• About the City of Wilton
• Historic Places and Buildings of Wilton
• Education and Schools in Wilton
• Things To Do in Wilton

• Wilton Community Directory and Links
• Wilton Local Demographics
• Wilton Real Estate
• Wilton Local News

About the Wilton Connecticut Area

Wilton, Connecticut is a rural residential town rich in New England history. 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 into the country." This land was called Norwalk.

The first settlers, called the Proprietors, arrived in Norwalk in 1651 and owned 50,000 acres (200 km²) in common. On the outskirts of Norwalk's settled area, the Proprietors were allowed private ownership of land in a common planting field, but cattle, sheep, and hogs were grazed in a communal pasture area. The outer limit of this pasture approximates Wilton's present southern boundary.

The families who bought land in Wilton did not have their own church and were required to attend service in Norwalk each Sunday. When demand for Wilton lands increased in the early 1700's, the Proprietors realized that the land would be worth more if Wilton settlers did not have to make such a long trek each week.

By 1725 there were forty families living in Wilton who wanted their own meetinghouse. Therefore, in 1726, with the approval of both the Proprietors and the Wilton settlers, a petition to the General Court in Hartford created Wilton Parish, "a village enjoying parish privileges" but still part of the town of Norwalk. A copy of the petition is framed and on display in the Town Hall.

The Original Town House

The Wilton Parish, organized as an ecclesiastical society, dealt with many problems of a secular nature as well. It dealt with such things as communal flocks, pounds for animals, and the regulation of the trades and taverns. The state of the roads was a constant source of comment in the society meeting, as was the inevitable subject of taxation. Although the village parish did not have the right to send a representative to the state legislature, it did have complete charge of both local education and military training. The first minister, Mr. Robert Sturgeon, was also Wilton's first schoolmaster.

As soon as the first meetinghouse was built in 1726, Wilton had a "center" of town, although other areas such as Belden Hill, Drum Hill, Pimpewaug and Chestnut Hill had already been settled by self-sufficient farmers. By 1738 the first meetinghouse had become too small, and a second was built on the corner of Sharp Hill Road. Less than sixty years later, this second meeting house had fallen into such disrepair that a third church was built in 1790 on Ridgefield Road where it still stands as the oldest church building in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Revolutionary War

During the Revolutionary War, a surprisingly large number of over 300 men from Wilton served in a military unit. The War came to Wilton briefly in 1777 when the British had to retreat through the village after their invasion of Danbury. Although several Wilton houses were set afire, none were destroyed since the retreat was too rapid. About fifty-two Revolutionary veteran graves are still identifiable in Wilton cemeteries.

19th Century

In 1802, despite Norwalk's objections, the people of Wilton sought and were granted separate Town government status by an act of the Connecticut General Assembly. The town chose the traditional New England Town Meeting-Selectmen form of government, which has been retained to this day.

In the nineteenth century, education became the responsibility of the school societies of nine separate school districts in Wilton. In addition, many Wilton children and those of well-to-do families of Norwalk and Stamford attended five private schools and academies in Wilton.

Wilton's population grew slowly from 1,728 in 1810 to 2,208 in 1860. Most of the land was farmland used for dairy herds, horses, or marketable crops. Farmers found their yield from the rocky soil to be very low at the same time that midwestern produce, made readily available by the railroads, began to compete with homegrown products, home industry expanded.

Industries such as shoemaking, shirt making, carriage building, and distilleries were common. Mills of various types were built along the streams and the Gilbert and Bennett Manufacturing Co. began producing wire sieves in 1834.

Civil War

During the years prior to the Civil War, the antislavery movement was strong in town, and Wilton served as one of the stops on the Underground Railroad, a loosely organized escape route to Canada for runaway slaves. The Civil War itself, however, had little impact on Wilton, except that the continued success of local businesses was due largely to the demands of the war effort.

Industrial Age

The coming of the railroad in 1852 did not bring many advantages to a community of home industry and farming; instead it offered easy access to the bountiful western lands. After the Civil War, Wilton's population declined as cities grew, industrialization increased, the market for home products dropped, and farms were abandoned. About 30% of the population was lost between 1860 and 1900. By 1900, the census showed only 1,598 people living in Wilton.

