A Brief History of Waterbury

by Edith Reynolds, John Murray

Overview

In 1681, just twenty-eight humble log cabins built around a marshy green made up what is today Waterbury, Connecticut. The town flourished, and by 1850, its brass- and button-making industries welcomed the Industrial Revolution. When the call came for the Civil War and World Wars I and II, Waterbury gave generously: buttons, to adorn United States military uniforms; and young soldiers, to fight for freedom and become heroes. A Brief History of Waterbury details the ebb and flow of this Connecticut town, the climb to its height, the struggles through adversity and scandal and the glory of modern-day triumphs. In this endlessly intriguing account, authors Edith Reynolds and John Murray uncover the true reaches of Waterbury's dynamic spirit.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781625842602
Publisher:	The History Press
Publication date:	10/14/2009
Series:	Brief History
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	128
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Edith Reynolds grew up on the shore of New Haven Harbor and moved to Waterbury nearly forty years ago. She currently owns and operates the John Bale Book Company and Cafe with her husband, Dan Gaeta. With their two girls, Helen and Sarah, grown, Edith and Dan have served as urban pioneers, purchasing a building to house their antiquarian bookstore and converting the fourth floor into a loft living space. As a former educator, college administrator and reporter, Edith has a love for history and community growth. She currently serves the city as a board member for Main Street Waterbury, the Downtown Business Association, the Mayor's Economic Task Force and the Waterbury Development Corp. She also serves on the grants boards for the Connecticut Community Foundation and for the WDC HUD block grant disbursements. Her last book was a history of Savin Rock in West Haven, Connecticut. John Murray began his independent community newspaper sixteen years ago in Waterbury after a career as a photojournalist at a larger newspaper. The Waterbury Observer is a free monthly publication that has grown into a powerhouse for information, with Murray tackling touchy, important subjects like worker health, civil rights, political corruption and, most currently, the search for a missing young man. His in-depth coverage has earned him national acclaim that he shares with his daughter, Chelsea. Together they have brought the city another source of news.

Table of Contents

Preface 5

Chapter 1 Early Settlement and an Emerging Nation 10

Chapter 2 The Industrial Base 17

Chapter 3 The Civil War 30

Chapter 4 Calamities 34

Chapter 5 Entering the Twentieth Century 43

Chapter 6 Labor Unrest and Postwar Business 61

Chapter 7 World War II 74

Chapter 8 Post World War II 77

Chapter 9 The Flood of 1955 84

Chapter 10 Religion 94

Chapter 11 Discrimination 103

Chapter 12 Politics 107

Chapter 13 Modern Times 117

Bibliography 125

About the Authors 127