5 Major Cities in Connecticut
- Bridgeport is the most populous city in Connecticut while its capital is Hartford which is home to 121,000 residents
- Stamford, New Haven and Waterbury are three other major cities in Connecticut
5 Major Cities In Connecticut: An US state with history that dates back to 10,000 years ago is Connecticut when evidence of human presence were found for the first time. The state was home to native American tribes like Mohengan, Niantic and Pequot. It has interesting history with Dutch and Britishers. Dutch arrived in Connecticut in 1614 and by early 1630s Britishers too had their settlement in the state. Very few people know that Connecticut was one of the original 13 colonies that played a significant role in the American revolution that lasted till 1783. Five years later in 1788 Connecticut joined USA as its fifth state.
Known for being home to one of the most prestigious universities – The Yale University, Connecticut has given some great inventions and recipies to the world. Charles Goodyear was born in New Haven town in Connecticut who discovered vulcanization of rubber, a process that saved the rubber industry altogether. George Blickensderfer invented the first truly portable typewriter in Stamford. It is interesting to note that in early 20s Hartford used to be known as the “Typewriter Capital of the World”. In 1878 in New Haven world’s first telephone book was published.
A restaurant named Louis Launch in New Haven is often credited for the invention of Hamburger. A different variety of pizza called aPizza with thin crust can be found here which is considered among the best in the world.
A long 250-mile shoreline, numerous small farms, rolling Litchfield Hills, river valleys makes Connecticut a good vacation land. Tourism in the state alone is a $4 billion/year business. Hartford Courant is the oldest continuously published newspaper in USA based in Hartford, Connecticut. Known as “the Constitution State” as it was the 5th state to ratify the US constitution, Connecticut is home to the USA’s largest seaport museum – The Mystic Seaport Museum. One of the world’s greatest writers Mark Twain was also from Connecticut.
Bridgeport – The Most Populous City in Connecticut
With a population of close to 150,000 Bridgeport is the most populous and top major city in Connecticut. In 1836 Bridgeport was incorporated as a town. Many world’s first events have happened in the city like the world’s first telephone exchange in 1877 and opening of the world’s first subway in 1965. Bridgeport was the place where Harvey Hubbell invented the American plug outlet in 1912. 35 public parks occupying 1,300 acres of land got this city a name – The Park City.
Bridgeport Hospital is the largest employer in the city employing around 3700 employees. The city has three museums – Discovery Science Center and Planetarium with 65,000+ visitors annually, Housatonic Museum of Art founded by Bob Chernow in 1967 and Barnum Museum that showcases circuses and Bridgeport’s history. Beardsley Zoo is the city with over 500 animals is visited by close to 300,000 visitors every year.
Hartford – One of the oldest cities in USA
The capital and second major city with a population of 125,000 residents in Connecticut is Hartford. Founded way back in 1635 Hartford was the housing place of one of the greatest writers Mark Twain. He wrote some of his greatest works in the city and often described as the most beautiful one.
The oldest publicly published newspaper Hartford Courant is based in this city and is operational since 1837. Wadsworth Atheneum located in Hartford is the USA’s oldest publicly funded art museum. American School for Deaf is the oldest school in USA for deaf children founded by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and it is also the location of Mark Twain’s house.
Stamford – A Major Corporate Hub
The third major city with slightly higher population than Hartford with 136,000 residents is Stamford. Home to some of the world’s known Fortune 500 companies and acts as a major corporate hub of Connecticut. Stamford has third highest density of Fortune 500 companies in USA only after New York and Chicago. Big names in the list are Charter Communications, Conair Corporation, Philip Morris International, Synchrony Financial, United Rentals etc.
Several digital media corporations too have their headquarters or bases in Stamford. The biggest of them is the NBC Group. WWE (Word Wrestling Entertainment LLC) is also based in Stamford. Stamford Museum & Nature Center, Old Town Hall, Fish Church are some of the best places to visit in the city.
New Haven – Home of the Yale University
By population with around 134,000 residents New Haven sits at third spot, after Bridgeport and Stamford. This city is known for being home to the Yale University, one of the most prestigious universities around the world. The Yale University is also the largest taxpayer and employer in the city. Often New Haven is referred to as “the cultural capital of Connecticut” due to the presence of several music theaters, venues and museums.
New Haven’s Louis Launch restaurant is often credited with the invention of Hamburger and it is also one of the oldest running restaurants in USA. This city is also home to Charles Goodyear who discovered the process of vulcanization of rubber that saved rubber industry as a whole. The port of New Haven is the busiest port between New York and Boston spanning 366 acres.
Waterbury – The Brass City
Nicknamed the Brass City Waterbury is home to the one of the world’s known watchmaker – Timex. Originally Timex Group USA was founded as Waterbury Clock Company in 1854. The reason that city got the name “The Brass City” because in 20th century it used to be the hub of brassware manufacturing in USA which also includes casting and finishing. The city has a population of 115,000 residents making it the fifth populated city in the list.
So these were the 5 major cities in Connecticut. If you like this info then please share. THANK YOU!
