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Montville, Connecticut

2025-11-02T17:56:46Z

2601:183:4B82:710:7166:E39F:E448:51B8: /* National Register of Historic Places */

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Montville, Connecticut
| official_name = Town of Montville
| settlement_type = [[New England town|Town]]
| image_skyline = MoheganRes FortShantokGlade.jpg
| image_caption = [[Fort Shantok]], on the [[Mohegan Tribe|Mohegan reservation]]
| image_flag =
| image_seal = MontvilleCTseal.JPG
| motto =
| image_map = {{switcher|[[File:New London County Connecticut Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Montville Highlighted 2010.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Montville's location within New London County and Connecticut]]| [[New London County, Connecticut|New London County]] and Connecticut|[[File:Southeastern Connecticut incorporated and unincorporated areas Montville highlighted.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Montville's location within the Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region and the state of Connecticut]]| [[Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut|Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region]] and Connecticut|default=1}}
| image_map1 = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=280|frame-height=200|frame-coord=SWITCH:{{coord|qid=Q1898531}}###{{coord|qid=Q779}}###{{coord|41|27|50|N|72|09|20|W}}|zoom=SWITCH:10;6;3|type=SWITCH:shape-inverse;point;point|marker=city|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|id2=SWITCH:Q1898531;Q779;Q30|type2=shape|fill2=#ffffff|fill-opacity2=SWITCH:0;0.1;0.1|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080|stroke-opacity2=SWITCH:0;1;1|switch=Montville;Connecticut;the United States}}
| coordinates = {{coord|41|27|50|N|72|09|20|W|region:US-CT|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Connecticut}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[New London County, Connecticut|New London]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Councils of governments in Connecticut|Region]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut|Southeastern CT]]
| established_title = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date = 1786
| government_type = [[Mayor-council]]
| leader_title = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name = Ron McDaniel (D)
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_total_km2 = 114.4
| area_land_km2 = 108.7
| area_water_km2 = 5.8
| elevation_m = 335
| elevation_ft = 259
| population_total = 18387
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_urban =
| population_metro =
| population_note =
| timezone = [[Eastern Time Zone (North America)|EST]]
| utc_offset = −5
| timezone_DST = EDT
| utc_offset_DST = −4
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code = 06353, 06370, 06382
| area_codes = [[Area codes 860 and 959|860/959]]
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 09-48900
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 0213464
| website = {{URL|www.montville-ct.org}}
}}

'''Montville''' is a [[New England town|town]] in [[New London County, Connecticut]], United States. The town is part of the [[Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut|Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region]]. The population was 18,387 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US0901148900| title=Census - Geography Profile: Montville town, New London County, Connecticut| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]| access-date=December 17, 2021}}</ref>

The [[Administrative divisions of Connecticut#Village, neighborhood, section of town|village]]s of Chesterfield, Mohegan, Oakdale, and [[Uncasville, Connecticut|Uncasville]] are located within the town; the latter two have their own [[ZIP Code]]s. Town residents often identify with these villages more than the Town of Montville as a whole. The [[Mohegan Sun]] casino resort is located in the village of Uncasville.

==History==

In the 17th century, when [[English people|English]] settlers arrived, southeastern Connecticut was the scene of rivalry between the [[Pequot people]], the dominant [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] group in the New London area, and the newly independent [[Mohegan people|Mohegan]]. The latter became friendly to the English. For defense against the Pequot, the Mohegan [[sachem]] [[Uncas]] had established a fortified village on a promontory above the [[Thames River (Connecticut)|Thames River]] within what is now the town of Montville. The Mohegan village, now known as [[Fort Shantok]], was protected on the inland side by [[palisade]]s first built in about 1636 at the time of the [[Pequot War]], rebuilt during wars with the [[Narragansett people]] {{circa|1653}}–1657, and rebuilt again at the time of [[King Philip's War]] (1675–1676).

When the boundaries of [[New London, Connecticut|New London]] (then called "Pequot") were first defined in 1646, the [[Oxoboxo River]] formed the northern boundary. Parts of the modern town of Montville lying south of the river were included in New London, while the area north of the river was treated as Mohegan land. Over time the settlers assumed control of the Mohegan lands. The first grants were made by Uncas in 1658 to Richard Houghton and James Rogers, consisting of valuable farms along the river. Some Mohegan grants were gifts of friendship or by fair trade, while others were openly fraudulent.<ref>{{cite book |last=Baker|first=Henry Augustus|date=1896 |title=History of Montville, Connecticut}}</ref> By 1703 the area between the Oxoboxo River and [[Norwich, Connecticut|Norwich]] (now part of the town of Montville) was [[municipal annexation|annex]]ed by New London.<ref name=Montvilleconsplan>''[http://www.townofmontville.org/Customer-Content/WWW/CMS/files/2010PlanofConservationandDevelopment.pdf Town of Montville Plan of Conservation and Development 2010] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325044149/http://www.townofmontville.org/Customer-Content/WWW/CMS/files/2010PlanofConservationandDevelopment.pdf |date=March 25, 2012 }}'', May 15, 2010</ref>

In 1786 Montville was separated from New London and incorporated as a separate Town. Before incorporation, it was known as the North Parish of New London. In 1819 the adjacent Town of [[Salem, Connecticut|Salem]] was formed from parts of the towns of Montville, [[Lyme, Connecticut|Lyme]], and [[Colchester, Connecticut|Colchester]].<ref>[http://www.townofmontville.org/Content/History/ History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728122128/http://www.townofmontville.org/Content/History/ |date=July 28, 2011 }}, Town of Montville website, accessed June 11, 2011</ref> The name "Montville" signifies "mountain village".<ref>{{cite book|title=The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qoEyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA333|year=1903|publisher=Connecticut Magazine Company|page=333}}</ref>

===National Register of Historic Places===

Four properties in town are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]:
* [[Bridge No. 1860]] on Massapeag Side Road (Route 433) over Shantok Brook, Fort Shantok SP (added August 29, 1993)
* [[Fort Shantok Archeological District]] (added April 20, 1986)
* [[Raymond-Bradford Homestead]] on Raymond Hill Road (added May 16, 1982)
* [[Uncasville School]], which now serves as the Montville Town Hall, at 310 Norwich-New London Turnpike (added March 23, 2001)

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|114.4|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|108.7|km2|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|5.8|km2|order=flip}}, or 5.06%, is water.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.census.gov| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Montville town, New London County, Connecticut| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]| access-date=October 25, 2012}}</ref>

===Principal communities===
* Chesterfield
* Kitemaug
* Massapeag
* Mohegan
* Oakdale
* [[Oxoboxo River, Connecticut|Oxoboxo River]]
* Palmertown
* [[Uncasville, Connecticut|Uncasville]]

Town residents often identify with these villages more than the Town of Montville as a whole. The center of Oakdale is small, consisting of only a few private residences and the post office. The [[Mohegan Sun]] casino resort is often referred to as being in Uncasville, although the village is three miles to the south. The Mohegan refer to Uncasville as it is named for a prominent ''[[sachem]]'' of theirs from the 17th century.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1820= 1951
|1850= 1848
|1860= 2141
|1870= 2495
|1880= 2664
|1890= 2344
|1900= 2395
|1910= 2894
|1920= 3411
|1930= 3970
|1940= 4135
|1950= 4766
|1960= 7759
|1970= 15662
|1980= 16455
|1990= 16673
|2000= 18546
|2010= 19571
|2020= 18387
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
{{See also|List of Connecticut locations by per capita income}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 18,546 people, 6,426 households, and 4,678 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|441.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 6,805 housing units at an average density of {{convert|162.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 86.03% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 5.49% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.46% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.89% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.23% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.86% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 5.45% of the population.

There were 6,426 households, out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 34.2% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 117.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 119.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $55,086, and the median income for a family was $61,643. Males had a median income of $40,922 versus $30,206 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $22,357. About 3.1% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.

Part of Montville is also treated by the [[U.S. Census Bureau]] as a [[census-designated place]] called [[Oxoboxo River, Connecticut|Oxoboxo River]].

==American Indians==
{{further|Mohegan Indians v. Connecticut}}
The [[Mohegan]] Native American Tribal Nation has been a presence in this area of Connecticut since the 16th century, and descended from indigenous cultures in the area for thousands of years. In the seventeenth century, the colony of Connecticut granted them a {{convert|700|acre|km2|adj=on}} reservation, located north of the present-day village of Uncasville. Although the reservation is within the borders of the town of Montville, the tribe is federally recognized as a sovereign nation not subject to local or state laws. In addition to operating the [[Mohegan Sun]], a casino resort that opened in 1996, the tribal nation also provides educational programs about their nation's heritage and history.

==Residents of Chinese descent==
Since at least the 1990s, people of Chinese descent have moved into the area drawn either by the work available at Mohegan Sun and the rising prices in the Northeast's [[Chinatown]]s. Their presence, the subject of an exhibition that travelled from the [[Lyman Allyn Museum]] in [[New London, Connecticut|New London]] to [[New York City]]'s [[Museum of Chinese in America]], has sparked at least one allegedly racist incident.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.metropolismag.com/Chinatown-in-Connecticut/|title=Chinatown in Connecticut|last=Rajagopal|first=Avinash|work=Metropolis Magazine|date=November 2015|access-date=November 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126011618/http://www.metropolismag.com/Chinatown-in-Connecticut/|archive-date=November 26, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Education==
[[Image:BarberJohnWarnerMonheganChapel.jpg|thumb|''South View of Mohegan Chapel, Monhegan'' in Montville, a sketch by [[John Warner Barber]] for his ''Historical Collections of Connecticut'' (1836). According to the Connecticut Historical Society, the chapel was constructed in 1831 with funds from "benevolent ladies in Norwich, Hartford and New London" as a church for Mohegan and white residents of the reservation in Montville.]]
Public schools in Montville are overseen by [[Montville Public Schools]], the town's public school system, operated by a board that includes nine elected members and two high school student representatives.<ref>[http://www.townofmontville.org/Content/Board_of_Education/ Board of Education] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718231017/http://www.townofmontville.org/Content/Board_of_Education/ |date=July 18, 2011 }}, Town of Montville website, accessed June 11, 2011</ref> The school system operates a regular [[High school (North America)|high school]], an [[alternative school|alternative high school]], a [[middle school]], and three [[elementary school]]s.<ref name=ourschools>[http://www.montvilleschools.org/schools Our Schools] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612141626/http://www.montvilleschools.org/schools |date=June 12, 2011 }}, Montville Public Schools website, accessed June 11, 2011</ref>

[[Montville High School (Connecticut)|Montville High School]] serves grades 9 through 12. Enrollment is approximately 800 students.<ref name=ourschools/>

The town is also home to private boarding school [[St. Thomas More School (Connecticut)|St. Thomas More School]], known for its basketball program.

==Economy==

===Power plant===
[[NRG Energy]] Inc., based in [[La Jolla, California]], operates an oil and natural gas-powered electricity generating plant in Montville, labeled by environmentalists as one of the "Sooty Six", the dirtiest power plants in the state. The plant was required to install pollution controls to comply with the state's 2002 power plant pollution law. In June 2006 the company proposed building a new type of coal-powered plant on the site for $1.6 billion.<ref name=gosselin>Kenneth R. Gosselin, "Firm unveils plan to boost electric capacity: Proposal includes upgrades in Norwalk, Greenwich", ''Hartford Courant''; reprinted June 22, 2006, ''The Advocate'', Stamford, Connecticut</ref>

In return for building the plant, the company demanded that the state guarantee NRG long-term contracts for buying the electricity it generates and pick NRG's proposal over other plans for building new power plants in the state. At the time of NRG's proposal, only 18 plants in the world and two in North America used the Integrated Gasification Combined-Cycle technology which the company suggested.<ref name=gosselin/> Contracts were to be awarded by the DPUC in early 2007. The company said the new plant could open in 2012. [[NRG Energy]] announced plans on August 5, 2013, to add fuel cells, solar and biomass conversion to the plant<ref>[https://archive.today/20130915232010/http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/x1465127285/NRG-plans-to-add-fuel-cells-solar-to-Montville-power-plant], NRG plans to add fuel cells, solar to Montville power plant, accessed September 15, 2013</ref>

==Notable people==

[[Image:PostcardUncasvilleCTUncasvilleMfgCoMill1906.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Uncasville Mfg. Co. mill, {{circa|1906}}]]
* [[George Miller Beard]] (1839–1883), neurologist who coined the term "[[neurasthenia]]" in 1869
* [[Charles W. Comstock]] (1857–1917), [[United States Attorney]] for the District of Connecticut and former Connecticut Judge
* [[Sidney E. Frank]] (1919–2006), billionaire businessman who promoted [[Grey Goose (vodka)|Grey Goose]] vodka and [[Jägermeister]]
* [[Ned Hanlon (baseball)|Ned Hanlon]] (1857–1937), member of the [[Baseball Hall of Fame]]<ref name="The Baseball Encyclopedia">{{cite book |editor= Reichler, Joseph L. |title= The Baseball Encyclopedia |orig-year= 1969 |edition= 4th |year= 1979 |publisher= Macmillan Publishing |location= New York |isbn= 0-02-578970-8 |url-access= registration |url= https://archive.org/details/baseballencyclop00reic }}</ref>
* [[James Hillhouse]] (1754–1832), real estate developer who constructed significant areas of [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]]. He was a congressman, U.S. senator and, for many years, treasurer of Yale University
* [[David Jewett]] (1772–1842), 19th Century naval commander
* [[Samson Occom]] (1723–1792), Mohegan minister and preacher
* [[Oliver H. Prince|Oliver Hillhouse Prince]] (1787–1837), represented Georgia in the U.S. Senate for less than a year

==Politics==

{| class=wikitable
! colspan = 6 | Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005<ref>{{cite web|title = Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 25, 2005 | publisher = Connecticut Secretary of State | access-date = October 2, 2006 | url = http://www.sots.ct.gov/ElectionsServices/lists/2005OctRegEnrollStats.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060923151511/http://www.sots.ct.gov/ElectionsServices/lists/2005OctRegEnrollStats.pdf  |archive-date = September 23, 2006}}</ref>
|-
! colspan = 2 | Party
! Active Voters
! Inactive Voters
! Total Voters
! Percentage
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| align = center | 2,613
| align = center | 80
| align = center | 2,693
| align = center | 27.69%
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| align = center | 1,517
| align = center | 70
| align = center | 1,587
| align = center | 16.32%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| [[Independent voter|Unaffiliated]]
| align = center | 5,142
| align = center | 286
| align = center | 5,428
| align = center | 55.81%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| Minor parties
| align = center | 16
| align = center | 1
| align = center | 17
| align = center | 0.17%
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! align = center | 9,288
! align = center | 437
! align = center | 9,725
! align = center | 100%
|}

== See also ==
* {{Portal-inline|Connecticut}}

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.montville-ct.org/ Town of Montville official website]

{{Connecticut}}
{{New London County, Connecticut}}
{{Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut}}
{{US Chinatowns}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Montville, Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:1786 establishments in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Populated places on the Thames River (Connecticut)]]
[[Category:Towns in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in New London County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut]]

Cornwall, Connecticut

2025-11-02T17:43:55Z

2601:183:4B82:710:7166:E39F:E448:51B8: /* Museums and other points of interest */

{{For|this town's central village|Cornwall (CDP), Connecticut}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Cornwall
| official_name = Town of Cornwall
| settlement_type = [[New England town|Town]]
| image_skyline = West Cornwall covered bridge 09.jpg
| image_caption = West Cornwall covered bridge
| image_seal = Cornwall, CT Seal.png
| image_map = {{switcher|[[File:Litchfield County Connecticut Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Cornwall Highlighted 2010.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Cornwall's location within Litchfield County and Connecticut]]| [[Litchfield County, Connecticut|Litchfield County]] and Connecticut|[[File:Northwest Hills incorporated and unincorporated areas Cornwall highlighted.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Cornwall's location within the Northwest Hills Planning Region and the state of Connecticut]]| [[Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut|Northwest Hills Planning Region]] and Connecticut|default=1}}
| image_map1 = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=280|frame-height=200|frame-coord=SWITCH:{{coord|qid=Q2446215}}###{{coord|qid=Q779}}###{{coord|41|50|43|N|73|19|53|W}}|zoom=SWITCH:10;6;3|type=SWITCH:shape-inverse;point;point|marker=city|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|id2=SWITCH:Q2446215;Q779;Q30|type2=shape|fill2=#ffffff|fill-opacity2=SWITCH:0;0.1;0.1|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080|stroke-opacity2=SWITCH:0;1;1|switch=Cornwall;Connecticut;the United States}}
| coordinates = {{coord|41|50|43|N|73|19|53|W|region:US-CT|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Connecticut}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Litchfield County, Connecticut|Litchfield]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Councils of governments in Connecticut|Region]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut|Northwest Hills]]
| established_title = Incorporated (city)
| established_date = May 1740<ref name="Cornwall, Connecticut">{{cite web|url= http://www.city-data.com/city/Cornwall-Connecticut.html|title= Cornwall, Connecticut|publisher= City-Data.com |access-date=September 22, 2012}}</ref>
| government_type = [[Board of selectmen|Selectman-town meeting]]
| leader_title = First selectman
| leader_name = Gordon M. Ridgway (D)
| leader_title1 = Selectwoman
| leader_name1 = Marina Kotchoubey(D)
| leader_title2 = Selectman
| leader_name2 = Priscilla Pavel (R)
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_total_km2 = 120.0
| area_total_sq_mi =
| area_land_km2 = 119.3
| area_land_sq_mi =
| area_water_km2 = 0.7
| area_water_sq_mi =
| elevation_m = 216
| elevation_ft = 709
| population_total = 1567
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi =
| population_metro =
| population_note =
| timezone = [[North American Eastern Standard Time|EST]]
| utc_offset = -5
| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST = -4
| postal_code_type = ZIP code
| postal_code = 06754, 06796
| area_codes = [[Area codes 860 and 959|860/959]]
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 09-17240
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 0213412
| website = {{URL|www.cornwallct.org}}
| image_flag = Flag of Cornwall, Connecticut.svg
}}
'''Cornwall''' is a [[New England town|town]] in [[Litchfield County, Connecticut|Litchfield County]], [[Connecticut]], United States. The population was 1,567 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="Census 2020">{{cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US0900517240| title=Census - Geography Profile: Cornwall town, Litchfield County, Connecticut| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 27, 2021}}</ref> The town is part of the [[Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut|Northwest Hills Planning Region]].

==History==
The town of Cornwall, Connecticut, is named after the county of [[Cornwall, England]]. The town was incorporated in 1740, nearly four decades before the United States declared its independence. The town encompasses three distinct townships: Cornwall Bridge and West Cornwall, each bordered by the [[Housatonic River]] to the west, and Cornwall Village, located three miles east of the river. One significant natural feature is the vast amount of forested land, including hundreds of acres of [[Mohawk State Forest]], resulting in Cornwall often being called “the “Greenest Town in Connecticut”.
The proximity of its settlements to the Housatonic River offered an efficient means of transporting materials and goods, which helped stimulate Cornwall's early farming economy as well as assisting in the evolution of business and industry. During the 19th century and the arrival of the Industrial Revolution, the town maintained two furnaces, including a blast furnace, to support charcoal-making industries. Cornwall was home to the [[Foreign Mission School]], dating to 1817, as well as the [[Cream Hill Agricultural School]] in 1845, whose property, still an active farmstead, was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1976. Cornwall has long been known as the “Home of the Covered Bridge,” which has spanned the Housatonic River since 1864. One of only three surviving covered bridges in Connecticut, the bridge is a popular tourist destination and among the most-photographed locations in the state.
Modern-day Cornwall continues to reflect its rural farming character while being home to arts, culture, artisans and entrepreneurs. Its convenience to major metropolitan areas makes it attractive for year-round and second-home residents.

In 1939 poet [[Mark Van Doren]] wrote "The Hills of Little Cornwall", in which the seductive beauties of the countryside were portrayed:<ref>Academy of American Poets, [https://poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16517 "The Hills of Little Cornwall"], accessed October 7, 2019</ref>

:''The mind, eager for caresses,''
:''Lies down at its own risk in Cornwall;''

Cornwall also makes a glancing appearance in [[Wallace Stevens]]'s late poem "Reality is an Activity of the Most August Imagination."

Cornwall played a role in the establishment of [[Christianity]] in the [[Hawaiian Islands]] after a native Hawaiian died here of Typhus in 1818. This tragedy was instrumental in the [[Congregational]] church's 1820 outreach to the ‘[[Sandwich Islands]]’ at [[Kona, Hawaii]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mokuaikaua.com/|title=Front Page}}</ref>

==Geography==
Cornwall is in northwestern Litchfield County. It is bordered to the north by the town of [[Canaan, Connecticut|Canaan]], to the east by [[Goshen, Connecticut|Goshen]], to the south by [[Warren, Connecticut|Warren]], to the southwest by [[Kent, Connecticut|Kent]], and to the west, across the [[Housatonic River]], by [[Sharon, Connecticut|Sharon]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town of Cornwall has a total area of {{convert|120.0|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|119.3|km2|order=flip}} are land and {{convert|0.7|km2|order=flip|1}}, or 0.55%, are water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0600000US0900517240| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), Cornwall town, Litchfield County, Connecticut| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| website=American FactFinder| access-date=October 7, 2019| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213153402/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0600000US0900517240| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref> The town contains a major portion of [[Mohawk State Forest]].

===Principal communities===
*[[Cornwall (CDP), Connecticut|Cornwall]] (has its own ZIP Code for a specific P.O. box)
*[[Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut|Cornwall Bridge]] (has its own post office)
*Cornwall Hollow
*East Cornwall
*[[West Cornwall, Connecticut|West Cornwall]] (has its own post office)

==Demographics==

{{US Census population
|1820= 1661
|1850= 2041
|1860= 1953
|1870= 1772
|1880= 1583
|1890= 1283
|1900= 1175
|1910= 1016
|1920= 834
|1930= 878
|1940= 907
|1950= 896
|1960= 1051
|1970= 1177
|1980= 1288
|1990= 1414
|2000= 1434
|2010= 1420
|2020= 1567
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2015 }}</ref>
}}
{{See also|List of Connecticut locations by per capita income}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 1,434 people, 615 households, and 389 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|31.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 873 housing units at an average density of {{convert|19.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 97.49% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.21% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.70% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.21% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.39% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.46% of the population.
[[File:BarberSketchOfCornwall.jpg|thumb|A sketch of the village by [[John Warner Barber]] (1835) shows the buildings used by the [[Foreign Mission School]], to the right of the church at center.]]
There were 615 households, out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $54,886, and the median income for a family was $64,750. Males had a median income of $46,875 versus $30,536 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $42,484. About 1.0% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 1.6% of those age 65 or over.

Some of the main features of Cornwall include the Cream Hill Lake, the Covered Bridge, Mohawk Ski Mountain and the town which contains a library and tennis courts.

{| class=wikitable
! colspan = 6 | Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 25, 2005<ref>{{cite web|title = Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 25, 2005 | publisher = Connecticut Secretary of State | access-date = October 2, 2006 | url = http://www.sots.ct.gov/ElectionsServices/lists/2005OctRegEnrollStats.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060923151511/http://www.sots.ct.gov/ElectionsServices/lists/2005OctRegEnrollStats.pdf  |archive-date = September 23, 2006}}</ref>
|-
! colspan = 2 | Party
! Active voters
! Inactive voters
! Total voters
! Percentage
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| align = center | 330
| align = center | 6
| align = center | 336
| align = center | 31.97%
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| align = center | 246
| align = center | 4
| align = center | 250
| align = center | 23.79%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| [[Independent voter|Unaffiliated]]
| align = center | 447
| align = center | 8
| align = center | 455
| align = center | 43.29%
|-
| {{party color cell|Libertarian Party (United States)}}
| [[Third Party (United States)|Minor Parties]]
| align = center | 10
| align = center | 0
| align = center | 10
| align = center | 0.95%
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! align = center | 1,033
! align = center | 18
! align = center | 1,051
! align = center | 100%
|}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4" |Presidential Election Results<ref>{{Cite web|title=General Election Statements of Vote, 1922 – Current|url=https://authoring.ct.gov//SOTS/Election-Services/Statement-Of-Vote-PDFs/General-Elections-Statement-of-Vote-1922|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=CT Secretary of State}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Election Night Reporting|url=https://ctemspublic.pcctg.net/#/selectTown|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=CT Secretary of State}}</ref>
|-
!Year
![[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
![[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
![[Third party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2020 United States presidential election|2020]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''73.6%''' ''760''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|24.2% ''250''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|2.2% ''22''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2016 United States presidential election|2016]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''67.4%''' ''622''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|26.9% ''248''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|5.7% ''53''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2012 United States presidential election|2012]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''71.2%''' ''629''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|28.3% ''250''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.5% ''4''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2008 United States presidential election|2008]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''76.0%''' ''732''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|22.6% ''218''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.4% ''13''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2004 United States presidential election|2004]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''66.2%''' ''625''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|31.4% ''296''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|2.4% ''23''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2000 United States presidential election|2000]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''54.2%''' ''455''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|32.9% ''277''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|12.9% ''108''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1996 United States presidential election|1996]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''49.2%''' ''408''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|32.4% ''269''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|18.4% ''153''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1992 United States presidential election|1992]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''53.2%''' ''473''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|28.7% ''255''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|18.1% ''161''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1988 United States presidential election|1988]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''53.2%''' ''448''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|45.6% ''384''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.2% ''10''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1984 United States presidential election|1984]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|44.5% 347
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''55.0%''' ''429''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.5% 4
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1980 United States presidential election|1980]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|34.6% ''268''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''43.5%''' ''337''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|21.9% 169
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1976 United States presidential election|1976]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|37.8% ''284''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''61.4%''' ''461''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.8% 6
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1972 United States presidential election|1972]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|36.6% ''281''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''62.6%''' ''481''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.8% ''6''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1968 United States presidential election|1968]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.2% ''246''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''58.5%''' ''377''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|3.3% ''21''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1964 United States presidential election|1964]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''63.8%''' ''407''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|36.2% ''231''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1960 United States presidential election|1960]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|31.1% ''209''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''68.9%''' ''463''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1956 United States presidential election|1956]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|21.2% ''133''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''78.8%''' ''493''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|}

==Education==

Cornwall is a member of Regional School District 01, which also includes the towns of Canaan, Kent, [[North Canaan, Connecticut|North Canaan]], [[Salisbury, Connecticut|Salisbury]], and Sharon. Public school students attend the Cornwall Consolidated School for grades K–8 and [[Housatonic Valley Regional High School]] for grades 9–12.

