MORE ABOUT BRIDGEPORT..........
From the very beginning, the city of Bridgeport has always been up to something new and exciting. Bridgeport was the hometown of one of the original innovators, Phineas Taylor Barnum, or P.T. as he is better known — the circus showman-turned-mayor who made this port city into a major manufacturing center during the early 19th century.
The largest city in the state, Bridgeport’s advantageous location situated around an excellent harbor on the Long Island Sound encouraged early settlers to shift from agrarian to mercantile and manufacturing pursuits. It grew from a whaling center into an industrial center after the opening of the railroad in 1840. In the 19th century, Bridgeport’s industries produced carriages, brass and cast-iron fittings, sewing machines, tools, saddlery and ammunition. Harvey Hubbell, a Bridgeport inventor, patented the first electric light socket with a pull chain in 1896. This design is still in use!
Making rifle cartridges at Remington Arms
By the 1930s, the community had almost 500 manufacturing firms. Its rich history of providing the rest of the United States with needed manufactured goods during the early to mid-20th century and its wartime manufacturing output earned the city the nickname “Arsenal of Democracy” during World War II. In the late 20th century, Bridgeport remained a manufacturing center, producing electrical and transportation equipment, plastics and machine tools.
As in many American cities, Bridgeport has seen a decline in its traditional manufacturing base. Yet thousands remain employed in aerospace, marine, medical devices and specialty manufacturing. The economy has diversified in growth areas such as the life sciences and education.
By the 1930s, the community had almost 500 manufacturing firms. Its rich history of providing the rest of the United States with needed manufactured goods during the early to mid-20th century and its wartime manufacturing output earned the city the nickname “Arsenal of Democracy” during World War II. In the late 20th century, Bridgeport remained a manufacturing center, producing electrical and transportation equipment, plastics and machine tools.
As in many American cities, Bridgeport has seen a decline in its traditional manufacturing base. Yet thousands remain employed in aerospace, marine, medical devices and specialty manufacturing. The economy has diversified in growth areas such as the life sciences and education.
Sikorsky Comanche helicopter
Today, Mayor Bill Finch’s vision for moving Bridgeport forward involves a commitment to making the city the “cleanest, greenest, safest, most affordable city, with schools and neighborhoods that improve every year.”
To bring that about, the mayor aims to reduce property taxes; develop innovative approaches to improving education; expand economic development; build more work-force housing; revitalize neighborhoods; provide more local jobs and small business opportunities; protect the environment; and access 21st century technology and infrastructure, to highlight several of his most important initiatives.
A number of major economic development projects are providing the well-positioned city with a new look, to add to what it already has to offer: enticing tax incentives and zones for businesses; a great location amid major east-west and north-south highways; myriad transportation choices; an affordable and wide range of housing choices; high-quality workers; abundant recreational opportunities; and the advantages of waterfront access.
The downtown central business district has been the recipient of significant public sector investment during recent years, a result of the city’s focus on creating amenities and conveniences through intermodal transportation, entertainment and cultural facilities, and a growing middle-income residential base.
Fairfield County, within which Bridgeport is located, is the fifth-richest county in the United States. In fact, the towns which compose Fairfield County’s “Gold Coast” have a median household income almost four times higher than the national average.
Dubbed the "Park City," Bridgeport is home to more than 1,367 acres of parkland and 32 public parks, including two created by Frederick Law Olmsted, designer of Central Park in New York City. One of these, Seaside Park, is 370 acres with a salt-water beach and provides a variety of waterfront recreational and relaxation opportunities. The community’s proximity to Long Island Sound is a major draw for fishermen and boaters as well.
Today, Mayor Bill Finch’s vision for moving Bridgeport forward involves a commitment to making the city the “cleanest, greenest, safest, most affordable city, with schools and neighborhoods that improve every year.”
To bring that about, the mayor aims to reduce property taxes; develop innovative approaches to improving education; expand economic development; build more work-force housing; revitalize neighborhoods; provide more local jobs and small business opportunities; protect the environment; and access 21st century technology and infrastructure, to highlight several of his most important initiatives.
A number of major economic development projects are providing the well-positioned city with a new look, to add to what it already has to offer: enticing tax incentives and zones for businesses; a great location amid major east-west and north-south highways; myriad transportation choices; an affordable and wide range of housing choices; high-quality workers; abundant recreational opportunities; and the advantages of waterfront access.
The downtown central business district has been the recipient of significant public sector investment during recent years, a result of the city’s focus on creating amenities and conveniences through intermodal transportation, entertainment and cultural facilities, and a growing middle-income residential base.
Fairfield County, within which Bridgeport is located, is the fifth-richest county in the United States. In fact, the towns which compose Fairfield County’s “Gold Coast” have a median household income almost four times higher than the national average.
Dubbed the "Park City," Bridgeport is home to more than 1,367 acres of parkland and 32 public parks, including two created by Frederick Law Olmsted, designer of Central Park in New York City. One of these, Seaside Park, is 370 acres with a salt-water beach and provides a variety of waterfront recreational and relaxation opportunities. The community’s proximity to Long Island Sound is a major draw for fishermen and boaters as well.
Seaside Park
Other attractions include Harbor Yard, the home of the popular Bridgeport Bluefish professional baseball team — now the most successful minor league team in the country; the Bridgeport Sound Tigers professional hockey club; the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard; the Beardsley Zoo, Connecticut’s only zoo; Captain’s Cove Seaport; the Discovery Museum; the Klein Auditorium; the Bijou Theatre; Bridgeport-owned Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course, a 36-hole public facility; and the Greater Bridgeport Symphony Orchestra and a great multi-day summer music festival The Gathering of the Vibes.
Other attractions include Harbor Yard, the home of the popular Bridgeport Bluefish professional baseball team — now the most successful minor league team in the country; the Bridgeport Sound Tigers professional hockey club; the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard; the Beardsley Zoo, Connecticut’s only zoo; Captain’s Cove Seaport; the Discovery Museum; the Klein Auditorium; the Bijou Theatre; Bridgeport-owned Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course, a 36-hole public facility; and the Greater Bridgeport Symphony Orchestra and a great multi-day summer music festival The Gathering of the Vibes.
Gathering of the Vibes
Bridgeport is, once again, in a unique position among neighboring Northeastern urban centers to reach new heights, thanks to the quality of much of the groundwork that has already been laid, a considerable investment of resources by government, and the numerous individuals and entities dedicated to moving the city forward.
Bridgeport is, once again, in a unique position among neighboring Northeastern urban centers to reach new heights, thanks to the quality of much of the groundwork that has already been laid, a considerable investment of resources by government, and the numerous individuals and entities dedicated to moving the city forward.