New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-12
Municipality Formed by Twin
Connecticut Cities and
Adjacent Places in
Township.

Norwalk, South Norwalk. East Nor
walk. Rowayton. Winnipauk and West
Norwalk and other villages and settle
ments in the old township OF Nor
walk have been transformed into the
city of Norwalk, with a population of
about 5000 persons. This new city is
five days old On last Monday DR.. Fran
els /. Burneu was chosen 10 be the first
Mayor Of the new municipality. and
other officers were also elected to help
him manage the civic affairs. 1t is eX-
pected that the new 'Norwalk will no"
tax, a foremost position as one of the
most attractive residential and industrial!
centres of the great suburban helds OF
the metropolitan district.
For years the question of uniting Nor
walk and South Norwalk has perpleXed
the residents Of those former cities. Long
ago the old cities became so closely IN
terwoven that it was impossible for
visitor to tell the dividing lines between
them.
The former city OF South Norwalk,
with it's population Of over $500, occupies
a commanding position about forty-one
miles from New York City. on the waters
of Long Island Sound. 1t extends for
several miles northeasteTly from the
waters edge, and there touches the most
southerly boundary line of the former
city of NorWalk, with population OF
about seven thousand.
West avenue, the main trolley highway,
connecting old South Norwalk and Nor
walk. is lined the greater part of the way
with spacious homes set on broad lawns.
About midway is high school. That
school building is virtually a landmark
separating the areas formerly occupied
BY the cities Of Norwalk and South Nor
walk. which have united to form the
greater Norwalk.
SO closely related were the affairs OF
each municipality that it seems wonder
that the former twin cities were able to
conduct their civic business so efhcientiy
without being embroiled with each other
in serious disputes over street improve
ments, public lighting and the further
ance or betterment of other public utin-
ties.
1t was probably the great difference in
the principal physical characteristics OF
the former twin cities that kept them
apart until last Wednesday, when Mayor
Burnell took Office to rule over the desti-
MES of the greater Norwalk
South Norwalk was proud Of its indus
trial expansion. 1t took great delight in
procuring strong manufacturing interests
TO locate there Its very heart throb, as
il were. was almost entirely 10 make
South Norwalk one of the most inviting
industrial cities in this country.
To hold the key 10 its factory develop
ment IL became large municipal owner.
How well it succeeded in this respect may
be seen by CHANGING at its list OF utilities
for the public welfare which it owned
1t owned it's own waterworks, its lighting
plant. its sewer system and all other city
conveniences with the exception Of its
transit lines.
II was probably the largest municipal
owner OF it's size in the world. Its enter
prise paid well. too. as evidenced by the
continual expansion Of its lighting plant
in the last ten or more years.
The lighting plant to-day not only sup
plies good light on the public highways at
absolute cost, but it sells its power TO
many commercial Interests in the town,
and the receipts have been sufficient TO
help contribute to the payment OF other
city expenses. as well as the reduction
of almost the entire cost OF the plant.
South Norwalk also boasted and right
fully. of its home districts. Upon the hill
10 the west OF the old city, overlooking
the harbor Of South Norwalk. is a de-
lightful residential colony. There will be
found wealth of scenery sufficient to
please the most artistic sense. and along
West avenue there are houses OF the best
country dwelling type, many costing con-
siderably more than $1,000 The residents
o. South Norwalk have thought for years
that West avenue as regards residential
beauty, was almost in class by itself.
Many visitors TO the town have echoed
the same sentiment and IL is fair 20
presume that few real estate experts