==Arts and culture==
The Cornwall Library, organized in 1869, constructed a new building in 2002 that houses a collection of over 28,000 items. It sponsors art shows, lectures, a Books & Bloom sale and tour, along with many other events.

''The Cornwall Chronicle'' is a non-profit monthly newspaper that publishes news and feature stories about Cornwall, a calendar of events, and drawings by local artists. It was started in 1991 and has not missed an issue since.

The Rose Algrant Show is an exhibit of works in all media by artists from Cornwall, Connecticut over the age of 18. It has been held annually since 1959 (2020 was online).

===Museums and other points of interest===

*[[Cathedral Pines]] – a {{convert|42|acre|adj=on}} nature conservatory and [[old-growth forest]]
*[[Cornwall Bridge]] – concrete arch bridge built in 1930 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004
*[[Cornwall Bridge Railroad Station]] – added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972
*Cornwall Historical Society – located in a converted carriage barn, features annual exhibits on Cornwall's history
*[[House VI]] ("the Frank residence") – an example of [[Deconstructivist]] architecture
*[[Mohawk Mountain Ski Area]] – a ski resort
*[[West Cornwall Covered Bridge]] – listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975

The town was home to the [[Foreign Mission School]] between 1817 and 1826.

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===
[[File:Cornwall-Covered-Bridge.jpg|thumb|250px|[[West Cornwall Covered Bridge]]]]
The town is served by [[Connecticut Route 4]], [[U.S. Route 7 in Connecticut|U.S. Route 7]], and Connecticut Routes [[Connecticut Route 43|43]], [[Connecticut Route 125|125]] and [[Connecticut Route 128|128]]. Route 4 leads east {{convert|13|mi}} to [[Torrington, Connecticut|Torrington]] and west {{convert|11|mi}} to [[Sharon, Connecticut|Sharon]], while Route 7 leads north {{convert|14|mi}} to [[North Canaan, Connecticut|North Canaan]] and south {{convert|25|mi}} to [[New Milford, Connecticut|New Milford]]. Routes 43, 125 and 128 are entirely within the town of Cornwall, Route 43 running from North Corners near Cornwall village to Cornwall Hollow, Route 128 running from North Corners to West Cornwall, and Route 125 running from Cornwall Village north to Route 128.

The [[covered bridge]] in West Cornwall, crossing the Housatonic River, is one of only three covered bridges in Litchfield County. It has a span of {{convert|242|ft}} and has been in continuous service since 1864.

==Notable people==

{{div col}}
* [[Ethan Allen]] (1738–1789), Revolutionary War hero ([[Green Mountain Boys]]) and co-founder of the state of [[Vermont]]
* [[Ira Allen]] (1751–1814), one of the founders of Vermont<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896">{{cite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | year = 1967}}</ref>
* [[Norman Dorsen]] (1930–2017), Law Professor, former president American Civil Liberties Union
* Neil Estern (1926-2019), sculptor
* [[Edward L. Ferman]] (born 1937), editor and publisher, most notably of ''[[The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction]]''
* [[Theodore Sedgwick Gold]] (1818–1906), Connecticut state secretary of the board of agriculture
* [[Ralph C. Harrison]] (1833–1918), attorney and [[Supreme Court of California]] justice
* [[Tom Jones (writer)|Tom Jones]] (born 1928), composer, ''The Fantasticks''
* [[Alexandra Paul]] (born 1963), actress; raised in Cornwall
* [[Oliver Platt]] (born 1960), actor
* [[Tim Prentice (sculptor)|Tim Prentice]] (born 1930), sculptor
* [[Abraham A. Ribicoff]] (1910–1998), governor of Connecticut and U.S. senator
* [[Roxana Robinson]] (born 1946), novelist and biographer
* [[John Sedgwick]] (1813–1864), Union Army general killed by a [[sniper]] at the [[Battle of Spotsylvania Court House]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.civilwarhome.com/sedgwickbio.htm |title= John Sedgwick|publisher= Who’s Who In The Civil war |access-date= September 19, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Oscar Serlin]] (1901–1971), Broadway producer, ''Life with Father''
* [[Marc Simont]] (1915–2013), artist, political cartoonist and illustrator of children's books
* [[Richard Schlesinger (journalist)|Richard Schlesinger]], veteran CBS News correspondent
* [[James Thurber]] (1894–1961), author ("[[The Secret Life of Walter Mitty]]"), cartoonist and celebrated wit
* [[Charles Van Doren]] (1926–2019), historian, notable quiz show contestant, resident
* [[Mark Van Doren]] (1894–1972), poet and teacher
* [[Sam Waterston]] (born 1940), actor; lives in West Cornwall
* [[Josepha Newcomb Whitney]] (1871–1957), suffragist, pacifist, elected to Connecticut legislature
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Connecticut}}
*[https://www.cornwallct.org/ Official website]
*[http://www.cornwallschool.org/ Cornwall Consolidated School]
*[https://www.cornwalllibrary.org/ Cornwall Library]
*[https://www.cornwallhistoricalsociety.org/ Cornwall Historical Society]
*[https://cornwallchronicle.org ''The Cornwall Chronicle'']
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060807175552/http://www.tcextra.com/towns/lakevillejournal.htm ''The Lakeville Journal'']
*[https://www.hvrhs.org/ Housatonic Valley Regional High School] in Falls Village
*[http://www.city-data.com/city/Cornwall-Connecticut.html Cornwall, Connecticut], at City-Data.com

{{Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut}}
{{Litchfield County, Connecticut}}
{{Connecticut}}
{{New York metropolitan area}}
{{New England}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cornwall, Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Litchfield County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in the New York metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Towns in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut]]

Sharon, Connecticut

2025-11-02T17:41:13Z

2601:183:4B82:710:7166:E39F:E448:51B8: /* Historic sites */

{{More citations needed|date=April 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Sharon, Connecticut
| official_name = Town of Sharon
| named_for = [[Sharon plain]]
| settlement_type = [[New England town|Town]]
| image_skyline = HotchkissMemorialLibrarySharonCT.jpg
| image_caption = Hotchkiss Memorial Library
| image_map = {{switcher|[[File:Litchfield County Connecticut Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Sharon Highlighted 2010.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Sharon's location within Litchfield County and Connecticut]]| [[Litchfield County, Connecticut|Litchfield County]] and Connecticut|[[File:Northwest Hills incorporated and unincorporated areas Sharon highlighted.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Sharon's location within the Northwest Hills Planning Region and the state of Connecticut]]| [[Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut|Northwest Hills Planning Region]] and Connecticut|default=1}}
| image_map1 = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=280|frame-height=200|frame-coord=SWITCH:{{coord|qid=Q2446162}}###{{coord|qid=Q779}}###{{coord|41|52|N|73|27|W}}|zoom=SWITCH:10;6;3|type=SWITCH:shape-inverse;point;point|marker=city|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|id2=SWITCH:Q2446162;Q779;Q30|type2=shape|fill2=#ffffff|fill-opacity2=SWITCH:0;0.1;0.1|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080|stroke-opacity2=SWITCH:0;1;1|switch=Sharon;Connecticut;the United States}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|41|52|N|73|27|W|region:US-CT_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{US}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Connecticut}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Litchfield County, Connecticut|Litchfield]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Councils of governments in Connecticut|Region]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut|Northwest Hills]]
| established_title = Incorporated
| established_date = 1739
| government_type = [[Board of selectmen|Selectman–town meeting]]
| leader_title = First selectman
| leader_name = Casey T. Flanagan (D)
| leader_title1 = Selectman
| leader_name1 = John Brett (I)
| leader_title2 = Selectman
| leader_name2 = Lynn Kearcher (D)
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_total_km2 = 154.3
| area_total_sq_mi =
| area_land_km2 = 152.2
| area_land_sq_mi =
| area_water_km2 = 2.1
| area_water_sq_mi =
| elevation_m = 346
| elevation_ft = 1135
| population_total = 2680
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi =
| timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
| utc_offset = −5
| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
| utc_offset_DST = −4
| postal_code_type = ZIP Code
| postal_code = 06069
| area_codes = [[Area codes 860 and 959|860/959]]
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 09-005-67960
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 213503
| website = {{URL|www.sharonct.org}}
| footnotes =
}}

'''Sharon''' is a [[New England town|town]] in [[Litchfield County, Connecticut|Litchfield County]], [[Connecticut]], United States, in the northwest corner of the state. At the time of the [[United States 2020 Census|2020 census]], the town had a total population of 2,680.<ref name="Census 2020">{{cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US0900567960| title=Census - Geography Profile: Sharon town, Litchfield County, Connecticut| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]| access-date=December 21, 2021}}</ref> The town is part of the [[Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut|Northwest Hills Planning Region]]. The [[ZIP Code]] for Sharon is 06069. The urban center of the town is the [[Sharon (CDP), Connecticut|Sharon census-designated place]], with a population of 729 at the 2010 census.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US0967890| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), Sharon CDP, Connecticut| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| website=American FactFinder| access-date=October 15, 2019| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213043508/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US0967890| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History==
The first inhabitants of the area they called ''Poconnuck'' were the [[Mattabesec]] Native Americans. These were part of what became known as the [[Wappinger confederacy]]; in turn, it belonged to the loose [[Algonquian peoples|Algonquian]] confederacy.

Sharon was incorporated in 1739. It is named after the [[Plain of Sharon]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qoEyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA334 |year=1903 |publisher=Connecticut Magazine Company |page=334}}</ref>

===Historic sites===
Sharon has six sites listed on the U.S. [[National Register of Historic Places]]:
*[[Ebenezer Gay House]], 18 Main Street, Sharon
*[[George King House]], 12 North Main Street, Sharon
*[[Gov. Smith Homestead]], South Main Street, Sharon
*[[James Pardee House]], 129 North Main Street, Sharon
*[[Sharon Historic District (Sharon, Connecticut)|Sharon Historic District]], roughly Main Street from Low Road to its junction with Mitchelltown, Amenia Union, and West Woods Roads, Sharon
*[[Sharon Valley Historic District]]

==Geography==
The town is bounded on the north by [[Salisbury, Connecticut|Salisbury]], on the east across the [[Housatonic River]] by [[Cornwall, Connecticut|Cornwall]], on the south by [[Kent, Connecticut|Kent]], and on the west by [[Dutchess County, New York]]. Sharon is {{convert|42|mi}} north of [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]], {{convert|52|mi}} west of [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]], and {{convert|30|mi}} northeast of [[Poughkeepsie, New York]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|154.3|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|152.2|sqkm|order=flip}} are land and {{convert|2.1|sqkm|order=flip}}, or 1.33%, are water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0600000US0900567960| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), Sharon town, Litchfield County, Connecticut| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| website=American FactFinder| access-date=October 15, 2019| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213152645/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0600000US0900567960| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref> It is the third largest town in Connecticut based on area. Sharon is part of the [[Northwest Highlands of Connecticut]], a region in and around the [[drainage basin|watershed]] of the Housatonic River. The [[Appalachian Trail]] passes for a few miles through the east side of Sharon, near [[West Cornwall, Connecticut|West Cornwall]] and [[U.S. Route 7 in Connecticut|U.S. Route 7]]. [[Housatonic Meadows State Park]] is in the eastern part of the town, next to the [[Housatonic River]].

===Principal communities===
*Amenia Union
*Ellsworth
*[[Sharon (CDP), Connecticut|Sharon center]]
*[[Sharon Valley Historic District|Sharon Valley]]
*Main Street & Green
*[http://sharonhist.org/sharon-history/historic-houses-places/caulkinstown/ Calkinstown]
*West Woods

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1820= 2573
|1850= 2507
|1860= 2556
|1870= 2441
|1880= 2580
|1890= 2149
|1900= 1982
|1910= 1880
|1920= 1585
|1930= 1710
|1940= 1611
|1950= 1889
|1960= 2141
|1970= 2491
|1980= 2623
|1990= 2928
|2000= 2968
|2010= 2782
|2020= 2680
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
{{See also|List of Connecticut locations by per capita income}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 2,968 people, 1,246 households, and 775 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|50.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,617 housing units at an average density of {{convert|27.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 96.87% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.94% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.57% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.44% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.34% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 0.84% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.95% of the population.

There were 1,246 households, of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.3% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 29.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.

The [[median household income]] was $53,000, and the median family income for a family was $71,458. Males had a median income of $42,841 versus $31,375 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $45,418. About 3.9% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.4% of those under the age of 18 and none of those 65 and older.

==Education==

Sharon is a member of Regional School District 01, which also includes the towns of [[Canaan, Connecticut|Canaan]], [[Cornwall, Connecticut|Cornwall]], [[Kent, Connecticut|Kent]], [[North Canaan]], and [[Salisbury, Connecticut|Salisbury]]. Public school students attend Sharon Center School from grades K–8 and [[Housatonic Valley Regional High School]] or Oliver Wolcott Regional Vocational Technical School from grades 9–12.

==Transportation==
The town is served by state highways [[Connecticut Route 4|4]], [[Connecticut Route 41|41]], [[Connecticut Route 343|343]], and [[Connecticut Route 361|361]]. Route 4 has its western terminus in Sharon and leads southeast {{convert|8|mi|0}} to [[Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut|Cornwall Bridge]] and ultimately east {{convert|47|mi}} to [[West Hartford, Connecticut|West Hartford]]. Route 41 leads north {{convert|8|mi|0}} to Salisbury and southwest {{convert|4|mi|0}} to the New York state line, Route 343 leads west and becomes [[New York State Route 343]], leading {{convert|5|mi|0}} to [[Amenia, New York]], and Route 361 leads towards [[Millerton, New York]], {{convert|6|mi|0}} north of Sharon.

==Notable people==

{{div col}}
* [[Kevin Bacon]] (born 1958), and his wife [[Kyra Sedgwick]] (born 1965), actors
* [[Patricia Buckley Bozell]] (1927–2008), author and editor; reared in Sharon with her brothers James and William Jr. at the Buckley family home, "Great Elm"
* [[William F. Buckley Jr.]] (1925–2008), public intellectual, founder of ''[[National Review]]''
* [[James L. Buckley]] (1925–2008), U.S. Senator from New York, federal judge, author.
* [[Yancy Butler]] (born 1970), former ''[[Witchblade]]'' actress<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2007-03-15-butler-arrest_N.htm "Actress Yancy Butler arrested for DUI"]. ''[[USA Today]]''. March 15, 2007{{dead link|date=October 2023}}</ref>
* [[William Coley]] (1862–1936), prominent New York bone surgeon and inventor of "Coley's toxins", an early form of cancer [[immunotherapy]]
* [[Jane Curtin]] (born 1947), actress and comedian
* [[Walter Fairservis]], (1921-1994) Archeologist at [[American Museum of Natural History]] and finder of "lost cities". Also playwright and producer - lived in Sharon 25 years before his death.<ref name="Hartford Courant">{{cite news |title=Walter Fairservis: anthropologist |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-obituary-for-walter-fai/174278057/ |access-date=11 June 2025 |publisher=Hartford Courant |date=July 15, 1994 |page=183 |language=English}}</ref>
* [[Michael J. Fox]] (born 1961) and his wife [[Tracy Pollan]] (born 1960), actors
* [[Frank R. Fratellenico]] (1951–1970), [[Medal of Honor]] recipient, Vietnam War
* [[Arthur Getz]] (1913–1996), illustrator for ''[[The New Yorker]]'' magazine
* [[Tom Goldenberg]] (born 1948), artist<ref name="Epworth17">Epworth, Marsden. [https://www.tricornernews.com/node/51141 "Inspired by a Millerton Landscape,"] ''TriCorner News'', May 17, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2019.</ref>
* [[Eunice Groark]] (1938–2018), Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut
* [[Thomas C. Hart|Thomas Hart]] (1877–1971), U.S. Navy admiral and U.S. senator
* [[Benjamin B. Hotchkiss]] (1826–1885), ordnance engineer, husband of Maria Bissell Hotchkiss
* [[Maria Bissell Hotchkiss]] (1827–1901), educator, wife of Benjamin B. Hotchkiss
* [[S. Holden Jaffe]], musician behind Del Water Gap
* [[Jasper Johns]] (born 1930), artist
* [[Elijah Juckett]] (1760–1839), [[Continental Army]] soldier
* [[Helen Coley Nauts]] (1907–2001), daughter of William Coley and co-founder of the [[Cancer Research Institute]]
* [[Sam Posey]] (born 1944), retired racecar driver and sports broadcaster
* [[Campbell Scott]] (born 1961), actor
* [[Ansel Sterling]] (1782–1853), [[US House of Representatives|congressman]] from Connecticut
* [[Charles A. Templeton]] (1871–1955), [[Governor of Connecticut]]
* [[Bradley Whitford]] (born 1959) and his wife [[Jane Kaczmarek]] (born 1955), actors
{{div col end}}

===Sharon Hospital, the birthplace of several persons who were not residents===

* [[Philip Amelio]], 1980s child actor born in Sharon on November 3, 1977; raised in nearby [[Pine Plains, New York]]
* [[Sandy Berger|Samuel Berger]], [[U.S. National Security Advisor]] to President [[Bill Clinton]], born in Sharon on October 28, 1945; raised in nearby [[Millerton, New York]]
* [[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]] (born Michael Shawn Coulthard), announcer on ''[[WWE Raw]]'' and former [[CBS Radio]] journalist, born in Sharon on December 8, 1968; raised in nearby [[Amenia, New York]]
* [[Alfred Korzybski]], founder of the nearby [[Institute of General Semantics]], died at Sharon Hospital March 1, 1950

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Sharon, Connecticut}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Connecticut}}
* [http://www.sharonct.org/ Town of Sharon official website]
* [http://www.sharonhist.org/ Sharon Historical Society]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20030521133419/http://www.historical.maptech.com/quad.cfm?quadname=Sharon&state=CT&series=7.5 Historic USGS map including Sharon], in the southwest corner of the quadrangle
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041012200834/http://members.skyweb.net/~channy/CTGuideShar.html 1935 description of Sharon]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040820203848/http://dep.state.ct.us/cgnhs/lakes/mudge/lake.htm Mudge Pond], a {{convert|206|acre|adj=on}} lake in the northwest part of Sharon
* [http://sharon.audubon.org/ Sharon Audubon Center]

{{Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut}}
{{Litchfield County, Connecticut}}
{{Connecticut}}
{{New York metropolitan area}}
{{New England}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Sharon, Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Litchfield County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in the New York metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Towns in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut]]

Rockville, Connecticut

2025-11-02T17:37:54Z

2601:183:4B82:710:7166:E39F:E448:51B8: /* Rockville Historic District */

{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Rockville, Connecticut
| official_name = Village of Rockville
| settlement_type = [[Census-designated place]]
| image_skyline = Downtown Rockville Connecticut from Fox Hill in 2015.jpg
| image_alt =
|image_seal=
| image_caption = Downtown Rockville from [[The Tower on Fox Hill|Fox Hill]] in 2015
| image_map = Tolland County Connecticut Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Rockville Highlighted 2010.svg
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location in [[Tolland County, Connecticut|Tolland County]], then Tolland County's location in [[Connecticut]]
| etymology = "Going to the Rock"
| area_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Gazetteer"/>
| area_total_sq_mi = 1.881
| area_land_sq_mi = 1.826
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.055
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2020" />
| population_total = 7,920
| population_density_sq_mi= 4337
| pop_est_as_of =
| pop_est_footnotes =
| population_est =
| coordinates = {{coord|41.8673|-72.4483|region:US-CT|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = United States
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Connecticut]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Tolland County, Connecticut|Tolland]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Councils of governments in Connecticut|Region]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut|Capitol Planning]]
| subdivision_type4 = Town
| subdivision_name4 = [[Vernon, Connecticut|Vernon]]
| website = {{URL|rockvillect.org}}
| elevation_m = 112
| elevation_ft = 367
| timezone1 = [[Eastern Time Zone]]
| utc_offset1 = -5
| timezone1_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time]]
| utc_offset1_DST = -4
| postal_code_type = Postal Code
| postal_code = 06066
| area_code = 860
| footnotes =
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 09-65230
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 2377857<ref name=GNIS1>{{gnis|2377857|Rockville}}</ref>
{{Infobox NRHP
| embed = yes
| name = Rockville Historic District
| nrhp_type = hd
| image = Maxwell Memorial Library, Vernon-Rockville CT.jpg
| caption = George Maxwell Memorial Library, photograph from 2006
| location = Roughly bounded by Snipsic St., Davis Ave., West and South Sts., Rockville, Connecticut
| coordinates = {{coord|41|51|51|N|72|27|4|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline}}
| locmapin = Connecticut#USA
| area = {{convert|550|acre}}
| architect = Platt, Charles A. et al
| architecture = Greek Revival, Late Victorian, Classical Revival
| added = September 13, 1984
| refnum = 84001173<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref>
| nocat = yes
}}
}}
'''Rockville''' is a [[census-designated place]] and a village of the town of [[Vernon, Connecticut|Vernon]] in [[Tolland County, Connecticut]], United States. The village is part of the [[Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut|Capitol Planning Region]]. The population was 7,920 at the 2020 census.<ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web |title=Census - Geography Profile: Rockville CDP, Connecticut |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=160XX00US0965230 |access-date=August 7, 2023 |website=[[Census.gov]]}}</ref> Incorporated as a city in 1889, it has been consolidated with the town of Vernon since 1965.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of {{convert|1.881|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|1.826|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.055|sqmi|km2}} (2.9%) is water.<ref name="2020 Gazetteer">{{cite web|title=2020 Gazetteer (Connecticut)|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_09.txt|access-date=August 7, 2023}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Seal of Rockville, Connecticut.png|thumb|upright|left|Old municipal seal of Rockville, when it was classified as a city.]]
===Early settlement===

In 1726, Samuel Grant traded his farm in [[Bolton, Connecticut|Bolton]] for {{convert|500|acre|km2}} in the northern part of Bolton. This included the area which is now known as "Rockville" and for about the next century it was a nameless village. A prominent feature of the area is the [[Shenipsit Lake]], or "The Snip" as it is currently affectionately called by the residents. The Snip feeds the [[Hockanum River]] which [[waterfall#Types|cascades]] 254 feet over {{convert|1.5|mi|km|1}}. The river was used by the farmers for a [[grist mill]], a [[sawmill|saw mill]], an [[oil mill]] and even a [[distillation|distillery]] starting {{circa|1740}}.

===Rock Mill===

In 1821, Colonel Francis McLean built the first [[textile]] mill in what is now Rockville in partnership with George and Allyn Kellogg and Ralph Talcott, next to a spot known as "the Rock" with capital of $16,000. Francis McLean had partnered previously with some others in the Warburton Mill in Talcottville. "The Rock" was a natural [[dam]] of solid [[rock (geology)|stone]] that made a high falls on the [[Hockanum River]]. In what is now the center of Rockville, he dammed up the Hockanum River and built a water-powered mill known as the "Rock Mill", which was possibly also known as the McLean Woolen Factory. By 1823 his mill was in full operation. The new mill was 80 by 30 feet, and its product was blue and blue-mix [[satinet]]. In 1826 [[power looms]] were introduced.

The mill attracted people to this area and by 1836 the population grew to 440 consisting of 61 families including 89 children under the age of 10.

===Name===

Mail service was brought once a day by [[stagecoach]] from Vernon Center, which was the [[post office]] and place for voting for the town. In 1837, according to old records, "an amateurish notice was posted on the Rock Mill announcing a public meeting in the lecture room of the village to decide in a democratic way the most suitable name for the vicinity". In order to have their own [[post office]] the town needed a permanent name.

*The following were some of the recommendations for naming the town.
**Frankfort – in honor of Francis Mclean builder of the "Rock Mill"
**Vernon Falls
**Grantville – in honor of Samuel Grant the first settler
**Hillborough – because the terrain is so hilly
Simon Chapman, who ran a boarding house for mill workers, submitted the name "Rockville" as common expression understood by the surrounding areas was "Going to the Rock". Thus,
Rockville became the official name. It was not until 1842, however, that Rockville actually acquired its own [[post office]].

==Rockville Historic District==
Most of Rockville has been designated as part of the '''Rockville Historic District'''. The district is roughly bounded by Shenipsit Street, Davis Avenue, West Street and South Street was added in 1984 to the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. The district includes 842 buildings and one other structure. It includes examples of Greek Revival, Late Victorian, and Classical Revival architecture. The historic district includes 842 buildings and one other structure over {{convert|550|acre|km2}}.<ref name="nris" />

The Kellogg House had been used by the State Department of Children and Families to house troubled youth under a contract with Community Solutions, Inc. This arrangement ended on May 2, 2006 after a long history of documented mismanagement by both agencies. The facility is now used for adult transitional housing.

Elm Street, Park Street, and one [[city block|block]] of Prospect Street surround a small town [[park]] named Talcott Park. The houses represent a variety of [[Victorian architecture|Victorian architectural]] styles ranging from early nineteenth century [[Greek Revival]] through the [[Gothic Revival]] and [[Italianate]] styles down to the Victorian eclecticism of the 1880s and 1890s. The mill owners usually built their houses in the [[downtown]] area.

The surviving buildings grouped around Central Park are a continuing reminder of the wealth brought by the woolen industry and the town's aspirations to be a leading city in the state during the 19th century.

On or about November 1, 2007, the light fixtures that sat beside the library steps were stolen. Both fixtures were made of copper shaped into globes. They weighed over one hundred pounds each and were installed as part of the original construction.

