Introduction to Danbury, Connecticut
The Connecticut city of Danbury, located in Fairfield County, is situated in the western part of the state, about 35 miles west of New Haven and 60 miles southwest of the state capital of Hartford. Danbury is also about 70 miles northeast of New York City. Interstate I-84 goes through the city, as do U.S. Route 7 and Connecticut State Highway 58. Danbury is home to Western Connecticut State University.
First settled by colonists in the late 17th century, Danbury is thought to have been named for the English city of origin (Danbury, Essex) of many of its early settlers. Nicknamed the Hat City, Danbury saw the development of a growing hatting industry spring forth in the late 18th century, and by 1800 the city was producing more hats than anywhere else in the United States. By the time of Danbury's incorporation in 1889, the city's hat output was numbering in the millions annually. A combination of labor disputes, financial reversals, and changing fashion caused a dramatic turnaround in the 20th century, resulting in many factories ceasing operations or moving elsewhere. By the middle part of the 20th century, the hatting industry had virtually disappeared from the city but its influence is still felt in many ways today. A derby hat is depicted within the city seal and many of the city's exhibits and attractions relate to its once most-prominent industry.
Danbury Points of Interest
Visitors to Danbury can enjoy a number of options for recreation and sightseeing. Outdoor recreation in the form of picnicking, swimming, and boating is available at Candlewood Park, which overlooks Candlewood Lake. Tarrywile Mansion and Park houses an historic Victorian mansion and also contains numerous trails and ponds on its 600-plus acres. Cultural sites in town include the Military Museum of Southern New England, featuring a collection of literally thousands of artifacts, many extremely rare, covering 20th century American military history of all of the nation's armed services. The Danbury Railway Museum chronicles the history of railroading, offers rail excursion trips, and houses a collection of items including original and restored railroad artifacts. The Danbury Museum and Historical Society chronicles New England's past with a principal focus on the heritage of Danbury, offering numerous displays and exhibits as well as summer activities for children.
Performing arts in Danbury can be found in numerous places, including Ives Concert Park, where many rock legends have performed. The Connecticut Choral Society is an ensemble comprised of singers from more than 20 Connecticut towns who have appeared at Carnegie Hall, toured internationally and performed on network television. The Connecticut Master Chorale is a premier vocal ensemble which presents three large annual concerts. The Danbury Music Centre, housed in a beautifully restored 19th century building, is the prime site in the city for performances of classic and modern musical compositions.
Sports fans in Danbury have a local professional hockey franchise they can root for. The New England Stars, members of the North Eastern Hockey League, play their games at the Danbury Ice Arena. Major league sports abound in the greater metropolitan New York City area, less than two hours away. Teams include baseball's Yankees and Mets, basketball's Knicks (NBA) and hockey's Rangers (NHL). The WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) also has a New York franchise, the New York Liberty.
Danbury Public Schools
Alternative Center For Excellence
26 Locust Avenue
ZIP: 6810
High
Total Enrollment 98
Broadview Middle School
72 Hospital Avenue
ZIP: 6810
Middle
Total Enrollment 1083
Dps Early Childhood Center
17 Cottage Street
ZIP: 6810
Primary
Total Enrollment 130
Ellsworth Avenue School
11 Seventh Avenue
ZIP: 6810
Primary
Total Enrollment 429
Henry Abbott Technical High School
21 Hayestown Avenue
ZIP: 6810
High
Total Enrollment 649
Morris Street School
28 Morris Street
ZIP: 6810
Primary
Total Enrollment 371
Park Avenue School
82 Park Avenue
ZIP: 6810
Primary
Total Enrollment 563
Rogers Park Middle School
21 Memorial Drive
ZIP: 6810
Middle
Total Enrollment 932
Shelter Rock School
2 Crows Nest Road
ZIP: 6810
Primary
Total Enrollment 497
South Street School
129 South Street
ZIP: 6810
Primary
Total Enrollment 369
Danbury High School
43 Clapboard Ridge Road
ZIP: 6811
High
Total Enrollment 2885
Great Plain School
10 Stadley Rough Road
ZIP: 6811
Primary
Total Enrollment 355
Hayestown Avenue School
42 Hayestown Ave
ZIP: 6811
Primary
Total Enrollment 458
King Street Intermediate School
151 South King Street
ZIP: 6811
Middle
Total Enrollment 366
King Street Primary School
151 South King Street
ZIP: 6811
Primary
Total Enrollment 390
Mill Ridge Primary School
49-a High Ridge Road
ZIP: 6811
Primary
Total Enrollment 334
Pembroke School
34? Pembroke Road
ZIP: 6811
Primary
Total Enrollment 375
Stadley Rough School
25 Karen Road
ZIP: 6811
Primary
Total Enrollment 472
Western Ct Academy Of International Studies Elementary Magn
201 University Boulevard
ZIP: 6811
Primary
Total Enrollment 413
Westside Middle School Academy
1 School Ridge Road
ZIP: 6811
Middle
Total Enrollment 400
Danbury Private Schools
Hudson Country Montessori School
44a Shelter Rock Rd
ZIP: 6810
Elementary
Total Enrollment 84
Immaculate High School
73 Southern Blvd
ZIP: 6810
Secondary
Total Enrollment 361
Pathways Academy
13 Rose St
ZIP: 6810
Elementary
Total Enrollment 27
St Joseph Elementary School
370 Main St
ZIP: 6810
Elementary
Total Enrollment 219
St Peter School
98 Main St
ZIP: 6810
Elementary
Total Enrollment 108
Wooster School
91 Miry Brook Rd
ZIP: 6810
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 320
Immanuel Lutheran School
18 Clapboard Ridge Rd
ZIP: 6811
Elementary
Total Enrollment 65
Kindercare Learning Center 755
123 S King St
ZIP: 6811
Elementary
Total Enrollment 20
St Gregory The Great School
85 Great Plain Rd
ZIP: 6811
Elementary
Total Enrollment 259