Wilton

Located in Fairfield County about one hour northeast of Manhattan, Wilton is the quintessential New England town. Nestled in the Norwalk River Valley in Western Connecticut Wilton is a richly historic town that cherishes its rural ambiance. Originally a farming community Wilton's growth has been carefully zoned and monitored to preserve the quiet rural landscape while still encouraging a wonderful mix of cultural & recreational activities. Restored antique homes mingle harmoniously with more recent residences of varied architectural styles, helping to create Wilton's timeless charm. 

 AREA OF CITY: 26.8 square miles

POPULATION: 17,633 

TRANSPORTATION: The station is 48.5 miles to Grand Central Terminal and the average travel time from there is 1 hour, 19 minutes regardless of through trains or transfers at Stamford or South Norwalk. 

LIBRARY: The Ridgefield Library 

VILLAGE GOVERNMENT: The Board of Selectmen is the elected administrative board for the Town. Other elected boards are Finance, Education, Planning and Zoning, ZBA, and Assessment Appeals. Elected by the registered voters and serve as volunteers.

EDUCATION

 School as sixth in the state of Connecticut. That ranks Wilton in the top 2% of high schools in the United States.

Miller-Driscoll PreK-2nd grade 

Middlebrook School 6th-8th grade

Wilton High School 9th-12th grade

Preschools

TRANSPORTATION

Metro‐North Railroad

Metro‐North Railroad is second largest commuter railroad in the nation. Its main lines — the Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven — run northward out of Grand Central Terminal, a Beaux‐Arts Manhattan landmark, into suburban New York and Connecticut. Grand Central has been completely restored and redeveloped as a retail hub — a destination in its own right.

Location: 7 Station Road, Wilton, CT 06897‐2515 (48.5 miles to Grand Central Terminal)

Station Parking: Free parking is available, first‐come first‐serve. Overnight parking is permitted. There is no Parking Operator at this location.

Taxis: Westport Star Taxi: (203) 227‐3063. Call ahead for taxi.

Accessibility: Wheelchair access only. Ramp to platform. The station was built before the ADA law and ramp may not meet ADA requirements. Nearest accessible station: South Norwalk

*FULL ACCESS stations comply with all requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and have accessibility features for persons with mobility, visual and hearing impairments. Accessibility at other stations is limited to the features listed

Ticket Machines: There is one ticket machine at this station. Ticket machine is located in the shelter on the right of the station building. Ticket machine accepts cash, credit cards and debit cards.

RECREATION

Wilton boasts ideal outdoor and indoor recreational facilities. A variety of seasonal programs and activities for all ages are offered through the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Wilton Family YMCA. Throughout the year, ongoing programs are offered in activities such as floor hockey, basketball, tennis, ballet, golf, horseback riding, baseball, racquetball and swimming lessons, as well as school vacation camps and summer camps. There are active youth soccer, baseball, football, and lacrosse leagues plus a wonderful children’s theater group. Wilton is home to three private clubs offering tennis and swimming, a country club offering golf, tennis and swimming, and a golf club. Town recreational facilities include several tennis courts and numerous playing fields.

Bradley Park 83 acres of trails, boardwalk and wetlands on Oakledge Lane.

Cherry Lane Park Near intersection of Cherry Lane and Banks Drive, 50 acres, trails, a pond and picnicking.

Horseshoe Park Six acres of trail, pond, and birding on Horseshoe Road.

Merwin Meadows The only town‐owned swimming spot. It is a spring‐fed fresh water pond located on charming Lovers Lane.

Norwalk River Valley Trail Thirty eight scenic miles, from the Long Island Sound along the Norwalk River valley to the rolling hills of Danbury

Quarry Head 32 acres, trails, old quarry and scenic overlook.

Schenck’s Island 13 acres of trails, picnicking and a river located on River Road.

Town Forest Boas Lane and Branch Brook Road, 188 acres of walking, bridle trails and camping.

Wild Duck Reserve 16 acres, trails and nature study.

Woodcock Nature Center 156 acres through Wilton and Ridgefield, exhibits, nature store, educational and recreational programs.

WILTON NEIGHBORHOODS

Wilton Center

Teeming with shoppers, adorned with seasonal decorations, hosting a community‐wide celebration, Wilton Town Center is welcoming to residents and visitors alike. One can buy groceries or wine, checkout a killer selection of retail shops, and find a cozy spot to meet friends for coffee.

Schenck's Island offers multiple trails with cleared areas for fishing, picnicking or relaxing by the edge of the Norwalk River, and an escape to nature for dog walkers. The Wilton Library is a town treasure, with a full calendar of author talks, documentary screenings, lectures, musical events, and programs for the whole family.

Coming downtown for lunch or dinner? Wilton Center restaurateurs are more than happy to set a place for you whether you're a party of two or 20. Surrounded by the rural beauty, which makes up so much of Wilton, Town Center is an inviting meeting spot.