Buildings of architectural or historic interest in Rockville include:
*[[St. Bernard Church (Rockville, Connecticut)|St. Bernard Church]]
*Memorial Building housing currently the [[New England Civil War Museum]] and the [[Grand Army of the Republic]] Hall as well as the town offices for Vernon.
*[[Old Rockville High School and East School]]
*(#10 and #12) Ellington Avenue
*Francis T. Maxwell House also known as Maxwell Court
*Rockville National Bank
*[[Union Congregational Church (Rockville, Connecticut)|Union Congregational Church]]
*Citizen's Block
*[[Methodist Episcopal Church (Rockville, Connecticut)|Rockville Methodist Episcopal Church]]
*Memorial Building
*Fitch Block
*George Maxwell Memorial Library
*Kellogg House
*Turn Halle
*Erhardt Linck's Hall
*70 Village Street
*George Sykes House (first)
*[[New England Motorcycle Museum|Hockanum Mill]]
*[[Saxony Mill]]
*[[Springville Mill]]
*[[Florence Mill]]
*Henry Huhnken's Saloon
*New England Yard
*Castle Sunset
*[[The Tower on Fox Hill]]
*[[Baptist Church (Rockville, Connecticut)|Baptist Church]], since destroyed to make room for a bigger parking lot for [[Rockville General Hospital]].
*Maple Street School

=== Gallery ===

<gallery mode="packed" heights="175">
File:StJoseptRockvilleCT1.jpg|St. Joseph's Church in downtown.
File:PostcardGeorgeMaxwellMemLibraryRockvilleCT.jpg|George Maxwell Memorial Library, postcard mailed in 1911.
File:VernonCT MinterburnMill.jpg|[[Minterburn Mill]] after becoming an apartment complex.
File:PostcardRockvilleCTHockanumMfgCo1909.jpg|Hockanum Manufacturing Co., {{circa|1909}}.
File:The Tower on Fox Hill, Vernon Connecticut USA.JPG|[[The Tower on Fox Hill]], the village's highest peak.
File:Hockanum River Flowing Through Rockville Connecticut.jpg|The Hockanum Mill today.
</gallery>

==Demographics==
As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 7,474 people, 3,292 households, and 1,681 families residing in the CDP.<ref name="nris" /> The population density was {{convert|4,419.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,682 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,947.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the CDP was 76.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (70.8% [[Non-Hispanic whites|non-Hispanic white]]), 11.7% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 3.3% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 4.5% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.1% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 12.2% of the population.

There were 3,292 households, out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 25.6% were married couples living together, 19.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.9% were non-families. 39.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 20, 17.8% from 20 to 29, 19.8% from 30 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $40,451, and the median income for a family was $40,714. Males working year-round and full-time had a median income of $48,159 versus $37,865 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the CDP was $23,079. About 24.5% of families and 22.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 37.1% of those under age 18 and 16.0% of those age 65 or over.

==Notable people==

* [[Jahine Arnold]] (born 1973), NFL wide receiver
* [[Stephen Farrell (track and field)|Stephen Farrell]] (1863–1933), world champion sprinter and track coach
* [[Stephanie A. Gallagher]] (born 1972), United States District Judge
* [[Alice Belle Garrigus]] (1858–1949), Evangelist & Founder-Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland & Labrador, Born in Rockville
* [[William Churchill Hammond]] (1860–1949), organist and music educator, born in Rockville.
* [[Edward Stevens Henry]] (1836–1921), U.S. Congressman
* [[Morgan Lewis (songwriter)|Morgan Lewis]] (1906–1968), songwriter and [[Broadway theatre]] composer
* [[Dwight Loomis]] (1821–1903), U.S. Congressman
* [[Dwight Marcy]] (1840–1887), Connecticut State Representative
* [[Mary Mattingly]] (born 1979), visual artist
* [[Ralph Murphy (director)|Ralph Murphy]] (1895–1967), film director
* [[Stuart J. Murphy]] (born 1942), children's book author
* [[Kenneth North]] (1930–2010), U.S. Air Force brigadier general
* [[Bob Pease]] (1940–2011), analog integrated circuit design expert and technical author
* [[Charles Phelps (politician)|Charles Phelps]] (1852–1940), lawyer, state legislator, and Connecticut's first attorney general
* [[Gene Pitney]] (1940–2006), internationally known singer/songwriter, member of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, born in Hartford, raised in Rockville
* [[Charles Ethan Porter]] (1847–1923), artist
* [[Bill Romanowski]] (1966–present), NFL linebacker, born in [[Vernon, Connecticut|Vernon]], graduated from Rockville High School in 1984
* [[Antoni Sadlak]] (1908–1969), U.S. Congressman

==See also==
{{Portal|Connecticut}}
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Tolland County, Connecticut]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==

{{commons category|Rockville, Connecticut}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060209211706/http://www.munic.state.ct.us/vernon/ Official Web Page for the town of Vernon]
* [http://www.vernonct.com/ Community Web Page]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20030803154937/http://www.rockvillect.com/ Another Community Web Page]}}
* [http://vhsvernonct.tripod.com/ Vernon Historical Society]
* [http://www.vernonct.com/wtour.htm A Walk Through Rockville's Past... The Loom City Revisited] – Walking tours through historic Rockville
* [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=104459635885369710296.00047c5ef8ee9e86619fb&z=14 Map of Rockville CDP and Rockville Historic District]

{{National Register of Historic Places}}
{{Tolland County, Connecticut}}
{{Connecticut}}
{{Connecticut county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Rockville, Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:Vernon, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Tolland County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Former municipalities in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Villages in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Historic districts in Tolland County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Villages in Tolland County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Connecticut]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Tolland County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Populated places disestablished in 1965]]

Pomfret, Connecticut

2025-11-02T17:33:13Z

2601:183:4B82:710:7166:E39F:E448:51B8: /* Education */

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Pomfret, Connecticut
| official_name = Town of Pomfret
| image_skyline = Town Office, Pomfret CT.jpg
| imagesize =
| image_caption = Pomfret Town Office
| settlement_type = [[New England town|Town]]
| motto = Picturesque Pomfret
| image_flag =
| image_seal = PomfretCTseal.jpg
| image_map = {{switcher|[[File:Windham County Connecticut incorporated and unincorporated areas Pomfret highlighted.svg|230px|frameless|alt=Pomfret's location within Windham County and Connecticut]]| [[Windham County, Connecticut|Windham County]] and Connecticut|[[File:Northeastern Connecticut incorporated and unincorporated areas Pomfret highlighted.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Pomfret's location within the Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region and the state of Connecticut]]| [[Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut|Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region]] and Connecticut|default=1}}
| image_map1 = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=280|frame-height=200|frame-coord=SWITCH:{{coord|qid=Q2572436}}###{{coord|qid=Q779}}###{{coord|41|52|N|71|59|W}}|zoom=SWITCH:10;6;3|type=SWITCH:shape-inverse;point;point|marker=city|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|id2=SWITCH:Q2572436;Q779;Q30|type2=shape|fill2=#ffffff|fill-opacity2=SWITCH:0;0.1;0.1|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080|stroke-opacity2=SWITCH:0;1;1|switch=Pomfret;Connecticut;the United States}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Connecticut}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Windham County, Connecticut|Windham]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Councils of governments in Connecticut|Region]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut|Northeastern CT]]
| established_title = Incorporated
| established_date = 1713
| leader_title = First selectman
| leader_name = Maureen A. Nicholson ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
| leader_title1 = [[Connecticut Senate|State Senator]]
| leader_name1 = Mae Flexer ([[Republican Party (United States)|D]]-29th District)
| leader_title2 = [[Connecticut House of Representatives|State Rep.]]
| leader_name2 = [[Pat Boyd|Patrick Boyd]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]-50th District)
| government_type = [[Board of selectmen|Selectman-Town Meeting]]
| area_magnitude =
| area_total_km2 = 105.2
| area_land_km2 = 104.4
| area_water_km2 = 0.7
| area_total_sq_mi = 40.6
| unit_pref = Imperial
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_total = 4266
| population_density_km2 = 40.9
| population_density_sq_mi =
| timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
| utc_offset = −5
| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
| utc_offset_DST = −4
| area_land_sq_mi = 40.3
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.3
| elevation_m = 131
| elevation_ft = 430
| coordinates = {{coord|41|52|N|71|59|W|region:US-CT|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type = ZIP code
| postal_code = 06259, 06258
| website = https://www.pomfretct.gov/
| area_codes = [[Area codes 860 and 959|860/959]]
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 09-61030
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 0213490
| blank2_name = Major highways
| blank2_info = [[File:US 44.svg|25px|link = U.S. Route 44]]
| footnotes =
}}

'''Pomfret''' is a town in [[Windham County, Connecticut]], with a population of 4,266 according to the 2020 United States Census. The town is part of the [[Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut|Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region]]. It was incorporated in 1713 and was named after [[Pontefract]] in [[West Yorkshire]], [[England]]. The land was purchased from local Indians in 1686 in a deal known as the "Mashmuket Purchase" or "Mashamoquet Purchase".<ref>{{cite book|title=The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qoEyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA334|year=1903|publisher=Connecticut Magazine Company|page=334}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|40.6|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|40.3|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.3|sqmi|km2}} (0.64%) is water. Pomfret is bordered on the north by [[Woodstock, Connecticut|Woodstock]], on the east by [[Putnam, Connecticut|Putnam]] and [[Killingly, Connecticut|Killingly]], on the west by [[Eastford, Connecticut|Eastford]], and on the south by [[Brooklyn, Connecticut|Brooklyn]] and [[Hampton, Connecticut|Hampton]].

===Villages===
Pomfret includes several [[Administrative divisions of Connecticut#Village, neighborhood, section of town|villages, neighborhoods, or sections]]:
* Abington
* Elliotts
* Pomfret
* Pomfret Center
* Pomfret Landing

===Other geographic features===
[[Image:Angel Road, Pomfret, Connecticut.jpg|thumb|left|Angel Road]]
The principal roads through the town are [[U.S. Route 44#Connecticut|U.S. Route 44]] (running east–west) and Routes [[Route 169 (Connecticut)|169]] (running north–south), and [[Route 101 (Connecticut)|101]] (running east–west).

Mashamoquet State Park and [[Israel Putnam Wolf Den|Wolf Den State Park]] are both located in Pomfret near the intersection of US 44 and CT 101. Wolf Den State Park is the site of General [[Israel Putnam]]'s slaying of the last wolf in Connecticut. Rocky paths connect the small cave, which is the actual wolf den, with a nearby boulder called the Indian Chair. Camping and cook-out facilities are available for a nominal fee.

The [[Air Line State Park Trail|Air Line Trail]] is a former railroad bed which joins the town of Pomfret with the town of Putnam to the east. The trail runs {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}}, much of it through an [[Audubon Society]] property named the Bafflin Sanctuary, a {{convert|700|acre|km2|adj=on}} nature preserve.

[[Image:Route 244 Connecticut 1064.JPG|thumb|Brayman Hollow]]

Pomfret has no formal town center due to the town's significant southward expansion after its establishment. The town office is located on US Route 44. The [[Congregational church]] stood on the eastern edge of the old town green on Pomfret Hill until its destruction by fire on December 7, 2013, across from the [[Pomfret School]], a college preparatory school founded in 1894. Approximately one mile north of the Congregational Church site is [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America|Christ Episcopal Church]], which contains several windows designed and constructed by [[Louis Comfort Tiffany]]. The Rectory School is across from Christ Church on the west side of Route 44,<ref>[http://www.rectoryschool.org/ Rectory School]</ref> founded in 1920. At the divergence point of US 44 and CT 169 is Most Holy Trinity [[Roman Catholic Church]].

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1820= 2042
|1850= 1805
|1860= 1673
|1870= 1488
|1880= 1470
|1890= 1471
|1900= 1831
|1910= 1857
|1920= 1454
|1930= 1617
|1940= 1710
|1950= 2018
|1960= 2136
|1970= 2529
|1980= 2775
|1990= 3102
|2000= 3798
|2010= 4247
|2020= 4266
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|newspaper=The United States Census Bureau|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
{{See also|List of Connecticut locations by per capita income}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2010, there were 4,247 people, 1,582 households, and 1,123 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|105.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,684 housing units at an average density of {{convert|41.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 95.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.6% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.3% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.6% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.9% of the population.

Of the 1,582 households: 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 32.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $82,661, and the median income for a family was $96,641. Males had a median income of $54,042 versus $45,526 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $39,712. About 3.8% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 6.5% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
Pomfret residents are zoned to the Pomfret Community School for grades Kindergarten through 8. Pomfret students are eligible to attend [[Woodstock Academy]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pomfretct.com/board_education.html |title=Pomfret Connecticut : Board of Education |website=www.pomfretct.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040202070516/http://pomfretct.com/board_education.html |archive-date=February 2, 2004}}</ref> which became Pomfret's zoned high school in 1987<ref>[http://www.woodstockacademy.org/alumni/brochure.pdf#search=%22Woodstock%20Academy%20Pomfret%22] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050531205448/http://www.woodstockacademy.org/alumni/brochure.pdf#search=%22Woodstock%20Academy%20Pomfret%22|date=May 31, 2005}}.</ref>

Two private schools, the [[Pomfret School]] and the [[Rectory School]], are also located in Pomfret.

==Historic sites==
A {{convert|380|acre|km2|adj=on}} portion of the town along Pomfret Street was listed as a historic district on the U.S. [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1998.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref> The [[Pomfret Street Historic District]] is composed of properties along [[Route 169 (Connecticut)|Route 169]] from Bradley Road to Woodstock Road.

Other properties listed on the National Register are:
* [[Brayton Grist Mill]] – US 44 (added 1986)
* [[Gwyn Careg]] US 44 (added 1994)
* [[Israel Putnam Wolf Den]] – Off Wolf Den Road (added 1985)
* [[Pomfret Town House]] – Town House Road (added 1989)
* [[Abington Congregational Church, Pomfret Center, Connecticut|Abington Congregational Church]]

==Notable people==

* [[Roswell Eaton Goodell]] (1825–1903), politician and businessman<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ferril |first1=William Columbus |title=Sketches of Colorado: being an analytical summary and biographical history of the State of Colorado as portrayed in the lives of the pioneers, the founders, the builders, the statesmen, and the prominent and progressive citizens who helped in the development and history making of Colorado |date=1911 |publisher=Western Press Bureau Company |pages=268–269 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yylRAAAAYAAJ |access-date=June 1, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Bertram Goodhue]] (1869–1924), an architect renowned for his work in the neo-Gothic style and the designer of notable typefaces, was born in town<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ctgenweb.org/county/cowindham/records/cemetery/pomfret/pomfretpomfretstreetcem.htm|title=Pomfret Street Cemetery, Pomfret Ct}}</ref>

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Pomfret, Connecticut}}
* [http://www.pomfretct.com/pomfret.html Town government Web site]

{{Connecticut}}
{{Windham County, Connecticut}}
{{Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Pomfret, Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Windham County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Connecticut]]
[[Category:1713 establishments in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1713]]
[[Category:Towns in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut]]

Eastford, Connecticut

2025-11-02T17:32:43Z

2601:183:4B82:710:7166:E39F:E448:51B8: /* Education */

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Eastford, Connecticut
| official_name = Town of Eastford
| settlement_type = [[New England town|Town]]
| image_skyline = EastfordCT PhoenixvilleMeetingHouse.jpg
| image_caption = The [[Union Society of Phoenixville House]]
| image_flag =
| image_seal = EastfordCTseal.gif
| image_blank_emblem = Eastford, CT Logo.webp
| blank_emblem_type = Logo
| image_map = {{switcher|[[File:Windham County Connecticut incorporated and unincorporated areas Eastford highlighted.svg|230px|frameless|alt=Eastford's location within Windham County and Connecticut]]| [[Windham County, Connecticut|Windham County]] and Connecticut|[[File:Northeastern Connecticut incorporated and unincorporated areas Eastford highlighted.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Eastford's location within the Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region and the state of Connecticut]]| [[Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut|Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region]] and Connecticut|default=1}}
| image_map1 = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=280|frame-height=200|frame-coord=SWITCH:{{coord|qid=Q2446167}}###{{coord|qid=Q779}}###{{coord|41|53|37|N|72|05|49|W}}|zoom=SWITCH:10;6;3|type=SWITCH:shape-inverse;point;point|marker=city|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|id2=SWITCH:Q2446167;Q779;Q30|type2=shape|fill2=#ffffff|fill-opacity2=SWITCH:0;0.1;0.1|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080|stroke-opacity2=SWITCH:0;1;1|switch=Eastford;Connecticut;the United States}}
| coordinates = {{coord|41|53|37|N|72|05|49|W|region:US-CT|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Connecticut}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Windham County, Connecticut|Windham]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Councils of governments in Connecticut|Region]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut|Northeastern CT]]
| established_title = Incorporated
| established_date = 1847
| government_type = [[Board of selectmen|Selectman-town meeting]]
| leader_title = First selectman
| leader_name = Deborah Richards (R)
|leader_title1 = [[Connecticut Senate|State Senator]]
|leader_name1 = Jeff Gordon ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-35th District)
|leader_title2 = [[Connecticut House of Representatives|State Rep.]]
|leader_name2 = [[Pat Boyd]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]-50th District)
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_total_km2 = 75.6
| area_total_sq_mi = 29.2
| area_land_km2 = 74.8
| area_land_sq_mi = 28.9
| area_water_km2 = 0.9
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.3
| elevation_m = 199
| elevation_ft = 653
| population_total = 1649
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi =
| population_note =
| timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
| utc_offset = -5
| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
| utc_offset_DST = -4
| postal_code_type = ZIP code
| postal_code = 06242
| area_codes = [[Area codes 860 and 959|860/959]]
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 09-21860
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 213420
| blank2_name = Major highways
| blank2_info = [[File:US 44.svg|25px|link=U.S. Route 44]]
| website = {{URL|https://eastfordct.gov/}}
}}
'''Eastford''' is a [[New England town|town]] in [[Windham County, Connecticut|Windham County]], [[Connecticut]], United States. The town is part of the [[Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut|Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region]]. The population was 1,649 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US0901521860|title=Census - Geography Profile: Eastford town, Windsor County, Connecticut|access-date=December 15, 2021}}</ref>

==History==
Eastford was formed in 1847 when it separated from [[Ashford, Connecticut]]. The name "Eastford" is locational, for the town is east of Ashford.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qoEyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA332|year=1903|publisher=Connecticut Magazine Company|page=332}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|29.2|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|28.9|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.3|sqmi|km2}} (1.20%) is water.

===Principal communities===
*[[Phoenixville, Connecticut|Phoenixville]]—A 1930s book describes it as "a small crossroads hamlet on Still River, which grew up around a twine mill (1831), now abandoned."<ref>{{cite book
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uvvqa9ctEmMC&pg=PA434
|title=Connecticut; a Guide to Its Roads, Lore, and People
|author=Federal Writer's Project for the State of Connecticut
|year=1938
|page=434
|publisher=Best Books on
|isbn=9781623760076
|access-date=May 29, 2013}}</ref>
*East Phoenixville
*North Ashford

==On the National Register of Historic Places==

* [[Benjamin Bosworth House]] – John Perry Road (added 1978)
* [[Natchaug Forest Lumber Shed]] – Kingsbury Road, Natchaug State Forest (added 1986)
* [[Sumner-Carpenter House]] – 333 Old Colony Road (added 1991)
* [[Union Society of Phoenixville House]] – 4 Hartford Turnpike (added 2007)

==Demographics==

{{US Census population
|1850= 1127
|1860= 1005
|1870= 984
|1880= 855
|1890= 561
|1900= 523
|1910= 513
|1920= 496
|1930= 529
|1940= 496
|1950= 598
|1960= 746
|1970= 922
|1980= 1028
|1990= 1314
|2000= 1618
|2010= 1749
|2020= 1649
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2015 }}</ref>
}}
{{See also|List of Connecticut locations by per capita income}}
At the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]] there were 1,618 people, 618 households, and 451 families living in the town. The population density was {{convert|56.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 705 housing units at an average density of 24.4 per square mile (9.4/km{{sup|2}}). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the town was 97.78% White, 0.43% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.31% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.36%.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>

There were 618 households, out of which
100 have children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.1% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.0% were non-families. 21.8% of households were one person, and 9.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.06.

The age distribution was 26.3% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.0 males.

The median household income was $57,159 and the median family income was $62,031. Males had a median income of $45,000 versus $31,964 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,364. About 4.4% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.

Eastford is a strongly [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] town. The town has voted for the Republican candidate every time since the [[1856 United States presidential election|1856]] election and since its founding in 1847 has never voted for a Democrat for president, the only town in Connecticut with this distinction. Even during President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]'s landslide in [[1964 United States presidential election|1964]], Eastford voters still preferred [[Barry Goldwater]], the Republican candidate, by a comfortable 11.2% margin. Since [[1992 United States presidential election|1992]], however, the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] candidate has been more competitive. President [[Barack Obama]] only lost to [[Mitt Romney]] by 1 vote in [[2012 United States presidential election|2012]].<ref name=":0" />

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4" |Presidential election results<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=General Election Statements of Vote, 1922 – Current|url=https://authoring.ct.gov//SOTS/Election-Services/Statement-Of-Vote-PDFs/General-Elections-Statement-of-Vote-1922|url-status=live|access-date=May 2, 2021|website=CT Secretary of State|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514171359/https://authoring.ct.gov//SOTS/Election-Services/Statement-Of-Vote-PDFs/General-Elections-Statement-of-Vote-1922 |archive-date=May 14, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Election Night Reporting|url=https://ctemspublic.pcctg.net/#/selectTown|url-status=live|access-date=May 2, 2021|website=CT Secretary of State|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428192536/http://ctemspublic.pcctg.net:80/ |archive-date=April 28, 2016 }}</ref>
|-
!Year
![[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
![[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
![[Third party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[2020 United States presidential election|2020]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|43.5% ''464''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''53.6%''' ''572''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|2.9% ''31''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[2016 United States presidential election|2016]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.6% ''367''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''54.0%''' ''513''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|7.4% ''69''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[2012 United States presidential election|2012]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|49.0% ''464''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''49.1%''' ''465''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.9% ''18''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[2008 United States presidential election|2008]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|48.9% ''485''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''49.2%''' ''488''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.9% ''18''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[2004 United States presidential election|2004]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|44.0% ''416''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''54.3%''' ''513''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.7% ''16''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[2000 United States presidential election|2000]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|44.3% ''375''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''49.7%''' ''421''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|6.0% ''50''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1996 United States presidential election|1996]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.1% ''301''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''41.7%''' ''329''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|20.2% ''159''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1992 United States presidential election|1992]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|32.7% ''285''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''39.5%''' ''344''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|27.8% ''242''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1988 United States presidential election|1988]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|34.9% ''253''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''63.8%''' ''463''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.3% ''9''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1984 United States presidential election|1984]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|26.2% ''172''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''73.1%''' ''479''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.7% ''4''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1980 United States presidential election|1980]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|29.1% ''183''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''55.7%''' ''350''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|15.2% ''95''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1976 United States presidential election|1976]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|36.0% ''204''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''63.4%''' ''359''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.6% ''3''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1972 United States presidential election|1972]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|29.6% ''152''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''69.9%''' ''359''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.5% ''2''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1968 United States presidential election|1968]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|24.4% ''103''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''72.4%''' ''305''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|3.2% ''13''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1964 United States presidential election|1964]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|44.4% ''188''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''55.6%''' ''236''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1960 United States presidential election|1960]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|21.0% ''82''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''79.0%''' ''309''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1956 United States presidential election|1956]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|15.6% ''62''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''84.4%''' ''335''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|}

==Education==
Residents are zoned to the Eastford School District for grades [[Preschool]] through 8. The only school in the district is Eastford Elementary School. Most high schoolers attend [[Woodstock Academy]]. The town is near five alternative high schools: Ellis Vocational Technical School, Windham Technical School, Killingly Vocational Agricultural High School, ACT High School, and Quinebaug Middle College.

==Notable people==


* [[Andrew T. Judson]] (1784–1853), [[United States federal judge]] and [[US Congressman]]
* [[Nathaniel Lyon]] (1818–1861), the first Union General to be killed in the Civil War, buried here in his family plot

==Trivia==
There was once another Eastford in the state, which was renamed [[East Windsor, Connecticut|East Windsor]] shortly after its separation from Windsor.

Eastford is the site of [[Frog Rock (Connecticut)|Frog Rock]], a rest stop and roadside attraction on [[U.S. Route 44#Connecticut|U.S. Route 44]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Haar|first=Dan|date=August 18, 2014|title=The Best Of Americana At Frog Rock Rest Stop|url=https://www.courant.com/courant-250/explore-44/hc-xpm-2014-08-18-hc-the-best-of-americana-at-frog-rock-rest-stop-20140818-story.html|access-date=August 9, 2020|website=The Hartford Courant|language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*{{GNIS|213420}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[https://www.eastfordct.org/Domain/8 Town government Web site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927025019/https://www.eastfordct.org/Domain/8 |date=September 27, 2019 }}

{{Connecticut}}
{{Windham County, Connecticut}}
{{Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Eastford, Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Windham County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut]]

Coventry, Connecticut

2025-11-02T17:30:19Z

2601:183:4B82:710:7166:E39F:E448:51B8: /* On the National Register of Historic Places */

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Coventry, Connecticut
| official_name = Town of Coventry
| settlement_type = [[New England town|Town]]
| image_skyline = Coventry Village.jpg
| image_caption = The center of [[South Coventry Historic District|South Coventry]], nearby [[Coventry Lake, Connecticut|Coventry Lake]]
| image_flag = Flag of Coventry, Connecticut.png
| image_seal = CoventryCTseal.JPG
| image_map = {{Switcher|[[File:Tolland County Connecticut Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Coventry Highlighted 2010.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Coventry's location within Tolland County and Connecticut]]| [[Tolland County, Connecticut|Tolland County]] and Connecticut|[[File:Capitol Region incorporated and unincorporated areas Coventry highlighted.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Coventry's location within the Capitol Planning Region and the state of Connecticut]]| [[Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut|Capitol Planning Region]] and Connecticut|default=1}}
| image_map1 = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=280|frame-height=200|frame-coord=SWITCH:{{coord|qid=Q1020595}}###{{coord|qid=Q779}}###{{coord|41|47|04|N|72|20|20|W}}|zoom=SWITCH:10;6;3|type=SWITCH:shape-inverse;point;point|marker=city|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|id2=SWITCH:Q1020595;Q779;Q30|type2=shape|fill2=#ffffff|fill-opacity2=SWITCH:0;0.1;0.1|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080|stroke-opacity2=SWITCH:0;1;1|switch=Coventry;Connecticut;the United States}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|41|47|04|N|72|20|20|W|region:US-CT_type:city(12,000)|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Connecticut}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Tolland County, Connecticut|Tolland]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Councils of governments in Connecticut|Region]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut|Capitol Region]]
| established_title = Incorporated
| established_date = 1712
| government_type = [[Council-Manager]]
| leader_title = [[Town Manager]]
| leader_name = James Drumm
| leader_title1 = [[Town council]]
| leader_name1 = {{Plain list|
* Lisa Thomas, Council Chair
* Marty Milkovic (D), Vice-Chair
* Jonathan Hand (D), Secretary
* Julie Blanchard (R)
* Robyn Gallagher (D)
* Mather Kyer (D)
* John French (R)
}}
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_total_km2 = 99.5
| area_total_sq_mi = 38.4
| area_land_km2 = 97.7
| area_land_sq_mi = 37.7
| area_water_km2 = 1.7
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.6
| elevation_m = 200
| elevation_ft = 656
| population_total = 12235
| population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =
| population_density_km2 = 125.2
| population_density_sq_mi = 324.5
| population_metro =
| population_note =
| timezone = [[North American Eastern Standard Time|EST]]
| utc_offset = −5
| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST = −4
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code = 06238
| area_codes = [[Area codes 860 and 959|860/959]]
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 09-17800
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 0213413
| website = {{URL|http://www.coventryct.org/}}
}}

'''Coventry''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ɑː|v|ə|n|t|r|i}} {{respell|KAH|vən|tree}}) is a [[New England town|town]] in [[Tolland County]] and in the [[Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut|Capitol Planning Region]], [[Connecticut]], United States. The population was 12,235 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US0901317800|title=Census - Geography Profile: Coventry town, Tolland County, Connecticut|access-date=November 27, 2021}}</ref> The birthplace of Captain [[Nathan Hale]], Coventry is home to the [[Nathan Hale Homestead]], which is now a museum open to the public.

