on RidgefieldHistory.com
This timeline is fully searchable, soon with the Google feature on our history front page, and always by simply going to a century and using your browser's Find function (Control F in Windows, Command F in Mac).
The number of events reported under each year varies widely for several reasons. Especially before 1875, when The Ridgefield Press was established, the records of local events are more limited -- most sources are listed below. Research was also limited by the fact that many early issues of The Press into the 1910s have not been preserved.
Nonetheless, even for the many years for which full sets of The Press are available, the number of entries varies, mostly due to personal time constraints. We tried to focus on years that give a good representation of what local life was like during an era. To that end, we cover both major events and many minor ones, some often humorous and some quite sad, that give glimpses into many aspects of everyday Ridgefield life that are not reported in other histories.
We hope to add to this timeline as, well, time permits.
Sources for this information include:
Town Meeting records, land records, probate records, birth, marriage and death records. Many of these date back to the early 1700s and found in the town clerk's office and the probate court.
The Ridgefield Press from 1875 to the present, including special historical issues in 1950, 1975 and 2000.
Major histories of Ridgefield, including those by George L. Rockwell and Silvio Bedini, as well as A View from the Inn: The Journal of Anna Marie Resseguie of the Keeler Tavern.
Many miscellaneous smaller histories of the town, produced by churches, the fire department, the Ridgefield Garden Club, the Ridgefield Preservation Trust, and others.
Return to RidgefieldHistory.com.