Norwalk as an Oyster Town

Norwalk’s waterfront has long been shaped by its connection to the oyster industry. Before the 1600s, Norwalk, including Manresa Island, was inhabited by the Norwaake, part of the Siwanoy of the Wappinger Confederacy. The Siwanoys migrated seasonally, living along the Sound in the warmer months to harvest shellfish and moving inland during winter for shelter from the coast.

Shellfish and the coastline remained central to life in Norwalk even as the city industrialized, with factories producing hats, locks, and iron parts. By 1874, Norwalk had become a leader in the oyster industry through the introduction of steam-powered dredging, and by 1880, the city had the largest fleet of steam-powered oyster boats in the world. In 1960, the Norwalk Harbor Generating Station was built on Manresa Island, becoming a familiar navigation landmark for oyster boats working out on the Sound.

That tradition continues today. The Long Island Sound still supports one of the country’s most productive oyster economies and local celebrations such as the Norwalk Oyster Festival, held annually since 1978, continue to honor the city’s connection to its oystering heritage.

In May 2026, WCVB Channel 5 explored Norwalk’s oystering tradition and the transformation underway at Manresa Wilds. The segment follows the work of Norm Bloom and Son, the multigenerational family business behind Copps Island Oysters. The business upholds the centuries-long tradition with great care, from carefully mapping oyster beds on the seafloor to returning shells to the water to help sustain future oyster harvests.

That connection between Norwalk’s past and future can also be seen along the shoreline at Manresa Island. Today, the former Manresa power plant remains notable on the Norwalk coastal skyline. Once closed off from the public, the site is now entering a new chapter through the ongoing transformation of Manresa Wilds. The project reflects the same spirit of renewal that has long shaped the oyster industry out on the Sound.

We thank WCVB Channel 5 for sharing the story of an industry that has shaped this community for centuries and for highlighting the future of the Norwalk coastline through Manresa Wilds.