Rowayton is a section of
NorwalkNorwalk is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 84,437, making it the sixth largest city in Connecticut, and the third largest in Fairfield County...
,
ConnecticutConnecticut is a state in the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and New York to the west and south ....
. It is located on
Long Island SoundLong Island Sound is an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean and various rivers in the United States that lies between the coast of Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south. The mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, empties into the sound...
, 45 miles from
New York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States, and the center of the New York metropolitan area, which is among the most populous urban areas in the world. A leading global city, New York exerts a powerful influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture, fashion and entertainment...
.
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 stationThe Rowayton Metro-North Railroad station is one of three New Haven Line stations serving the residents of Norwalk, Connecticut. It is located in the neighborhood of Rowayton, from which it derives its name....
on the New Haven line of the
Metro-North RailroadThe Metro-North Commuter Railroad , trading as MTA Metro-North Railroad, or, more commonly, Metro-North, is a suburban commuter rail service that is run and managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority , an authority of New York State. Metro–North runs service between New York City to its...
is located in the community, as is an elementary school called Rowayton Elementary. This school is for grade kindergarten through fifth.
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. Since 1966 the Farrell family stables have been the Rowayton Community Center and the Rowayton Library.
Arthur J. Ladrigan Swim Race
Since 1935, swimmers have been competing annually in a one-mile race from the
Greens Ledge LighthouseGreens Ledge Lighthouse is a sparkplug lighthouse in Connecticut,United States, off the southwest end of the Norwalk Islands, Long Island Sound, near Norwalk, Connecticut...
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.
Rowayton is one of the richest sections of Norwalk according to the 2000 census.
The Bayley Beach day is a fun thing for families of all ages to do. Rowayton residents love to join in on this event and have fun entering all of the races.
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.
Notable People, Past and Present
See also: List of people from Norwalk, Connecticut
- Philip Caputo
Philip Caputo is an American author and journalist. He is best-known for A Rumor of War, a best-selling memoir of his experiences during the Vietnam War....
, author whose best-known work is
A Rumor of WarA Rumor of War is a 1977 autobiography by Philip Caputo about his service in the United States Marine Corps in the early years of American involvement in the Vietnam War.-Summary:...
(1977)
- John Frederick Kensett
Artist John Frederick Kensett was born on March 22, 1816 in Cheshire, Connecticut, and died on December 14, 1872 in New York City. He attended school at Cheshire Academy, and studied engraving with his immigrant father, Thomas Kensett, and later with his uncle, Alfred Dagget...
, nineteenth-century artist
- Andy Rooney
Andrew Aitken "Andy" Rooney is an American radio and television writer. He is most notable for his weekly broadcast A Few Minutes With Andy Rooney, a part of the CBS News program 60 Minutes since 1978.-Youth:...
, television commentator
- Treat Williams
Treat Williams is an American actor who has appeared on film, stage and television over the course of his career. From 2002 to 2006, he was the star of the television series Everwood.-Early life:...
, actor
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