Rowayton

Rowayton is a section of Norwalk, Connecticut. It is located on Long Island Sound, 45 miles from New York City.

The community is governed by the Sixth Taxing District of Norwalk, and has a number of active local associations, including the Civic Association, the Historical Society, the Rowayton Library, a Gardeners Club, and a Parents Exchange. Rowayton annually plays host to a Shakespearean production in Pinkney Park from Shakespeare on the Sound, and has an active community of artists, many of whom are associated with the Rowayton Arts Center.

The Rowayton station on the New Haven line of the Metro-North Railroad is located in the community, as is an elementary school.

The former "Rock Ledge" estate at 33, and 40-42 Highland Ave., was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. In 1910, James A. Farrell, later president of United States Steel Corporation, built a Tudor revival mansion, which burned down in 1913 and was rebuilt in granite. The estate was later bought by the Sperry Rand Corporation which developed the first commercial computer on the site. [ [http://www.rowayton.org/] Rowayton Library Web site, "About the Library" page, accessed September 7, 2007] Since 1966 the Farrell family stables have been the Rowayton Community Center and the Rowayton Library. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE6DF123CF937A35754C0A965958260&sec=&pagewanted=print] "If You're Thinking of Living in: Rowayton" by Rosalie R. Radomsky, an article in "The New York Times" Real Estate section, July 4, 2006, accessed 2006]

Events

Arthur J. Ladrigan Swim Race

Since 1935, swimmers have been competing annually in a one-mile race from the Greens Ledge Lighthouse to Bayley Beach in Rowayton. On September 9, 2006, for instance, 300 people showed up to watch or partake in the community event (including 25 swimmers) run by the Rowayton Community Association. Ladrigan was a longtime Rowayton resident and lifeguard. Along with the Ladrigan race, other races are held the same day, including a quarter-mile competition between the Red Nun buoy and the beach and several races for children in shallow waters. Other events on the same day include a pie-eating contest, egg toss, tug-of-war competition and greased watermelon race. In 2006, Glenn Houck won the race for the third time in a row. He was clocked at 18:57. "You aim toward the [Five Mile] River and not the beach, because otherwise the current kills you," he said. [Fenwick, Alexandra, "A long crawl: Swimmers compete in annual Sound race," article in "The Advocate" of Stamford, September 10, 2006(Stamford edition) pages A3, A9] Rowayton is one of the richest sections of Norwalk according to the 2000 census.

Independence Day fireworks

Fireworks to mark Independence Day are shot off sometime around July 4 each year from a barge about 500 feet offshore. The Rowayton Civic Association sponsors the event. At Bayley Beach a lottery has been held each year since before 1988 for 24 public, covered picnic tables (others have to bring their own tables or chairs). In 2007, 93 people vied for the tables. [Lomuscio, James, "O say can they see: Rowayton residents enter lottery for prime fireworks seating", article in "The Advocate", of Stamford, Connecticut, July 2, 2007]

Notable People, Past and Present

"See also: List of people from Norwalk, Connecticut"
*Philip Caputo, author whose best-known work is "A Rumor of War" (1977)

*John Frederick Kensett, nineteenth-century artist
*Andy Rooney, television commentator
*Treat Williams, actor

Pictures

Notes

External links

* [http://www.rowaytonct.com/ Civic Association]
* [http://www.rowaytonhistoricalsociety.org/ Historical Society]
* [http://www.rowayton.org/ Rowayton Library]
* [http://www.rowaytonartscenter.org/ Rowayton Arts Center]
* [http://www.shakespeareonthesound.org/ Shakespeare on the Sound]
* [http://www.RowaytonSchool.com Rowayton School]