HISTORY

In 1708, Ridgefield was founded on three parallel ridges with its Main Street established along the center ridge. Twenty-five acres original lots, made up of seven and a half acres, were given to each family along this street. Brendan's at The Elms is located on one of these original lots. The old stagecoach route from New York City passed through Ridgefield onto Hartford and then Boston. In 1772, the Keeler Tavern served as a welcome stop and, today, it serves as a museum and is just a half-mile down the road.

In 1799, Thomas Rockwell, a cabinetmaker by trade, built the center hall colonial that is now Brendan's at The Elms. The first room to the left was used in the eighteenth century as a parlor for ladies entertaining and has a rare "noodle" carving around the fireplace. The largest fireplace is to the back right and accommodates our "Pub" with an 18th century style cage bar. Next time you are traveling and need a simple meal, stop in.

The Battle of Ridgefield took place about 500 yards north of Brendan's at The Elms and is a continual source of Ridgefield's Patriotic Pride. On April 27, 1777, most of the town's sixty-four men were serving with George Washington. The British General Tryon and 1,800 troops had just destroyed American supplies in Danbury. In an attempt to block them on their way back to their ships anchored in the Sound, the American force of 600 men under the command of General Wooster and Benedict Arnold set up a barricade. A valiant effort claimed the life of General Wooster (the first Connecticut General killed in the Revolutionary War). The victory of the Battle of Ridgefield was decided in favor of the British and it was the only actual land battle fought in Connecticut.

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