Wilton, Connecticut

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Wilton, Connecticut
settlement_type = Town


imagesize =
image_caption =


mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location in Connecticut


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = NECTA
subdivision_name = Bridgeport-Stamford
subdivision_type1 = Region
subdivision_name1 = South Western Region
subdivision_type2 =
subdivision_name2 =
government_type = Selectman-town meeting
leader_title = First selectman
leader_name = William F. Brennan
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1802
area_land_km2 = 69.8
area_water_km2 = 1.1
area_total_sq_mi = 27.4
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 71.0
population_as_of = 2005
population_total = 17,960
population_density_sq_mi = 665
population_density_km2 = 257
population_footnotes = [ [http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005_9.csv U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates] ]
timezone = Eastern
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = Eastern
utc_offset_DST = -4
area_land_sq_mi = 26.9
area_water_sq_mi = 0.4
elevation_m = 102
elevation_ft = 335
latd = 41 |latm = 12 |lats = 05 |latNS = N
longd = 73 |longm = 26 |longs = 15 |longEW = W
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 06897
region =
website = http://www.wiltonct.org/
area_code = 203
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 09-86370
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0213535
footnotes =

Wilton is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 17,633.

Located along Connecticut's Gold Coast, it is one of the most affluent communities in the United States.

Settled in the early eighteenth century, Wilton became an independent town in 1802. 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 Stamford, New York City and White Plains, although there are a number of office buildings in town.

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 a reporter for 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." [http://travel2.nytimes.com/2005/12/04/realestate/04livi.html?ei=5070&en=e4595866a9e79d47&ex=1151208000&pagewanted=print] The New York Times, "Living in/Wilton, Connecticut: A Playground For Preservationists," by Debra West, Dec. 4, 2005, Page accessed on 22 June, 2006] From 1999 to 2005, the town's voters have 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 convert|350|acre|km2 of land (along with another 25 adjacent acres in New Canaan). In the fall, hunters with bows and arrows are allowed to hunt deer on the property in Wilton in order to keep down the number of deer in the area. At any time during the deer-hunting season, no more than 10 hunters are allowed on the land. [ [http://www.newcanaannews-review.com/ci_5609959] Glavin, Kristiana, "Deer Hunt Plan Aims for Watershed by Fall", a news article in "The New Canaan News Review", April 6, 2007]

Wilton's town center contains a Starbucks, a Gap, a Stop & Shop, a [http://www.bluetulip.com Blue Tulip] and a four-screen movie theater owned by [http://www.bowtiecinemas.com Bow-Tie Cinemas] . These stores were added around the year 2000, and were built adjacent to the old Wilton Center. The old Wilton Center consists of the [http://www.wiltonlibrary.org Wilton Library] , the Wilton Post Office, a CVS/Pharmacy, a hardware store, the Old Post Office Square, and the [http://www.villagemarketwilton.com Village Market] . In the Southern part of town, on Route 7, is a commercial section containing a Borders Books, a T.J. Maxx and an Outback Steakhouse. Until the early 1990s, Wilton was a "dry" town (it was illegal to sell alcohol in any form), but now alcohol can be sold in limited establishments and liquor licenses are strictly controlled (selling packaged alcohol is still prohibited).

History

"For more information: History of Wilton, Connecticut"

The Scenic Ridgefield Road offers a look at many historic places and sights

On the National Register of Historic Places

* David Lambert House — 150 Danbury Rd. (added August 24, 1992)
* Hurlbutt Street School — 157 Hurlbutt St. (added August 25, 1996)
* Marvin Tavern — 405 Danbury Rd. (added May 26, 1984)
* Sloan-Raymond-Fitch House — 224 Danbury Rd. (added May 29, 1982)
* Weir Farm National Historic Site — 735 Nod Hill Road (added November, 1990)
* Wilton Center Historic District — Roughly, area around jct. of Lovers Ln. and Belden Hill and Ridgefield Rds. (added September 19, 1992)
* Cannondale Historic District* — Roughly bounded by Cannon, Danbury and Seeley Rds. (added December 12, 1992)Although officially registered as a historic site, Cannondale itself 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.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 27.4 square miles (70.9 km²), of which, 27.0 square miles (69.8 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.1 km²) of it (1.50%) is water, including the South Norwalk Reservoir.

The latitude of Wilton is 41.201N. The longitude is -73.438W.

Neighborhoods

The southwest corner of town includes part of the Silvermine 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.

Schools

Public Schools

Modern facilities include three elementary schools(Miller-Driscoll School, Cider Mill School), one middle school (Middlebrook Middle School), and one high school (Wilton High School), 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.