==History==
Coventry was named in October 1711, the first town in the colonies to be named "Coventry" for [[Coventry]] in the [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]], [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qoEyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA331|year=1903|publisher=Connecticut Magazine Company|page=331}}</ref>

===Settlement and founding===
The [[Middle Post Road]], one of the three [[Boston Post Road]]s declared in 1671 with the creation of the Colonial post, ran through Coventry. The Post Roads were meant to connect the colony of [[New York City|New York]], formerly [[New Amsterdam]], with the [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]]. Middle Post Road connected Hartford and [[Boston, Massachusetts]] via Coventry and [[Pomfret, Connecticut]], and [[Mendon, Massachusetts|Mendon]] and [[Roxbury, Massachusetts]]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110519171332/http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?a=1380&Q=259692&dotPNavCtr= Chapter 1 DOT History]

The first house in Coventry was said{{by whom|date=October 2011}} to have been built near the shore of [[Wangumbaug Lake]] by Nathaniel Rust, a [[Hartford, Connecticut]] man, originally from [[Northampton, Massachusetts]]. The entire Rust family is said {{by whom|date=October 2011}} to have made their final move to Coventry from Massachusetts in a group of a dozen families in 1709. Along with Nathaniel Rust, the names of some of the earliest settlers were David Lee, Thomas Root, Samuel Gurley, Ebenezer Searl, Joseph Petty, Benjamin James and Benjamin Carpenter. Four other settlers were also from Northampton and two from [[Reading, MA|Reading]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://home.att.net/~CoventryCT/TollandHist.html |title=History of Tolland |access-date=September 14, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813180234/http://home.att.net/~CoventryCT/TollandHist.html |archive-date=August 13, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The land was said{{by whom|date=October 2011}} to have originally been given to men from Hartford by Joshua, Indian sachem. The [[Connecticut General Assembly]], held in Hartford in 1706, appointed William Pitkin, Joseph Tallcot, William Whiting and Richard Lord, as a committee with full power to lay out the bounds of the town and divisions of the land, to admit inhabitants. A 1711 revision added Nathaniel Rust to the committee and the task of procuring a minister of the gospel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://home.att.net/~CoventryCT/1711.html |title=Coventry, CT Charter |access-date=September 14, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060712170843/http://home.att.net/~CoventryCT/1711.html |archive-date=July 12, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Coventry was formally formed as a town in Hartford County in 1712. The first church was established in October 1714.

Coventry became a town in Windham County on May 12, 1726, then became a town in Tolland County when it was originally formed on October 13, 1785.

St. Mary's Church is a Roman Catholic church in Coventry. The church is part of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich|Diocese of Norwich]], located at 1600 Main Street in town.

===To the present===
The old center of the town is in [[South Coventry (CDP), Connecticut|South Coventry]], near the intersection of Main Street ([[Route 31 (Connecticut)|Route 31]]) and Stonehouse Road ([[Route 275 (Connecticut)|Route 275]]). In the 19th century, there was a small industrial center including mills powered by the water from Coventry Lake Brook as it flowed towards the [[Willimantic River]]. South Coventry Village, listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], also includes several [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] houses, a museum, the main branch of the public library and the Bidwell Tavern, a bar/restaurant established in 1822. The Bidwell used to keep Coventry's town records in the "vault" area behind the bar, as well as hosting town meetings.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.courant.com/1994/10/21/bidwell-tavern-draws-from-its-past/ |title=Bidwell Tavern Draws from Its Past - Hartford Courant |date=October 21, 1994 |access-date=September 30, 2011 |archive-date=August 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818111738/http://articles.courant.com/1994-10-21/news/9410210701_1_town-hall-office-building-life-size-statue |url-status=live }}</ref> A few doors away is the W.L. Wellwood General Store, which under new ownership has been renamed "Coventry Country Store". The general store was originally built in 1787 making it the oldest General Store in America (a past owner claimed to have not found an older store). In all, the area has over 100 historical buildings on the national register.

North Coventry's settlement is less dense, and its housing and businesses are of more recent construction. In the 18th century, this section of the town was largely used for dairy and vegetable farming. As the United States expanded westward, many farming families left the rocky fields of Connecticut for the more fertile land of the [[Ohio River]] valley. Most of the farms in North Coventry were abandoned, and the land reclaimed by second-growth forest. In the 1960s and 1970s, tract housing developments were built on some of this land, mainly raised ranch or split-level houses on one acre (4,000 m2) lots. Development slowed from the mid-1970s through the 1990s, but several new developments were constructed in North Coventry after 1990. These tend to feature larger houses on two acre (8,000 m2) lots.
Coventry was incorporated in May 1712.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|38.4|sqmi|km2}} of which {{convert|37.7|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.6|sqmi|km2}} (1.67%) is water.

=== Climate ===
{{Expand section|with=a Weather box template|small=no|date=August 2024}}

This [[climate|climatic]] region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Coventry has a [[humid continental climate]], abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=986160&cityname=Coventry,+Connecticut,+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Coventry, Connecticut Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase}}</ref>

===Principal communities===
* North Coventry
* [[South Coventry Historic District|South Coventry]]
* [[Coventry Lake, Connecticut|Coventry Lake]]

==Demographics==
{{See also|List of Connecticut locations by per capita income}}
{{US Census population
|1790= 2130
|1800= 2021
|1810= 1938
|1820= 2058
|1850= 1984
|1860= 2085
|1870= 2657
|1880= 2043
|1890= 1875
|1900= 1632
|1910= 1606
|1920= 1582
|1930= 1554
|1940= 2102
|1950= 4043
|1960= 6356
|1970= 8140
|1980= 8895
|1990= 10063
|2000= 11504
|2010= 12435
|2020= 12235
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2015 }}</ref>
}}

At the 2010 [[census]],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 3, 2015 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> there were 12,435 people, 4,783 households and 3,426 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|330.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 4,783 occupied housing units. 316 vacant housing units. The racial makeup of the town was 94.00% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.90% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.20% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.80% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.00% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.20% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.40% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.60% of the population.

There were 4,783 households which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. Of all households, 20.9% were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.01.

23.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 12.1% from 15 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 33.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.5 years. 50.6% of the population were male and 49.4% were female. 38.4% of the males were over the age of 18. 38.2% of the females were over the age of 18. For every 100 females, there were 102.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.8 males.

The [[median household income]] was $86,244, and the median family income was $91,931. Males had a median income of $65,572 versus $53,690 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $34,524 About 2.4% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 1.1% of those age 65 or over.

==Politics==
{| class=wikitable
! colspan = 6 | Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 29, 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/sots/electionservices/registration_and_enrollment_stats/nov19re.pdf?la=en|title=Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 29, 2019|publisher=Connecticut Secretary of State|format=PDF|access-date=January 4, 2020}}</ref>
|-
! colspan = 2 | Party
! Active voters
! Inactive voters
! Total voters
! Percentage
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 2,520
| style="text-align:center;"| 79
| style="text-align:center;"| 2,599
| style="text-align:center;"| 28.57%
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 2,084
| style="text-align:center;"| 63
| style="text-align:center;"| 2,147
| style="text-align:center;"| 23.60%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| [[Independent voter|Unaffiliated]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 4,050
| style="text-align:center;"| 158
| style="text-align:center;"| 4,208
| style="text-align:center;"| 46.26%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| Minor parties
| style="text-align:center;"| 138
| style="text-align:center;"| 4
| style="text-align:center;"| 142
| style="text-align:center;"| 1.56%
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! style="text-align:center;"| 8,792
! style="text-align:center;"| 304
! style="text-align:center;"| 9,096
! style="text-align:center;"| 100%
|}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4" |Presidential Election Results<ref>{{cite web|title=General Election Statements of Vote, 1922 – Current|url=https://authoring.ct.gov//SOTS/Election-Services/Statement-Of-Vote-PDFs/General-Elections-Statement-of-Vote-1922|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=CT Secretary of State}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Election Night Reporting|url=https://ctemspublic.pcctg.net/#/selectTown|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=CT Secretary of State}}</ref>
|-
!Year
![[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
![[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
![[Third party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2020 United States presidential election|2020]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''51.6%''' ''4,011''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|45.6% ''3,545''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|2.8% ''216''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[2016 United States presidential election|2016]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|45.5% ''3,083''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''48.2%''' ''3,262''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|6.3% ''426''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2012 United States presidential election|2012]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''56.3%''' ''3,358''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|41.7% ''2,621''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|2.0% ''126''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2008 United States presidential election|2008]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''58.7%''' ''3,888''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|39.6% ''2,621''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.7% ''111''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2004 United States presidential election|2004]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''56.3%''' ''3,588''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|41.5% ''2,641''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|2.2% ''141''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2000 United States presidential election|2000]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.5%''' ''3,005''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|35.6% ''1,927''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|8.9% ''481''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1996 United States presidential election|1996]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''50.4%''' ''2,591''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|30.4% ''1,564''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|19.2% ''989''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1992 United States presidential election|1992]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''42.7%''' ''2,393''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|26.2% ''1,465''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|31.1% ''1,743''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1988 United States presidential election|1988]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''51.9%''' ''2,341''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|46.8% ''2,111''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.3% ''58''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1984 United States presidential election|1984]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.7% ''1,682''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''60.7%''' ''2,637''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.6% ''24''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1980 United States presidential election|1980]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|37.1% ''1,520''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''40.8%''' ''1,671''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|22.1% ''901''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1976 United States presidential election|1976]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''50.9%''' ''1,955''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|48.4% ''1,859''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.7% ''25''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1972 United States presidential election|1972]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|42.1% ''1,680''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''56.8%''' ''2,267''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.1% ''46''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|1968
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''48.1%''' ''1,546''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|45.3% ''1,455''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|6.6% ''214''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1964 United States presidential election|1964]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''68.8%''' ''2,033''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|31.2% ''923''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1960 United States presidential election|1960]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|46.6% ''1,409''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''53.4%''' ''1,613''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1956 United States presidential election|1956]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|32.6% ''881''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''67.4%''' ''1,821''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|}

==Places of interest==
* '''[[Wangumbaug Lake]]''', also known as Coventry Lake, covers {{convert|373|acre|km2}}. The lake is fed by springs, and has one natural outlet, known as Coventry Lake Brook. The brook flows towards South Coventry center and ultimately into the Willimantic River. Patriots Park, located on Wangumbaug Lake, contains a guarded beach, playground, picnic area, lodge facilities, Community Center, and band shell for summer concerts. It is also home of the Coventry Lake Water Ski Team, Coventry Lake Community Rowing (CLCR), Coventry High School Rowing, E.O. Smith HS Rowing, [[UConn]] Men and Women's Crew Teams and UConn Sailing Club. The boat launch is run by the State of Connecticut. Occasionally, during the winter months, the lake will freeze over and residents have the opportunity to [[ice skating|skate]] or [[ice fishing|fish]] on the ice. A [[lake island]], [[Underwood Island]], is located 100 yards from the coast of the lake.
* '''[[Nathan Hale Homestead]]''', first established around 1740 by Deacon Richard Hale (1717–1802), the present structure has been standing since 1776 and was built to house the combined family of Deacon Hale and his second wife Abigail (Cobb) Adams. The original house, birthplace of Nathan Hale in 1755, is said to have been on the property, just southeast of the 1776 house. The original {{convert|450|acre|km2}} of the Hale farm now make up a large portion of the Nathan Hale State Forest. Today the Hale family home, located on South Street, is a museum open seasonally for tours and education programs. It is also home to a Farmer's market, with food trucks and local small businesses. It is run on Sundays in the summer months of the year.
* The '''[[Strong House (Coventry, Connecticut)|Strong-Porter House Museum]]''', {{circa|1730}}, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as the Coventry Historical Society's museum. Five rooms of the house, as well as several outbuildings, including a carpenter shop, carriage sheds, and barn are open to the public.
* The '''[[Brick School House (Coventry, Connecticut)|Brick School House]]''', second construction completed in 1825 after original burned, it is one of the four remaining district schoolhouses in Coventry and was used through 1953.
*'''Caprilands Herb Farm''', {{circa|1740}} colonial farmstead, home for over 65 years to the late herbalist and author, [[Adelma Simmons|Adelma Grenier Simmons]].
* '''Hytone Farm''', owned and operated by the Peracchio family since the early 1940s and a fully operational dairy farm since 1960, they raise all their own [[Holstein cattle|Holstein]] cows, currently have 165 young stock and use over {{convert|350|acre|km2}} of corn and grass for silage. Hytone Farm has received many Distinguished Farming awards through their years.
* '''[[Museum of Connecticut Glass]]''' is a new museum focusing on glassmaking in the state.<ref>[http://www.glassmuseum.org/ Connecticut Glass Museum] website</ref>

===On the National Register of Historic Places===
[[File:Strong House.JPG|thumb|Strong-Porter House]]

* [[Brigham's Tavern]] – 12 Boston Turnpike (added April 25, 1982)
* [[Capron-Phillips House]] – 1129 Main Street (added May 27, 1982)
* [[Captain Nathan Hale Monument]] – 120 Lake Street (added February 28, 2002)
* [[Coventry Glass Factory Historic District]] – US 44 and North River Road (added September 27, 1987)
* [[Elias Sprague House]] – 2187 South Street (added December 2, 1987)
* [[Loomis-Pomeroy House]] – 1747 Boston Turnpike (added May 26, 1994)
* [[Nathan Hale Homestead]] – 229 South Street (added November 22, 1970)
* [[Parker-Hutchinson Farm]] – Parker Bridge Road (added May 29, 1982)
* [[South Coventry Historic District]] – Roughly, Main Street and adjacent streets from Armstrong Road to Lake Street and Lake from High Street to Main (added June 6, 1991)
* [[Strong House (Coventry, Connecticut)|Strong-Porter House]] – 2382 South Street (added February 15, 1988)

==Annual events==
Memorial Day-Memorial Day Parade – Capt. Nathan Hale is recognized along with members of the Armed Forces.

* '''CoventryFest''': With fireworks, food and live music. Held in early July at Patriot's Park on the lake.
* June 6: '''Captain Hale's Birthday Party'''—held at the Hale Homestead
* July: '''Colonial Encampment and Muster'''—held by the Nathan Hale Ancient Fife & Drums at the Hale Homestead.
* December: "Old-Fashioned Christmas in Coventry". Main Street first Saturday in December.

==Education==
* '''Coventry Grammar School''', K – Grade 2
* '''G. H. Robertson Intermediate School''', Grades 3–5
* '''Capt. Nathan Hale Middle School''', Grades 6–8
* '''[[Coventry High School (Connecticut)|Coventry High School]]''', Grades 9–12
* '''Coventry Academy''', Grades 8–12

==Notable people==
* [[George N. Barnard]] (1819–1902), photographer who joined [[Mathew Brady]] in recording the [[American Civil War]]
* [[Lorenzo Dow]] (1777–1834), figure in the [[Second Great Awakening]]
* [[Elisha W. Edgerton]] (1815–1904), businessman and member of the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]]
* [[Nathan Hale]] (1755–1776), captain in the [[Continental Army]] during the [[American Revolutionary War]] and official State Hero of Connecticut, was born in town. Empty grave in Nathan Hale Cemetery
* [[David Hayes (sculptor)|David Hayes]] (1931–2013), artist, American [[Modernism|Modern]] Master of painted steel sculptures
* [[Benoni Irwin]] (1840–1896), American portrait painter and summer resident; drowned in Coventry Lake
* Mark Putnam, the first FBI agent to be convicted of murder, in the [[Murder of Susan Smith|Susan Smith murder]] case.
* [[Jesse Root]] (1736–1822), resident who served in the [[Continental Congress]] representing Connecticut from 1778 until 1782 and sat as chief justice of the [[Connecticut Supreme Court]] from 1796 to 1807
* [[Adelma Simmons|Adelma Grenier Simmons]] (190–1997), author and one of the leading [[herbs|herbal]] figures in America in the 20th century
* [[Allan Sherman]] (1924–1973), hunter, fisherman, antique home renovator; author of outdoor novellas ''Walk Like a Squirrel'' and ''Wrestling the New England Wild Turkey''

==Sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the United States}}
* [[Coventry, New York]]{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}
* [[Coventry, Rhode Island]]{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}
* [[Coventry, Vermont]]{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}}

===Twin town===
Coventry is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with [[Coventry]] in the United Kingdom.<ref name="Coventry twinnings">{{cite web|url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/what-point-coventrys-twin-towns-3038605 |title=Coventry's twin towns |access-date=August 6, 2013 |last=Griffin |first=Mary |date=August 2, 2011 |work=Coventry Telegraph |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806032050/http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/what-point-coventrys-twin-towns-3038605 |archive-date=August 6, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Coventry twins">{{cite web|url=http://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory/25/twin_towns_and_cities|title=Coventry – Twin towns and cities|access-date = August 6, 2013|work=Coventry City Council.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412062545/http://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory/25/twin_towns_and_cities|archive-date=April 12, 2013 }}</ref>

== See also ==
* {{Portal inline|Connecticut}}

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist|30em}}

=== General and cited references ===
* {{Cite book |last=Cole |first=J. R. |year=1888 |title=History of Tolland County, Connecticut, Including Its Early Settlement and Progress to the Present Time |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GoFuNsz4UYgC |volume=1(?) |location=New York |publisher=W. W. Preston and Co. |lccn=01016755 |oclc=11352985}}
* {{Cite book |last=Philips |first=David E. |year=1992 |title=Legendary Connecticut: Traditional Tales from the Nutmeg State |url= |url-access= |edition=2nd |location=Willimantic, CT |publisher=Curbstone Press |isbn=1-880684-05-5 |oclc=26218340}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.coventryct.org/ Official Coventry website]
* [http://www.coventrypublicschools.org/ Coventry Public Schools]
* [http://www.coventrycthistoricalsociety.org/ The Coventry Historical Society] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060723025016/http://www.coventrycthistoricalsociety.org/ |date=July 23, 2006 }})

{{Connecticut}}
{{Tolland County, Connecticut}}
{{Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut}}
{{Greater Hartford}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Coventry, Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:Greater Hartford]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1712]]
[[Category:Towns in Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Tolland County, Connecticut]]

North Canaan, Connecticut

2025-11-02T17:14:15Z

2601:183:4B82:710:7166:E39F:E448:51B8: /* Education */

{{distinguish|New Canaan, Connecticut}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = North Canaan, Connecticut
|official_name = Town of North Canaan
|settlement_type = [[New England town|Town]]
|image_skyline = Union Depot, North Canaan CT.jpg
|imagesize =
|image_caption = Union Depot
|image_flag =
|image_seal = NorthCanaanCTseal.gif
| image_map = {{switcher|[[File:Litchfield County Connecticut Incorporated and Unincorporated areas North Canaan Highlighted 2010.svg|250px|frameless|alt=North Canaan's location within Litchfield County and Connecticut]]| [[Litchfield County, Connecticut|Litchfield County]] and Connecticut|[[File:Northwest Hills incorporated and unincorporated areas North Canaan highlighted.svg|250px|frameless|alt=North Canaan's location within the Northwest Hills Planning Region and the state of Connecticut]]| [[Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut|Northwest Hills Planning Region]] and Connecticut|default=1}}
| image_map1 = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=280|frame-height=200|frame-coord=SWITCH:{{coord|qid=Q2446269}}###{{coord|qid=Q779}}###{{coord|42|01|21|N|73|17|27|W}}|zoom=SWITCH:11;6;3|type=SWITCH:shape-inverse;point;point|marker=city|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|id2=SWITCH:Q2446269;Q779;Q30|type2=shape|fill2=#ffffff|fill-opacity2=SWITCH:0;0.1;0.1|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080|stroke-opacity2=SWITCH:0;1;1|switch=North Canaan;Connecticut;the United States}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Connecticut}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Litchfield County, Connecticut|Litchfield]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Councils of governments in Connecticut|Region]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut|Northwest Hills]]
|established_title = Incorporated
|established_date = 1858
|government_type = [[Board of selectmen|Selectman-town meeting]]
|leader_title = First selectman
|leader_name = Brian Ohler
|leader_title1 = Selectman
|leader_name1 = Craig Whiting
|leader_title2 = Selectman
|leader_name2 = Christian P. Allyn
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 = 50.5
|area_land_km2 = 50.4
|area_water_km2 = 0.0
|area_total_sq_mi =
|area_land_sq_mi =
|area_water_sq_mi =
|unit_pref = Imperial
|population_as_of = 2020
|population_total = 3211
|population_footnotes =
|population_density_km2 = 63.7
|population_density_sq_mi =
|timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|elevation_m = 251
|elevation_ft = 823
|coordinates = {{coord|42|01|21|N|73|17|27|W|region:US-CT|display=inline,title}}
|region =
|postal_code_type = ZIP codex
|postal_code = 06018, 06024
|website = {{URL|www.northcanaan.org}}
|area_codes = [[Area codes 860 and 959|860/959]]
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 09-54030
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info = 0213478
|footnotes =
}}
'''North Canaan''' is a [[New England town|town]] in [[Litchfield County, Connecticut|Litchfield County]], [[Connecticut]], United States. The population was 3,211 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="Census 2020">{{cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US0900554030| title=Census - Geography Profile: North Canaan town, Litchfield County, Connecticut| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]| access-date=December 18, 2021}}</ref> The town is part of the [[Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut|Northwest Hills Planning Region]]. The town center is still called "[[Canaan (village), Connecticut|Canaan]]", being the main town center of the old [[Canaan, Connecticut|town of Canaan]] prior to North Canaan splitting off as its own town.

==Geography==
North Canaan is in northwestern Litchfield County and is bordered to the north by [[Berkshire County, Massachusetts]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|50.4|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|0.02|sqkm|order=flip|2}}, or 0.03%, are water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0600000US0900554030| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), North Canaan town, Litchfield County, Connecticut| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| website=American FactFinder| access-date=October 9, 2019| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213123330/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0600000US0900554030| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Principal communities===
*[[Canaan (village), Connecticut|Canaan village]] (not the same as the [[Canaan, Connecticut|town of Canaan]] to the south)
*Canaan Valley
*East Canaan (has its own post office)
*Sodom<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=f0FWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XeoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6856%2C8185293 | title=Connecticut's Sodom gone, but not forgotten | work=Gainesville Sun | date=September 26, 1992 | access-date=May 26, 2015 | author=Douthat, Strat | pages=6D}}</ref>
*East Sheffield

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 1426
|1870= 1695
|1880= 1537
|1890= 1683
|1900= 1803
|1910= 2171
|1920= 1933
|1930= 2287
|1940= 2304
|1950= 2647
|1960= 2836
|1970= 3045
|1980= 3185
|1990= 3284
|2000= 3350
|2010= 3315
|2020= 3211
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
{{See also|List of Connecticut locations by per capita income}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2020, there were 3,211 people, 1,399 households, and 864 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|165|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,444 housing units at an average density of {{convert|74.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 86.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.5% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 4.9% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 6.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 8.3% of the population.

There were 1,399 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,020, and the median income for a family was $52,292. Males had a median income of $34,135 versus $23,705 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $18,971. About 3.3% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.

==Transportation==
The main highways of the town are [[U.S. Route 7 in Connecticut|U.S. Route 7]] (north-south) and [[U.S. Route 44#Connecticut|U.S. Route 44]] (east-west). US 7 leads north {{convert|13|mi}} to [[Great Barrington, Massachusetts]], and south {{convert|54|mi}} to [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]], while US 44 leads west {{convert|12|mi}} to [[Millerton, New York]], and east {{convert|42|mi}} to [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]], the capital of Connecticut.

The [[Housatonic Railroad]] north-south tracks run through the town on their [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]], to [[Pittsfield, Massachusetts]], line.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=About Us {{!}} North Canaan, CT |url=https://www.northcanaan.org/about-north-canaan |access-date=March 31, 2024 |website=www.northcanaan.org}}</ref>

A private airfield, Triumph Air Field, is situated to the northwest of the village.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AirNav: CT24 - North Canaan Aviation Facilities Inc Airport |url=http://www.airnav.com/airport/ct24 |access-date=March 31, 2024 |website=www.airnav.com}}</ref>

== Economy ==

Downtown [[Canaan (village), Connecticut|Canaan Village]] is centered around the intersection of the former [[Central New England Railroad]] east-west tracks crossed with the active [[Housatonic Railroad]] north-south tracks.<ref name=":0" /> The village contains a variety of retail, restaurant, and other businesses.

