Welcome to a great resource for fun facts about the communities within which you live. We will be updating this on a montly basis with interesting facts, tidbits and stories. These facts will cover a wide range of topics, including history, demographics and culture. If you have a fun fact that you would like to share, email it to our Fun Facts Department!

HERE IS OUR LIST OF FUN FACTS:

• The Battle For Ridgefield
• Connecticut's Fastest Growing Occupations
• Local Celebrities


The Battle For Ridgefield

A battle for the fight for American independence took place right here in Fairfield County at The Battle of Ridgefield.

On April 27, 1777, the war for American Independence came to the Keeler Tavern. After burning the storehouse of American supplies in Danbury, Connecticut, British General Tryon and his troops returned to Long Island Sound.

To avoid encounters with colonial troops led by Generals Benedict Arnold, Benjamin Silliman and David Wooster, and suspecting patriots, including Timothy Keeler, were operating out of the Keeler Tavern's cellar, Tryon took a detour through Ridgefield. Fighting from behind a barricade on North Main Street, the patriots delayed, but did not defeat, the advancing British troops.

After the battle Tryon marching south through Ridgefield, set up a cannon on Main Street and fired on the Keeler Tavern. A cannonball hit the building and still remains imbedded in a corner post.

For more information about the history of rural Connecticut in the early 18th to 20th centuries, visit the Keeler Tavern Museum.

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Connecticut's Fastest Growing Occupations

The top five fastest growing occupations in Connecticut are:

1. Personal and Home Care Aides - assist the elderly and disabled in the day-to-day lives
2. Personal Financial Advisors - help their clients plan for retirement, create college finds, manage their estates, develop investment strategies, etc.
3. Medical Assistants - Assists in clinical labratory procedures, as well as administrative duties
4. Broadcast Technicians - Responsible for setting up and maintaining the equipment used to broadcast a television or radio show
5. Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts - design, test, and evaluate computer systems, such as LAN, WAN, intranets and the internet

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Local Celebrities

Westport is a popular residence among celebrities. Local residents include:

• Michael Bolton - Singer/songwriter
• Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward - Actors
• Peter DeVries - Author
• Phil Donahue - TV Host
• Marlo Thomas - Actress
  

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