The original settlement of Waterbury dates back to 1674 and the city's name is reference to its proximity to the Naugatuck River and its many tributaries which flow through the heart of the city. Like many New England "river and rail" cities and towns, nineteenth-century industrial development created a vibrant local economy, jobs and great wealth, leading to Waterbury's position as the "Brass Capital of the World" and earning Waterbury the nickname "Brass City." Like our ancestors before us, Waterbury today is tapping into its creative energy to forge a new future, as we turn back to our creative roots, natural resources and geographic advantages to move forward.