Today Wilton is grateful for this long dormant period in its history because it saved many of the eighteenth and nineteenth century homes from demolition and suburban development. Beginning in the 1910's, abandoned farms were discovered by New Yorkers for summer homes and in the 1930's, there were noticeable stresses at Town Meetings between the "old-timers" and the "new people." The community was changing from agricultural to one of commuters.

Originating in its colonial origins, Wilton had developed in a rather haphazard, individualistic way-a house here and a store there. Shortly after World War II, a new phenomenon brought a new look to Wilton's landscape-the builder subdivision.

Light industry began moving into town. In order to plan for orderly growth, town zoning was adopted. With the growth in population and businesses came the corresponding need for new schools, new roads, executive offices, and more support services. The period of greatest growth was from 1950 to 1970, when the population grew from 4,558 to 13,572.

Today

The transformation from a small farming town to a suburban residential community of approximately 18,000 has been carefully controlled by zoning and through the preservation of the town's older colonial landmarks.

The town has had the foresight to preserve almost 1,000 acres (4 km²) of open space for active and passive recreational use. Although there is limited land remaining for development, Wilton retains much of its open feeling and rural atmosphere. Winding back roads with trees, streams, ponds, woods, and rolling hills are all part of the Wilton's beauty and charm and afford privacy as well as a pastoral setting.

There exists among both new residents and those with established roots a strong commitment and concern that Wilton, whatever its future, shall retain some part of its rural heritage.

Works Cited from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Wilton%2C_Connecticut

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Wilton Historic Districts and Historic Properties

In 1961, the Connecticut State Legislature enabled local municipalities to establish historic districts, and, since October 1, 1984, historic properties by ordinance, and to establish commissions which review and approve or deny alterations, demolitions, or construction of buildings and other structures within their boundaries and are visible from a public street, way, or place.

Historic Districts and Historic Properties are defined as “areas, or clusters of related buildings, or objects and structures, in a compatible setting which visually express styles and modes of living representative of various periods in American History.” The purpose of local Historic District or Historic Property designation is to preserve and protect buildings and places associated with the town’s history

At a Wilton Town Meeting in 1963 an ordinance was adopted establishing Historic District #1. Since then additional buildings were moved to the site, referred to as Lambert Corners, and the Board of Selectmen updated the ordinance establishing HD #1 in June 2005.

A Town Meeting in 1970 established Historic District #2: Wilton Congregational Church, Old Town Hall, and neighboring residences, #3: the Sloan-Raymond-Fitch House, and #4: Hurlbutt Street Schoolhouse

At a Board of Selectmen meeting in June 2005, Historic District #5: the Wilton Historical Society Museum Complex was created. Former Historic District #3, the Sloan-Raymond-Fitch House, was moved to this site and is now included in this district; therefore, #3 was removed.

The members of the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously on April 4, 2007 to create Historic District #6: Georgetown Neighborhood of Church Street, West Church Street and Redding Road. The ordinance to officially establish Historic District #6 was approved by the Board of Selectmen on May 21, 2007.
LIST OF PROPERTIES WITHIN WILTON'S HISTORIC DISTRICTS
Historic District #1

Lambert Corners, 150 Danbury Road
David Lambert House, c. 1727
Wilton Railroad Station, 1852
Hurlbutt Street General Store & Post Office, c. 1889
Kent Schoolhouse, c. 1843
Davenport Barn, c. 1860
Outhouse, c. 1880
Cannon General Store, c. 1790
Corncrib, c. 1880

Historic District #2

Daniel Gregory House, 11 Belden Hill Road, c.1775
Alan Spirer House, 16 Deacon’s Lane, 1988
Original Congregational Church Parsonage, 65 Ridgefield Road, 1832
Old Town Hall, 69 Ridgefield Road, 1832
Congregational Church, 70 Ridgefield Road, 1790
Nathan Comstock House, 77 Ridgefield Road, c.1810
Winton House, 80 Ridgefield Road, 1926
Halsey House, 98 Ridgefield Road, 1934
Deodate Davenport House, 108 Ridgefield Road, 1791

