Waterbury, Connecticut

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"Waterbury" redirects here. For the town in Vermont, see Waterbury, Vermont.

Waterbury, Connecticut
Seal
Nickname: "The Brass City"
Location in Connecticut
Coordinates: 41°33′30″N, 73°02′13″W
NECTA	Waterbury
Region	Central Naugatuck Valley
Incorporated (town)	1686
Incorporated (city)	1853
Consolidated	1902
Government type	Mayor-board of aldermen
Mayor	Michael J. Jarjura
Area
- City	28.9 mi² / 74.9 km²
- Land	28.6 mi² / 74.1 km²
- Water	0.3 mi² / 0.8 km²
- Urban	97.9 mi² / 253.5 km²
Population
- City (2005)	107,902[1]
- Density	1,457/km² (3,773/sq mi)
- Metro	200,000
Time zone	Eastern (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code	0670x, 0671x
Website: http://www.waterburyct.org

Waterbury is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, 33 miles (53 km) southwest of Hartford on the Naugatuck River. As of 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city had a total population of 107,902 and was the fifth-largest city in Connecticut.^[1]

In the past, Waterbury had large industrial interests, and was the leading center of the United States for the manufacture of brassware (including castings and finishings). It was noted for the manufacture of watches and clocks. Waterbury's nickname is the Brass City. Indeed, the city's motto is Quid Aere Perennius, which means "What Is More Lasting Than Brass."

The city is on Interstate 84 and is the hometown of former Connecticut Governor John G. Rowland who spent a year in jail for ethical violations stemming from corruption. The city has a Metro North railroad station and is home to Post University and a regional campus of the University of Connecticut.

Contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 Government 5 Education 6 Trivia 7 Landmarks 7.1 Union Station Clocktower 7.2 Holy Land 7.3 Mattatuck Museum 7.4 TIMEXPO 7.5 Brass Mill Center 7.6 Palace Theater 8 Notable residents 9 See also 10 References 11 External links

[edit] History

The original settlement of Waterbury was in 1674 as a Town Plot section. The French and Indian War caused it to be vacated but the land was returned to in 1677, this time west of the first settlement. Both sites are now marked. The Algonquin name for the area was "Matetacoke" meaning "place without trees." Thus the settlement was named as "Mattatock" in 1673. The name changed to Waterbury on May 15, 1686, when the settlement was admitted as the 28th town in the Connecticut colony. It then included all parts all or parts of the later town of Watertown, Plymouth, Wolcott, Prospect, Naugatuck, Thomaston and Middlebury. The name Waterbury was chosen because of all the streams flowing into the Naugatuck. Growth was slow during Waterbury's first century. The lack of arable land discouraged new settlers and the residents suffered through the great flood of 1691 and the great sickness of 1712. After a century, Waterbury's population numbered just 5,000. Waterbury hit its stride as an industrial power in the early 1800s when it began to make brass, using a technology taken from the British. Not content with exploiting the know-how, these Yankee entrepreneurs lured talented craftsmen from across the sea to set up shop in Waterbury. As the "Brass Capital of the World," the city gained a reputation for the quality and durability of its goods. Waterbury was incorporated as a city in 1853. Waterbury supplied brass and copper used in Boulder Dam in Colorado. Waterbury brass was used for many other things in the United States such as minting disks for nickels, but the brass also went into South American coins. While the brass business boomed, thousands of immigrants poured into the city seeking factory jobs, including the Italians, Irish, French-Canadians, Lithuanians and Slavs. Another famous Waterbury product of the mid-1800s was Robert H. Ingersoll's one-dollar pocket watch, five million of which were sold. After this, the clock industry became just as important as Waterbury's famed brass industry. Evidence of these two important industries can still be seen in Waterbury, as numerous clocktowers and old brass factories have become landmarks of the city. At its peak during World War II, 10,000 people worked at Scoville Brass, later renamed Century Brass. The brass manufacturing mills in the city's east end occupied more than 2 million square feet and more than 90 buildings. In 1955, a flood resulted in the deaths of 19 Waterbury citizens and 50 million dollars in property damage. Like many other cities that boomed during the manufacturing era, Waterbury began to decline in the second half of the 20th century. With the closing of the last brass shop in the 1970s Waterbury faced a grim future. Waterbury continued to decline, but has like many other cities in Connecticut been involved in many revitalization projects. Waterbury is working to revamp many of the city's unused freight yards and warehouses in order to turn them into office space. Along with this, the city has built numerous luxury hotels. Although the brass industry has since left Waterbury, metal works are still prominent to this day.