The [[Canaan Union Depot]] building, a former railroad station built in 1872, is a prominent building in the downtown area. It was heavily damaged by an arson fire in 2001. From 2003 to 2018 it was restored by the Connecticut Railroad Historical Association. It is now the site of the Great Falls Brewing Company<ref>{{Cite web |last=MainStreetMag |date=May 1, 2018 |title=The Canaan Depot |url=https://mainstreetmag.com/the-canaan-depot/ |access-date=March 31, 2024 |website=Main Street Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> and the New England Accordion Connection and Museum Company.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walsh |first=Michael |date=September 29, 2021 |title=North Canaan accordion museum features 400 instruments and just as many stories |url=https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/North-Canaan-accordion-museum-features-400-16910678.php}}</ref>

East Canaan is known for its dairy farm operations and limestone mines.<ref name=":0" /> In 2016, East Canaan dairy farm, Freund's Farm, became the first farm in Connecticut to use [[Automatic milking|robotic milking]] units for their dairy herd.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=July 18, 2015 |title=First Robotic Parlor Coming to Connecticut Next Spring |url=https://www.dairyherd.com/news/first-robotic-parlor-coming-connecticut-next-spring |access-date=March 31, 2024 |work=Dairy Herd |language=en}}</ref> The farm also produces CowPots™, a biodegradable plant pot made from composted cow manure.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Freund Family |url=https://www.nmpf.org/focus/the-freund-family/ |access-date=March 31, 2024 |website=NMPF |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=US EPA |first=OAR |date=September 14, 2017 |title=Project Profile: Freund's Farm, Inc. |url=https://www.epa.gov/agstar/project-profile-freunds-farm-inc |access-date=March 31, 2024 |website=[[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Education ==

North Canaan is a member of Regional School District 01, which also includes the towns of [[Canaan, Connecticut|Canaan]], [[Cornwall, Connecticut|Cornwall]], [[Kent, Connecticut|Kent]], [[Salisbury, Connecticut|Salisbury]], and [[Sharon, Connecticut|Sharon]]. Public school students attend North Canaan Elementary School from grades K–8 and [[Housatonic Valley Regional High School]] in [[Falls Village, Connecticut|Falls Village]] from grades 9–12.

== Notable people ==

{{See also|Category:People from Canaan, Connecticut}}

* [[Steve Blass]] (born 1942), Major League Baseball pitcher for [[Pittsburgh Pirates]]
* [[Fidelia Bridges]] (1834-1923), artist of the late nineteenth century

==References==

{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Portal|Connecticut}}
*{{GNIS|0213478}}
*[http://www.northcanaan.org/ Town of North Canaan official website]
*[http://ahhowland.com/resources/Litchfield-County/north-canaan-ct/north-canaan-ct-regulations.html Town of North Canaan Land Use Regulations]
*{{Cite web
|url=http://www.americaslibrary.gov/es/ct/es_ct_furnace_1.html
|title=The Beckley Blast Furnace: East Canaan, Connecticut
|publisher=Library of Congress
|access-date=May 29, 2013}}

{{Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut}}
{{Litchfield County, Connecticut}}
{{Connecticut}}
{{New York metropolitan area}}
{{New England}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:North Canaan, Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Litchfield County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in the New York metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Towns in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut]]

Windsor, Connecticut

2025-11-02T17:03:04Z

2601:183:4B82:710:7166:E39F:E448:51B8: /* Tobacco farming */

{{Short description|Town in Connecticut, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Windsor, Connecticut
| official_name = Town of Windsor
| settlement_type = [[New England town|Town]]
| motto = First in Connecticut, First for its Citizens{{force singular}}
| image_skyline = Windsor Town Hall, Windsor CT.jpg
| imagesize =
| image_caption = Windsor Town Hall, located on Broad Street
| image_flag = WindsorCTflag.gif
| image_seal = WindsorCTseal.png
| image_blank_emblem = WindsorCTlogo.png
| blank_emblem_type = Emblem
| blank_emblem_size = 80px
| image_map = {{switcher|[[File:Windsor CT lg.PNG|230px|frameless|alt=Windsor's location within Hartford County and Connecticut]]| [[Hartford County, Connecticut|Hartford County]] and Connecticut|[[File:Capitol Region incorporated and unincorporated areas Windsor highlighted.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Windsor's location within the Capitol Planning Region and the state of Connecticut]]| [[Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut|Capitol Planning Region]] and Connecticut|default=1}}
| image_map1 = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=280|frame-height=200|frame-coord=SWITCH:{{coord|qid=Q1787206}}###{{coord|qid=Q779}}###{{coord|41|51|10|N|72|38|35|W}}|zoom=SWITCH:10;6;3|type=SWITCH:shape-inverse;point;point|marker=city|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|id2=SWITCH:Q1787206;Q779;Q30|type2=shape|fill2=#ffffff|fill-opacity2=SWITCH:0;0.1;0.1|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080|stroke-opacity2=SWITCH:0;1;1|switch=Windsor;Connecticut;the United States}}
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Connecticut}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Hartford County, Connecticut|Hartford]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Councils of governments in Connecticut|Region]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut|Capitol Region]]
| government_type = [[Council-manager]]<ref name="Council">{{cite web |url=http://www.townofwindsorct.com/council/ |title=Town Council |publisher=Townofwindsorct.com |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010712143608/http://www.townofwindsorct.com/council/ |archive-date=July 12, 2001 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| leader_title = [[Town manager]]
| leader_name = Peter Souza
| leader_title1 = Town council
| leader_name1 = Nuchette Blacke-Burke (D), ''Mayor''; Darlene Klase (D), ''Deputy Mayor''; Lenworth Walker (R); Ojala Naeem (D); Kristin Gluck-Hoffman (R); William Pelkey(R); Mary Armstrong (D); Leroy Smith (D); Ronald Eleveld (R)
| established_title = Settled
| established_date = September 26, 1633
| established_title2 = Incorporated
| established_date2 = February 21, 1637
| named_for = [[Windsor, Berkshire]]
| area_magnitude =
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_total_km2 = 80.2
| area_land_km2 = 76.4
| area_water_km2 = 3.8
| area_total_sq_mi =
| area_land_sq_mi =
| area_water_sq_mi =
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_footnotes =
| population_total = 29492
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| population_density_km2 =
| timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
| utc_offset = −5
| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
| utc_offset_DST = −4
| region =
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code = 06095
| area_codes = [[Area codes 860 and 959|860/959]]
| coordinates = {{coord|41|51|10|N|72|38|35|W|region:US-CT_type:city|display=it}}
| elevation_m = 17.37
| elevation_ft = 55
| website = {{URL|www.townofwindsorct.com}}
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 09-87000
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 0212354
| blank2_name = Interstates
| blank2_info = [[File:I-91.svg|25px|link=Interstate 91 in Connecticut]]
| blank3_name = List of auxiliary Interstate Highways
| blank3_info =[[File:I-291.svg|25px|link=Interstate 291 (Connecticut)]]
| blank4_name = State Routes
| blank4_info = [[File:Connecticut Highway 20.svg|25px|link=Connecticut Route 20]] [[File:Connecticut Highway 75.svg|25px|link=Connecticut Route 75]] [[File:Connecticut Highway 159.svg|25px|link=Route 159 (Connecticut–Massachusetts)]] [[File:Connecticut Highway 178.svg|25px|link=Connecticut Route 178]] [[File:Connecticut Highway 187.svg|25px|link=Route 187 (Connecticut–Massachusetts)]] [[File:Connecticut Highway 218.svg|25px|link=Connecticut Route 218]] [[File:Connecticut Highway 305.svg|25px|link=Connecticut Route 305]]
| blank5_name = [[Commuter rail|Commuter Rail]]
| blank5_info = [[File:Amtrak logo 2.svg|25px|link=Amtrak]] [[File:Hartford Line Transparent.png|25px|link=Hartford Line]]
| footnotes = Elevation noted at Town Hall.
| population_demonym = Windsor-head
}}

'''Windsor''' is a [[New England town|town]] in [[Hartford County, Connecticut]], United States, and was the first English settlement in the state. It lies on the northern border of Connecticut's capital, [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]. The town is part of the [[Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut|Capitol Planning Region]]. The population of Windsor was 29,492 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="Census 2020">{{cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US0900387000 |title=Census - Geography Profile: Windsor town, Hartford County, Connecticut |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=December 23, 2021}}</ref>

Poquonock ({{IPAc-en|p|ə|ˈ|k|w|ɒ|n|ə|k}}) is a northern area of Windsor that has its own [[zip code]] (06064) for [[post-office box]] purposes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp |title=USPS – ZIP Code Lookup – Search By City |publisher=Zip4.usps.com |date=November 26, 2008 |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040927025424/http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp |archive-date=September 27, 2004 |url-status=live}}</ref> Other unincorporated areas in Windsor include Rainbow and Hayden Station in the north, and Wilson and Deerfield in the south.

The Day Hill Road area is known as Windsor's Corporate Area, although other centers of business include New England Tradeport, Kennedy Industry Park and Kennedy Business Park, all near [[Bradley International Airport]] and the Addison Road [[Industrial park|Industrial Park]].

==History==
{{More citations needed section|date=April 2022}}
[[File:Wolcott House Windsor Connecticut.jpeg|thumb|left|The Wolcott House, Windsor, early drawing]]

The coastal areas and riverways were traditional areas of settlement by various [[indigenous peoples of the Americas|American Indian]] cultures, who had been in the region for thousands of years. They relied on the rivers for fishing, water and transportation. Before European contact, the historic [[Pequot people|Pequot]] and [[Mohegan people|Mohegan]] tribes had been one [[Algonquian languages|Algonquian]]-speaking people. After they separated, they became competitors and traditional enemies in the Connecticut region.

During the first part of the 17th century, the Pequot and Mohegan nations had been at war. The [[Podunk people|Podunk]] were forced to pay tribute to the more powerful Pequot, who claimed their land. Eventually, the Podunk invited a small party of settlers from [[Plymouth, Massachusetts]], to settle as a mediating force between the other tribes. In exchange they granted them a plot of land at the confluence of the [[Farmington River]] and the west side of the [[Connecticut River]]. After [[Edward Winslow]] came from Plymouth to inspect the land, William Holmes led a small party, arriving at the site on September 26, 1633, where they founded a trading post.<ref>Van Dusen, Albert "Connecticut" Random House, 1961, pp 19-20</ref> The spot of the trading post is at the confluence of the Farmington and Connecticut Rivers. The [[Loomis Chaffee School]] currently owns the land as the spot is now the school's sports fields.

Native Americans referred to the area as ''Matianuck''. It was about {{convert|50|mi|km}} up river from [[Long Island Sound]], at the end of waters navigable by ship and above the [[Fort Hoop|Dutch fort at Hartford]], offering an advantageous location for the English to trade with the Indians before they reached the Dutch. (The Sicaog tribe had made a similar offer to mediate to the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] in [[New Amsterdam]]. [[New Netherland]] had far fewer European settlers than New England, and they were not in a position to take up the opportunity.)

In 1635, a party of around 30 people, sponsored by [[Sir Richard Saltonstall]], and led by the Stiles brothers, Francis, John and Henry, settled in the Windsor area. Governor [[John Winthrop]] of the [[Massachusetts Bay Company]] acknowledged in a letter to Saltonstall that the Stiles party was the second group to settle Connecticut.

The first group of 60 or more people were led by [[Roger Ludlow]], primary framer of the [[Fundamental Orders of Connecticut]], having trekked overland from [[Dorchester, Boston|Dorchester, Massachusetts]].<ref>The History of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut: Including East Windsor, South Windsor, and Windsor Locks by Henry Reed Stiles, pages 17 through 29</ref> They had arrived in the New World five years earlier on the ship ''[[Mary and John (ship)|Mary and John]]'' from [[Plymouth]], England, and settled in Dorchester.<ref>Thistlewaite, Frank: ''Dorset Pilgrims''</ref> Reverend Warham promptly renamed the Connecticut settlement "Dorchester". During the next few years, more settlers arrived from Dorchester, outnumbering and soon displacing the original Plymouth contingent, who returned to Plymouth in 1638 after selling their parcel to a Matthew Allyn of Hartford.<ref>The History of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut: Including East Windsor, South Windsor, and Windsor Locks by Henry Reed Stiles, page 43</ref>

On February 21, 1637, the colony's General Court changed the name of the settlement from Dorchester to Windsor,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/publicrecordsofc001conn |title=Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut, Volume 1, Page 7 |publisher=Colonialct.uconn.edu |date=February 1, 2001 |access-date=October 12, 2009}}</ref> named after the town of [[Windsor, Berkshire]], on the [[River Thames]] in England.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qoEyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA335 |year=1903 |publisher=Connecticut Magazine Company |page=335}}</ref> The same day, Windsor was incorporated as a town along with Hartford and Wethersfield.

Several "daughter towns" were formed from Windsor's original boundaries. These include portions or all of [[Barkhamsted, Connecticut|Barkhamsted]], [[Bloomfield, Connecticut|Bloomfield]], [[Bolton, Connecticut|Bolton]], [[Colebrook, Connecticut|Colebrook]], [[Coventry, Connecticut|Coventry]], [[East Granby, Connecticut|East Granby]], [[East Windsor, Connecticut|East Windsor]], [[Ellington, Connecticut|Ellington]], [[Enfield, Connecticut|Enfield]], [[Granby, Connecticut|Granby]], [[Harwinton, Connecticut|Harwinton]], [[Litchfield, Connecticut|Litchfield]], [[Manchester, Connecticut|Manchester]], [[Morris, Connecticut|Morris]], [[Simsbury, Connecticut|Simsbury]], [[South Windsor, Connecticut|South Windsor]], [[Suffield, Connecticut|Suffield]], [[Tolland, Connecticut|Tolland]], [[Torrington, Connecticut|Torrington]], [[Vernon, Connecticut|Vernon]], and [[Windsor Locks, Connecticut|Windsor Locks]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://windsorhistoricalsociety.org/home/visit-us/windsor-history/ |title=Windsor History |publisher=Windsor Historical Society |access-date=September 5, 2018}}</ref>

The first "highway" in the [[Connecticut Colony]] opened in 1638 between Windsor and [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]. Two years later, the highway was extended north to the colony's 1636 settlement at [[Springfield, Massachusetts|Springfield]], with the road also connecting to [[Wethersfield, Connecticut|Wethersfield]] and thus the four settlements that came to dominate the region for much of colonial history were connected.

In the summer of 1640, an event took place that would forever change the boundaries of the Connecticut River Valley. During a grain famine, the founder of Springfield, [[William Pynchon]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bio.umass.edu/biology/conn.river/pynchon.html |title=William Pynchon |access-date=March 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921185345/http://www.bio.umass.edu/biology/conn.river/pynchon.html |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> was given authority by Windsor and Hartford to negotiate a price for grain for the three settlements with the natives. First, the natives refused to sell grain at the usual market price, and then refused to sell it at "a reasonable price". Pynchon refused to buy it, attempting to teach the natives a peaceful lesson about integrity and reliability. Windsor's cattle were starving, however, and the citizens of Hartford were furious. With Windsor's consent, Hartford commissioned the famous Indian fighter John Mason to travel to Springfield with "money in one hand and a sword in the other" to threaten the natives, and thereby force the [[grain trade]]. The natives capitulated and ultimately sold their grain. After "negotiating the trade", Mason refused to share the grain with Springfield, and, to add further insult, insisted that Springfield pay a tax when sailing ships passed Windsor. Outraged, Springfield forever sided with the [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]], a Puritan settlement in [[Boston]], rather than with the Connecticut Colony, which was much closer geographically and far more compatible ideologically. Windsor played a neutral role in the colonial rivalry between Hartford and Springfield; however, Windsor's direct border with both settlements caused many discussions about whether to align with Massachusetts or Connecticut. Ultimately, Windsor sided with Connecticut.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/historyspringfi00barrgoog/page/n61  The History of Springfield in Massachusetts for the Young: Being Also in ... - Charles Henry Barrows - Internet Archive]. Books.google.com. Retrieved on July 15, 2013.</ref>

The Hartford & Springfield Street [[Railway]], a [[tram|trolley]], connected with the Connecticut Company in Windsor Center until 1925. Buses replaced trolleys between Rainbow (a northern section of Windsor) and Windsor Center in 1930. Trolley cars continued to run from Windsor to Hartford until 1940.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bera.org/trolleytowns/trolleyhtml/windsor.html |title=Trolley Towns CT: Windsor |publisher=Bera.org |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001001054822/http://www.bera.org/trolleytowns/trolleyhtml/windsor.html |archive-date=October 1, 2000 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The original Windsor settlers have many descendants around the country and beyond. Many are members of the Descendants of the Founders of Ancient Windsor (DFAW).

When the Springfield Line of the NY, New Haven & Hartford RR was built, station stops included [[Windsor station (Connecticut)|Windsor station]] in Windsor Center with stations also at Wilson in the south of town and Hayden in the north, named for owners who provided land for the railroad right of way. The line was double tracked until the late 1990s and redouble tracked in 2018. Sidings at Windsor station allowed cars to be spotted at the freight house and on the Loomis trestle just to its south. The trestle was removed in the late 1980s. An 1856 brownstone arch bridge carries the tracks over Pleasant St and the Farmington River. Incorporating a horizontal curve, its engineering was noteworthy when built. Following a fatal grade crossing accident, a three-track-wide plate girder bridge was installed to carry tracks over Palisado Avenue.

==Geography==
[[File:IMG 4337 Captain John Bissell Memorial Bridge.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Captain John Bissell Memorial Bridge spanning the Connecticut River between the towns of Windsor and [[South Windsor, Connecticut|South Windsor]]]]

Windsor's highest point is on Day Hill at {{convert|230|ft}} above sea level.<ref name="height">{{cite web |url=http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=41.86029&lon=-72.66805&datum=nad27&u=4&layer=DRG&size=l&s=50 |title=USGS Hartford North (CT,MA) Topo Map |publisher=TopoZone |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420091437/http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=41.86029&lon=-72.66805&datum=nad27&u=4&layer=DRG&size=l&s=50 |archive-date=April 20, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> Windsor's lowest point is on the [[Connecticut River]], at {{convert|5|ft}} above sea level.<ref name="height" /> The Connecticut River defines Windsor's eastern border. The city of [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]], the capital of Connecticut, is adjacent to Windsor to the south. The town of [[Windsor Locks, Connecticut|Windsor Locks]], home of [[Bradley International Airport]], is adjacent to Windsor to the north. Prior to its incorporation in 1854, it was known as the Pine Meadow section of Windsor. The towns of [[East Windsor, Connecticut|East Windsor]] and [[South Windsor, Connecticut|South Windsor]] are on the east side of the Connecticut River. The town of [[Bloomfield, Connecticut|Bloomfield]] is to the west. The town of [[East Granby, Connecticut|East Granby]] is to the northwest.

The [[Farmington River]] joins the Connecticut River in Windsor. The Farmington River is dammed in the northwestern corner of Windsor to form the {{convert|234|acre|km2|adj=on}} Rainbow Reservoir.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paddling.net/places/showReport.html?931 |title=Rainbow Reservoir – CT |publisher=Paddling.net |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041230043919/http://www.paddling.net/places/showReport.html?931 |archive-date=December 30, 2004 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Historical points of interest===
The Joseph Kesselring [[Arsenic and Old Lace (play)|stage play]] and Frank Capra movie ''[[Arsenic and Old Lace (film)|Arsenic and Old Lace]]'' was inspired by actual events that took place in a three-story brick house on Prospect Street, just off the north end of the Windsor green. Sixty men died between 1907 and 1917 while in the care of [[Amy Archer-Gilligan]]. Most were proven to be victims of arsenic poisoning.

On historic Palisado Avenue, one can find the First Church in Windsor, [[Congregational]], and adjacent graveyard.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstchurchinwindsor.org/ |title=Frontpage |publisher=The First Church in Windsor |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000914093108/http://www.firstchurchinwindsor.org/ |archive-date=September 14, 2000 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Across the street on the Palisado Green stands a statue of [[John Mason (c. 1600–1672)|John Mason]], a founder of Windsor and a colonial leader in the [[Pequot War]].

Further north is the home of [[Oliver Ellsworth]], third Chief Justice of the United States.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |author=John F. Kennedy |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/185175/Oliver-Ellsworth |title=Oliver Ellsworth (chief justice of United States) – Britannica Online Encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Britannica.com |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611141030/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/185175/Oliver-Ellsworth |archive-date=June 11, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The town center is well-planned in comparison to many others in the [[Greater Hartford]] area. It has a relative diversity of chains and local shops, as well as a restored [[Amtrak]] [[train station]] dating to the 1850s. The Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut is located in Windsor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vrcmct.org/ |title=Welcome to the Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut! |publisher=Vrcmct.org |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512081723/http://www.vrcmct.org/ |archive-date=May 12, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

From 1957 to 2006, the town was the location of the S1C Nuclear Powered Training Unit; a prototype nuclear power plant for the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. The former site has the distinction of being the first nuclear reactor site to receive unrestricted release after demolition and decontamination efforts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nnsa.energy.gov/mediaroom/pressreleases/doe-reactor-site-returns-green-field-conditions |title=DOE Reactor Site Returns To Green Field Conditions |website=National Nuclear Security Administration |access-date=June 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527160322/http://nnsa.energy.gov/mediaroom/pressreleases/doe-reactor-site-returns-green-field-conditions |archive-date=May 27, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Other notable sites===
[[File:OliverEllsworthWindsorCT.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Oliver Ellsworth Homestead]]]]
[[File:Windsor War Memorial (1928), Windsor, CT - April 2016 (1).JPG|thumb|Windsor War Memorial, sculpted by [[Evelyn Beatrice Longman]] (1928), Windsor Town Green at Broad Street.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pelland |first1=Dave |title=War Memorial, Windsor |url=http://ctmonuments.net/2011/03/war-memorial-windsor/ |website=CT Monuments.net (Connecticut History in Granite and Bronze) |access-date=April 23, 2016}}</ref>]]

Windsor is home to the following locations on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]:<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

* [[Capt. Benjamin Allyn II House|Allyn, Capt. Benjamin II, House]] – 119 Deerfield Road (added 1979)
* [[Giles Barber House]] – 411–413 [[Connecticut Route 159|Windsor Avenue]] (added 1988)
* [[Bissell Tavern-Bissell's Stage House]] – 1022 [[Connecticut Route 159|Palisado Avenue]] (added 1985)
* [[Broad Street Green Historic District]] – roughly along [[Connecticut Route 159|Broad Street]] from Batchelder Road to Union Street (added 1999)
* [[Benomi Case House]] – 436 Rainbow Road (added 1988)
* [[Hezekiah Chaffee House]] – Meadow Lane, off Palisado Green (added 1972)
* [[Taylor Chapman House]] – 407 Palisado Avenue (added 1988)
* [[Horace H. Ellsworth House]] – 316 Palisado Avenue (added 1988)
* George Loomis House – 1003 Windsor Avenue (added 1988)
* [[Gordon Loomis House]] – 1021 Windsor Avenue (added 1988)
* [[Ira Loomis, Jr. House]] – 1053 Windsor Avenue (added 1988)
* [[Capt. James Loomis House]] – 881 Windsor Avenue (added 1988)
* Capt. James Loomis House – 208–210 Broad Street (added 1988)
* [[Oliver Ellsworth Homestead]] – 778 Palisado Avenue (added 1970)<ref name="CTDAR">[http://www.ctdar.org/homestead.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810091712/http://www.ctdar.org/homestead.htm|date=August 10, 2007}}</ref>
* [[Farmington River Railroad Bridge]] – spans Farmington River and Pleasant Street west of Palisado Avenue (added 1972)
* [[Hartford & New Haven Railroad Depot]] – 41 Central Street (added 1988)
* [[Hartford & New Haven Railroad-Freight Depot]] – 40 Central Street (added 1988)
* [[Deacon John Moore House]] – 37 Elm Street (added 1977)
* [[Palisado Avenue Historic District]] – Palisado Avenue between the Farmington River and Bissell Ferry Road (added 1987)

===Tobacco farming===
{{Main|Connecticut shade tobacco}}

[[Tobacco farming]] in Connecticut has a long history. When the first settlers came to the valley in the 1630s, tobacco was already being grown by the native population. By 1700 it was being exported via the [[Connecticut River]] to [[Europe]]an ports. The use of Connecticut tobacco as a [[cigar]] wrapper leaf began in the 1820s.<ref name="cigaraficionado.com">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_Archives/CA_Show_Article/0,2322,854,00.html |title=Wrapped Up |magazine=Cigar Aficionado |issue=Winter 1992 |date=December 1, 1992 |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030528213453/http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_Archives/CA_Show_Article/0,2322,854,00.html |archive-date=May 28, 2003 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Area farmers grew tobacco for the two outside layers of cigars, the binder and the wrapper. Approximately {{convert|34,000|acre|ha}} of land in Connecticut is covered by [[soil type|Windsor Soil]], named after the town.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/connecticut |title=CT Soils – Windsor | Connecticut NRCS |publisher=Ct.nrcs.usda.gov |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030829094025/http://www.ct.nrcs.usda.gov/soil-windsor.html |archive-date=August 29, 2003 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The movie [[Parrish (film)|''Parrish'']], starring Troy Donahue and Karl Malden, was set and filmed in the tobacco farms of Windsor. The film was released in 1961.