Historic District #3 – INCLUDED WITH #5
Historic District #4

Hurlbutt Street Schoolhouse, 157 Hurlbutt Street, 1834

Historic District #5

Wilton Historical Society Museum Complex, 224 Danbury Road

Raymond/Fitch House, 1772
Betts/Sturges/Blackmar House, c. 1740
Basil Burt Barn, c. 1860
Abbott Barn, c. 1860
Abbott Blacksmith Shop, c. 1890

Historic District #6

Georgetown Neighborhood of Church Street, West Church Street, & Redding Road

3 Church Street
23 Church Street
33 & 37 Church Street
13 West Church Street
16 West Church Street
17 West Church Street
21 West Church Street
22 West Church Street
25 West Church Street
28 West Church Street
32 West Church Street
25 Redding Road
27 & 29 Redding Road
31 West Church Street

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Information Systems
563-0144
Inland Wetlands Department
563-0180
Park and Recreation Department
834-6234
Planning and Zoning
563-0185
Police Department
834-6260
Public Works
563-0155
Registrar of Voters / Elections Department
563-0112
563-0113
Social Services
834-6238
Tax Collector
563-0126
Town Clerk
563-0106
Transportation
834-6235
Community Emergency Response Team
834-6247

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Wilton Police Department
Wilton Fire Department
Hospitals

The Wilton Public Schools website is located at: www.wilton.k12.ct.us

We are fortunate to serve a community that truly values education. We are also blessed with extensive parent volunteerism and financial support, skilled and dedicated professional educators and support staff. We seek to foster a nurturing learning environment that creates life-long learners who will be prepared to live satisfying and productive lives well into the 21st Century.

As you browse through this site, you will discover the many factors that contribute to the District's overall success. We are proud of our outstanding visual and performing arts programs, our competitive athletic teams and our students’ service to others.

Educational Links 

Public Schools
Colleges and Universities
Wilton Library

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Estimated median household income in 2007: $173,923 (it was $141,428 in 2000)
Wilton: $173,923
Connecticut: $65,967

Estimated per capita income in 2007: $82,262
Wilton: $82,262
Connecticut: $35,904

Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $1,038,281 (it was $551,600 in 2000)
Wilton: $1,038,281
Connecticut: $309,200

Mean prices in 2007: All housing units: $1,012,327; Detached houses: $1,028,699; Townhouses or other attached units: $660,607; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $453,053; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $468,612

Sample recent home sales in WILTON, CT (zip code 06897):

• 33 VILLAGE WALK: $259,000 on 2008-06-26 (COOP OR CONDO)
• 15 BUCKINGHAM RIDGE RD: $837,000 on 2008-06-23
• 364 BELDEN HILL RD: $520,500 on 2008-06-23
• 28 LANGNER LN: $895,000 on 2008-06-20
• 30 SKUNK LN: $1,280,000 on 2008-06-19
• 68 BOULDER BROOK RD: $750,000 on 2008-06-17
• 3 ADMIRAL LN: $952,500 on 2008-06-13
• 29 VALEVIEW RD: $2,395,000 on 2008-06-13
• 62 RIVERGATE DR: $712,500 on 2008-06-06
• 25 HILLBROOK RD: $1,820,000 on 2008-06-06
  

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Wilton Connecticut Real Estate and Local News

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Are you waiting for "just the right time" to get into the real estate market? The signs indicate that there is no time like the present. Interest rates are still comparatively low and buyers are shopping for new and second homes in great numbers.

Vacation homes are very popular for investment purposes and personal enjoyment. You can use your vacation home as a getaway property now, and by the time you retire you will have paid a significant amount on the loan. If you live in a vacation home for 14 days a year or less, you can take depreciation on it.

Another important benefit is that tax deductions in the form of interest and property taxes help to offset the cost of paying for a second home. If the debt does not exceed $1 million, mortgage interest payments on principal residences and second or vacation homes are fully deductible for tax purposes.

Don't waste valuable time while interest rates creep upwards -- all you need is the right real estate agent to guide you!

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