Andrew Warde High School Neighborhoods: Black Rock Turnpike

This the second of a four-part series on Fairfield's neighborhoods in and around Andrew Warde High School. The neighborhoods include Stratfield, Tunxis Hill, Black Rock Turnpike, and Holland Hill. Please share your thoughts in the "comments" link below.

Perhaps no road better symbolizes Fairfield in the 21st century than Black Rock Turnpike. One of the town's two main arteries, its landscape has changed dramatically since our high school days over 30 years ago. The roadway has long been acknowledged as "the unofficial dividing line" bewteen the Andrew Warde and Roger Ludlowe high school neighborhoods.

Where once there was Connecticut National Bank, Friendly's, and Fairway Beef, today you'll find no fewer than eight banks in a one-mile stretch, several ethnic restaurants which feature specialty foods, Starbucks, Pier I Imports, and Trader Joe's. We used to ride our bikes up and down Black Rock Turnpike when we were children; today there's gridlock on Saturday mornings as SUVs far outnumber cars. Pedestrians and bikers are virtually nowhere to be found.

"I would really like to see a story about the congestion and safety of some of our local roads, especially Black Rock Turnpike," wrote one resident in a letter to The Connecticut Post newspaper. "I have stopped driving on that road if I can help it because I think that the road is overly congested, and the signals there are not built to handle the volume of traffic.

"The car traffic issue is really important to me for a reason other than just annoyance, though. I would like to see people using the area as a place to walk or bike. It really makes me sad that kids from the neighborhood can't or won't ride their bikes over to the grocery store or to the pizza place to hang out with friends."

According to the book Remembering Fairfield: Famous People and Historic Places, "It's probable that no neighborhood in town lends itself to activities as diverse and opinions as strongly divided as Black Rock Turnpike. At its center is a road densely lined on both sides with retail stores, gas stations, and restaurants. 'Pocket plazas' and fast food chains satisfy shoppers from throughout the region."

The turnpike had its beginnings when the town's zoning regulations were established in the mid 1920s. A segment of Black Rock Turnpike was zoned a designated business district. In 1950, the business zone was extended to Burroughs Road and deepened to 400 feet on each side of the turnpike.

As with other areas of town, Black Rock Turnpike was originally known for its farms. The Sipocz property on Stillson Road was known as Arrowhead Farm because many arrowheads were uncovered there. The family of Fairfield's former town clerk, Mary Katonah, owned 15 acres on the turnpike, as did the Miro family. The farms were not large, but sufficiently productive to feed the farm families with enough left over to sell produce, often from horse-drawn wagons.

Black Rock Turnpike's signature property, though, is Dolan's Corner, located at the intersection of Black Rock Turnpike and Stillson Road. One of the earliest landmarks, Angus Steak House, is still as popular as ever, although ownership has changed hands a number of times. The restaurant recently re-opened after new ownership completely renovated it.

Samp Mortar Rock off Black Rock Turnpike is said to be a former Native American reservation and burial ground. The rock takes its name from the basin in the rock, which was hollowed out by natives who ground their corn (samp) in it (mortar).

"It is suggested that those who seek out Samp Mortar Rock should take their first view from the top of the rock looking down into the ravine below," writes Rita Papazian, author of the aforementioned book. "Samp Mortar Rock is a pocket of peacefulness offering a silent oasis away from bustling Black Rock Turnpike."

Growing up in the Samp Mortar area of Black Rock Turnpike, I have so many vivid memories of that road. Some of the erstwhile, but unforgettable, establishments include Wetson's, Jimmy's of Savin Rock, Bonanza, Grand Union, Howland's, Friendly's, Pike Diner, Gail's Stationers, Dairy Queen, the Rocket, Fairway Beef, Leopold's, and Kentucky Fried Chicken.

My earliest memories of Black Rock Turnpike include visits to Ray's Luncheonette, which was located in what is now Arrow Cleaners, and Szost's Bowling Alleys, located where Primo Pizza is today. The building burned down in the early 1960s. I vividly remember hearing the sirens that fateful night when the local bowling alleys were destroyed by fire.

What are your memories of Black Rock Turnpike? What do you think of it today? What stores do you most remember on the street? I'd like to know. Publish your thoughts in the "comments" link below.

Historical information courtesy of "Remembering Fairfield: Famous People and Historic Places." Next week we'll take a look at the Tunxis Hill neighborhood, including famous Kuhn's Corner, in part III of our series. Please share your thoughts in the "comments" link below.

Paul

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