The Connecticut Valley Tobacco Museum,<ref name="tobaccohistsoc.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.tobaccohistsoc.org/index.htm |title=Connecticut Valley Tobacco Historical Society |publisher=Tobaccohistsoc.org |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060502145857/http://www.tobaccohistsoc.org/index.htm |archive-date=May 2, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> containing authentic farming implements and tools, can be found at [[Northwest Park (Windsor)|Northwest Park]] in Windsor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.northwestpark.org/about_us.htm |title=Friends of Northwest Park |publisher=Northwestpark.org |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060616123739/http://northwestpark.org/about_us.htm |archive-date=June 16, 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Civic organizations and local non-profit organizations==
{{Unreferenced section|date=October 2025}}

* Community Health Resources (CHR)
* Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut
* Kiwanis Club of Windsor
* Mary's Place, A Center for Grieving Children and Families
* Rotary Club of Windsor
* Saint Casmir's Lithuanian Society Inc.
* VFW-Veterans of Foreign Wars-Windsor Post 4740
* Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut
* Windsor Art Center
* Windsor Food and Fuel Bank
* Windsor Library Association
* Windsor Historical Society

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1820= 3008
|1850= 3294
|1860= 2278
|1870= 2783
|1880= 3058
|1890= 2954
|1900= 3614
|1910= 4178
|1920= 5620
|1930= 8290
|1940= 10068
|1950= 11833
|1960= 19467
|1970= 22502
|1980= 25204
|1990= 27817
|2000= 28237
|2010= 29044
|2020= 29492
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===Population===
As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 29,044 people, 11,233 households, and 7,881 families residing in the town. The [[population density]] was 984.5 persons per square mile (380.2/km{{sup|2}}). There were 11,767 housing units at an average density of {{convert|398.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 54.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 34.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 4.5% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 3.1% [[Race (United States Census)|some other race]], and 3.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 8.4% of the population.<ref name="Census 2010 DP">{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US0900387000 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212110626/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US0900387000 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Windsor town, Hartford County, Connecticut |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder |access-date=November 29, 2012}}</ref>

There were 11,233 households, out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were headed by [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. Of all households, 24.1% were made up of individuals, and 8.8% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.04.<ref name="Census 2010 DP"/>

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.5% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 31.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.<ref name="Census 2010 DP"/>

===Income===
{{See also|List of Connecticut locations by per capita income}}

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's [[American Community Survey]], for the period 2009–2011, median income for a household in the town was $78,211, and median income for a family was $89,726. Male full-time year-round workers had a median income of $58,668 versus $50,529 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $34,899. About 3.1% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_3YR/DP03/0600000US0900387000 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212083805/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_3YR/DP03/0600000US0900387000 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |title=Selected Economic Characteristics: 2009-2011 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates (DP03): Windsor town, Hartford County, Connecticut |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder |access-date=November 29, 2012}}</ref>

Windsor was one of a handful of towns in the country where, in the [[2000 United States census]], median income for black households ($64,159) was larger than white households ($63,624). Asian households had a median income of $75,716. Hispanic or Latino (of any race) households have a median income of $69,808.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFIteratedFacts?_event=&geo_id=06000US0900387000&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US09%7C05000US09003%7C06000US0900387000&_street=&_county=windsor&_cityTown=windsor&_state=04000US09&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=060&_submenuId=factsheet_2&ds_name=DEC_2000_SAFF&_ci_nbr=004&qr_name=DEC_2000_SAFF_R106reg=DEC_2000_SAFF_R1060%3A004&_keyword=&_industry=Windsor |title=town, Hartford County, Connecticut – Select a Race, Ethnic, or Ancestry Group – American FactFinder |publisher=Factfinder.census.gov |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608130734/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFIteratedFacts?_event=&geo_id=06000US0900387000&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US09%7C05000US09003%7C06000US0900387000&_street=&_county=windsor&_cityTown=windsor&_state=04000US09&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=060&_submenuId=factsheet_2&ds_name=DEC_2000_SAFF&_ci_nbr=004&qr_name=DEC_2000_SAFF_R106reg=DEC_2000_SAFF_R1060:004&_keyword=&_industry=Windsor |archive-date=June 8, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===High school demographics===
[[Windsor High School (Connecticut)|Windsor High School]] has 1,471 students enrolled. Demographics for 2004–2005 were:{{Update inline|date=October 2025}}

* Black 46.2%
* White 41.1%
* Hispanic 8.8%
* Asian 3.8%
* Native American 0.1%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csde.state.ct.us/public/der/ssp/SCH0405/sr139.pdf |title=164-61 |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112153641/http://www.csde.state.ct.us/public/der/ssp/SCH0405/sr139.pdf |archive-date=January 12, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Economy==
===Top employers===
Top employers in Windsor according to the town's 2024 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report<ref>{{cite web |url=https://townofwindsorct.com/app/uploads/sites/12/2024/12/2024.pdf |title=Town of Windsor For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024 |publisher=Town of Windsor |access-date=April 30, 2025}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of Employees
|-
| 1
| [[Amazon (company)|Amazon.com]]
| 7,223
|-
|2
|Town of Windsor
|1,181
|-
|3
| [[Voya Financial]]
|723
|-
|4
|[[Walgreens]]
|700
|-
|5
|SS & C Technologies Inc
|500
|-
|6
|[[Eversource Energy]]
|400
|-
|7
|Dollar Tree
|375
|-
|8
|[[Waste Management (corporation)|Waste Management]]
|375
|-
|9
|TLD GSE
|350
|-
|10
|Barnes Aerospace
|300
|}

==Government==
Windsor has a council–manager government. The legislative function is performed by a bipartisan council of nine members, who are elected biennially for two-year terms. The rown council elects a mayor from its membership for the two-year term, and also appoints the rown manager. Peter Souza has served as Windsor's town manager since 2004.<ref>{{cite web |title=Windsor Town Council |url=https://townofwindsorct.com/town-council/ |publisher=Town of Windsor |access-date=August 1, 2020}}</ref>

===State===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ General Assembly Representatives <ref name="Representative Districts by Town">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/content/townlist.asp|title=Representative Districts by Town|website=CT General Assembly|access-date=May 23, 2025}}</ref>
! Representative
! Chamber
! District
! Party
|-
| [[Jane Garibay]]
| House of Representatives
| [[Connecticut's 60th House of Representatives district|60th]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Dem
|-
| [[Bobby Gibson]]
| House of Representatives
| [[Connecticut's 15th House of Representatives district|15th]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Dem
|-
| [[Maryam Khan]]
| House of Representatives
| [[Connecticut's 5th House of Representatives district|5th]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Dem
|-
| [[Tami Zawistowski]]
| House of Representatives
| [[Connecticut's 61st House of Representatives district|61st]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}}|Rep
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Connecticut Senate
! Representative
! Chamber
! District
! Party
|-
| [[Douglas McCrory]]
| Senate
| [[Connecticut's 2nd State Senate district|2nd]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Dem
|-
| [[John Kissel (Connecticut politician)|John Kissel]]
| Senate
| [[Connecticut's 7th State Senate district|7th]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}}|Rep
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+United States House of Representatives
! Representative
! Chamber
! District
! Party
|-
|[[John B. Larson]]
|Congress
|[[Connecticut's 1st congressional district|1st]]
|{{Party shading/Democratic}}|Dem
|}

{| class=wikitable
! colspan = 5 | Voter registration and party enrolment as of October 31, 2024<ref>{{cite web |title=Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 31, 2024 |url=https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/sots/electionservices/2024/2024-registration-and-enrollment-statistics/2024_november_reg-party_enrollments.pdf?rev=6ea82a0b09e84203a63f918ff7741019&hash=CBA24E0CAAF8D5CB4062E3DE0BE6B6DA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250420093253/https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/sots/electionservices/2024/2024-registration-and-enrollment-statistics/2024_november_reg-party_enrollments.pdf?rev=6ea82a0b09e84203a63f918ff7741019&hash=CBA24E0CAAF8D5CB4062E3DE0BE6B6DA |archive-date=April 20, 2025 |access-date=May 29, 2025 |publisher=Connecticut Secretary of State}}</ref>
|-
! colspan = 2 | Party
! Active voters
! Inactive voters
! Total voters
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 10,983
| style="text-align:center;"| 587
| style="text-align:center;"| 11,570
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 2,845
| style="text-align:center;"| 194
| style="text-align:center;"| 3,039
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| [[Independent voter|Unaffiliated]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 8,601
| style="text-align:center;"| 591
| style="text-align:center;"| 9,192
|-
| {{party color cell|Green Party (United States)}}
| Minor parties
| style="text-align:center;"| 259
| style="text-align:center;"| 27
| style="text-align:center;"| 286
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! style="text-align:center;"| 22,688
! style="text-align:center;"| 1,399
! style="text-align:center;"| 24,087
|}

The following minor parties have registered voters in Windsor: the [[Green Party (United States)|Green Party]], [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]], [[Working Families Party]], and [[Independent Party of Connecticut|Independent Party]].

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
[[File:HartfordNewHavenRRDepotWindsorCT.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Windsor station (Connecticut)|Windsor train station]] in the former [[Hartford & New Haven Railroad Depot]]. The station is served by the [[Hartford Line]] and [[Amtrak]].]]

* [[Bradley International Airport]], which serves [[Greater Hartford]] as well as the greater [[Pioneer Valley]], is located in the adjacent town of [[Windsor Locks, Connecticut|Windsor Locks]] to the north.
* [[Connecticut Transit]]: There are eight routes serving Windsor: 15, 30, 32, 34, 36, 40, 54, and 92.
** The 30-Bradley Flyer route bus runs between [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]] and [[Bradley International Airport]] through Windsor.
** The 32, 34, and 36 routes run between Windsor Center and Downtown Hartford along [[Connecticut Route 159|Windsor]] and [[Connecticut Route 75|Poquonock]] Avenues. While the 32 route terminates at the Poquonock Park & Ride Lot, the 34 route continues on to serve the [[Walgreens]] Distribution Center in the Rainbow neighborhood, and the 36 route continues on to connect with the 54 route in the Day Hill Road Corporate Area.
** The 92 route provides crosstown trips through Windsor beginning at Copaco in Bloomfield and ending at the Shoppes at Buckland Hills in Manchester.
** The 40-North Main Street-Wilson route terminates at the Wilson Park & Ride Lot.
** Service to the Poquonock Park & Ride Lot is provided by the local 30, 32, 34, 36, and 54 routes as well as the 15-Windsor Express route, which provides express service between Poquonock Avenue and Downtown Hartford via I-91.<ref>[http://www.cttransit.com/content/routesHartford.asp] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061216072231/http://www.cttransit.com/content/routesHartford.asp|date=December 16, 2006}}</ref>
[[File:HartfordFreightDepotWindsorCT.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Windsor Art Center, in the former Hartford & New Haven Freight Depot]]
* [[Interstate 91 in Connecticut|Interstate 91]] has seven exits in Windsor, including a [[High-occupancy vehicle lane|High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane]] traveling north and south between Hartford and the [[Bradley Airport Connector]] ([[Connecticut Route 20|Route 20]]).
* [[Interstate 291 (Connecticut)|Interstate 291]] begins in Windsor with three exits; it connects [[Interstate 91 in Connecticut|Interstate 91]] with [[Interstate 84 in Connecticut|Interstate 84]].
* There is a [[Windsor station (Connecticut)|railroad station]] in Windsor Center with [[Amtrak]]'s ''[[Amtrak Hartford Line|Hartford Line]],'' ''[[Northeast Regional]]'' and ''[[Valley Eagle]]'' trains and [[Hartford Line|CTrail Hartford Line]] trains stopping at the station.

===Emergency services===
====Police====
Windsor Police Department is located off of Day Hill Road, at 100 Addison Road.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.windsorpolice.com/ |title=Windsor Police Department |publisher=Windsorpolice.com |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010302055319/http://www.windsorpolice.com/ |archive-date=March 2, 2001 |url-status=live}}</ref>

====Fire department====
Windsor Volunteer Fire Department has five stations: Windsor Station (at the Windsor Safety Complex), Wilson Station, Poquonock Station, Rainbow Road Station and Hayden Station.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://windsorfire.org/ |title=Windsor Volunteer Fire Department |publisher=Town of Windsor |access-date=August 2, 2020}}</ref>

====Emergency medical services====
Windsor Volunteer Ambulance is also located at the Windsor Safety Complex.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.windsorctems.com/ |title=Windsor Volunteer Ambulance |publisher=www.windsorctems.com |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927164954/http://www.windsorctems.com/ |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Education==
The public schools in Windsor are a part of the [[Windsor Public Schools]]:

* One public school for preschool and kindergarten: Roger Wolcott Early Childhood Center (no longer in operation after school consolidation, children now sent to district schools, Poquonock or Ellsworth).
* Four public elementary schools: Oliver Ellsworth Primary School, Clover Street Intermediate School, John F. Kennedy Intermediate School, and Poquonock Primary School (primary schools: grades K–2; intermediate schools: grades 3–5).
* One public middle school (grades 6–8): Sage Park Middle School
* One public high school (grades 9–12): [[Windsor High School (Connecticut)|Windsor High School]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.windsorct.org/index.htm |title=Windsor Public Schools |publisher=Windsorct.org |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010905054133/http://www.windsorct.org/index.htm |archive-date=September 5, 2001 |url-status=live}}</ref>
The magnet schools in Windsor are managed by the [[Capitol Region Education Council|Capital Region Education Council]]:
* One magnet middle school (grades 6–8): The Academy of Aerospace and Engineering Middle School
* One magnet high school (grades 9–12): The Academy of Aerospace and Engineering High School<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.crecschools.org/our-schools/ |title=CREC Schools {{!}} Theme-Based Academies |website=www.crecschools.org |language=en |access-date=April 25, 2017}}</ref>

There is one public library, Windsor Public Library, with two branches:

* The Main Branch<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.windsorlibrary.com/ |title=Windsor Public Library, Windsor Connecticut |publisher=Windsorlibrary.com |access-date=October 12, 2009}}</ref>
* The Wilson Branch

There are several private schools in Windsor:

* Loomis Chaffee, the well-known college preparatory school, is located in Windsor, on a {{convert|320|acre|adj=on}} campus at the confluence of the [[Connecticut River|Connecticut]] and [[Farmington River|Farmington]] rivers. The original [[Loomis Homestead]], built by Joseph Loomis in 1640 and one of the [[oldest buildings in the United States]], stands on the school's campus across the street from the current school head's residence.
* Madina Academy, Connecticut's first full-time Islamic School, offers preschool through 12th grade<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.madinaacademy.org/ |title=Madina Academy}}</ref>
* Saint Gabriel's School is a private school that teaches kindergarten through eighth grade.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stgabrielschool.org/ |title=Saint Gabriel School of Windsor Connecticut |publisher=Stgabrielschool.org |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060110210012/http://www.stgabrielschool.org/ |archive-date=January 10, 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* Trinity Christian School is a private school that teaches Pre-School. Founded by Trinity United Methodist Church in 1961. It formerly hosted a K-5th grade program on their campus.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://schools.privateschoolsreport.com/Connecticut/Windsor/TrinityChrSch.html |title=Trinity Christian School – Windsor, Connecticut |publisher=Private Schools Report |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927185648/http://schools.privateschoolsreport.com/Connecticut/Windsor/TrinityChrSch.html |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.privateschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/5588 |title=Trinity Christian School – Windsor, CT |publisher= Private School Review |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050510165916/http://www.privateschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/5588 |archive-date=May 10, 2005 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* Praise, Power, Prayer Christian School is a private school that teaches Pre-School.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://schools.privateschoolsreport.com/Connecticut/Windsor/PraisePowerPrayerChriSch.html |title=Praise,Power,-Prayer Christian School – Windsor, Connecticut |publisher=Private Schools Report |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070516190310/http://schools.privateschoolsreport.com/Connecticut/Windsor/PraisePowerPrayerChriSch.html |archive-date=May 16, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/ct/private/1652 |title=Praise, Power & Prayer Christian – Windsor, Connecticut – CT – School overview |publisher=Greatschools.net |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930235907/http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/ct/private/1652 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Branford Hall Career Institute]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.branfordhall.com/Campuses_Programs/Windsor/41/ |title=Branford Hall Career Institute » Technical Schools | Windsor Connecticut |publisher=Branfordhall.com |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060626125939/http://www.branfordhall.com/Campuses_Programs/Windsor/41/ |archive-date=June 26, 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref> on Day Hill Road.
* [[Lincoln Group of Schools|Baran Institute of Technology]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baraninstitute.com |title=Lincoln Technical Institute – Official Web Site |publisher=Baraninstitute.com |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001206213700/http://baraninstitute.com/ |archive-date=December 6, 2000 |url-status=live}}</ref> also on Day Hill Road.

== Recreation and activities ==
===Parks===
Windsor Meadows State Park is in the southeast corner of town<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stateparks.com/ct.html |title=Connecticut State Parks |publisher=StateParks.com |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040216011317/http://www.stateparks.com/ct.html |archive-date=February 16, 2004 |url-status=live}}</ref> and runs along the shore of the [[Connecticut River]].

Keney Park, in the south, straddles Windsor and [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]; it includes [[cricket]] fields and a [[golf]] course.<ref name="Kevin McCarthy, Principal Analyst">{{cite web |author=Kevin McCarthy, Principal Analyst |url=https://www.cga.ct.gov/2005/rpt/2005-R-0315.htm |title=Keney Park and PILOTs |publisher=Cga.ct.gov |date=March 14, 2005 |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060928181610/http://www.cga.ct.gov/2005/rpt/2005-R-0315.htm |archive-date=September 28, 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Northwest Park (Windsor)|Northwest Park]], Windsor's largest park, is located in the northwest corner of Windsor. It includes a nature center, trails and an animal barn showcasing a burro, sheep, chickens, goats, rabbits, ducks, and a turkey.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.northwestpark.org |title=Welcome to Northwest Park |publisher=Northwestpark.org |date=September 8, 2009 |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991008183440/http://www.northwestpark.org/ |archive-date=October 8, 1999 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Welch Park is in the neighborhood of Poquonock on the [[Farmington River]] and is home to a public pool, a [[basketball]] court, numerous [[baseball]] diamonds, [[tennis]] courts, and a small playground.

Stroh Park is off Route 159 near Wilson Congregational Church towards the south end of town. It is home to a public pool, tennis courts, a playground, and a pond.

Strawberry Hills Park is located on River Street. It is a popular location in the summer months for those interested in [[canoeing]] and [[kayaking]] the [[Farmington River]].

Mill Brook Open Space, the former Mill Brook and Traditions golf course headed to housing development was purchased and protected as open space by [[The Trust for Public Land]] in 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.courant.com/community/windsor/hc-news-windsor-tradition-acquisition20180117-story.html |title=Former Golf Course In Windsor Headed For Open Space Acquisition |last=Goode |first=Steven |work=Courant Community |access-date=August 10, 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |url=https://www.tpl.org/our-work/mill-brook-open-space#sm.000001tw1n9rvrfo8u6y3v8zmk5xa |title=Mill Brook Open Space |work=The Trust for Public Land |access-date=August 10, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> This 95 acre property cost $2.1million dollars, with a $1,086,000 grant from the State of Connecticut to help preserve this open meadow.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |url=https://townofwindsorct.com/mill-brook-steering-committee/ |title=Mill Brook Open Space Steering Committee Public Input Opportunity! |website=townofwindsorct.com |language=en-US |access-date=August 10, 2018}}</ref> This property will serve as "land for passive recreation, wildlife habitat, community character along with water quality & storm water protection purposes".<ref name=":1" /> The proximity of the park to the town is also important in that it will put more than 1,200 residents within a 10-minute-walk to the property.<ref name=":0" />

===Events===
The Northwest Park Country Fair is held every fall.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.northwestpark.org/friends_events.htm |title=Friends of Northwest Park Events |publisher=Northwestpark.org |date=September 26, 2009 |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060818110355/http://www.northwestpark.org/friends_events.htm |archive-date=August 18, 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Shad Derby Festival is held every spring in the town center.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.windsorshadderby.org |title=Windsor CT Shad Derby |publisher=Windsorshadderby.org |access-date=October 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050318022154/http://windsorshadderby.org/ |archive-date=March 18, 2005 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Carol sing and torchlight parade mark the holiday season in December.

===Entertainment===
* Keney Park Golf Club<ref name="Kevin McCarthy, Principal Analyst"/>
* The Troy Donahue movie ''Parrish'' was filmed on Windsor's tobacco "plantations" in 1961.<ref>[[IMDbTitle:0055279|Parrish (1961)]]</ref>
* The movie ''Academy Boyz'' was shot at [[Loomis Chaffee]] in 1997.<ref>[[IMDbTitle:0119940|Academy Boyz (1997)]]</ref>
* A scene in the movie ''War of the Worlds'' was shot along the Farmington River.<ref>[[IMDbTitle:0407304|War of the Worlds (2005)]]</ref>

===Religion===
{{Div col}}
* Archer Memorial AME Zion Church
* Christ the King Lutheran Church
* Congregation Beth Ahm, Jewish
* Connecticut Valley Church of Christ
* Faith Community Church
* Grace Baptist Church
* Grace Episcopal Church
* Greater St. Paul's Baptist Church of Deliverance
* Holy Zion Church of the Jubilee
* Hope Tabernacle Apostolic Church
* Hopewell Baptist Church
* International Gospel Fellowship
* Islamic Center of Connecticut
* Mount Carmel Christian Ministries
* Oasis Christian Church of Connecticut
* Pilgrim Way Baptist Church
* Poquonock Community Church, Congregational
* Praise Power & Prayer Christian Temple
* Saint Gabriel's Church, Roman Catholic
* Saint Gertrude's Church, Roman Catholic
* Saint Joseph's Church, Roman Catholic
* Sanctuary of Faith and Glory Church
* The First Church in Windsor, United Church of Christ
* Tohrah Judea
* Trinity United Methodist Church (aka Trinity Church)
* Truth & Freedom Ministry (Home Church)
* Wilson Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
{{Div col end}}

==Notable people==
[[File:OliverEllsworth.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Oliver Ellsworth]]]]

* [[Al Anderson (NRBQ)|Al Anderson]], guitarist, singer and songwriter, best known for his 20-year stint in [[NRBQ]]<ref>Dixon, Ken, "Music Hall of Fame proposed for state", article in ''Connecticut Post'' in Bridgeport, Connecticut, April 26, 2007 ("Al Anderson, longtime guitarist/songwriter for the rock band NRBQ [...] Anderson, who grew up in Windsor")</ref>
* [[Chris Baker (defensive lineman)|Christopher Isaiah Baker]] (born 1987), nicknamed "Swaggy", is an [[American football]] [[defensive tackle]]
* [[Moe Drabowsky]] (1935–2006), Polish-born Major League Baseball pitcher, raised in Wilson, schooled at Loomis
* [[Oliver Ellsworth]], third [[Chief Justice of the United States]], a drafter of the Constitution and American Founding Father, was born in Windsor
* [[Roger Enos]], veteran of the [[French and Indian War]] and [[American Revolution]] who commanded the [[Vermont]] Militia in the later stages of the [[American Revolution]]
* [[John Fitch (inventor)|John Fitch]], inventor of the steamboat, held several patents, operator of the US's first steamboat line
* [[Edith Julia Griswold]] (1863–1926), lawyer and patent expert
* [[William Hayden (soldier)|General William Hayden]], [[Connecticut Adjutant General]] 1835–1836
* [[Mike Joy]] (born 1949), TV sports announcer, voice of FOX Sports' NASCAR TV coverage, served four elected terms on the Windsor Town Council
* [[Christine Ladd-Franklin]] (1847–1930), American psychologist and logician<ref>{{Cite web |title=Christine Ladd-Franklin |url=https://feministvoices.com/profiles/christine-ladd-franklin |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=Feminist Voices |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Evelyn Beatrice Longman]], first woman sculptor to be elected a full member of the National Academy of Design<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cwhf.org/inductees/arts-humanities/evelyn-longman-batchelder#.U34mB1hdWKI |title=Evelyn Longman Batchelder |publisher=Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame |access-date=May 22, 2014 |archive-date=May 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522194116/http://www.cwhf.org/inductees/arts-humanities/evelyn-longman-batchelder#.U34mB1hdWKI |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Lancelot Phelps]] (1784–1866), [[US House of Representatives|congressman]] from Connecticut
* [[William Phelps (colonist)|William Phelps]] (1593–1672), woodworker, judge, civil servant
* [[Joseph Rainey|Joseph Hayne Rainey]] (1832–1887), first African American to be elected to Congress, US congressman from South Carolina, lived in a summer house here with his family
* [[Iceman John Scully]], professional boxer, world title challenger, ESPN Classic boxing broadcaster
* [[John H. Swift]] (1840–1911), manufacturer member of the New York State Assembly, grew up in Poquonock
* [[Ethna Beulah Winston]] (1903–1993), educator, dean of women
* [[Erastus Wolcott]] (1722–1793), political and military leader during the American Revolutionary War
* [[Oliver Wolcott]], American Founding Father, born in Windsor
* [[Roger Wolcott (Connecticut politician)|Roger Wolcott]] (1679–1767), weaver, colonial governor of Connecticut (1751–1754), father of [[Oliver Wolcott]]

==Principal communities==
* Deerfield
* Hayden Station
* [[Poquonock, Connecticut|Poquonock]]
* Rainbow
* Wilson
* Windsor Center

== See also ==
* [[William Filley]]
* [[Hartford Electric Light Company]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Windsor, Connecticut]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== Further reading ==
* Simpson, Stan (12/6/6). [https://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-ctstan1206.artdec06,0,6267375.column?coll=hc-utility-local "Windsor's Diversity Pays Off"].{{Dead link|date=July 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''[[Hartford Courant]]''.
* Swift, Mike, and Robert A. Frahm (20 August 2002). [http://mumford.albany.edu/census/othersay/CTNow082002.pdf "Census: Income Gap a Matter of Degree: With Less Education, Minorities Lose Ground in Earnings"]. ''[[Hartford Courant]]''.