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 (Middlebrook) school 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 [http://wiltonPTA.org/ PTA organization] .

Wilton's sports teams have won many FCIAC and state titles, and many individuals have been recognized on those levels as well. For example, Wilton has won more state championships in lacrosse than any other town in Connecticut. Wilton, New Canaan and Darien comprise "The Big Three" in Connecticut lacrosse.

Private Schools

There are three private elementary schools in town:
*Connecticut Friends School, a Quaker school, Kindergarten through eighth grade.
*Our Lady of Fatima, a Catholic school, preschool through eighth grade.
* [http://www.themontessorischool.com The Montessori School] , preschool through eighth grade.

Media

* [http://wiltonvillager.com/ The Wilton Villager] , a weekly paper published by The Hour of Norwalk.
* [http://www.wiltonbulletin.com/The Wilton Bulletin] , a weekly paper published by Hersam Acorn.
* [http://www.towngreenmedia.com/wilton/ Wilton Magazine and WiltonOnline.com] are published by Town Green Media, LLC, a Wilton-based publishing company. Wilton Magazine is its first publication, launched in the Fall of 2003.

Clubs and organizations

Clubs and civic organizations in town include a Newcomers Club, League of Women Voters, Kiwanis Club, [http://wiltonkiwanis.org The Wilton Kiwanis] youth coalition, senior meal delivery, Boy Scouts, [http://cubpack17.com/ Cub Scouts] , [http://wiltonlandtrust.org The Wilton Land Conservation Trust] , the Wilton Family Y and the Moms Club of Wilton [http://wiltonmoms.com Wilton Moms Club] . Cultural amenities include the Wilton Historical Society, a Library Association, an Arts Council, Audubon Society, [http://www.wiltonsingers.com The Wilton Singers] and the [http://www.wiltonplayshop.org/ Wilton Playshop] .

Events in town

* [http://www.minkstosinks.info/ 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 strengthens the communities of southwestern Connecticut by supporting individuals and families in crisis or at transitional moments of their lives.
* [http://www.geocities.com/cannongrange/ Cannon Grange] , "a kind of 4-H club for adults," hosts an annual fair.
* [http://www.amblerfarm.org/ Ambler Farm Day] is an annual fall tradition bringing family and friends together to enjoy a variety of events and farm activities, including hays rides, apple sling shots, and scarecrow making contests.

Transportation

Commute times

* Hartford: 80 Minutes
* LaGuardia Airport (LGA): 50 Minutes
* Manhattan: 70-90 Minutes (by Metro-North train) 50 - 70 Minutes (by car)
* Stamford: 20 Minutes
* White Plains, NY: 30 Minutes
* JFK 60 minutes
* Bronx 45-60 minutes

Airports

* Bradley International Airport, in Hartford, Connecticut.
* LaGuardia Airport, in New York City
* JFK Airport, in New York City
* Westchester County Airport, in Harrison, N.Y., just over the border from Connecticut ( [http://www.westchestergov.com/airport/ link to airport's web site] ).

Railroad

The town has two railroad stations: Wilton station and Cannondale station (a sub-station where tickets are not sold), both part of the Danbury Line of Metro-North railroad.

Highways

U.S. Route 7 is the only highway that runs through Wilton, and there are several which run through neighboring towns.

Among them:
* I-84
* I-95
* 15

Route 7 is intended to be a four lane divided highway from I-95 in Norwalk to I-84 in Danbury (the so-called Super 7), passing through Wilton, Ridgefield and Redding in addition to Norwalk and Danbury. While there is a four lane section from I-95 through Norwalk to close to the Wilton border, the road becomes a normal surface road in Wilton, sometimes two lanes and sometimes four lanes (As of Oct 2006: They are making the 2-lane sections into an entirely 4-lane road), with frequent stop lights, and continues as such through Ridgefield and Redding (near the border of the two towns, often crossing back and forth), until the road resumes its status as a divided highway about two miles (3 km) after the Danbury/Ridgefield border. Route 7 was not expanded into a highway because of concerns about wetlands and other environmental issues, and as a measure to reduce growth in the outer suburbs. However, high average housing costs (Wilton's average house costs $791,558 according to CNN) have pushed more and more people into the distant suburbs, and Route 7 now carries over 30,000 cars and trucks per day, resulting in significant traffic delays. It is the only major north-south road running through Fairfield county, although some commuters use alternative residential streets in an attempt to beat the traffic.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 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/sq mi (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.

