NORWALK
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THE BUTLER HOMESTEAD
FOR 72 YEARS
15 Forbell was established in 1952.
There, Tommy & Vickie Butler raised their three children.
It remained Vickie's home until December 4, 2024 when the house was engulfed in smoke and fire.
In 1640, Roger Ludlow purchased the areas east of the Norwalk River from Chief Mahackemo of the Norwaake (or Naramauke) Indians. The name Norwalk was likely derived from the tribal name.
The first homesteaders arrived from Hartford in 1649 and incorporated as a town in 1651. This early community grew flax and hemp and raised cows.
During the Revolutionary War British forces under General Tryon nearly destroyed the entire town. By 1880, oyster farming dominated local industry and Norwalk had the largest fleet of steam-powered oyster boats in the world. In 1893 the town reincorporated as a city and consolidated in 1913 to the city we know today.
December 4, 2024: In the forties, Sean's father, who was a lumber delivery driver for Hatch & Bailey, made a delivery to a lot at Forbell Manor in Norwalk. Chub Lloyd, the owner of the development, invited Tommy to pick-out a plot and welcomed him to make modest weekly payments toward the purchase. With the support of family and help from relatives and friends, Tommy and Vickie built their 15 Forbell homestead. After Tommy's passing in 1998, Sean's sister, brother-in-law, and nephew moved in to help Vickie care for their severely handicapped brother. This arrangement lasted decades; that is, until that fateful day when the house was engulfed in smoke and fire. It was on that day, that Sean took over coordinating not only the care of his mother and brother, but dedicated his time and resources (mine, too) to rebuild 15 Forbell.
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