The History of Transportation
in Waterbury

Waterbury Transportation News Archive

​City Wide, Traffic Department
Crashes close lanes of Route 8
NBCConnecticut; picture, article; 2024.06.07

​Introduction

Waterbury has a rich history of transportation, dating back to the early 19th century.  The city's location in the heart of the Naugatuck River Valley made it an important center for transportation and commerce.


Early Transportation in Waterbury

In the early 1800s, Waterbury was a small farming community, but its location on the Naugatuck River made it an ideal location for water-powered mills. The construction of the Farmington Canal in 1828 further enhanced Waterbury's role as a transportation hub. The canal provided a direct water route to New Haven and the Long Island Sound, and helped Waterbury's manufacturing industries grow.


Railroad Era

The mid-19th century brought a new era of transportation to Waterbury with the arrival of the railroad. In 1849, the Naugatuck Railroad was completed, connecting Waterbury to Bridgeport and New York City. The railroad made transportation of goods and people faster and more efficient, and helped Waterbury become a major manufacturing center.

In 1868, the New York and New England Railroad opened a line through Waterbury, providing another connection to New York City and Boston. The railroad brought new businesses to Waterbury, and helped the city's manufacturing industries expand.


Trolley Lines

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, trolley lines were built in Waterbury, providing transportation within the city and connecting it to neighboring communities. The Waterbury Traction Company opened in 1891, with lines running from the center of Waterbury to the neighboring towns of Watertown, Naugatuck, and Thomaston.

In 1901, the Connecticut Railway and Lighting Company acquired the Waterbury Traction Company, and expanded the trolley lines throughout the city and surrounding areas. The trolleys were a popular mode of transportation until the mid-20th century, when they were replaced by buses and automobiles.


Automobile Era

The automobile era began in Waterbury in the early 20th century, with the construction of the first paved roads in the city. In 1924, the Connecticut State Highway Department opened the first section of Route 8, connecting Waterbury to Bridgeport.

The post-World War II era brought significant changes to transportation in Waterbury, as automobile ownership increased and highways were built. In the 1950s, the Connecticut Turnpike was completed, providing a direct route from Waterbury to New York City and Boston. In the 1960s, Route 8 was extended through Waterbury, connecting it to the Northwest Corner and the Berkshires.


Public Transit

Today, public transit in Waterbury is provided by buses operated by the Connecticut Department of Transportation. The city is also served by the Waterbury-Oxford Airport, which provides general aviation services.

In recent years, there have been efforts to improve public transit in Waterbury, including the development of a new downtown transportation center and the introduction of a new bus rapid transit system. These efforts aim to make public transit more accessible and convenient for residents and visitors alike.


Conclusion

The history of transportation in Waterbury has played a vital role in the city's growth and development. From the early days of the Farmington Canal and the Naugatuck Railroad, to the trolley lines and the automobile era, transportation has shaped the city's landscape and economy. As Waterbury continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how transportation will continue to play a role in its future.

City / State
1 dead, 2 injured in wrong-way crash on I-84 in Waterbury
FOX61; article; 2023.12.14

City Wide
DOT unveils new progress report on transportation improvements
fox61.com; video, article; 20230627

Centre District
Dog's Nest Neighborhood
State Could Expand Waterbury Rail Service
(wtnh.com); article; 20230502

Centre District
Dog's Nest Neighborhood
26-year-old woman: victim in train accident
Newport Dispatch; article; 20230322

Waterbury:
The Time Capital of the Nation

The Switzerland of America
The Time Capital of the Nation
"Everybody Sets Their Clocks To Waterbury Time"

​Waterbury, Connecticut, was once known as the "Switzerland of America" due to its thriving clock, watch, gyro, and timing device industry in the 19th century. The city's location at the confluence of the Naugatuck and Mad Rivers, combined with its access to transportation and natural resources, made it an ideal location for manufacturing and commerce.

Clockmaking began in Waterbury in 1812 when the Waterbury Clock Company was founded. This company was the first to mass-produce inexpensive brass clocks in America, which were sold throughout the country. Other clock manufacturers soon followed, including Chauncey Jerome, who established the Jerome Clock Company in 1847. The company produced a wide range of clocks, including the popular "oak cases," which were in high demand.

The success of the clock industry in Waterbury paved the way for the watch industry to take root in the city. The Waterbury Watch Company was founded in 1880 and became one of the largest watch manufacturers in the world. The company produced a wide range of affordable and high-quality watches, including the Ingersoll Yankee, which became one of the most popular watches of its time.

In addition to clocks and watches, Waterbury was also known for its production of gyroscopes and timing devices. The American Gyroscope Company, founded in 1894, was one of the first companies to produce gyroscopes in the United States. The company's gyroscopes were used in a variety of applications, including navigation and aviation.

Waterbury was also home to several firms that produced timing devices, such as the Waterbury Clock Company and the Seth Thomas Clock Company. These companies produced a wide range of timing devices, including clocks and timers, which were used in industries such as telecommunications and transportation.

The success of the clock, watch, gyro, and timing device industry in Waterbury was due in part to the city's abundance of raw materials, including brass, which was a key component in the production of clocks, watches, and timing devices. The industry also benefited from the city's transportation infrastructure, which allowed for easy access to markets and materials.

​In conclusion, the clock, watch, gyro, and timing device industry played an important role in Waterbury's business landscape prior to 1900. The industry was driven by the city's abundance of raw materials and transportation infrastructure, and firms such as the Waterbury Clock Company, the Waterbury Watch Company, and the American Gyroscope Company helped establish Waterbury as a leading center of clock, watch, gyro, and timing device manufacturing in the United States. Today, Waterbury continues to be a center of innovation and technology, building on a rich legacy of entrepreneurship and innovation.

Waterbury:
The Button and Fastener Capital of the Nation

In addition to brass, clockmaking, and carriage and wagon-making, the button and fastener industry was also a significant part of Waterbury's business landscape prior to 1900.

The button industry in Waterbury began in the early 19th century when Abel Porter, a local brass manufacturer, began producing brass buttons. The production of buttons grew rapidly in Waterbury, and by the mid-19th century, the city was the center of the American button industry. The largest button manufacturers in Waterbury at the time were the Scovill Manufacturing Company and the Waterbury Button Company.

In addition to buttons, Waterbury was also home to several firms that produced fasteners, such as snaps, hooks, and eyelets. The United States Metallic Fastener Company, for example, was founded in Waterbury in 1877 and became one of the leading manufacturers of metal fasteners in the country.
The button and fastener industry in Waterbury was driven by the city's abundance of raw materials, including brass, which was a key component in the production of buttons and fasteners. The industry also benefited from the city's transportation infrastructure, which allowed for easy access to markets and materials.

The Scovill Manufacturing Company, one of the largest button manufacturers in Waterbury, was founded in 1802 and became known for its high-quality buttons. The company produced buttons for a wide range of applications, including clothing, military uniforms, and upholstery.
The Waterbury Button Company, founded in 1812, was another major player in the city's button industry. The company produced buttons made of a variety of materials, including brass, bone, and horn.


​In conclusion, the button and fastener industry played an important role in Waterbury's business landscape prior to 1900. The city's abundance of raw materials and transportation infrastructure made it an ideal location for the production of buttons and fasteners, and firms such as the Scovill Manufacturing Company and the Waterbury Button Company helped establish Waterbury as a leading center of the American button industry.

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