Norwalk

History

Roger Ludlow purchased the areas east of the Norwalk River from Chief Mahackemo of the Norwaake (or Naramauke) Indians in 1640. Norwalk was settled in 1649, incorporated September 1651, and named after the Algonquin word , meaning "point of land", or more probably from the Native American name "Naramauke". The Battle of Norwalk took place during the Revolutionary War, and led to the burning of most of the town. In 1836, the borough of Norwalk was created, covering the central area of the town. In 1853, the first ever train disaster in the United States happened over the Norwalk River. During the 19th and early 20th century, Norwalk was a major railroad stop for the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad. The city of South Norwalk and the remaining parts of the town of Norwalk were both combined in 1910 to form the current city. The Ku Klux Klan had a brief presence in Norwalk during the 1920s, but quickly fell apart due to internal issues. In 1955, multiple hurricanes hit the city, causing flooding in Norwalk Harbor. During the 1970s, efforts were taken to historically preserve South Norwalk, resulting in the creation of the Washington Street Historic District.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which (37.24%) are covered by water. Norwalk's topography is dominated by its coastline along Long Island Sound, the Norwalk River and its eastern and western banks, and the Norwalk Islands. The highest elevation is above sea level on the fairway of the 16th hole of the Silvermine Golf Course, and the low elevation is sea level on Long Island Sound.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Westhill High School
  High · Stamford · 2,265 students · 12:1 ratio
• Stamford High School
  High · Stamford · 2,048 students · 11.3:1 ratio
• Brien McMahon High School
  High · Norwalk · 1,711 students · 14.4:1 ratio
• Staples High School
  High · Westport · 1,686 students · 9.6:1 ratio
• Norwalk High School
  High · Norwalk · 1,484 students · 13.3:1 ratio
• Darien High School
  High · Darien · 1,415 students · 11.4:1 ratio
• Saxe Middle School
  Middle · New Canaan · 1,315 students · 11.3:1 ratio
• New Canaan High School
  High · New Canaan · 1,294 students · 12.3:1 ratio