Hidden History of Ridgefield, Connecticut

Hidden History of Ridgefield, Connecticut
Author: Jack Sanders
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
Total Pages: 144
Release: 2015
Genre: History
ISBN: 1467118141

Time nearly erased many astounding tales and unexpected anecdotes from Ridgefield's history. Its colorful characters include a widow who built a landmark Manhattan hotel, her neighbor who invented one of the first "helicopters" and a CIA operative who helped one thousand Americans flee Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War. Lesser known are the stories of the Ridgefield artists who gave the world Superman and Lowly Worm and brought the Wild West to life. One local writer helped make Hawthorne famous, while another penned thousands of hymns still sung around the globe. Join retired newspaper editor Jack Sanders as he uncovers nearly forgotten people and moments of Ridgefield's past.

Wicked Ridgefield, Connecticut

Wicked Ridgefield, Connecticut
Author: Jack Sanders
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
Total Pages: 134
Release: 2016-10-10
Genre: History
ISBN: 143965834X

Ridgefield is no stranger to life's shadier characters. The history of this idyllic community includes cunning crooks, suburban embezzlers, bungling burglars and wandering scallywags. In 1894, a group of bank robbers literally blew it in a heist at the Saving Bank--the explosion attracted witnesses to see the gang miss out on a grand haul of fifty dollars. Half a decade later, in 1940, a skeleton whose origins still befuddle experts was unearthed in a tree nursery. This look at the darker side of Ridgefield's past includes sad and tragic moments as well, such as newlyweds imprisoned in the Tombs, the Satanists of the '70s and a hermit murdered for love. Local editor Jack Sanders tells fascinating tales of two centuries of Ridgefield criminals, n'er-do-wells and even wayward do-gooders in this entertaining--and occasionally humorous--glimpse into some of the town's wickedest moments.

Ridgefield

Ridgefield
Author:
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
Total Pages: 132
Release: 2004
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780738535388

In Ridgefield, a cannonball remains lodged in the side of an old tavern, evidence of the Battle of Ridgefield fought here during the Revolutionary War. The town's history dates back to 1708, when two dozen settlers from Norwalk purchased the land from the Ramapoo Indians. Founders carved Ridgefield from the wilderness, and members of the Congregational Church designed its wide, beautiful Main Street. In the mid-1800s, families immigrated from Ireland; in the late nineteenth century, New Yorkers discovered Ridgefield to be an ideal summer place. As the town developed, Italian stonemasons and other workers arrived to build roads and sewer lines. Ridgefield has been the home of two Connecticut governors, and of celebrities from the arts, sports, and entertainment fields. Stone walls still abound in Ridgefield, and the road that once roared with cannon fire ranks as one of the state's most beautiful streets.

Ridgefield Chronicles

Ridgefield Chronicles
Author: Jack Sanders
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
Total Pages: 166
Release: 2014-10-21
Genre: Photography
ISBN: 1625852320

Purchased from the Ramapoo Indians in 1708, Ridgefield welcomed immigrants to its bustling community from the start. The peaceful Connecticut town later served as a retreat for wealthy New Yorkers. With its long history and cast of local characters, Ridgefield has many fascinating stories to tell. In the early 1900s, Typhoid Mary was known to cook for a Ridgefield family. On Olmstead Lane, the landmark that most locals think is a broken fountain is actually a watering trough. For more than forty years, newspaper editor Jack Sanders has covered the captivating history of Ridgefield. In a uniquely selected collection of articles, the town's history comes to life with tales of Pulitzer Prize winners like Eugene O'Neill and disasters such as the 1905 train wreck. These and other glimpses of the past celebrate Ridgefield's rich history.