During the eighteenth century, Waterbury's town center was a swamp crossed
by a "corduroy" road made of logs. The swamp was dotted with rock
outcroppings and small ponds which were used for ice skating in the winter.
The swamp was gradually filled in as new buildings were constructed, and the
town's "Centre Square" evolved into the town Green. Cattle grazed
on the Green, and the local militia drilled there twice a year.