Cannondale

Originally called Pimpewaug by the local Native Americans, Cannondale was named after the Cannon family who became prominent in the area following the opening of their general store in the 1790s. The addition of the railway station came next, followed by a campaign by the Cannon family to open a neighborhood post office. Cannon Station was soon abuzz with activity. Today, the Metro‐North Danbury branch continues to make stops at the Cannondale Station, but the area is better known for its small shops and businesses adjacent to the station, including The Schoolhouse at Cannondale restaurant. Diners there enjoy their meals in what was the second schoolhouse built in the neighborhood in 1872.

 Silvermine

The Silvermine section of Wilton has been known as an artist community since the early 1900s. A visionary sculptor named Solon Borglum moved to the area in 1906 and contributed to the artist movement there. Solon's depictions of frontier life, especially sculptures based on his experience with cowboys and native Americans established his reputation. His was a subtler artistic path than his brother Gutzon and nephew Lincoln, who sculpted Mount Rushmore. Today the arts are still very much alive in Silvermine, which boasts Wiremill Academy of Theater Arts for Young.

People and the Silvermine Arts Center whose revolving exhibits, lectures, performances, and classes offer something for everyone. Talk of renovations to the 200‐year‐old Silvermine Tavern has residents and visitors optimistic about the possibility of returning fine dining and a restored, cozy inn to the neighborhood.

 Georgetown

Encompassing parts of Wilton, Redding, Ridgefield and Weston, Georgetown is a community unto itself. Its history revolves predominantly around the Gilbert & Bennett wire mill, which had its beginnings in the early 1800s. By mid‐century, G&B, as it was known, had four locations and was home to the country's first machine for making wire netting and fencing. The foundation of one of the buildings can still be seen from Old Mill Road. Today, Georgetown's manufacturing roots have been replaced by more than half a dozen restaurants, shops, the Georgetown Farmers Market (open from June to October), Caraluzzi's Market for groceries, and other businesses which make it easy for residents to meet their needs without traveling south to Wilton Center.

 Middlebrook Farms

Almost every Wilton resident spends a significant amount of time in the Middlebrook Farms section of town during the school year. Cider Mill elementary school and Middlebrook Middle School are located on School Road and Wilton High School lies on the other side of the athletic field and public tennis courts. Comstock Community Center, which houses the Wilton Senior Center, the Parks and Recreation department, and Wilton Social Services is also situated along this stretch. There is free parking and access for walkers, runners, skiers, naturalists, and fishing enthusiasts, to the scenic wooded route down to Merwin Meadows. Beyond the school district are residential neighborhoods made up of both historical and newer homes.

 North Wilton

Take a trip through North Wilton on July 4 and you'll see why this rural part of town has the community feel of days gone by. The Nod Hill Fourth of July Parade travels for less than a mile but draws crowds each year who cheer for elaborate floats made by their neighbors and friends, then gather for an old‐fashioned picnic, complete with sack races. North Wilton is also home to the Weir Farm National Historic Site, which was featured in Ken Burns' documentary series The National Parks; America's Best Idea. It is the only National Park Service site dedicated to American painting and was the home (and inspiration) for artists Julian Alden Wier, Mahonri Young, and Sperry Andrews. An indoor and outdoor attraction, it offers spring through fall indoor tours of the on‐site house and studios, year‐round hiking trails, and specialized spring through fall programs. For true outdoor enthusiasts, the Wilton Town Forest, with entrances off Boas and Branch Brook Roads, offers 192 acres of natural beauty, many hiking trails, streams, and even a picturesque waterfall.

 South Wilton

Bordering Norwalk, South Wilton is a commercial hub frequented by those working in the area's many office complexes, or shoppers seeking larger chain stores and specialty retailers like Outdoor Sports Center. Despite the hustle and bustle of Route 7, there is natural beauty to be found here as well. Cranbury Park and Gallaher Mansion, off Grumman Road, is a breathtaking space featuring 227 wooded and open acres frequented by hikers, dog walkers, and those looking to play disc golf on its 18∙hole course. The course is laid out over acres of lush New England woodland. The Gallaher Estate Tudor revival mansion is a stunning snapshot of history, built in 1930 and meticulously maintained as a modern event venue. Whether working, shopping, hiking or dining at a wide variety of cuisines from Asian to Italian ‐‐South Wilton has much to offer.

(Article written by Karen Sackowitz; appearing in Wilton Town Guide 2017-2018 // TOWNVIBE.COM)

HISTORIC SITES

Lambert Corners

Historic village with David Lambert House c.1724, once a tavern; a station on the Underground Railway for fugitive slaves and a school for boys; c.1843 Kent Schoolhouse; c.1889 Hurlbutt Street Post Office; c.1852 railroad station; c.1790 Cannon General store.

Bald Hill Cemetery

Earliest burial found: 1812

Cannon Crossing

Shopping area with old depot c.1892;

Old Cannondale School, c.1873, now a restaurant.

Major Samuel Comstock House

c.1760, Wilton’s best known Revolutionary War soldier who was with Washington at Valley Forge.

Nathan Olmstead House

Farmhouse built before 1725.

Keeler Homestead

Built before 1744, private.