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Windsor, Connecticut}}
{{Wikivoyage|Windsor (Connecticut)|Windsor}}
* [http://www.townofwindsorct.com/ Town of Windsor official website]
* [http://www.windsorhistoricalsociety.org/ Windsor Historical Society]
* [http://www.windsorcc.org/ Windsor Chamber of Commerce]

{{Geographic location
|Centre = Windsor, Connecticut
|North = [[Windsor Locks, Connecticut]]
|Northeast = [[East Windsor, Connecticut]]
|East = [[South Windsor, Connecticut]]
|Southeast =[[East Hartford, Connecticut]]
|South = [[Hartford, Connecticut]]
|Southwest =[[West Hartford, Connecticut]]
|West = [[Bloomfield, Connecticut]]
|Northwest = [[East Granby, Connecticut]]
}}
{{Connecticut}}
{{Hartford County, Connecticut}}
{{Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut}}
{{Greater Hartford}}
{{Connecticut River}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Windsor, Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:1633 establishments in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Connecticut populated places on the Connecticut River]]
[[Category:Greater Hartford]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1633]]
[[Category:Towns in Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Hartford County, Connecticut]]

Cromwell, Connecticut

2025-11-02T16:52:29Z

2601:183:4B82:710:7166:E39F:E448:51B8: /* Points of interest */

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Cromwell, Connecticut
| official_name = Town of Cromwell
| settlement_type = [[New England town|Town]]
| image_skyline = Main Street, Cromwell CT.jpg
| image_caption = Main Street
| image_flag =
| image_seal = CromwellCTseal.gif
| image_map = {{switcher|[[File:Cromwell CT lg.PNG|230px|frameless|alt=Cromwell's location within Middlesex County and Connecticut]]| [[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex County]] and Connecticut|[[File:Lower Connecticut River Valley incorporated and unincorporated areas Cromwell highlighted.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Cromwell's location within the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region and the state of Connecticut]]| [[Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region]] and Connecticut|default=1}}
| image_map1 = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=280|frame-height=200|frame-coord=SWITCH:{{coord|qid=Q402839}}###{{coord|qid=Q779}}###{{coord|41|36|35|N|72|39|47|W}}|zoom=SWITCH:11;6;3|type=SWITCH:shape-inverse;point;point|marker=city|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|id2=SWITCH:Q402839;Q779;Q30|type2=shape|fill2=#ffffff|fill-opacity2=SWITCH:0;0.1;0.1|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080|stroke-opacity2=SWITCH:0;1;1|switch=Cromwell;Connecticut;the United States}}
| coordinates = {{coord|41|36|35|N|72|39|47|W|region:US-CT|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{US}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Connecticut}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Councils of governments in Connecticut|Region]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Lower CT River Valley]]
| established_title = Incorporated
| established_date = June 18, 1851<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cromwellhistory.org/Cromwell_History.html|title=Cromwell History}}</ref>
| government_type = [[Council-manager government|Council-Manager]]
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = James Demetriades ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
| leader_title1 = Town council
| leader_name1 = {{Plainlist|
*Jennifer Donahue (R) (Deputy Mayor)
*Paula G. Luna (R)
*Jack Henehan (R)
*Steve Fortenbach(R)
*Al Waters (D)}}
| leader_title2 = Town Manager
| leader_name2 = Tony Salvatore
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_total_km2 = 35.0
| area_total_sq_mi = 13.5
| area_land_km2 = 32.1
| area_land_sq_mi = 12.4
| area_water_km2 = 1.3
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.5
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft = 128
| population_total = 14302
| population_as_of = 2021
| population_density_km2 = 445.5
| population_density_sq_mi = 1059.4
| population_metro =
| population_note =
| timezone = [[North American Eastern Standard Time|EST]]
| utc_offset = -5
| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST = -4
| postal_code_type = ZIP code
| postal_code = 06416
| area_codes = [[Area codes 860 and 959|860/959]]
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 09-18080
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 0213414<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|213414}}</ref>
| blank3_name = Interstates
| blank3_info = [[File:I-91.svg|25px|link=Interstate 91 in Connecticut]]
| blank4_name = U.S. Highways
| blank4_info = [[File:Connecticut Highway 3.svg|25px|link=Connecticut Route 3]] [[File:Connecticut Highway 9.svg|25px|link=Connecticut Route 9]] [[File:Connecticut Highway 99.svg|25px|link=Connecticut Route 99]]
| website = {{URL|http://www.cromwellct.com/}}
| nicknames = Crossroads of Connecticut, or the Rose City
}}
'''Cromwell''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|r|ɑː|m|w|ɛ|l}} {{respell|CRAHM|wel}}) is a town in [[Middlesex County, Connecticut]], United States, located within the [[Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region]]. The population was 14,225 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US0900718080|title=Census - Geography Profile: Cromwell town, Middlesex County, Connecticut|access-date=November 27, 2021}}</ref>

==History==
The land where Cromwell is now located, was once named for the [[Mattabesset]], a region and settlement that was once home to [[Eastern Algonquian languages|Eastern Algonquian]] language-speaking Native Americans. This may have included the [[Tunxis]], [[Quinnipiac]], [[Wangunk]], and the [[Wappinger]]. In 1651, the Mattabesset settlement was incorporated as a town by English settlers. By 1653, the colonists had renamed the settlement [[Middletown, Connecticut|Middletown]].

The area now known as Cromwell was referred to by many names before separating from Middletown. It was commonly referred to as the [[Middletown Upper Houses Historic District|Upper Houses]] or Upper Middletown.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cromwell - Connecticut History {{!}} A CTHumanities Project |url=https://connecticuthistory.org/towns-page/cromwell/ |website=ConnecticutHistory.org |date=September 12, 2011 |access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref> Upper Middletown is surrounded by natural barriers; such as, the [[Connecticut River]], [[Mattabesset River]] and by ridgelines in the North and West. By 1715, the Upper Houses had 50 households, their own school, church and cemetery. Before the creation of the new cemetery in January 1713, burials took place in Middletown. The earliest burial is that of Martha Gipson, who had died in February of that year. As Middletown began to emerge as one of the busiest ports in New England, the Upper Houses also boasted its own expansion of maritime industries. As industry expanded within the Upper Houses a merchant class grew with it. Some of the village's wealthier families owned slaves.<ref name=Grotheer>{{cite book |last1=Grotheer |first1=Barbara |series=Images of America |title=Cromwell |date=2019 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-1-4671-0270-4 }}</ref> Middletown was then incorporated as a city in 1784.

In the 19th century, the [[War of 1812]] limited maritime trade creating a decline in the Upper Houses. Some continued to pursue maritime industry, the village generally reverted back to its agricultural beginnings. By the mid century, the area was revitalized by the founding of several new industries. John and Elisha Stevens formed the [[J. & E. Stevens|J & E Stevens Company]] in 1843.<ref>{{cite web |title=J. & E. Stevens Co. |url=https://connecticutmills.org/find/details/j.-e.-stevens-co |website=Mills: Making Places of Connecticut |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref> The company had intended to manufacture cast-iron hardware, hammers and a few iron toys. The brothers later shifted their business plan after much success with their iron toys. J & E Stevens Company would grow to become the largest manufacturer of cast-iron toys in the county.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cromwell's Iron Men Made Toys for Boys and Girls |url=https://connecticuthistory.org/cromwells-iron-men-made-toys-for-boys-and-girls/ |website=ConnecticutHistory.org |date=December 6, 2021 |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref> Today, toys produced by this company are a valuable collectible item. In the early 1870s, Andrew N. Pierson emigrated from Sweden and established A.N. Pierson’s Inc.<ref>{{cite web |title=A.N. Pierson Inc. |url=https://connecticutmills.org/find/details/a.n.-pierson-inc |website=Mills: Making Places of Connecticut |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref> The company started as a small floral nursery, and later evolved into the largest commercial rose growing enterprise in the country.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Rose King of America Transformed Cromwell's Landscape |url=https://connecticuthistory.org/the-rose-king-of-america-transformed-cromwells-landscape/ |website=ConnecticutHistory.org |date=June 23, 2021 |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref> These new industries and labor opportunities created further opportunities for those immigrating to the area. Irish, German and Italian immigrants found housing along the river on lower Main Street, in areas that were more prone to flooding.<ref name=Grotheer/>

With the expansion of the Upper Houses, and the geographical barriers around the town it became increasingly difficult to maintain connection with the larger city of Middletown. Initially, the Upper Houses was able to meet the needs of its residents with the creation of its own school and church, but by the mid-19th century, a stronger movement to become independent of Middletown had developed. In 1851, the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut recognized Cromwell as a new town with a population of 1,259.<ref name=Grotheer/>

The exact origin of the town's name is debated, but many acknowledge that it was named for either the 17th-century English leader [[Oliver Cromwell]], or for the privateer [[Oliver Cromwell (ship)|Oliver Cromwell]]. Despite the continuing presence of industry, Cromwell maintained its rural character until the mid-20th century. Post-World War II the town began to change significantly, including growth in population. With the expansion of the highway system in Connecticut during the 1970s, Cromwell became an intersecting point for three major highway systems. The highway system created further retail and population development. By 1980 the population had grown to 10,265, which is over three times the size of 40 years earlier.<ref name=Grotheer/>

==Points of interest==
* Community and Green Spaces:
** River Highlands State Park<ref>{{cite web |title=River Highlands State Park |url=https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/River-Highlands-State-Park |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808063116/https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/River-Highlands-State-Park |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |website=CT.GOV}}</ref>
** Cromwell Meadow Wildlife Management Area <ref>{{cite web |title=Cromwell Meadows WMA |url=https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/wildlife/pdf_files/maps/maps_hunting_area/map110.pdf |website=portal.ct.gov |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
** Cromwell Landings <ref>{{cite web |title=Cromwell Landings |url=https://www.cromwellct.com/recreation/pages/cromwell-landings |website=Town of Cromwell Connecticut Website |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
** Pierson Park - named for Andrew N. Pierson, the Rose King of America and founder of A.N. Pierson, Inc.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pierson Park |url=https://www.cromwellct.com/recreation/pages/pierson-park |website=Town of Cromwell Connecticut Website |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
** Riverport Park at Frisbee Landing <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cromwellct.com/recreation/pages/riverport-park-frisbee-landings |title=Riverport Park at Frisbee Landings |website=Town of Cromwell Connecticut Website |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
** Watrous Park <ref>{{cite web |title=Watrous Park |url=https://www.cromwellct.com/recreation/pages/watrous-park |website=Town of Cromwell Connecticut Website |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
** Patriot's Corner - Main Street and Wall Streets<ref>{{cite web |title=Elizabeth Maselli History Room Walk |url=https://www.cromwellct.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif2976/f/uploads/history_walk_2b.pdf |website=Town of Cromwell Connecticut Website |publisher=Cromwell Belden Public Library |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
** Memorial Town Green - Main Street and West Street
** Valour Memorial Green - Main Street and Fritsch Lane
** Gold Star Green - West Street, across from St. John Church
* On the [[National Register of Historic Places]]:
** [[Main Street Historic District (Cromwell, Connecticut)|Main Street Historic District]] – roughly bounded by Nooks Hill Road, Prospect Hill Road, Wall and West Streets and New Lane, and Stevens Lane and Main Street; since October 24, 1985
** [[Middletown Upper Houses Historic District]] – on [[Connecticut Route 99]]; since July 27, 1979
** [[Sage-Kirby House]] – 93 Shunpike Road; since April 29, 1982
* Other Historically Significant Places:
** Cromwell Historical Society - Located within the historic home of John Stevens, built in 1853<ref>{{cite web |title=Cromwell Historical Society |url=https://cromwellhistory.org/home-page |website=Cromwell Historical Society |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
** Cromwell Belden Public Library’s Elizabeth Maselli Room<ref>{{cite web |title=Cromwell Belden Public Library |url=https://www.cromwellct.com/library |website=Town of Cromwell Connecticut Website |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
** The Old Burial Ground - Timber Hill Road and Ranney Road
** Hillside Cemetery, East and West - Hillside Road and Shelley Street
** Former Home of [[Emily Pierson]]: Listed on the National Votes for Women Trail - Main Street, across from Valour Memorial Green<ref>{{cite web |title=National Collaborative for Women's History Sites (NCWHS) |url=https://ncwhs.org/votes-for-women-trail/ |website=National Votes for Women Trail |access-date=March 23, 2024}}</ref>
* Private Industries and Businesses:
** [[TPC River Highlands]] – location of the [[Travelers Championship]], [[PGA Tour]] event
** Long-time home of hardware manufacturing company Horton Brasses, Inc.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|12.9|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|12.4|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.5|sqmi|km2}} (4.03%) is water.

The riverfront of the area often experiences [[freshet]] during the changing of the seasons. While minor flooding has occurred since Colonial times, occasionally more serious flooding occurs, such as the historic flood of March 1936,<ref>{{cite news |title=It's Spring the River Must be Rising |work=The New York Times |date=May 6, 2001 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/06/nyregion/it-s-spring-the-river-must-be-rising.html |access-date=December 8, 2023 |last1=Woodside |first1=Christine }}</ref> the 1955, Hurricanes Connie and Diane,<ref>{{cite web |title=Historic Flood August 1955 |url=https://www.weather.gov/nerfc/hf_august_1955 |website=National Weather Service |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref> and the most recent serious flood in 1984.

A major north–south highway, Interstate 91, with two Cromwell exits, runs through the Town. The Central Connecticut Expressway (Route 9), opened at the end of 1989, enhances the Town's location as it connects to I-95 in Old Saybrook, I-91 in Cromwell and I-84, the state's major east–west highway in New Britain.<ref>{{cite web|title=Town of Cromwell, Connecticut|url=http://www.cromwellct.com}}</ref>

==Demographics==

{{US Census population
|1870= 1856
|1880= 1640
|1890= 1987
|1900= 2031
|1910= 2188
|1920= 2454
|1930= 2814
|1940= 3281
|1950= 4286
|1960= 6780
|1970= 7400
|1980= 10265
|1990= 12286
|2000= 12871
|2010= 14005
|2020= 14225
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2015 }}</ref>
}}
{{See also|List of Connecticut locations by per capita income}}
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] there were 14,005 people, 5,212 households, and 3,262 families in the town. The population density was {{convert|1,038.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 5,365 [[housing unit]]s at an average density of {{convert|432.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the town was 93.08% White, 3.13% African American, 0.05% Native American, 1.24% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.03% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.19%.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>

Of the 5,212 households 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 30.3% of households were one person and 11.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.99.

The age distribution was 21.6% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.

The median household income was US$60,662, and the median family income was $70,505. Males had a median income of $46,223 versus $36,218 for females. The per capita income for the town was $29,786. About 1.6% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.

==Politics==

{| class=wikitable
! colspan = 6 | Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 27, 2020<ref>{{cite web|title=Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 27, 2020 |publisher=Connecticut Secretary of State |access-date=August 15, 2021 |url=https://portal.ct.gov/sots/election-services/statistics-and-data/statistics-and-data}}</ref>
|-
! colspan = 2 | Party
! Active voters
! Inactive voters
! Total voters
! Percentage
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| align = center | 3,511
| align = center | 190
| align = center | 3,701
| align = center | 32.98%
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| align = center | 2,418
| align = center | 98
| align = center | 2,516
| align = center | 22.42%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| [[Independent voter|Unaffiliated]]
| align = center | 4,607
| align = center | 180
| align = center | 4,787
| align = center | 42.66%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| Minor parties
| align = center | 211
| align = center | 7
| align = center | 218
| align = center | 1.94%
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! align = center | 10,747
! align = center | 475
! align = center | 11,222
! align = center | 100%
|}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4" |Presidential Election Results<ref>{{Cite web|title=General Election Statements of Vote, 1922 – Current|url=https://authoring.ct.gov//SOTS/Election-Services/Statement-Of-Vote-PDFs/General-Elections-Statement-of-Vote-1922|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=CT Secretary of State}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Election Night Reporting|url=https://ctemspublic.pcctg.net/#/selectTown|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=CT Secretary of State}}</ref>
|-
!Year
![[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
![[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
![[Third party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2020 United States presidential election|2020]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.5%''' ''4,872''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|42.7% ''3,749''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.8% ''162''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2016 United States presidential election|2016]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''49.5%''' ''3,808''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|45.3% ''3,486''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|5.2% ''400''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2012 United States presidential election|2012]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.3%''' ''4,063''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|43.5% ''3,193''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.2% ''92''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2008 United States presidential election|2008]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''59.4%''' ''4,551''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|39.0% ''2,989''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.6% ''120''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2004 United States presidential election|2004]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.2%''' ''4,126''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|43.2% ''3,226''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.6% ''121''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2000 United States presidential election|2000]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''58.0%''' ''3,865''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|37.1% ''2,472''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|14.9% ''328''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1996 United States presidential election|1996]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''54.2%''' ''3,389''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|32.1% ''2,007''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|13.7% ''857''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1992 United States presidential election|1992]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''43.0%''' ''3,030''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|32.8% ''2,306''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|24.2% ''1,704''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1988 United States presidential election|1988]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|48.0% ''2,955''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''50.9%''' ''3,135''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.1% ''66''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1984 United States presidential election|1984]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|40.6% ''2,204''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''59.2%''' ''3,213''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.2% ''11''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1980 United States presidential election|1980]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''41.3%''' ''2,185''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|40.9% ''2,168''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|17.8% ''943''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1976 United States presidential election|1976]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''51.0%''' ''2,519''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|48.6% ''2,399''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.4% 23
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1972 United States presidential election|1972]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|45.4% ''1,957''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''53.5%''' ''2,306''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.1% ''47''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1968 United States presidential election|1968]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''53.7%''' ''1,899''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|40.7% ''1,439''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|5.6% ''198''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1964 United States presidential election|1964]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''71.1%''' ''2,461''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|28.9% ''999''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1960 United States presidential election|1960]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''54.4%''' ''1,918''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|45.6% ''1,607''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1956 United States presidential election|1956]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|34.2% ''993''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''65.8%''' ''1,909''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|}

==Cromwell public schools==

There are four public schools in Cromwell: Edna C. Stevens Elementary School (Pre-K–2), Woodside Intermediate School (3–5), Cromwell Middle School (6–8), and [[Cromwell High School]] (9–12).

== Fire Protection ==

Fire Protection for the Town of Cromwell is provided by the Cromwell Fire District via the Cromwell Fire Department. The Cromwell Fire Department is a combination fire department that operates out of three stations. The Fire Department operates on a rotating 24/7 schedule with six Firefighter/EMT's assigned to each shift. The Fire Department also operates ambulances to provided Emergency Medical Care to residents and visitors.

Full time Firefighters are supplemented by Part-time and Volunteer Firefighters.

==Economy==
Top employers in Cromwell according to the town's 2024 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cromwellct.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif2976/f/uploads/town_of_cromwell_ct_-_annual_comprehensive_financial_report_2024r.pdf|title=Town of Cromwell Comprehensive Annual Financial Report For the Fiscal Year July 1, 2023- June 30, 2024|publisher=Town of Cromwell|access-date=April 30, 2025}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of Employees
|-
|1
|Town of Cromwell
|462
|-
|2
|Adelbrook Behavior & Developmental Services
|356
|-
|3
|[[Walmart]]
|313
|-
|4
|Covenant Village
|274
|-
|5
|GKN Aerospace
|250
|-
|6
|[[Stop & Shop]]
|160
|-
|7
|ShopRite
|138
|-
|8
|[[Lowe's]]
|132
|-
|9
|Autumn Lake Healthcare
|130
|-
|10
|Tournament Players Club
|126
|}

==Notable people==

* [[David Gere]], actor and film producer, Gere was born and raised in Cromwell and attended [[Cromwell High School]], class of 1993<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1020877/|title=David Gere|website=IMDb|access-date=May 1, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401200559/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1020877/|archive-date=April 1, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Donald Honig]], novelist, historian and editor; lived in Cromwell for over 40 years. In September 2020, there was a ceremony at the Cromwell Belden Public Library where Honig was given with a key to the town and presented with a proclamation declaring it "Donald Honig Day." In his honor, there is a special "Donald Honig Collection," where many of his books are on display at the library<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.middletownpress.com/middletown/article/Cromwell-honors-local-writer-89-with-keys-to-15600176.php|title=Cromwell honors local writer, 89, with keys to the town|date=September 28, 2020}}</ref>
* Elizabeth Maselli, Cromwell Town Historian, whose collections are not available at the Cromwell Belden Public Library and the Cromwell Historical Society. Maselli was responsible for restoring and protecting the historic Old Burying Ground <ref>{{cite web |title=ELIZABETH MASELLI DIES AT 97; WAS TOWN HISTORIAN |url=https://www.courant.com/1996/08/06/elizabeth-maselli-dies-at-97-was-town-historian/ |website=Hartford Courant |date=August 6, 1996 |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
* [[Chad Ripperger]], a well known Catholic Priest, theologian, philosopher and exorcist. Ripperger had studied at the [[Holy Apostles College and Seminary]] located in Cromwell, CT.
* [[Josiah Belden]], born in Upper Houses in 1815, he left the town in 1831. He was a member of the first wagon train taking settlers to California in 1841. There, he became wealthy running a general store during the Gold Rush. In 1888 Belden sent a substantial donation for the new public library in Cromwell.
* Sarah Savage, was a teacher of eighth and ninth grades at the Academy in Cromwell, until becoming the town's first Public Librarian of the Belden Library. The Belden Library was established in 1888 and served until 1919.<ref name=Grotheer/>
* [[Emily Pierson|Dr. Emily Pierson]], a graduate from Vassar College, and received a master’s degree at Columbia University. Dr. Pierson was actively involved in the Connecticut Effort to win the vote for women. After the 19th amendment was ratified, Pierson attended Yale Medical School, graduating in 1924 when she was in her mid-40s. She then practiced medicine in Cromwell for 40 years, while serving as the town director of health and the school physician.
* [[James T. Pratt|James Timothy Pratt]], a U.S. Representative who was born in Cromwell in 1802.
* Dr. Winthrop Hallock, opened a private sanatorium, Cromwell Hall, in 1877. Dr. Frank Hallock, son of the founder of Cromwell Hall, worked as the director of the asylum. [[Frank K. Hallock|Frank Hallock]] was also a founder of the [[Middlesex Hospital (Connecticut)|Middlesex Hospital]], President and Director of the Cromwell Savings Bank, and President of the Belden Library Association, President of the Cromwell Cemetery Association and member of the school board.<ref>{{cite news |title=DR. FRANK K. HALLOCK; Medical Director of Sanatorium in Cromwell, Conn., Was 76 |work=The New York Times |date=April 30, 1937 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/30/archives/dr-frank-k-hallock-medical-director-of-sanatorium-in-cromwell-conn.html |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
* [[Rufus Sage|Rufus B. Sage]], born in the Upper Houses in 1817, an American writer, journalist and mountain man. After all his adventures, he returned home to Cromwell where he spent the rest of his life.
* Captain Nathan Sage, commanded several ships during the Revolution and, as a privateer, seized many British vessels. Sage was honored on the floor of Congress for his contributions to the war effort.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cromwell Roll of Honor |url=https://cromwellhistory.org/cromwell-veterans |website=Cromwell Historical Society |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
* Thomas Ranney, one of the first settlers of the Upper Houses. Ranney was a prominent landowner and influential member of the community. Ranney is the only of the original settlers to be buried in the Old Burying Ground in Cromwell, CT.<ref name=Grotheer/>

==In popular culture==
* A season 6 episode of the [[Discovery Channel]] series ''[[A Haunting]]'', called ''The Well from Hell'', takes place in Cromwell in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ghostsofnewengland.org/press/ranney.html |title= Ghost Hunters Explore Cromwell Home for TV's 'A Haunting' |website=Ghosts of New England |access-date=July 13, 2023}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Connecticut}}
*[http://www.cromwellct.com/ Town government website]
*[https://cromwellhistory.org/ Cromwell Historical Society]

{{Connecticut}}
{{Middlesex County, Connecticut}}
{{Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut}}
{{Greater Hartford}}
{{Connecticut River}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cromwell, Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Middlesex County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Connecticut populated places on the Connecticut River]]
[[Category:Greater Hartford]]
[[Category:Towns in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut]]

Chester, Connecticut

2025-11-02T16:40:36Z

2601:183:4B82:710:7166:E39F:E448:51B8: /* Points of interest */

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Chester, Connecticut
| settlement_type = [[New England town|Town]]
| image_skyline = OldTownHallChesterCT.jpg
| image_caption = The [[Old Town Hall (Chester, Connecticut)|Old Town Hall]]
| image_flag =
| image_seal = ChesterCTseal.JPG
| image_map = {{switcher|[[File:Chester CT lg.PNG|230px|frameless|alt=Chester's location within Middlesex County and Connecticut]]| [[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex County]] and Connecticut|[[File:Lower Connecticut River Valley incorporated and unincorporated areas Chester highlighted.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Chester's location within the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region and the state of Connecticut]]| [[Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region]] and Connecticut|default=1}}
| image_map1 = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=280|frame-height=200|frame-coord=SWITCH:{{coord|qid=Q755277}}###{{coord|qid=Q779}}###{{coord|41|24|08|N|72|28|57|W}}|zoom=SWITCH:11;6;3|type=SWITCH:shape-inverse;point;point|marker=city|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|id2=SWITCH:Q755277;Q779;Q30|type2=shape|fill2=#ffffff|fill-opacity2=SWITCH:0;0.1;0.1|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080|stroke-opacity2=SWITCH:0;1;1|switch=Chester;Connecticut;the United States}}
| coordinates = {{coord|41|24|08|N|72|28|57|W|region:US-CT|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{US}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Connecticut}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Councils of governments in Connecticut|Region]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Lower CT River Valley]]
| established_title = Incorporated
| established_date = 1836
| government_type = [[Board of selectmen|Selectman-town meeting]]
| leader_title = First Selectman
| leader_name = Cynthia Lignar ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
| leader_title1 = Selectman
| leader_name1 = Patricia Bandzes ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
| leader_title2 = Selectman
| leader_name2 = Paul Radicchi ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]])
| leader_title3 = [[Connecticut House of Representatives|State Rep.]]
| leader_name3 = [[Renee LaMark Muir]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]-[[Connecticut's 36th House of Representatives district|36]])
| leader_title4 = [[Connecticut State Senate|State Senator]]
| leader_name4 = [[Norman Needleman]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]-[[Connecticut's 33rd State Senate district|33]])
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_total_km2 = 43.5
| area_total_sq_mi = 16.8
| area_land_km2 = 41.5
| area_land_sq_mi = 16.0
| area_water_km2 = 2.1
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.8
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft = 377
| population_total = 3749
| population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi =
| population_metro =
| population_note =
| timezone = [[North American Eastern Standard Time|EST]]
| utc_offset = -5
| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST = -4
| postal_code_type = ZIP code
| postal_code = 06412
| area_codes = [[Area codes 860 and 959|860/959]]
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 09-14300
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 0213407<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|213407}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|http://www.chesterct.com/}}
}}
'''Chester''' is a [[New England town|town]] in [[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex County]], [[Connecticut]], United States. The town is part of the [[Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region]]. The population was 3,749 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US0900714300|title=Census - Geography Profile: Chester town, Middlesex County, Connecticut|access-date=November 27, 2021}}</ref> The [[Chester Center, Connecticut|town center]] is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as a [[census-designated place]] (CDP). The name is a transfer from [[Chester]], in England.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qoEyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA331|year=1903|publisher=Connecticut Magazine Company|page=331}}</ref>

==History==
The area was home to a [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] (possibly [[Hammonasset people|Hammonasset]]) village named Pattaquonk.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2021 |title=Indigenous Communities of Connecticut - TeachIt {{!}} Connecticut History In The Classroom |url=https://teachitct.org/lessons/indigenous-communities-of-connecticut/ |access-date=December 18, 2023 |website=TeachIt {{!}} Connecticut History In The Classroom - |language=en}}</ref> Pattaquonk was also the name and approximate location of a 30-acre [[Wangunk]] reservation established in 1662 as part of the English acquisition of the land encompassing [[Haddam, Connecticut|Haddam]] and [[East Haddam, Connecticut|East Haddam]], which was home to three Wangunk villages.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Field |first=David Dudley |title=A History of the Towns of Haddam and East-Haddam |publisher=Loomis and Richards |year=1814 |isbn=9781016139618 |pages=3–8}}</ref> English settlement of the area began in 1692. The town was formed from the northern quarter of [[Deep River, Connecticut|Saybrook]] and incorporated in 1836.