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 74.9 km² (28.9 mi²). 74.0 km² (28.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.9 km² (0.3 mi²) of it (1.21%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

Historical population of Waterbury[2][3]
1756	1,829	1774	3,536	1782	2,240
1790	2,937	1800	3,256	1810	2,874
1820	2,282	1830	3,070	1840	3,668
1850	5,137	1860	10,004	1870	13,106
1880	20,270	1890	33,202	1900	51,139
1910	73,141	1920	91,715	1930	99,902
1940	99,314	1950	104,477	1960	107,130
1970	108,033	1980	103,266	1990	108,961
2000	107,271	2005	107,902(est)

As of the census² of 2000, there were 107,271 people, 42,622 households, and 26,894 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,449.7/km² (3,754.7/mi²). There were 46,827 housing units at an average density of 632.8/km² (1,639.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 67.14% White, 16.31% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 1.51% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 10.91% from other races, and 3.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.77% of the population.

Waterbury is probably the most heavily Italian-American large city in Connecticut today. The Italian influence is especially strong in the Town Plot neighborhood. In addition the city is home to thriving French-Canadian, Portuguese, Lebanese, Lithuanian, and Albanian communities. At the beginning of the 21st century, Waterbury had a growing Jewish Orthodox population ^[2].

There were 42,622 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.8% were married couples living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,285, and the median income for a family was $42,300. Males had a median income of $35,486 versus $27,428 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,701. About 12.7% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.6% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Government

Mayor	Michael J. Jarjura (Write-in Democrat)
Town Clerk	Antoinette C. Spinelli
City Sheriff	Stephen M. Conway
City Clerk	Michael J. Dalton

Aldermen (15)

J. Paul Vance, Jr. (D - President)

Paul K. Pernerewski, Jr. (D – Majority Leader)

Laurie Singer Russo (D - President Pro-Tem)

Larry B. Butler (D)

Martin J. Misset (D)

Paul M. Nogueira (D)

Anthony T. Piccochi (D)

Sandra Ramirez (D)

Anne Phelan (D)

Cicero B. Booker, Jr. (I – Minority Leader)

Arthur J. Denze, Sr. (I)

Frank A. Burgio Sr. (I)

Francis J. Caiazzo Jr. (I)

Dennis Odle (R)

Paul V. Ciochetti (R)

John S. Monagan, who is a prolific author in addition to his political responsibilities, served as Waterbury's mayor from 1943 to 1948. He also served as its district's congressional representative from 1959 to 1973. The City is known for its hard nosed political culture compared locally to Cook County, Illinois, close elections, and a number of scandals. Two of Waterbury's recent mayors, Joseph Santopietro and Philip Giordano, have both served jail sentences for wrongdoings during their terms. Giordano remains incarcerated as of May 2005. Waterbury is in serious financial straits due to years of mismanagement. The successors to Giordano, former Acting Mayor Sam Caligiuri and present and 45th Mayor Michael Jarjura have managed the city without major controversy since 2001.

A number of Presidential candidates have campaigned in Waterbury due to its pivotal role in statewide elections. The most famous was the election eve visit on the Green by John F. Kennedy in 1960. In September 1984 Ronald Reagan held a huge noontime election rally at the same location. In July 2006 former President Bill Clinton made a campaign appearance at the Palace Theatre for Senator Joe Lieberman during his campaign for re-election to the U.S. Senate. Shortly after the Democratic primary, Tom Swan, campaign manager for Lieberman's opponent Ned Lamont, described Waterbury as a place where "the forces of slime meet the forces of evil" after a large majority of the town's voters backed Lieberman. Swan claimed he was referring to former Mayor Philip A. Giordano and former Governor John G. Rowland. ^[3]

[edit] Education

The city's schools are operated by Waterbury Public Schools.