Famous residents, past and present

* Sophie Cabot Black, poet who grew up in and lives in town.
* Robert Sidney Bowen, an author, lived here in the 1940s.
* Chance Browne, cartoonist of syndicated comic strip "Hi and Lois"
* Dave Brubeck, jazz musician [Seremet, Pat, "JAVA", article in "The Hartford Courant", August 26, 2000 ("jazz great Dave Brubeck, who lives in Wilton")]
* David Canary, actor, All My Children [Stowe, Stacey (May 13, 2001). [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D03EFD9153BF930A25756C0A9679C8B63 "Bringing Home a Daytime Emmy"] . The New York Times.]
* Paul Dano (born 1984), actor born and raised in townGrandjean, Pat, "First People" column, item titled "The Buzz", "Connecticut Magazine", November 2006, page 17]
* Bern Dibner, electrical engineer and historian of sciencehttp://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0040-165X(198901)30%3A1%3C189%3ABD(%3E2.0.CO%3B2-G] .
* Ace Frehley, rock guitarist, lived in Wilton in the early 1980s [Orshoski, Wes (September 3, 2003). [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20030903/ai_n12515898 "When Ace Frehley Said Farewell During Last Kiss Tour, He Meant It."] Chicago Sun-Times.]
* Charles Grodin, actor ["Children's authors to sign at Just Books, Too", short notice in "The Greenwich Post", Greenwich, Connecticut, October 16, 2003 ("Ms. Grodin, who lives in Wilton, with her actor husband Charles Grodin")]
* Johnny Gruelle, artist who created Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy
* June Havoc, actress, who also renovated buildings to create the Cannon Crossing center of small shops. Her sister Gypsy Rose Lee frequently visited her. [Brown, Joe, "A trouper who cries not havoc", article in "The Washington Post", May 22, 1987 ("She lives in Wilton, Connecticut at Cannon Crossings"); [http://www.towngreenmedia.com/wilton/articles/print.asp?id=3590] "Wilton Collects...Skip Heydt Delights in His Microcosmic World," by Nancy Maar, article in Wilton Magazine, Winter/Spring 2004; accessed on July 3, 2006]
* Patty Hearst, now known as Patricia Hearst-Shaw ["HEARST TO DO 'MONOLOGUES'", news brief, Mercury-News wire services, "San Jose Mercury News", September 6, 2001, page 2A ("Patty Hearst will star in "The Vagina Monologues" when it plays Sept. 18 to 23 at the Shubert Theater in New Haven, Conn. She lives in Wilton, Conn., with her husband and two daughters.")]
* Ira Levin, 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 Stepford on Wilton. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/27/opinion/l27play.html] "Political Theater: A Banned Play on the War (5 Letters)," first letter by Ira Levin, accessed on March 27,2007]
* Kristine Lilly, US Olympic Soccer Team [ [http://www.ussoccer.com/bio/index.jsp_1078.html] Web page titled "Kristine Lilly" at USSoccer.com, "The official site of U.S. Soccer" ("Hometown: Wilton, Connecticut"), accessed November 11, 2007]
* Joe Pantoliano, actor [Stockel, Allison, "Pantoliano will lead screening of his new film, 'The Moguls'", article in "The Wilton Bulletin", Wilton, Connecticut, December 15, 2005 ("Actor Joe Pantoliano, who lives in Wilton")]
* Steve Phillips, Former NY Mets General Manager and current ESPN baseball analyst
* Charles E. Pont, artist and Baptist minister, lived here from 1958 until his death in 1971.
* Randy Rasmussen, former left guard of the New York Jets for 15 years (1967-1981), started in Super Bowl III [Associated Press story, "Divot yields Super find for former Jets player" as appeared in "The New Haven Register", October 17, 1999 (" [...] put him in touch with Rasmussen at Rand Insurance in Greenwich where the Wilton resident is director of financial services.")]
* John Scofield (not a current resident, but grew up in the town), jazz guitarist for Miles Davis
* Christopher Walken, actor [Lewis, Christian, "A Stepford wife walks with stars", article in "The Ridgefield Press", October 30, 2003 ("Christopher Walken, who lives in Wilton")]
* Chris Elliott, actor [Cox, Jeff (2007). [http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/moneymag/0707/gallery.BPTL_highest_income.moneymag/16.html "25 Top-Earning Towns."] CNNMoney.com.]
* David W. Karnes, former Marine Corpsman that rescued two officers at the World Trade Center

References

External links

* [http://www.wiltonct.org/ Town of Wilton]
* [http://www.wilton.k12.ct.us/ Wilton Public Schools]
* [http://www.wiltonlibrary.org/calendar/calendar/ Town Calendar]