Lower Naugatuck Valley
Encyclopedia
The Lower Naugatuck Valley, also known as "The Valley", is a geographic area located around the southern part of the Naugatuck River
. The area consists of the municipalities of Seymour
, Derby
, Ansonia
, and Shelton
(not within the Naugatuck watershed), and is governed by the Valley Council of Governments. The definition of the Lower Naugatuck Valley is sometimes extended to encompass the towns of Oxford
, Beacon Falls
, and Naugatuck
.
During the 19th and 20th Centuries, the Valley was one of the main manufacturing centers in New England
, and most of the Valley communities were emblematic New England mill towns. In 2000, the seven towns in the extended Lower Naugatuck Valley region were selected as an All-American City with the title of the award changed to "All-American Valley".
. This industrial past has given the region a heavy urban landscape, with many factory buildings rising prominently along the riverside and dominating the central districts of the towns.
After the Great Depression
, however, the area began a prolonged period of deindustrialization and lost large portions of its manufacturing base, leaving behind weak economies and empty buildings typical of Rustbelt landscapes. In 1955, the area's fortunes were further impaired when floodwaters brought by Hurricane Diane
devastated the region. From Naugatuck to Shelton, entire downtown neighborhoods were washed away, leaving the region in disaster. High unemployment, poverty, and isolation marked the more urban Naugatuck Valley cities through the 1980s. Floodwaters even went into surrounding areas such as the lower portion of the Greater Waterbury area.
Since the early 1990s, rural and southern portions of the Naugatuck Valley have evolved into sprawling commuter towns. Communities like Shelton and Oxford have become popular bedroom communities for residents working in New York City
and lower Fairfield County
. Vast sections of farmland up and down the Naugatuck Valley have also been developed for the building of luxury homes. Despite this suburbanization, however, the region is still tied to its core city centers like Derby and downtown areas of Ansonia, Seymour, and Naugatuck, thus retaining its working-class flavor.
During the Vietnam War, such factories like the Naugatuck chemical plant were key players in the production of the chemical Agent Orange
. This chemical was used by being sprayed out of large cargo planes and after the chemical hit the tree tops, the leaves would fall off and reveal enemy troops.
serves 4 high schools in the Valley: Naugatuck
, Woodland
, Seymour
, and Ansonia. The Naugatuck Valley League also contains 8 schools that are outside of the valley: Torrington
, Watertown
, Crosby, Holy Cross
, Wilby, Kennedy, W.F Kaynor Panthers, and Sacred Heart
. Derby High School is the only school in the Valley which does not belong to the Naugatuck Valley League. Derby High School belongs to the Housatonic League but at times will play teams such as Shelton High School.
Politically the Valley is far more conservative than much of the rest of Connecticut, and supported George W. Bush
in the 2004 election, Joe Lieberman
in the 2006 Democratic primary, and John McCain
in the 2008 election. http://ctlocalpolitics.net/connecticut-political-maps/
Naugatuck River
The Naugatuck River is a river in the US state of Connecticut. It carves out the Naugatuck River Valley. The river flows from northwest Connecticut southward into the Housatonic River in Derby, Connecticut. One of the river's main uses is hydropower, which is used to power industrial plants...
. The area consists of the municipalities of Seymour
Seymour, Connecticut
Seymour is a town located in western New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The town was named for Governor Thomas H. Seymour. The population was 15,454 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, Derby
Derby, Connecticut
Derby is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 12,391 at the 2000 census. With of land area, Derby is Connecticut's smallest municipality.The city has a Metro-North railroad station called Derby – Shelton.-History:...
, Ansonia
Ansonia, Connecticut
Ansonia is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, on the Naugatuck River, immediately north of Derby and about northwest of New Haven. The population was 19,249 at the 2010 census. The ZIP code for Ansonia is 06401. The city is serviced by the Metro North railroad...
, and Shelton
Shelton, Connecticut
Shelton is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 39,559 at the 2010 census.-Origins:Shelton was settled by the English as part of the town of Stratford, Connecticut, in 1639...
(not within the Naugatuck watershed), and is governed by the Valley Council of Governments. The definition of the Lower Naugatuck Valley is sometimes extended to encompass the towns of Oxford
Oxford, Connecticut
Oxford is a town located in western New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 12,272 at the 2010 Census. There are several areas in Oxford: Quaker Farms, Riverside and Oxford Center. Oxford belongs to the Naugatuck Valley Economic Development Region and the Central...
, Beacon Falls
Beacon Falls, Connecticut
Beacon Falls is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 5,246 at the 2000 census. The population increased to 6,049 at the 2010 census. Beacon Falls is also home to the national-known Meteorologist Jim Cantore. Settlers from Derby, Connecticut settled Beacon...
, and Naugatuck
Naugatuck, Connecticut
Naugatuck is a consolidated borough and town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The town spans both sides of the Naugatuck River just south of Waterbury, and includes the communities of Union City on the east side of the river, which has its own post office, Straitsville on the...
.
During the 19th and 20th Centuries, the Valley was one of the main manufacturing centers in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
, and most of the Valley communities were emblematic New England mill towns. In 2000, the seven towns in the extended Lower Naugatuck Valley region were selected as an All-American City with the title of the award changed to "All-American Valley".