The four public high schools in Waterbury are Crosby, Kaynor Technical, Kennedy, Waterbury Arts Magnet and Wilby High Schools. Private high schools include Chase Collegiate (formerly St. Margaret's-McTernan), Holy Cross High School, and Sacred Heart High School. The Waterbury Arts Magnet School was also recently opened across from the University of Connecticut's Waterbury campus.

[edit] Trivia

See also here.

• Waterbury's Post Office was once known for its fancy stamp cancellations.
• In 1957, Waterbury's George Metesky, AKA "The Mad Bomber" was arrested. Metesky's reign of terror from 1940-57 was provoked by the denial of his Workmen's Compensation claim by Con Edison after a gas accident in the plant caused him chronic lung problems. Fifteen people were injured by Metesky's bombs, and he spent sixteen years in jail. The bomb sites like Macy's, Radio City Music Hall, and the subway, were linked because they all used Con Edison electric power.
• Waterbury's Fr. Michael J. McGivney founded The Knights of Columbus in New Haven, Connecticut on February 2, 1882^[4]. Though the first councils were all in Connecticut, the Order spread throughout the United States in the following years.
• Massive metal sculptures by Alexander Calder were fabricated in Waterbury at the Waterbury Iron Works and Segre Iron Works.
• Waterbury is the number one jurisdiction in Connecticut for juries handing out death sentences, 6 out of 7 of the prisoners on death row coming from Waterbury. ^{[citation needed]}
• The movie Stanley and Iris (1990), starring Jane Fonda and Robert De Niro was filmed in Waterbury.
• The first Unico Club was founded in Waterbury in 1922. It now has 8,000 members and 150 regional groups. The membership is composed of business and professional people of Italian lineage or those who are married to an Italian-American. The clubs sponsor educational, cultural and civic programs.
• Sacred Heart was the first Catholic High School in Connecticut, September 6, 1922.

[edit] Landmarks

[edit] Union Station Clocktower

Constructed by the world famous architectural firm of McKim, Mead & White of N.Y., this structure resembles the Torre Del Mangia at the Palazzo Publico in Siena, Italy. It cost $332,000, at the time. The clocktower is 240-feet high and has 318 steps. The clock was made by Seth Thomas Co. with a dial 16-feet in diameter with 5-foot tall Roman numerals. The eight she-wolf gargoyles are a reminder of the myth of Romulus & Remus. The Tower opened July 12, 1909. Union Station is now the home of the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper, which services over 120,000 subscribers in the Greater Waterbury area.

[edit] Holy Land

Holy Land USA is an 18 acre park in Waterbury, CT representing a miniature Jerusalem and Bethlehem. It was one of Connecticut’s biggest tourist attractions in the 1960s and 1970s with 50,000 visitors per year. Holy Land was built in the 1950s by John Baptist Greco. The 50' cross was designed and built by Frank Veto Lyman. This steel cross was once lit up purple for Lent and red for the Christmas season. Holy Land closed in 1984 and the plaster, wire caves and structures are now in miserable shape. Some local residents want the place restored while others want it razed and turned into a park.

[edit] Mattatuck Museum

The only museum in Connecticut solely dedicated to collecting and exhibiting Connecticut artists and sculptors and reflecting the industrial history of the state. The renovation and construction was done in 1986, designed by noted Argentine-born architect Cesar Pelli. The original museum, built by Griggs and Hunt in 1912, is located on the opposite side of the Green.

[edit] TIMEXPO

Another educational landmark of Waterbury is the TIMEXPO Museum. The museum opened to the public in May of 2001. There are three floors of exhibits that explore the heritage of the world-famous Timex Corporation, tracing back to its early days as Waterbury Clock. Visitors can witness the birth and growth of Timex, enjoying demonstrations of the inner workings of clock and watches. Within the museum there are a variety of hands on exhibits with craft activities, and computer interactions.

