Wilton, Connecticut is a very desirable residential community with plenty of open space and beautiful historic architecture that includes over 500 restored 18th and 19th century houses. Located in Fairfield County immediately adjacent to New York, CNN Money voted Wilton among its "Best Places to Live" in the United States.
The combination of Wilton's close proximity to New York City and other major commercial areas like Norwalk and Stamford, together with its commitment to preserving open spaces makes Wilton one of Connecticut's best cities for your home and family.
Wilton's distinctive character can be seen in the preservation of the town's older colonial landmarks and the dedication of almost 1,000 acres of land for recreational use that's enabled Wilton to retain much of its rural open atmosphere. The rolling hills, woods, streams, and ponds give the town a beauty and charm that gives residents privacy in a quiet, pastoral setting.
The area which today has come to be known as Wilton was originally purchased from the Indians in 1640 by Rodger Ludlow including the land between the Norwalk and Saugatuck Rivers and "a day's walk into the country." Settlers known as the Proprietors began settling Norwalk in 1651, and the area to the north around Wilton was settled in the latter half of the 1600's.
Clearing the woods and land required removing tons of glacial rocks to be able to plow the soil creating the beautiful stone boundary walls that give the community such charm today. The town built a meeting house that created the town center and Wilton was made a Parish in 1726.
During the Revolutionary War, over 300 men served in a military unit which was an exceptionally high number of patriots considering the size of the town at the time. Part of Wilton was burned by the British on their retreat from Danbury in 1777.
During the years leading up to the Civil War, the antislavery movement was very strong in Wilton and the town served as one of the stops on the Underground Railroad helping escaped slaves make it north to Canada and freedom.
With the coming of the railroads in the 1850's and 60's Wilton's farmlands that had always been rocky less productive farming came into competition with cheaper crops from the west. Following the Civil War, Wilton saw its population decline thirty percent by 1900 as people moved to the cities with industrialization.
The result today of this exodus and dormant period in the town's growth are that it saved many of the beautiful 18th and 19th century homes from demolition and suburban development.
Wilton features extraordinary examples of early American homes that have been preserved as gracious residences. Surrounding the picturesque town green in the center of Wilton are other town offices, the post office and numerous shops. There are four designated historic districts.
Integrated nicely among historic structures are stately traditional houses, remarkable contemporaries and lavish condominiums. One and two-acre lots guarantee plenty of open spaces and uphold Wilton's pastoral character.
Wilton's strong sense of community is evident in the number of active clubs, civic organizations, recreational and cultural opportunities.
Children in Wilton receive a solid education based in fundamental skills and cultural programs, as well as a new language laboratory, which encourages the study of other foreign languages.
Wilton's strong sense of community is evident in the number of active clubs, civic organizations, recreational and cultural opportunities.
Wilton has convenient travel to commercial centers in Stamford, Norwalk, New York City and White Plains. U.S. Route 7 and Route 33, form the main north-south roadways in town. The Merritt Parkway Route 15 serves the town via the Route 33 exit. The town has two railroad stations: Wilton and Cannondale which are both part of the Danbury Line of Metro-North Railroad.
The combination of Wilton's open pastoral feeling with beautifully restored historic homes, together with its close proximity to New York and major metropolitan areas makes Wilton one of Connecticut's best cities for your home and family.
The combination of Wilton's close proximity to New York City and other major commercial areas like Norwalk and Stamford, together with its commitment to preserving open spaces makes Wilton one of Connecticut's best cities for your home and family.
Wilton's distinctive character can be seen in the preservation of the town's older colonial landmarks and the dedication of almost 1,000 acres of land for recreational use that's enabled Wilton to retain much of its rural open atmosphere. The rolling hills, woods, streams, and ponds give the town a beauty and charm that gives residents privacy in a quiet, pastoral setting.
The area which today has come to be known as Wilton was originally purchased from the Indians in 1640 by Rodger Ludlow including the land between the Norwalk and Saugatuck Rivers and "a day's walk into the country." Settlers known as the Proprietors began settling Norwalk in 1651, and the area to the north around Wilton was settled in the latter half of the 1600's.
Clearing the woods and land required removing tons of glacial rocks to be able to plow the soil creating the beautiful stone boundary walls that give the community such charm today. The town built a meeting house that created the town center and Wilton was made a Parish in 1726.
During the Revolutionary War, over 300 men served in a military unit which was an exceptionally high number of patriots considering the size of the town at the time. Part of Wilton was burned by the British on their retreat from Danbury in 1777.
During the years leading up to the Civil War, the antislavery movement was very strong in Wilton and the town served as one of the stops on the Underground Railroad helping escaped slaves make it north to Canada and freedom.
With the coming of the railroads in the 1850's and 60's Wilton's farmlands that had always been rocky less productive farming came into competition with cheaper crops from the west. Following the Civil War, Wilton saw its population decline thirty percent by 1900 as people moved to the cities with industrialization.
The result today of this exodus and dormant period in the town's growth are that it saved many of the beautiful 18th and 19th century homes from demolition and suburban development.
Wilton features extraordinary examples of early American homes that have been preserved as gracious residences. Surrounding the picturesque town green in the center of Wilton are other town offices, the post office and numerous shops. There are four designated historic districts.
Integrated nicely among historic structures are stately traditional houses, remarkable contemporaries and lavish condominiums. One and two-acre lots guarantee plenty of open spaces and uphold Wilton's pastoral character.
Wilton's strong sense of community is evident in the number of active clubs, civic organizations, recreational and cultural opportunities.
Children in Wilton receive a solid education based in fundamental skills and cultural programs, as well as a new language laboratory, which encourages the study of other foreign languages.
Wilton's strong sense of community is evident in the number of active clubs, civic organizations, recreational and cultural opportunities.
Wilton has convenient travel to commercial centers in Stamford, Norwalk, New York City and White Plains. U.S. Route 7 and Route 33, form the main north-south roadways in town. The Merritt Parkway Route 15 serves the town via the Route 33 exit. The town has two railroad stations: Wilton and Cannondale which are both part of the Danbury Line of Metro-North Railroad.
The combination of Wilton's open pastoral feeling with beautifully restored historic homes, together with its close proximity to New York and major metropolitan areas makes Wilton one of Connecticut's best cities for your home and family.