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New Canaan began as a religious unit called the Parish of Canaan in 1731. This unit, with land from Stamford and Norwalk, was incorporated into the Town of New Canaan in 1801. Male residents were generally farmers and craftsmen. The first school was built in 1799, the first Town Hall in 1825. There were general stores, post office, a drug store and several factories by 1850. Shoemaking was the dominant industry during the years before the Civil War. A railroad was built in 1868 to Stamford to attract new industry, but instead, New Canaan became a summer residence for wealthy New Yorkers. The Library was founded in 1877 and a police force in 1892. Over the years many of these summer residents became permanent. After World War II a housing boom brought more residents. In the late 1960's and 70's, the arrival of corporate headquarters in Fairfield County spurred the growth of business and housing in New Canaan.
In 1967 the town acquired the property now known as Waveny Park with its house, Carriage Barn Arts Center and Powerhouse Theatre with land for the High School and Care Center. In 1995, the central business district is surrounded by townhouses and condominiums. Single family homes are still being built and families gather for Christmas Eve Caroling on God's Acre, for the Memorial Day Parade down Main Street and Family Fourth of July picnics at Waveny Park.
The Board of Education consists of nine members who are elected every two years in odd numbered years for a four year term. They administer one high school, one middle school, and three elementary schools staffed by 258 teachers, with an average of 14 years experience, serving a student population of 2,894.
New Canaan used the traditional Town Meeting form of Government until Charter Revision in 1969. Since that time, an elected three person Board of Selectmen is the executive body with the First Selectman serving full time. They appoint members of the boards and commissions and are assisted by an appointed fulltime professional Administrative Officer. The 12 elected members of the Town Council enact laws and ordinances, and approve the budget. Elections are held every two years in odd numbered years. Other elected officials include the Town Clerk, Treasurer, Board of Tax Review, Board of Education, and Constables. Judge of Probate, Justices of the Peace and Registrars of Voters are elected on even numbered years.
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THE TOWN OF NEW CANAAN - (Population: 17,900)........