[edit] Brass Mill Center

The Brass Mill Center & Commons is the best shopping, entertainment and dining in the Greater Waterbury Region. There are many stores here including, Old Navy, American Eagle, Hollister & Co., Brookstone, Barnes & Noble, Chili's, and TGI Friday’s. Also, there are bigger department stores such as Macy’s, JCPenney, Burlington Coat Factory, Steve & Barry’s University Sportswear, and Macys. This mall not only draws in business to the stores, but it also draws attention to the city of Waterbury. Being right off the highway, it is a nice little break from a long drive going towards New York or Hartford.

[edit] Palace Theater

Originally opened in 1922, the Palace Theater was home to movies and vaudeville shows. It operated for nearly seventy years before being closed in 1987. Thanks to the financial backing of the State of Connecticut and the support of then-Governor Rowland, the theater reopened on November 12,2004.

[edit] Notable residents

• Michael Bergin, first male supermodel
• Joe Cipriano, Television Announcer, he was known as Tom Collins on WWCO in Waterbury and today is the voice of the Fox and NBC TV Networks and the announcer for Deal Or No Deal and 1 vs. 100.
• Roger Connor, major league baseball player^[5]
• Bob Crane, actor, of Hogans Heroes fame was born in Waterbury and had a radio program on WATR.
• Philip Giordano, former mayor of Waterbury, (R) was stripped of power in 2001 after a corruption investigation revealed alleged sexual acts with a minor and other possible pedophilia charges. In 2003, he was convicted and sentenced to 37 years in federal prison.
• Ryan Gomes, Boston Celtics forward, was born in Waterbury and attended Wilby High School.
• George P. Harlamon, Mayor[4] 1968-1970. Elected to Waterbury Hall of Fame 2003.
• Paul Matasavge, Superior Court Judge[5], Parade Football All-American, All-State Tackle[6], Penn State[7][8]and Holy Cross Football Star[9].
• Dylan McDermott, actor and star of the acclaimed television series The Practice, was born and raised in Waterbury.
• Father Michael J. McGivney, Catholic priest and founder of The Knights of Columbus
• Jimmy Piersall, professional baseball player, who battled bi-polar mental illness and was portrayed by Anthony Perkins in the movie "Fear Strikes Out"
• The Playmates, a pop music group, consisting of Donny Conn, Morey Carr, and Carl Chicchetti. The Playmates had two hit songs, "Jo Ann"; and their biggest hit, "Little Nash Rambler" in 1958
• John G. Rowland, Waterbury native and former Governor of Connecticut, (R) resigned from office on July 1, 2004 after prolonged investigation for corruption. In April, 2005 he began serving a one year sentence. He has been released from prison and now resides in West Hartford. ^[6]
• Rosalind Russell, actress, grew up in Waterbury.
• Joseph Santopietro, former mayor, (R) had been convicted for corruption in 1992.^[7]
• Well known in music circles, guitar historian James Shine, Jr. was born and raised in the North End of Waterbury.
• John Sirica, Watergate judge, was born and raised in Waterbury. He was Time magazine's Man of the Year in 1973.

[edit] See also

• Waterbury Republican-American
• WTXX
• Pontelandolfo Community Club

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official Waterbury, CT Home Page
• GreaterWaterbury.com
• The Country Club of Waterbury - Est. 1899
• Points of Interest
• An online tour of Waterbury in vintage images from the late 1800s to the 1950s, and memories of life in the Brass City in the '40s & '50s(This is a free website with a monthly bandwidth usage limit. If you get a "site temporarily frozen" screen, try again on or after the 4th of the month when the bandwidth usage is reset.)
• Great Flood of 1955 Photos
• Pontelandolfo Community Club
• Waterbury Information Technology Zone includes historical information.
• Waterbury American Graffiti: The Crosby High School Class of 1959(This is a free website with a monthly bandwidth usage limit. If you get a "site temporarily frozen" screen, try again on or after the 2nd of the month when the bandwidth usage is reset.)
• WATR 1320 AM Waterbury's Radio Station since 1934. News, talk, and "Good Times Oldies".
• Galaxia 1380 AM - Waterbury's Latino Radio Station.
• Northwest Connecticut Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 41.55840° -73.03742°
  • Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
  • Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
  • Topographic map from TopoZone
  • Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA

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