Town of Brookfield

100 Pocono Road

203-775-7300

Town History

Brookfield in the 1700s was an area of rich farm lands, forests filled with game and streams abundant with fish. This area was called Newbury, a name derived from the three towns from which its land was taken ( New Milford, Newtown, and Danbury). Here lived a hardy breed of people. They believed in hard work six days a week, and on the Sabbath they rested and attended worship, even though it meant an arduous ten mile trip to either New Milford, Danbury, or Newtown.

Because of the hardship of traveling in winter, 1752 saw the introduction of winter church privileges. Worship was permitted in the homes from September through March. In 1754, the General Assembly finally granted the petition for the Parish of Newbury to build their own meeting house and call their own minister. On September 28, 1757, the first Congregational Church building was dedicated, and the Reverend Thomas Brooks was ordained as the first settled minister. In 1778 the Town was incorporated; the name Newbury was changed to Brookfield in honor of the Reverend Thomas Brooks who was still the minister. The first town meeting was held on June 9, 1788.

As early as 1732, there was industry along the Still River in an area that became known as the Iron Works District. Found here were the furnaces for making iron, the ever important grist mills, sawmills, comb shops, carding and cotton mills, a paper mill, knife factory, hat factories, and others. Still standing today is the grist mill (now the Brookfield Craft Center) and the Iron Works Aqueduct Company. This company was formed in 1837 to supply water from the mountain springs to the Iron Works District and today it still supplies water to the area under the name of Brookfield Water Company.

Indian trails were the first roads for travel. As the area became more populated, roads were laid out with wagons and stagecoaches the main means of transportation. Toll gates were used on some main roads to pay for the upkeep of the roads and salaries of the gatekeepers. The dividends went to the owners and stockholders of the roads. Travel was slow and it took three days to travel to Bridgeport, conduct business, and return home.

Before 1912 there were two train stations: 1) Iron Works District, located approximately where the Brookfield Market currently stands and was primarily a freight depot and 2) Junction Station located near the corner of Junction Road and Stony Hill Road was Brookfield’s passenger station. The trains carried freight and visitors into and out of Brookfield. Young people in Brookfield traveled from the Junction Station daily to attend high school in Danbury.

During early Colonial days it was required by law to establish a school if a town had at least 50 families. In January 1756, it was voted to maintain such a school for six months each year; two months in New Milford, two months in Danbury and two months in Newtown. By 1808 the new town of Brookfield had eight school districts of it’s own.

After many heated debates over taxes, the Brookfield Consolidated School was built in 1938 (now called Center School) to replace all the one room school houses. In addition to the Brookfield’s public schools, there were four private schools: Saint Paul’s School for Boys, Curtis School for Boys, Town Singing School, and Greene School of Music.

Danbury & Bethel Gas and Electric Company connected the homes in Brookfield Center to their electric lines and brought the first electricity to Brookfield in 1915. By the late 1920s electricity was more in demand. The Connecticut Light and Power Company built a hydroelectric plant at Rocky River just north of New Milford. Land from Danbury, New Fairfield, Brookfield, and Sherman provided a reservoir for the water which also included large ponds named Neversink, Barses, and Squantz. By 1928 the project was completed with the formation of Candlewood Lake. It is the largest man-made lake in Connecticut. Brookfield maintains a town park on Candlewood Lake beachfront.

For many years a small parcel of land that was part of New Fairfield was separated from the rest of New Fairfield when the lake was formed. In 1961 this land was annexed by New Fairfield to Brookfield and is now called Candlewood Shores and Arrowhead Point. This property includes many antique homes in the Kellogg street area.

Brookfield is a growing community with a population of 15,664 (2000 U.S. Census). Instead of one church, there are now many churches of all denominations. There are four schools in the public school system, one private school, and several nursery schools. Many of the historic structures have been preserved and in 1991 most buildings in Brookfield Center’s Historic District were named to the National Register of Historic Places.

Town of Brookfield Spotlight - January 2024

As we enter the New Year, we wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year. And as we start the upcoming budget season, we ask all residents to come and give us their input. We'll also start planning some larger projects, though it will be years…

Town of Brookfield Spotlight Newsletter - March 2023

February was such a strange month weather-wise...below zero one day and 40 degrees warmer the next! Unfortunately, my household experienced a frozen pipe that burst in three places. I hope you came out of the flash freeze unscathed and had a…

Town of Brookfield : Job Opportunities

-Subscribe to Job Opportunities -Application for Employment (fillable) When submitting applications use one method for submitting applications (in-person, email, fax or regular mail) do NOT submit multiple applications for the same position.…

Town of Brookfield : Senior Center Newsletter - March 2023

Senior Lunch Program We’re happy to announce a new and improved lunch program beginning this month. We’ll be serving a delicious catered lunch every Monday and Wednesday. You’ll find the menu at the end of the newsletter. Please…

Town Of Brookfield Job Opportunities - February 3, 2023

Job Opportunities - Subscribe to Job Opportunities - Application for Employment (fillable) When submitting applications use one method for submitting applications (in-person, email, fax or regular mail) do NOT submit multiple applications…

Town of Brookfield Spotlight Newsletter - February 2023

Message from your First Selectmen: I can’t believe how fast January flew by. It was a month of onboarding new town employees (Welcome, Director of Parks and Recreation, Laura Murphy, and, Executive Assistant to the First Selectman’s…

