| Black Rock | |
|---|---|
| — Neighborhood — | |
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| Municipal | City of Bridgeport |
| NECTA | Bridgeport-Stamford |
| Region | Greater Bridgeport |
| County | Fairfield County |
| Settled | 1644 |
| Population (2006) | |
| - Total | 9,979 |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 06605 |
| Area code(s) | 203 |
| FIPS code | 09-08000 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0205720 |
| Website | http://www.blackrockcc.org/ |
Black Rock is a neighborhood or section of the city of Bridgeport, Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, located in the southwestern section of the city. It was part of the Town of Fairfield before the State of Connecticut granted the land over to Bridgeport. It borders the town of Fairfield and the Ash Creek tidal estuary on the west, the West Side/West End of Bridgeport on the north and east, and Black Rock Harbor and Long Island Sound on the south.
Black Rock comprises census tracts 701 and 702 and part of census tract 703.[citation needed] It includes two historic districts.
The Black Rock neighborhood has a mix of residential and commercial properties, with most of the retail stores being located along Fairfield Avenue, the main thoroughfare, which connects Black Rock to Fairfield and downtown Bridgeport. Fairfield Avenue is in a state of transition with older businesses being replaced by upscale restaurants, cafes, espresso bars, gourmet ice cream shops, and art galleries. The Black Rock Public Library renovation and expansion were completed in 2009. The library has been expanded from its original 6,000 square feet to 11,000 square feet. Additionally, the entire facility has been modernized, with the installation of 12 public access computers, free Wi-Fi throughout the building and the construction of two large program rooms and a smaller conference room. The library is also fully accessible to persons with disabilities. More than 30 local businesses participate in the marketing and management of the "Black Rock Restaurant & Entertainment District".[citation needed]
While businesses in Black Rock are located primarily along Fairfield Avenue, most of the 2,628 properties in Black Rock are for residential use. Residences comprise 86% of properties in Black Rock, 10% is commercial, and only 4% are industrial or other property classes.[citation needed]
The residential areas lie on either side of Fairfield Avenue with less density closer to the waterfront. The area of least density is a section called St. Mary's-by-the-Sea and consists of Resident AA zoned properties which require a minimum lot of 11,250 SF, although most lots are larger than the minimum. Grovers Hill is the highest elevation in Black Rock and some of the most expensive properties in Black Rock are located on this hill with views of Long Island Sound. There are also direct waterfront properties, including two condominium complexes on the Sound and two on the Ash Creek tidal estuary. St. Mary's-by-the-Sea also has a 9-acre (36,000 m2) public park along the Sound with half a mile of sidewalks and an area for bird watching.
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Black Rock was settled about the same time as Fairfield, which was many years before Brigeport even existed. As Bridgeport grew to be the largest city in Connecticut, Black Rock was absorbed into its city limits.
Before Black Rock was incorporated into Bridgeport, there was also the community of Stratfield which has also been absorbed into modern Bridgeport. Stratfield was originally known as Pequonnock and was located about midway between Black Rock and the original settlement of Bridgeport. The cemetery known as Stratfield Burying Place is located here and has many of Black Rock's early settlers interred there.
There are two historic districts in the neighborhood that have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One was listed in 1979 and includes houses and other structures. The district is known as Black Rock Historic District. The other is Black Rock Gardens Historic District. It has 12 buildings built for workers during World War I.
Black Rock attract artists, academics, young professionals, and retirees who desire to live in an affordable waterfront community on Long Island Sound. This Fairfield County community has been the focus of two articles by the New York Times over the past few years, “Living in Black Rock, Connecticut: A Community with Spirit and an Edge” (August 8, 2004) and “If You’re Thinking of Living In St. Mary’s-by-the-Sea, Connecticut: At Peninsula’s End, a Waterside Enclave” (June 9, 2002).
Black Rock is likely to become even more desirable when the Black Rock train station construction is completed (estimated completion date is 2012[1]. Although technically the train station will be located in Fairfield, not Bridgeport, it is being referred to as the Black Rock train station because it is so close to the town line. The access road to the train station will connect to Brewster Street in Bridgeport. Black Rock is also convenient to I-95 for commuters to Stamford or New Haven.
Black Rock has a rich history dating back to its heritage as a colonial seaport. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s wealthy merchants built beautiful homes in Black Rock. One of these homes with 3 acres (12,000 m2) of land and 16 rooms "("The Chimneys") is currently on the market for $3 million on Old Battery Road. Old Battery Road is located on Grovers Hill, one of the highest elevations in Black Rock, which also affords views of the Sound. Grovers Avenue, Penfield Place, Beacon Street, and Anchorage Drive are also have direct waterfront properties and deep water docks.
The S. S. Norden Club (founded 1902), Captain’s Cove Seaport, Black Rock Yacht Club, Fayerweather Yacht Club, Harborview Market, & the Arts & Entertainment District on Fairfield Avenue offer culture, dining, and recreational activities. Black Rock is an artsy and eclectic community where newcomers are quickly integrated into the neighborhood as they join together on community projects and events.
Fairfield Avenue in the Black Rock is going through vast revitalization which includes luxury shops, upscale restaurants, espresso bars, and a state-of-the-art library with WI-FI capabilities. Because of these developments Black Rock is becoming attractive to downsizers from Greenwich to Fairfield, who now considered it their home.[citation needed]
Black Rock: A Bicentennial Picture Book - A Visual History of the Old Seaport of Bridgeport: 1644 to 1976, edited and designed by Dick Jones and published by the Black Rock Civic and Men’s Club, Inc. in 1976.
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Coordinates: 41°09′31″N 73°13′31″W / 41.15861°N 73.22528°W
   | Black Rock Entertainment District - Black Rock Restaurant & Entertainment District |
| | Black Rock Community Blog - Black Rock Online | Black Rock Community News, Real Estate, Events, Arts and Culture |
| | The Fairfield Metro Center - Fairfield Metro Center |
| | BlackRock Center for the Arts - BlackRock Center for the Arts |
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