Wooster Square
Encyclopedia
Wooster Square is a neighborhood in the city of New Haven
, Connecticut
to the east of downtown
. The name refers to a park square (named for the American Revolutionary War
hero, David Wooster
) located between Greene Street, Wooster Place, Chapel Street and Academy Street in the center of the neighborhood. Wooster Square is known as a bastion of Italian American
culture and cuisine, and is home to some of New Haven's, and the world's, best-known pizza
(specifically, apizza
) eateries, including Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
and Sally's Apizza
.
The square and much of the neighborhood are included in the Wooster Square Historic District which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1971. The district covers a 40 acres (16.2 ha) area bounded roughly by St. John, Olive, and Wooster streets and I-91.
railroad tracks (serving as the boundary with Downtown New Haven) and Interstate 91
(between Exits 1 and 3), bounded on the south by the Oak Street Connector
. It is bordered on the west by Downtown New Haven
, on the south by Long Wharf
, on the east by the neighborhood of Mill River
, and on the north by East Rock
.
Wooster Square takes its name from General David Wooster, who had a warehouse
there. In 1825 the land was purchased by the city of New Haven and incorporated into the city. At that time, the area was close to the city's waterfront (it is now farther inland due to harbor
filling), and by the 1840s it had become a residential area where ship captains and wholesale grocers built large houses near the port. As a result, Wooster Square now includes a concentrated collection of distinctive 19th-century residential architecture, including several buildings by New Haven architect Henry Austin. Included are examples of the Federal, Greek Revival
, Islamic Revival, and Italian Villa styles, Late Victorian Italianate
row houses, and Second Empire and Queen Anne
homes.
By the late 19th century, increased industrial activity in the vicinity made Wooster Square less desirable as a residential neighborhood, and Italian immigrant families began to move in and operate small stores out of their homes. This commercial activity damaged the neighborhood's reputation, and the area was targeted for demolition and redevelopment as early as the 1930s. In the mid-1950s, plans called for building Interstate 91
through Wooster Square Park, but the Wooster Square Project, which started in 1958, began a neighborhood revival and resulted in re-routing of the highway.
(a short walk), its architecture and its neighborhood feel, make it one of the most sought-after New Haven neighborhoods in which to live. There is also a thriving art scene.
A sycamore
tree on the west side of Wooster Square Park has been said by some observers to resemble an outline image of Jesus Christ.
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
to the east of downtown
Downtown New Haven
Downtown New Haven is the neighborhood located in the heart of the city of New Haven, Connecticut. It is made up of the original nine squares laid out in 1638 to form New Haven, including the New Haven Green, and the immediate surrounding central business district, as well as a significant portion...
. The name refers to a park square (named for the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
hero, David Wooster
David Wooster
David Wooster was an American general who served in the French and Indian War and in the American Revolutionary War. He died of wounds sustained during the Battle of Ridgefield, Connecticut. Cities, schools, and public places were named after him...
) located between Greene Street, Wooster Place, Chapel Street and Academy Street in the center of the neighborhood. Wooster Square is known as a bastion of Italian American
Italian American
An Italian American , is an American of Italian ancestry. The designation may also refer to someone possessing Italian and American dual citizenship...
culture and cuisine, and is home to some of New Haven's, and the world's, best-known pizza
Pizza
Pizza is an oven-baked, flat, disc-shaped bread typically topped with a tomato sauce, cheese and various toppings.Originating in Italy, from the Neapolitan cuisine, the dish has become popular in many parts of the world. An establishment that makes and sells pizzas is called a "pizzeria"...
(specifically, apizza
Apizza
New Haven-style pizza, locally known as apizza, is a style of Neapolitan pizza common in and around New Haven, Connecticut. It originated at the Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana and is now served in many other pizza restaurants in the area, most notably, Sally's Apizza, Bar Bru Room, Grand Apizza,...
) eateries, including Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, known locally as Pepe's, is a popular pizza restaurant in the Wooster Square neighborhood of New Haven, Connecticut at 163 Wooster Street. Opened in 1925, it is one of the oldest and best known pizzerias in the United States.-Frank Pepe:Pepe's was founded in 1925 by...
and Sally's Apizza
Sally's Apizza
Sally's Apizza is a famed pizzeria in the Wooster Square neighborhood of New Haven, Connecticut. It, along with its neighbor Pepe's, is often cited by aficionados in debates over the world's best pizza....
.
The square and much of the neighborhood are included in the Wooster Square Historic District which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1971. The district covers a 40 acres (16.2 ha) area bounded roughly by St. John, Olive, and Wooster streets and I-91.
Geography
The Wooster Square neighborhood is considered to consist of the area between the AmtrakAmtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
railroad tracks (serving as the boundary with Downtown New Haven) and Interstate 91
Interstate 91
Interstate 91 is an Interstate Highway in the New England region of the United States. It provides the primary north–south thoroughfare in the western part of New England...
(between Exits 1 and 3), bounded on the south by the Oak Street Connector
Oak Street Connector
The Oak Street Connector, officially known as the Richard C. Lee Highway, is a long freeway section of Route 34 that is located in downtown New Haven, Connecticut...
. It is bordered on the west by Downtown New Haven
Downtown New Haven
Downtown New Haven is the neighborhood located in the heart of the city of New Haven, Connecticut. It is made up of the original nine squares laid out in 1638 to form New Haven, including the New Haven Green, and the immediate surrounding central business district, as well as a significant portion...