History
This was once the most prosperous part of Connecticut in the early days of industrialization. The region was home to key factories in national industries, most notably the brass industry, rubber manufacturing, petrochemical production, and shipbuilding. The friction match was invented in the town of Beacon Falls, and Naugatuck was the birthplace of NaugahydeNaugahyde
Naugahyde is an American brand of artificial leather . Naugahyde is a composite of a knit fabric backing and polyvinyl chloride plastic coating. It was developed by United States Rubber Company, and is now manufactured and sold by the Uniroyal Engineered Products division of Michelin...
. This industrial past has given the region a heavy urban landscape, with many factory buildings rising prominently along the riverside and dominating the central districts of the towns.
After the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, however, the area began a prolonged period of deindustrialization and lost large portions of its manufacturing base, leaving behind weak economies and empty buildings typical of Rustbelt landscapes. In 1955, the area's fortunes were further impaired when floodwaters brought by Hurricane Diane
Hurricane Diane
Hurricane Diane was one of three hurricanes to hit North Carolina during the 1955 Atlantic hurricane season, striking an area that had been hit by Hurricane Connie five days earlier...
devastated the region. From Naugatuck to Shelton, entire downtown neighborhoods were washed away, leaving the region in disaster. High unemployment, poverty, and isolation marked the more urban Naugatuck Valley cities through the 1980s. Floodwaters even went into surrounding areas such as the lower portion of the Greater Waterbury area.
Since the early 1990s, rural and southern portions of the Naugatuck Valley have evolved into sprawling commuter towns. Communities like Shelton and Oxford have become popular bedroom communities for residents working in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and lower Fairfield County
Fairfield County, Connecticut
Fairfield County is a county located in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The county population is 916,829 according to the 2010 Census. There are currently 1,465 people per square mile in the county. It is the most populous county in the State of Connecticut and contains...
. Vast sections of farmland up and down the Naugatuck Valley have also been developed for the building of luxury homes. Despite this suburbanization, however, the region is still tied to its core city centers like Derby and downtown areas of Ansonia, Seymour, and Naugatuck, thus retaining its working-class flavor.
During the Vietnam War, such factories like the Naugatuck chemical plant were key players in the production of the chemical Agent Orange
Agent Orange
Agent Orange is the code name for one of the herbicides and defoliants used by the U.S. military as part of its herbicidal warfare program, Operation Ranch Hand, during the Vietnam War from 1961 to 1971. Vietnam estimates 400,000 people were killed or maimed, and 500,000 children born with birth...
. This chemical was used by being sprayed out of large cargo planes and after the chemical hit the tree tops, the leaves would fall off and reveal enemy troops.
Culture
Along with other towns in Connecticut, the Naugatuck Valley maintains a high emotional and cultural involvement with its high school football teams and their rivalries. Football shapes many peoples lives in the valley with high school alumni’s, faculty, and students giving a huge fan base which also includes families and town citizens. The Naugatuck Valley LeagueNaugatuck Valley League
The Naugatuck Valley League is a 14-team athletic conference of high schools, located in the Naugatuck River Valley of Connecticut....
serves 4 high schools in the Valley: Naugatuck
Naugatuck High School
Naugatuck High School is a high school in Naugatuck, New Haven County, Connecticut. The school principal is Janice Saam.The school is located at 543 Rubber Avenue. The building was constructed in 1959. 3 wings were added during the 1970s and are known as Castle House, Goodyear House, And the...
, Woodland
Woodland Regional High School
Woodland Regional High School is a high school located in the western part of Beacon Falls, Connecticut, near the town line shared with Oxford.The school is operated by Regional School District 16. The school mascot is the hawk...
, Seymour
Seymour High School (Connecticut)
Seymour High School is a secondary school in Seymour, Connecticut.-About Seymour High School:Seymour High School serves students from grades 9-12. Seymour High School served students from Seymour. This is the only high school in Seymour.-History:...
, and Ansonia. The Naugatuck Valley League also contains 8 schools that are outside of the valley: Torrington
Torrington High School
Torrington High School is the lone public high school in the city of Torrington, Connecticut. The school strives to live up to its four A's: academics, activities, arts, and athletics.-Athletics:...
, Watertown
Watertown High School (Connecticut)
Watertown High School is a public high school serving Watertown, Connecticut. It is located at 324 French Street, Watertown, Connecticut.-Current Administration:* Principal Mr. Matthew A. Geary* Assistant Principal Mr. Marc Balanda...
, Crosby, Holy Cross
Holy Cross High School (Waterbury, Connecticut)
Holy Cross High School is a Catholic secondary school founded in Waterbury, Connecticut in 1968 by the Congregation of Holy Cross. Presently, Holy Cross is the largest Catholic secondary school in Connecticut, situated on thirty seven acres in the West End of Waterbury, Connecticut, accessible via...
, Wilby, Kennedy, W.F Kaynor Panthers, and Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart High School (Connecticut)
Sacred Heart High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Waterbury, Connecticut. It is in the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford.-Background:...
. Derby High School is the only school in the Valley which does not belong to the Naugatuck Valley League. Derby High School belongs to the Housatonic League but at times will play teams such as Shelton High School.
Politically the Valley is far more conservative than much of the rest of Connecticut, and supported George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
in the 2004 election, Joe Lieberman
Joe Lieberman
Joseph Isadore "Joe" Lieberman is the senior United States Senator from Connecticut. A former member of the Democratic Party, he was the party's nominee for Vice President in the 2000 election. Currently an independent, he remains closely affiliated with the party.Born in Stamford, Connecticut,...
in the 2006 Democratic primary, and John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
in the 2008 election. http://ctlocalpolitics.net/connecticut-political-maps/