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History · Fairfield University

Fairfield University dates to 1942

Below: maps from 1892 on.

1942founded
0on the National Register
0.0%homes built before 1940
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Quick answers

How Fairfield University began

When was Fairfield University founded?

1942

Fairfield University dates its founding to 1942 (Wikidata and Wikipedia’s history agree).

2020 census: 2,88484 years
Founding year: Wikidata; Wikipedia’s history section gives the same year.The full story ↓

What stands out about Fairfield University’s past

Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.

A history waiting to be writtenNo old photos of Fairfield University are in the public archives yet. The rest are in attics and albums.On the map since 18924 editions of the USGS map, 1892 to 1971. Watch Fairfield University change.
★ What stands out · Help out

Start Fairfield University’s collection

The first neighbors to add old photos shape how Fairfield University’s history is told.

Decades since 1900 with photos
00s10s20s30s40s50s60s70s80s90s
0 of 10 decades. The empty ones are waiting for someone’s album.
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On the map

Fairfield University on the map, 1892 to 1971

Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Fairfield University. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.

Fairfield University on the 1892 USGS mapFairfield University on the 1951 USGS mapFairfield University on the 1960 USGS mapFairfield University on the 1971 USGS map1892Norwalk sheet · 1:62,500

U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Fairfield University.

The story

How Fairfield University came to be

From Wikipedia’s history of Fairfield University.

Read it all →

In 1941, James H. Dolan, Provincial for the New England Province of the Society of Jesus, received written permission from Bishop Maurice F. McAuliffe of the Hartford Archdiocese to establish a Jesuit high school and college in the southwestern area of Connecticut. Fairfield University was officially founded in 1942 when the Jesuits acquired the two contiguous estates of the Brewster Jennings and Walter Lashar families. Upon its founding, it became the 26th Jesuit college/university in the United States.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

By decade

Fairfield University, decade by decade

Today6 recent
Fairfield Entrance2008Fairfield EntranceFairfield Egan Chapel2008Fairfield Egan ChapelFairfield Dolan House2008Fairfield Dolan HouseFairfield DSOB2008Fairfield DSOBFairfield Barone Campus Center2008Fairfield Barone Campus CenterFairfield Alumni Stadium2008Fairfield Alumni Stadium
Famous people

Famous people close to Fairfield University

Nobody well known was born in Fairfield University itself, so here are the best known from just nearby.

See all →
M
Meg RyanAmerican actress · b. 1961
Robert MitchumAmerican actor · b. 1917
John MayerAmerican musician · b. 1977
Charli D'AmelioAmerican social media personality · b. 2004
George SmithNobel prize winning US chemist · b. 1941
Brian DennehyAmerican actor · b. 1938

Questions about Fairfield University’s history

What year was Fairfield University founded?

In 1942, according to Wikidata and Wikipedia’s history of the town.

Memory lane

What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.

Town Square →
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Sources

Where this page comes from

Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021). How TownRatings grades history →

From Wikimedia Commons (6), Wikipedia and U.S. Geological Survey historical maps. Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.