Town Of Brookfield Job Opportunities - January 26, 2023

Brookfield Senior Center February Newsletter

Click Here To View The Brookfield Senior Center February Newsletter

Town Of Brookfield Job Opportunities - January 9, 2023

- Subscribe to Job Opportunities - Application for Employment (fillable) When submitting applications use one method for submitting applications (in-person, email, fax or regular mail) do NOT submit multiple applications for the same position.…

Town of Brookfield Spotlight - January 2023

Happy New Year! I hope that you and yours were able to enjoy some well-deserved downtime and holiday cheer. I just can’t believe another year has come and gone. A new year brings opportunity for change and growth. The one constant in life is…

Town of Brookfield News : Christmas Tree Disposal at the Yard Refuse Center - January 7 And 14, 2023 Only

Click Here to View the Infomation About Town of Brookfield News : Christmas Tree Disposal at the Yard Refuse Center - January 7 & 14, 2023…

Town Of Brookfield Job Opportunities - December 15, 2022

- Subscribe to Job Opportunities - Application for Employment (fillable) When submitting applications use one method for submitting applications (in-person, email, fax or regular mail) do NOT submit multiple applications for the same position.…

Town of Brookfield Spotlight - December 2022

Town of Brookfield Spotlight - December 2022 It’s hard to believe a year has passed since I was sworn in as First Selectwoman. On December 3rd 2021, I said “Today I take an oath to God that I will faithfully discharge the duties of…

Town of Brookfield News: Job Opportunities - November 18, 2022

Town of Brookfield News: Job Opportunities - November 16, 2022

Job Opportunities Subscribe to Job Opportunities Application for Employment (fillable) When submitting applications use one method for submitting applications (in-person, email, fax or regular mail) do NOT submit multiple applications for…

Town Of Brookfield Job Opportunities - November 4, 2022

- Application for Employment (fillable) When submitting applications use one method for submitting applications (in-person, email, fax or regular mail) do NOT submit multiple applications for the same position. Due to the high volume of…

Town of Brookfield Job Opportunities - November 3, 2022

Application for Employment (fillable) When submitting applications use one method for submitting applications (in-person, email, fax or regular mail) do NOT submit multiple applications for the same position. Due to the high volume of…

Town Of Brookfield Job Opportunities - November 1, 2022

- Subscribe to Job Opportunities - Application for Employment (fillable) When submitting applications use one method for submitting applications (in-person, email, fax or regular mail) do NOT submit multiple applications for the same position.…

Town of Brookfield Spotlight - November 2022

We certainly do live in the prettiest part of the country! I hope you enjoy the fall colors as much as I do and take advantage of the many community fall celebrations in our area. I have some news to share… the long-time Administrative…

Town of Brookfield News : Assistance is available for eligible CT Homeowners who haveexperienced a COVID-19 related financial hardship

The HAF Program in the State of CT is known as MyHomeCT and is being administered by the CT Housing Finance Authority (CHFA). Homeowners may apply for up to $30,000 in grant assistance. Visit www.chfa.org/MyHomeCT to learn more and to apply. You can…

Town of Brookfield : Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Event

Brookfield High School, 45 Long Meadow Hill Road 09:00am - 2:00pm (See attached for more details.) Click here to View the More Information About Town of Brookfield : Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off…

Town Of Brookfield Job Opportunities - October 14, 2022

- Subscribe to Job Opportunities - Application for Employment (fillable) When submitting applications use one method for submitting applications (in-person, email, fax or regular mail) do NOT submit multiple applications for the same position.…

Town of Brookfield Spotlight - October 2022

Message From First Selectman One of the reasons I wanted to move back to Connecticut after my time away in service was for the seasons. Soon, the leaves will turn and our first snowfall will arrive. Where did the Summer go? I have some news to…

Town Of Brookfield Job Opportunities - Septembr 16, 2022

- Subscribe to Job Opportunities - Application for Employment (fillable) When submitting applications use one method for submitting applications (in-person, email, fax or regular mail) do NOT submit multiple applications for the same position.…

Town Of Brookfield Job Opportunities - Septembr 12, 2022

- Subscribe to Job Opportunities - Application for Employment (fillable) When submitting applications use one method for submitting applications (in-person, email, fax or regular mail) do NOT submit multiple applications for the same position.…

Town of Brookfield Spotlight - September 2022

Wow - it’s September and that means it's back to school already! Summer passed so quickly. I hope you were all able to enjoy the warm weather and long days. Much has been happening across town, most notably the passing of our new school…

Town of Brookfield - Property Auction : Notice Of Levy And Sale

Click Here To View The Property Auction : Notice Of Levy And Sale

Town of Brookfield Job Opportunities - August 19, 2022

Town of Brookfield News - COVID-19 Home Test Kits Are No Longer Available

COVID-19 Home Test Kits are no longer available. (See details below) Covid-19 Home test kits are no longer available from the State and thus Brookfield will no longer be distributing them except through the School System and Childcare facilities.…

Town Of Brookfield Job Opportunities

- Subscribe to Job Opportunities - Application for Employment (fillable) When submitting applications use one method for submitting applications (in-person, email, fax or regular mail) do NOT submit multiple applications for the same position.…

Town of Brookfield : Important Dates For August 9th Primaries

Click here to View the Informaton About Town of Brookfield : Important Dates For August 9th…

Town of Brookfield - CT Emergency Alerting And Notification Systems - Correction Of Everbridge Link In August Spotlight Below

First and most importantly, if you are not already signed up for our Everbridge service or you need to update your contact information, please visit this link for the instructions to sign up:…

Town of Brookfield

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