History of Westport and Norwalk.

The history of immigration to Norwalk and Westport, Connecticut, from the Revolutionary War period to 1979 is presented. The reading is part of a project to investigate the ethnically varied cultural heritage of the Norwalk-Westport area. It is arranged in two major sections. Section I focuses on Westport--described as an attractive suburban town with a history of involvement in the Revolutionary War, rapid economic growth during the 19th century, and a high degree of interaction among immigrants from many European nations. Groups identified as most common in the 1900 census of Westport are Irish, German, Swedish, Danish, Russian, and Hungarian. Information is presented for each of these groups on life-style, work, recreation, schooling, and religious observances. Section II traces development and settlement of Norwalk. Purchased in 1640 from the Indians, Norwalk developed in the 1800s as a regional industrial center. Among immigrants who were attracted to Norwalk with the hope of securing jobs were Irish, Italians, Hungarians, and Slavs. Beginning in 1950, a new wave of immigrants settled in Norwalk. Most recent immigrants are Puerto Ricans, Costa Ricans and blacks from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The document concludes with information on the intense rivalry that has characterized Norwalk proper and South Norwalk from 1870 to the present. (DB)