Fairfield’s Industries

​What role did Fairfield play in each of Connecticut’s industries?​

Explore different people, artifacts, and their stories.​

Click on each industry learn more.

Farming

Most Fairfield residents were farmers from the mid-1600s through the 1800s. Farming was hard and farmers were busy year-round. Farmers depended on good weather and selling their food to make a living. They also had to care for their animals, collect eggs, cut firewood, repair tools, and deliver products to market.

Shipping

Many of the area’s young men chose to go to sea, looking for both opportunity and adventure. Shipping was important for moving goods from one place to another. Life at sea was also very risky, with dangers like shipwrecks, storms, illness and starvation.

Railroad

The first train and railroad came to Fairfield in 1848. It connected Fairfield to Bridgeport and to New York City. Thousands of people traveled to and from Fairfield after the invention of the railroad.

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