Explore Bridgeport
Bridgeport is one of the most diverse and vibrant cities in the state of Connecticut with an area of 19.4 square miles (16 square miles land, 3.4 square miles water) and a population of approximately 138,000 residents on Long Island Sound and the mouth of the Pequonnock River and adjacent to Fairfield, Trumbull and Stratford, Connecticut. Within 55 miles of New York City, Bridgeport is an easy commute via Interstate 95 or Metro North Train. Route 8/Route 25 Connector and AmTrak also provide access to the entire Northeast corridor. Bridgeport ferry service conveniently and most pleasantly transports passengers and automobiles aboard the “Grand Republic”, “P. T. Barnum” or the “Park City” across long Island Sound to Port Jefferson, Long Island.
Founded in 1659, Bridgeport was called Pequonnock until 1695. Located between Stratford and Fairfield, Bridgeport then became known as Stratfield. The borough of Bridgeport was chartered and the township was incorporated in 1821. The city of Bridgeport was officially chartered in 1836. Parts of Brooklawn and Black Rock were originally part of Fairfield and Bridgeport part of Stratford.
With its origins as a fishing and farming community, the coastal city of Bridgeport aided by the opening of the railroad in 1840, rapidly began to thrive as world renowned shipbuilding and whaling center. By the late 19th century, Bridgeport became a major industrial and manufacturing center; offering numerous employment opportunities to area residents and a flood of recent European immigrants. Bridgeport or “The Park City” remained a vital and prosperous city throughout the Second World War.
President Abraham Lincoln spoke to a packed, overflowing auditorium (presently
McLevy Hall at the corner of State and Broad Streets) on March 10, 1860, receiving a standing ovation before taking the train back to New York City later that evening.
Perhaps the city’s most famous resident, flamboyant circus promoter, P. T. Barnum, came to Bridgeport in 1846, housing his circus in town during the winters and promoting Tom Thumb to fame; he also served the community as Mayor. Actors Robert Mitchum, Brian Dennehy, Bob Crane, John Ratzenberger, Kevin Nealon and Richard Belzer all hail from Bridgeport as well as NBA players Charles Smith, John Bagley and Chris Smith, baseball greats George “Kiddo” Davis and Jim O’Rourke, Cincinnati Reds Robb Dibble and NFL player Mike Jones.
Muscians include: Metropolitan Opera Star Mimi Benzell, pianist Samuel Sanford, composers Joseph Celli and Jin Hi Kim, Music Director of the Royal Opera in Covent Garden Antonio Pappano, American Idol’s Syesha Mercado and singer Jessica Delfino. Before relocating to Fairfield, Grammy Award winner, John Mayer, grew up in Bridgeport while his father Dr. Richard Mayer served a principal of Central High School.
We look forward to welcoming you to Bridgeport!
Population: 143,748
Square Miles: 16