, on the south by Long Wharf
Long Wharf (New Haven)
Long Wharf is a waterfront district and neighborhood of the city of New Haven, Connecticut, United States.-Location:Its location can be defined as the area stretching inland from the west side of New Haven Harbor northwest to Union Avenue, west to Hallock Avenue and Cedar Street, and north to the...
, on the east by the neighborhood of Mill River
Mill River (neighborhood)
Mill River is a primarily industrial neighborhood in the city of New Haven, Connecticut located between the Wooster Square and Fair Haven neighborhoods....
, and on the north by East Rock
East Rock (neighborhood)
East Rock is a neighborhood in the city of New Haven, Connecticut, named for nearby East Rock, a prominent trap rock ridge. The area is home to a large group of Yale students, staff, and faculty, as well as many young professionals and families. The neighborhood is divided between New Haven's...
.
History
Warehouse
A warehouse is a commercial building for storage of goods. Warehouses are used by manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, transport businesses, customs, etc. They are usually large plain buildings in industrial areas of cities and towns. They usually have loading docks to load and unload...
there. In 1825 the land was purchased by the city of New Haven and incorporated into the city. At that time, the area was close to the city's waterfront (it is now farther inland due to harbor
Harbor
A harbor or harbour , or haven, is a place where ships, boats, and barges can seek shelter from stormy weather, or else are stored for future use. Harbors can be natural or artificial...
filling), and by the 1840s it had become a residential area where ship captains and wholesale grocers built large houses near the port. As a result, Wooster Square now includes a concentrated collection of distinctive 19th-century residential architecture, including several buildings by New Haven architect Henry Austin. Included are examples of the Federal, Greek Revival
Greek Revival architecture
The Greek Revival was an architectural movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, predominantly in Northern Europe and the United States. A product of Hellenism, it may be looked upon as the last phase in the development of Neoclassical architecture...
, Islamic Revival, and Italian Villa styles, Late Victorian Italianate
Italianate architecture
The Italianate style of architecture was a distinct 19th-century phase in the history of Classical architecture. In the Italianate style, the models and architectural vocabulary of 16th-century Italian Renaissance architecture, which had served as inspiration for both Palladianism and...
row houses, and Second Empire and Queen Anne
Queen Anne Style architecture
The Queen Anne Style in Britain means either the English Baroque architectural style roughly of the reign of Queen Anne , or a revived form that was popular in the last quarter of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century...
homes.
By the late 19th century, increased industrial activity in the vicinity made Wooster Square less desirable as a residential neighborhood, and Italian immigrant families began to move in and operate small stores out of their homes. This commercial activity damaged the neighborhood's reputation, and the area was targeted for demolition and redevelopment as early as the 1930s. In the mid-1950s, plans called for building Interstate 91
Interstate 91
Interstate 91 is an Interstate Highway in the New England region of the United States. It provides the primary north–south thoroughfare in the western part of New England...
through Wooster Square Park, but the Wooster Square Project, which started in 1958, began a neighborhood revival and resulted in re-routing of the highway.
Culture and commerce
Wooster Square is home to restaurants and bakeries known for their pizza and Italian pastries, local businesses, and a weekly farmer's market called City Seed. Its proximity to Downtown New HavenDowntown New Haven
Downtown New Haven is the neighborhood located in the heart of the city of New Haven, Connecticut. It is made up of the original nine squares laid out in 1638 to form New Haven, including the New Haven Green, and the immediate surrounding central business district, as well as a significant portion...
(a short walk), its architecture and its neighborhood feel, make it one of the most sought-after New Haven neighborhoods in which to live. There is also a thriving art scene.
A sycamore
Sycamore
Sycamore is a name which is applied at various times and places to three very different types of trees, but with somewhat similar leaf forms....
tree on the west side of Wooster Square Park has been said by some observers to resemble an outline image of Jesus Christ.
List of streets
- Academy Street
- Artizan Street
- Bradley Street
- Bridge Street
- Brown Street
- Chapel Street
- Chestnut Street
- Court Street
- Depalma Court
- East Street
- Fair Street
- Forbes Avenue
- Franklin Street
- Grand Avenue
- Greene Street
- Hamilton Street
- Hughes Place
- Ives Place
- Jefferson
- Lyon Street
- New Street
- Olive Street
- Osborn Street
- Saint John Street
- Union Street
- Wallace Street
- Warren Street
- Water Street
- William Street
- Wooster Place
- Wooster Street (named for Revolutionary War hero David WoosterDavid WoosterDavid Wooster was an American general who served in the French and Indian War and in the American Revolutionary War. He died of wounds sustained during the Battle of Ridgefield, Connecticut. Cities, schools, and public places were named after him...
)
General sources
- Harrison's Illustrated Guide: Greater New Haven ISBN 0-927054-39-6
- Michael Sletcher, New Haven: From Puritanism to the Age of Terrorism, (Charleston, 2004)
Further reading
- Elizabeth Mills BrownElizabeth Mills BrownElizabeth Mills "Betty" Brown was a prominent American architectural historian, preservationist, and civic leader who lived in New Haven and Guilford, Connecticut....
, Historic Houses of Wooster Square, The, ASIN B0007FO856, (1969) - Mary Hommann, Wooster Square Design, ASIN B0006C97DS, (New Haven Redevelopment Agency, 1965)
- Virginia Marangell, Wooster Square, ISBN 0-9713581-6-8, (2004)
External links
- Wooster Square Historic District, New Haven Preservation Trust website (text excerpt from NRHP nomination, plus gallery of 9 photos)
- Wooster Square photo
