridgefield Hardware built their new store in 1948. Today Ridgefield Hardware is one of the oldest . . . — — Map (db m31937) HM
The International Order Of Odd Fellows, Pilgrim Lodge No. 45 was established in Ridgefield in 1847, meeting in the Masonic Hall until 1895 when the structure was destroyed in the Great Fire. The Odd Fellows built their own building in 1928 and . . . — — Map (db m31970) HM
In 1948, Brown Jordan founder Robert Brown collaborated with designer Walter Lamb to create a collection that ingeniously repurposed the bronze and brass piping and cotton rope from the sunken ships in Pearl Harbor. Celebrated for its graceful, . . . — — Map (db m230111) HM
In 1948, Brown Jordan founder Robert Brown collaborated with designer Walter Lamb to create a collection that ingeniously repurposed the bronze and brass piping and cotton rope from the sunken ships in Pearl Harbor. Celebrated for its graceful, . . . — — Map (db m230115) HM
Mills first appeared along the Titicus River in the early part of the 18th century. Sawmills, the first to come, permitted the proprietors to build frame houses instead of rough log cabins. Titicus also boasted the largest tannery in town, which . . . — — Map (db m23609) HM
French General Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau, and thousands of French ground and naval forces arrived in Newport in July of 1780 to assist the Americans in the War for Independence. After wintering in Newport, Rochambeau’s . . . — — Map (db m23416) HM
Ye Burying
Yard
Ridgefield's
Oldest Cemetery
Restored 1988
maintained by
The Caudatowa Garden Club
&
Parks & Recreation Dept.
The Burying Yard contains a monument listing 40 people who were buried in this cemetery between . . . — — Map (db m32237) HM