Waterbury, Connecticut

In west-central Connecticut, the town of Waterbury is known as the "Brass City" for being a significant producer in the brass industry. Many watches, clocks, and timekeeping device corporations have set up factories to assemble their crafts in Waterbury. The 73-meter-tall clock tour in front of Union Station is proof of their immense clock-making skills. The city is excellent for entertaining residents and tourists with different types of acts at the beautiful Palace Theater, the Seven Angels Theater, and the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra. Visitors can take a trip to the past, viewing the old town district and 19th-century Victorian homes on Bank Street.

Geography And Climate Of Waterbury

The Naugatuck River cuts through the center of Waterbury, including many other waterways – hence the name Waterbury. Highway 8 and Interstate 84 intersect at the city's center; these are the main arteries into town and connect Waterbury to Hartford and other major cities within New England. Fluctuating elevations range from 82 to 196 meters, where ridges and rolling hill formations are the remanences of glacial movement. Almost 200 kilometers southeast, the historical Block Island is reachable by vehicle via the Block Island Ferry in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Another easily accessible ferry is at Bridgeport, where motorists can go from Waterbury to Long Island in under two hours. And another two hours north, travelers can enter Green Mountain National Forest for thrilling mountaineering, camping, or enjoy the fresh air in a breathtaking setting.

From mid-June until mid-August, the daily highs in Waterbury can exceed 30˚C, in addition to a large amount of precipitation. With the extreme variation of temperatures, Waterbury receives over 1,300 millimeters of rainfall, making it the 8th wettest city in Connecticut. As the weather cools, summer fades into Autumn – the striking fall colors spread throughout the state, but the rain does not let up. The advent of winter turns rain showers into flurries. January can collect over 50 centimeters of snow and is the whitest month. Snowfall accumulation averages around a meter during the frigid months and can stick around until the end of April. With only 203 sunny days annually, they fall behind the nation's average by two days.

History Of Waterbury

For centuries the Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe lived in unison with four other bands that inhabited the state of Connecticut before the arrival of European settlers. The Paugussett people hunted in the nearby forest, harvested fur for trade, and fished in the Naugatuck River. By 1674, pioneers of Farmington, Connecticut, purchased the land from the tribe, and three years later, the European settlers renamed the settlement, Mattatuck. More colonists made their way to the area, and Mattatuck became Waterbury in 1686. As Connecticut underwent numerous wars and conflicts during the 17th and 18th centuries, it took the city 167 years to convert to a municipality corporation. The large brass productions date back to 1802, when local companies produced coins for international countries. The Waterbury Watch Company's first customers scrutinized the watchmakers for fabricating low-quality watches in 1878. They rebranded as the New England Watch Company – in the present day, they are known as Timex. Waterbury's first hospital opened in 1890; the Waterbury Hospital operated in a Victorian manor atop a hill that overlooked the city. The same year, Post University opened its doors for citizens to participate in post-secondary learning. Years later, the University of Connecticut appointed a secondary campus in the town of Waterbury.

Population And Economy Of Waterbury

Connecticut's fifth-largest city, Waterbury, is home to 115,211 citizens and has seen a 0.71% increase since 2010. Waterbury has a median household income of $57,750 and a poverty rate of 21.3%. In the most recent rental market, the average rent price is $985 monthly, and the average house value is $132,700. The city's ethnic composition is as follows: 59.6% White, 21.6% African American, 11.4% Other race, 5.5% Two or more races, 1.7% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.04% Pacific Islander. Waterbury has a median age of 34.8 years, with 33.1 years for residents identifying as males and 36.6 years for those who recognize themselves as females. The most common industries include health care, retail, and manufacturing services. In contrast, public administration, finance & insurance, and scientific technology are the highest-paying trades.

Attractions In Waterbury

Mattatuck Museum

Located on Main Street, the Mattatuck Museum is a center of history and art that has been preserving the culture of Waterbury since 1877. Visitors can enjoy the collection of American and Indigenous art and history on display in a timely fashion. With everchanging exhibits, the Mattatuck Museum is where residents can visit and see something new each time.

Lakewood Park Beach

Lakewood Park Beach is a perfect place for people in Waterbury to cool down from the summer warmth. A sandy beach area provides a beautiful place to relax next to the Great Brook Reservoir. Bounded by an old-growth forest, the lake has a small island in front of the beach area. It is a swimmable distance for friends and family to challenge each other to see who can make it to the island the quickest.

Nightmare on Wolcott Street

Nightmare on Wolcott Street is not for the faint heart. This weekender haunted house provides a spooky adventure for guests willing to enter at their own risk. It is an affordable attraction for guests of all ages, but if someone cannot get through the 20-minute tour, the hosts will refund their tickets. The haunted house creates a frightening theme for its daring guests each Halloween season.