In 1769, Jonathan Warner was granted permission to operate a ferry across the Connecticut River that became the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry, the second-oldest continuously operating ferry service in Connecticut. Its location is currently a state historical landmark.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|16.8|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|16.0|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.8|sqmi|km2}} (4.75%) is water. The CDP has a total area of {{convert|2.1|sqmi|km2}} of which 1.46% is water.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1840= 974
|1850= 992
|1860= 1015
|1870= 1094
|1880= 1177
|1890= 1301
|1900= 1328
|1910= 1419
|1920= 1675
|1930= 1463
|1940= 1676
|1950= 1920
|1960= 2520
|1970= 2982
|1980= 3068
|1990= 3417
|2000= 3743
|2010= 3994
|2020= 3749
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2015 }}</ref>
}}
{{See also|List of Connecticut locations by per capita income}}

At the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]] there were 3,743 people, 1,510 households, and 1,005 families living in the town. The population density was {{convert|233.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,613 housing units at an average density of {{convert|100.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the town was 96.79% White, 0.85% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.71%.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>

[[File:Memorial Day ceremony 1990 Chester Connecticut.jpg|thumb|Memorial Day ceremony in Chester, 1990]]

Of the 1,510 households, 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 28.1% of households were one person, and 13.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.93.

The age distribution was 22.3% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.

The median household income was $65,156 and the median family income was $79,941. Males had a median income of $45,515 versus $40,444 for females. The per capita income for the town was $32,191. None of the families and 1.3% of the population were living below the [[poverty line]], including no under eighteens and 2.6% of those over 64.

===CDP===

At the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 1,546 people, 632 households, and 401 families living in the [[Chester Center, Connecticut|Chester Center]] CDP. The population density was {{convert|762.1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|inhabitants |inhabitants}}. There were 669 housing units at an average density of {{convert|329.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the CDP was 96.31% White, 1.29% African American, 0.06% Native American, 1.36% Asian, 0.06% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.29% of the population.

Of the 632 households, 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 30.5% of households were one person, and 10.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.91.

The age distribution was 21.9% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.

The median household income was $64,236 and the median family income was $71,250. Males had a median income of $38,900 versus $46,354 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $32,087. None of the families and 0.5% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

{| class=wikitable
! colspan = 6 | Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 31, 2024<ref>{{cite web |title=Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 31, 2024 |url=https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/sots/electionservices/2024/2024-registration-and-enrollment-statistics/2024_november_reg-party_enrollments.pdf?rev=6ea82a0b09e84203a63f918ff7741019&hash=CBA24E0CAAF8D5CB4062E3DE0BE6B6DA |website=CT.Gov |publisher=Connecticut Secretary of the State |access-date=12 June 2025}}</ref>
|-
! colspan = 2 | Party
! Active voters
! Inactive voters
! Total voters
! Percentage
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| align = center | 1,162
| align = center | 81
| align = center | 1,243
| align = center | 39.37%
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| align = center | 565
| align = center | 37
| align = center | 602
| align = center | 19.07%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| [[Independent voter|Unaffiliated]]
| align = center | 1,139
| align = center | 129
| align = center | 1,268
| align = center | 40.16%
|-
| {{party color cell|Libertarian Party (United States)}}
| [[Third Party (United States)|Minor parties]]
| align = center | 38
| align = center | 6
| align = center | 44
| align = center | 1.39%
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! align = center | 2,904
! align = center | 253
! align = center | 3,157
! align = center | 100%
|}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4" |Presidential election results<ref>{{Cite web|title=General Elections Statement of Vote 1922|url=https://authoring.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Statement-Of-Vote-PDFs/General-Elections-Statement-of-Vote-1922|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=CT.gov - Connecticut's Official State Website|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Public Reporting|url=https://ctemspublic.pcctg.net/#/selectTown|access-date=December 21, 2020|website=ctemspublic.pcctg.net}}</ref>
|-
!Year
![[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
![[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
![[Third party (United States)|Third parties]]
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2024 United States presidential election|2024]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''64.6%''' ''1,666''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|33.6% ''866''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.8% ''47''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2020 United States presidential election|2020]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''65.5%''' ''1,701''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|32.9% ''853''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.6% ''42''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2016 United States presidential election|2016]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''60.2%''' ''1,365''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|34.4% ''781''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|5.4% ''123''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2012 United States presidential election|2012]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''65.4%''' ''1,380''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|33.5% ''707''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.1% ''22''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2008 United States presidential election|2008]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''67.5%''' ''1,527''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|31.4% ''710''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.1% ''25''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2004 United States presidential election|2004]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''62.1%''' ''1,375''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|35.9% ''796''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|2.0% ''43''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2000 United States presidential election|2000]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''58.7%''' ''1,207''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|34.1% ''701''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|7.2% ''149''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1996 United States presidential election|1996]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''56.9%''' ''1,089''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|28.0% ''536''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|15.1% ''289''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1992 United States presidential election|1992]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''45.1%''' ''924''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|26.0% ''533''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|28.9% ''593''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1988 United States presidential election|1988]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|48.6% ''821''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''49.6%''' ''838''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.8% ''31''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1984 United States presidential election|1984]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.4% ''637''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''61.1%''' ''1,015''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.5% ''8''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1980 United States presidential election|1980]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|37.3% ''578''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''47.0%''' ''729''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|15.7% ''244''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1976 United States presidential election|1976]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|45.4% ''671''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''54.2%''' ''800''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.4% ''6''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1972 United States presidential election|1972]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|36.8% ''552''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''62.1%''' ''931''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.1% 17
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1968 United States presidential election|1968]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|44.3% ''549''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''51.5%''' ''638''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|4.2% ''53''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1964 United States presidential election|1964]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''64.1%''' ''802''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|35.9% ''450''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1960 United States presidential election|1960]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|41.9% ''544''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''58.1%''' ''754''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1956 United States presidential election|1956]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|33.4% ''413''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''66.6%''' ''825''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|}

==Education==

Chester, like the other two towns in the "tri-town area" ([[Essex, Connecticut|Essex]] and [[Deep River, Connecticut|Deep River]]), is a member of Regional School District #4. John Winthrop Junior High School is on Warsaw Street in Deep River, and [[Valley Regional High School]], is on Kelsey Hill in Deep River. They serve students in grades 7–8 and 9–12, respectively. Each town in the area also has their own elementary school, serving grades K–6.

==Media==
The 1959 film ''[[It Happened to Jane]]'', starring Doris Day and Jack Lemmon, was filmed in Chester. Portions of the 1971 horror film ''[[Let's Scare Jessica to Death]]'' were filmed in Chester, including the [[Chester–Hadlyme Ferry]].

==Points of interest==
* The [[Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek]] synagogue is noted for the architecture of its "spectacular" building.<ref>Columbia Daily Spectator, April 10, 2007, Small-town Artist With a Big-time Legacy by Ginia Sweeney {{cite web |url=http://remote.columbiaspectator.com/2007/04/10/small-town-artist-big-time-legacy |title=Small-town Artist with a Big-time Legacy |access-date=May 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708175752/http://remote.columbiaspectator.com/2007/04/10/small-town-artist-big-time-legacy |archive-date=July 8, 2011 }}</ref>
* Goodspeed-at-Chester, [[Goodspeed Musicals]]' second theatre
* The Chester Museum at the Mill, a museum of the Chester Historical Society
* The [[Chester–Hadlyme Ferry]] is the second oldest continuously operating ferry service in the state of Connecticut and is a designated state historical landmark.
* [[Camp Hazen YMCA]]

===On the National Register of Historic Places===

* [[Charles Daniels House]] – 43 Liberty Street (added March 19, 1988)
* [[Dr. Ambrose Pratt House]] – Pratt Street (added December 9, 1972)
* [[Jonathan Warner House]] – 47 Kings Highway (added 1978)
* [[Old Town Hall (Chester, Connecticut)|Old Town Hall]] – on the green between Liberty Street and Goose Hill Road (added March 23, 1972)
* [[Villa Bella Vista]] – 7 Old Depot Road (added 2000)

== Duck Race ==
The town holds a [[rubber duck race]] annually to fundraise for local charities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Chester Duck Race 2025 {{!}} Chester.com |url=https://chester.com/listing/the-chester-duck-race/ |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=chester.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Himelrick |first=Ronan |date=3 May 2025 |title=Neighbors gather for 'ConnDucky Derby' in Chester |url=https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/middlesex/neighbors-gather-for-connducky-derby-in-chester/ |access-date=4 May 2025}}</ref> The tradition has been ongoing for 11 years as of 2025; the race for that year was called the "Conn-Ducky Derby", a pun on "[[Kentucky Derby]]" (which happened on the same day).<ref name=":0" />
[[File:Chester duck race 2025.jpg|alt=A bunch of rubber ducks floating downstream in a creek flanked by bumpers.|thumb|Chester Duck Race, 2025]]

== Industry ==
The Whelen Engineering Corporation,<ref>[http://www.whelen.com/home.php Whelen Engineering Corporation]</ref> a major designer and distributor of public service warning equipment (warning lights, sirens, etc.) in North America, is headquartered in Chester.

==Transportation==

===Air===
The [[Chester Airport]] is a local facility with one paved runway. It is privately owned by Whelen Aviation.

===Ground===
The [[Estuary Transit District]] provides public transportation throughout Chester and the surrounding towns through its 9 Town Transit Service. Services include connections to the Old Saybrook Train Station, served by [[Amtrak]] and [[Shoreline East]] railroads.

==Notable people==

* [[Constance Baker Motley]] (1921–2005), civil rights leader
* [[Art Carney]] (1918–2003), actor; resident, died in town
* [[Paul Hopkins (baseball)|Paul Hopkins]] (1904–2004), major league relief pitcher; born in town
* [[Sol LeWitt]] (1928–2007), artist
* [[Michael P. Price]] (born 1938), theatre producer and artistic director
* [[Morley Safer]] (1931–2016), CBS news correspondent and anchor on ''60 Minutes''<ref>Maker, Elizabeth, [https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/01/nyregion/suddenly-balls-in-every-court.html?pagewanted=all&pagewanted=print "Suddenly, Balls in Every Court"], ''The New York Times'', June 1, 2003, retrieved January 27, 2010</ref>
* [[Max Showalter]] (1917–2000), film and television actor; retired to Chester
* [[Washington F. Willcox]] (1834–1909), [[US Congressman]]; resident

==Pictures of Chester==

<gallery mode="packed">
File:PostcardChesterCtHighSchool1906to1916.jpg|Chester High School, {{circa|1906–1916}}
File:PostcardOldestHouseInChesterCt1907.jpg|Oldest house in Chester, built 1649 (picture {{circa|1906–1916}})
File:PostcardOldStoneStoreChesterCT1901to1907.jpg|Old Stone Store, {{circa|1901–1907}}
File:PostcardMainStreetLookingEastChesterCT1901TO1907.jpg|Main Street, looking east, {{circa|1901–1907}}
</gallery>

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Connecticut}}
* [http://www.chesterct.org/ Town of Chester official website]
* [http://chesterhistoricalsociety.org/ Chester Historical Society]
* [http://www.visit-chester.com/ Visit-Chester.com]
* [http://www.mainstreetmaps.com/CT/Chester/ Town of Chester GIS maps and property information]

{{Connecticut}}
{{Middlesex County, Connecticut}}
{{Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut}}
{{Greater Hartford}}
{{Connecticut River}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Chester, Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Middlesex County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Connecticut populated places on the Connecticut River]]
[[Category:Towns in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Greater Hartford]]
[[Category:1836 establishments in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut]]

Deep River, Connecticut

2025-11-02T16:38:33Z

2601:183:4B82:710:7166:E39F:E448:51B8: /* Events */

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Deep River
| official_name = Town of Deep River
| settlement_type = [[New England town|Town]]
| image_skyline = File:Town Hall, Deep River CT.jpg
| image_caption = Town Hall, Deep River
| image_flag = Flag of Deep River, Connecticut.png
| image_seal = DeepRiverCTseal.gif
| image_map = {{switcher|[[File:Deep River CT lg.PNG|230px|frameless|alt=Deep River's location within Middlesex County and Connecticut]]| [[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex County]] and Connecticut|[[File:Lower Connecticut River Valley incorporated and unincorporated areas Deep River highlighted.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Deep River's location within the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region and the state of Connecticut]]| [[Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region]] and Connecticut|default=1}}
| image_map1 = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=280|frame-height=200|frame-coord=SWITCH:{{coord|qid=Q755260}}###{{coord|qid=Q779}}###{{coord|41|22|03|N|72|27|50|W}}|zoom=SWITCH:11;6;3|type=SWITCH:shape-inverse;point;point|marker=city|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|id2=SWITCH:Q755260;Q779;Q30|type2=shape|fill2=#ffffff|fill-opacity2=SWITCH:0;0.1;0.1|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080|stroke-opacity2=SWITCH:0;1;1|switch=Deep River;Connecticut;the United States}}
| coordinates = {{coord|41|22|03|N|72|27|50|W|region:US-CT|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{US}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Connecticut}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Councils of governments in Connecticut|Region]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Lower CT River Valley]]
| established_title = Established
| established_date = 1635
| established_title2 = Name changed
| established_date2 = 1947
| named_for = A Deep River referring to the [[Connecticut River]]
| government_type = [[Board of selectmen|Selectman-town meeting]]
| leader_title = First selectman
| leader_name = Carol Jones (D)
| leader_title1 = Selectman
| leader_name1 = Duane Gates (D)
| leader_title2 = Selectman
| leader_name2 = James A. Olson (R)
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_total_km2 = 36.8
| area_total_sq_mi = 14.2
| area_land_km2 = 35.1
| area_land_sq_mi = 13.6
| area_water_km2 = 1.6
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.6
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft = 148
| population_total = 4415
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_note =
| timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
| utc_offset = -5
| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
| utc_offset_DST = -4
| postal_code_type = ZIP code
| postal_code = 06417, 06419
| area_codes = [[Area codes 860 and 959|860/959]]
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 09-19130
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 0213417<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|213417}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|http://www.deepriverct.us/}}
}}
'''Deep River''' is a [[New England town|town]] in [[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex County]], [[Connecticut]], United States. The town is part of the [[Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region]]. The population was 4,415 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US0900719130|title=Census - Geography Profile: Deep River town, Middlesex County, Connecticut|access-date=November 28, 2021}}</ref> The [[Deep River Center, Connecticut|town center]] is designated by the U.S. Census Bureau as a [[census-designated place]] (CDP). Deep River is part of what the locals call the "Tri-town Area", made up of the towns of Deep River, Chester, and Essex.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|14.2|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|13.6|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.6|sqmi|km2}} (4.30%) is water. The CDP has a total area of {{convert|2.7|sqmi|km2}}, of which 4.38% is water.

===Principal communities===
*[[Deep River Center, Connecticut|Deep River Center]]
*Winthrop

==History==
{{See also|Saybrook Colony}}
Saybrook Colony formally joined Connecticut in 1644. The portion of the original colony east of the Connecticut River was set off as a separate town in 1665. The site of the present village of Deep River was said to have been owned by John, Nathaniel, and Philip Kirtland in 1723.<ref name=beers>J.B. Beers and Co., ''History of Middlesex County''</ref> The village of Winthrop was said to have been settled by Baptists as early as 1729.<ref name=beers/> In the early to mid-19th century, various portions of Saybrook broke off as separate towns, starting from Chester in 1836 to Old Saybrook in 1854. In 1947, the town of Saybrook changed its name to "Deep River", matching the name of the town center village. The name "Deep River" was taken from the river/stream that once powered mills and factories that runs through it and not from the Connecticut River that is its eastern border. The actual Deep River stream begins at the border of its neighboring Town of Chester, in the western Winthrop section of town, on Cedar Swamp Road and flows through town to the stream that can be seen on Route 154, near Winter Avenue, empty onto the cove that connects to The Connecticut River.<ref>{{cite book|last=Connors|first=Daniel J.|title=Deep River, the Illustrated Story of a Connecticut River Town|publisher=The Pequot Press|location=Stonington, Ct.|date=1966|pages=17, 19, 20, 27, 37, 41}}</ref><ref>"Wharf to Waterfall" permanent exhibit, Deep River Historical Society, Inc. 245 Main Street, Deep River, CT 06417, 2020–21</ref>

===Towns created from Saybrook Colony===
[[Image:PostcardDeepRiverCTKeyboardLake19061916.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Keyboard Lake, from an early postcard]]
Saybrook Colony, along the mouth of the [[Connecticut River]], was one of the early settlements in the area. Several towns broke off and incorporated separately over the course of time. The towns which were created from parts of Saybrook Colony are listed below.

*[[Lyme, Connecticut|Lyme]] (originally East Saybrook) in 1665
**[[East Lyme, Connecticut|East Lyme]] created from Lyme in 1839 (also partly from [[Waterford, Connecticut|Waterford]])
**[[Old Lyme, Connecticut|Old Lyme]] (originally South Lyme) created from Lyme in 1855
*[[Chester, Connecticut|Chester]] in 1836
*[[Westbrook, Connecticut|Westbrook]] in 1840
*[[Essex, Connecticut|Essex]] (originally Old Saybrook) in 1852
**[[Old Saybrook, Connecticut|Old Saybrook]] created from Essex in 1854

===Ivory===
From 1840 to ''circa'' 1940, the U.S. was the world's biggest buyer of ivory and most of that ivory went to Deep River. Phineas Pratt developed an ivory lathe and eventually Deep River became known as "the queen of the valley" due to wealth from the ivory industry.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Joyce|first1=Christopher|title=Elephant Slaughter, African Slavery And America's Pianos|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/08/18/338989248/elephant-slaughter-african-slavery-and-americas-pianos|access-date=August 29, 2014|work=[[NPR]]|date=August 18, 2014}}</ref> The rival Comstock, Cheney & Company was established in nearby [[Ivoryton, Connecticut|Ivoryton]] in the 1860s.

==Points of interest==
These sites in town are on the National Register of Historic Places:
* [[Deep River Freight Station]] – 152 River Street; since December 21, 1994
* [[Deep River Town Hall]] – [[Connecticut Route 80]] and [[Connecticut Route 154]]; since January 1, 1976
* [[DORIS (Sailing yacht)|''Doris'' (Sailing yacht)]] – Connecticut River off River Road; located there when NRHP-listed, May 31, 1984
* [[Pratt, Read and Company Factory Complex]] – Main Street between Bridge and Spring Streets and 5 Bridge Street; since August 30, 1984
* The grave of XYZ – Mysterious bank robber's grave w/ "XYZ" initials. Fountain Hill Cemetery. Knock thrice.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-grave-of-xyz|title=The Grave of XYZ|website=Atlas Obscura|language=en|access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref>
* Mount Saint John – 135 Kirtland Street

==Events==
Every year on the third Saturday in July, Deep River hosts the Deep River Ancient Muster, the largest one day gathering of [[Ancient Fife and Drum Corps|fife and drum corps]] in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://americanprofile.com/articles/fife-drum-corps-video/ |title=Fife & Drum Corps |last=Davis |first=Caryn B. |date=July 2, 2013 |website=American Profile |publisher=[[Athlon Media Group]] |access-date=March 20, 2019 |quote=In the last 50 years, Lamay has never missed the Deep River Ancient Muster, the largest gathering of fife and drums corps in the United States.}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 3233
|1800= 3363
|1810= 3996
|1820= 4165
|1830= 5018
|1840= 3417
|1850= 2904
|1860= 1213
|1870= 1267
|1880= 1362
|1890= 1484
|1900= 1634
|1910= 1907
|1920= 2325
|1930= 2381
|1940= 2332
|1950= 2570
|1960= 2968
|1970= 3690
|1980= 3994
|1990= 4332
|2000= 4610
|2010= 4629
|2020= 4415
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2015 }}</ref>
}}
{{See also|List of Connecticut locations by per capita income}}As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 4,610 people, 1,824 households, and 1,262 families living in the town. The population density was {{convert|340.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,910 housing units at an average density of {{convert|140.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 94.56% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.41% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.04% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.80% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.07% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.04% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.08% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.95% of the population.

There were 1,824 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.93.

The age distribution was 24.3% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $51,677, and the median income for a family was $62,260. Males had a median income of $46,268 versus $32,454 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $32,604. About 3.9% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

===CDP===

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,470 people, 1,023 households, and 652 families living in the [[Deep River Center, Connecticut|Deep River Center]] CDP. The population density was {{convert|943.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,077 housing units at an average density of {{convert|411.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.19% White, 3.72% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.94% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.81% of the population.

There were 1,023 households, out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.84.

The distribution was 23.1% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $44,680, and the median income for a family was $51,685. Males had a median income of $42,958 versus $30,880 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $27,261. About 3.9% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
{| class=wikitable
! colspan = 6 | Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005<ref>{{cite web|title = Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 25, 2005 | publisher = Connecticut Secretary of State | access-date = October 2, 2006 | url = http://www.sots.ct.gov/ElectionsServices/lists/2005OctRegEnrollStats.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060923151511/http://www.sots.ct.gov/ElectionsServices/lists/2005OctRegEnrollStats.pdf  |archive-date = September 23, 2006}}</ref>
|-
! colspan = 2 | Party
! Active Voters
! Inactive Voters
! Total Voters
! Percentage
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| align = center | 909
| align = center | 33
| align = center | 942
| align = center | 29.17%
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| align = center | 651
| align = center | 31
| align = center | 682
| align = center | 21.12%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| [[Independent voter|Unaffiliated]]
| align = center | 1,527
| align = center | 71
| align = center | 1,598
| align = center | 49.49%
|-
| {{party color cell|Libertarian Party (United States)}}
| Minor Parties
| align = center | 7
| align = center | 0
| align = center | 7
| align = center | 0.22%
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! align = center | 3,049
! align = center | 135
! align = center | 3,229
! align = center | 100%
|}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4" |Presidential Election Results<ref>{{Cite web|title=General Election Statements of Vote, 1922 – Current|url=https://authoring.ct.gov//SOTS/Election-Services/Statement-Of-Vote-PDFs/General-Elections-Statement-of-Vote-1922|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=CT Secretary of State}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Election Night Reporting|url=https://ctemspublic.pcctg.net/#/selectTown|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=CT Secretary of State}}</ref>
|-
!Year
![[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
![[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
![[Third party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2020 United States presidential election|2020]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''61.5%''' ''1,785''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|37.1% ''1,076''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.4% ''41''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2016 United States presidential election|2016]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''54.2%''' ''1,412''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|41.4% ''1,077''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|4.4% ''115''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2012 United States presidential election|2012]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''60.8%''' ''1,479''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|38.3% ''932''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.9% ''22''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2008 United States presidential election|2008]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''63.0%''' ''1,668''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|35.8% ''946''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.2% ''32''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2004 United States presidential election|2004]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''59.4%''' ''1,548''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|38.6% ''1,007''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|2.0% ''51''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2000 United States presidential election|2000]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''56.6%''' ''1,348''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|37.6% ''896''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|5.8% ''138''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1996 United States presidential election|1996]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''51.8%''' ''1,160''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|31.1% ''696''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|17.1% ''382''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1992 United States presidential election|1992]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''39.7%''' ''980''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|30.4% ''752''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|29.9% ''738''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1988 United States presidential election|1988]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|47.6% ''1,053''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''51.2%''' ''1,133''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.2% ''27''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1984 United States presidential election|1984]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|35.1% ''760''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''64.5%''' ''1,397''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.4% ''9''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1980 United States presidential election|1980]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|34.8% ''707''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''50.4%''' ''1,024''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|14.8% ''294''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1976 United States presidential election|1976]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|45.6% ''943''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''53.7%''' ''1,111''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.7% ''12''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1972 United States presidential election|1972]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|36.7% ''716''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''62.5%''' ''1,218''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.8% ''16''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1968 United States presidential election|1968]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''48.4%''' ''827''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|46.4'''%''' ''792''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|5.2% ''88''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1964 United States presidential election|1964]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''66.7%''' ''1,073''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|33.3% ''535''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1960 United States presidential election|1960]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|49.7% ''843''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''50.3%''' ''852''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1956 United States presidential election|1956]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.5% ''642''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''61.5%''' ''1,025''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|}

==Education==

The towns of Deep River, [[Chester, Connecticut|Chester]], and [[Essex, Connecticut|Essex]] make up Regional School District #4.<ref>[http://www.reg4.k12.ct.us/ Chester, Deep River, Essex & Region 4 School Districts]</ref> Deep River is home to Deep River Elementary School, serving grades K–6. John Winthrop Middle School and [[Valley Regional High School]], serve students for grades 7–8 and 9–12, and are located on Warsaw Street and Kelsey Hill Road, respectively. Additionally, the Connecticut Transition Academy at Mount Saint John which serves students for grades from elementary to high school which is located on Kirtland Street and across the river from [[Gillette Castle State Park]], respectively.

==Transportation==
The [[Estuary Transit District]] provides public transportation throughout Deep River and the surrounding towns through its 9 Town Transit Service. Services include connections to the Old Saybrook Train Station, served by [[Amtrak]] and [[Shoreline East]] railroads.

==Notable people==
*[[Charles H. Clark]], mayor of Rochester, New York<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://mssa.library.yale.edu/obituary_record/1859_1924/1873-74.pdf |title=Obituary Record of Graduates of Yale College |date=June 24, 1874 |page=141 |access-date=2025-06-22 |via=[[Archive.org]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616061321/http://mssa.library.yale.edu/obituary_record/1859_1924/1873-74.pdf |archive-date=2022-06-16 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Elizabeth Jarvis Colt]], wife of firearms manufacturer [[Samuel Colt]]
*[[Benjamin Hyde Edgerton]], surveyor and politician
*[[Mysterious Dave Mather]], Wild West gunfighter
*[[Gretchen Mol]], actress
*[[Alpheus S. Williams]], lawyer, judge, journalist, U.S. Congressman, and Union general in the [[American Civil War]]

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Portal|Connecticut}}
*[http://www.deepriverct.com/ Town government Web site]

{{Connecticut}}
{{Middlesex County, Connecticut}}
{{Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut}}
{{Greater Hartford}}
{{Connecticut River}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Deep River, Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Middlesex County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Connecticut populated places on the Connecticut River]]
[[Category:Towns in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Greater Hartford]]
[[Category:1635 establishments in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut]]

Essex, Connecticut

2025-11-02T16:35:12Z

2601:183:4B82:710:7166:E39F:E448:51B8: /* Culture and attractions */

{{other uses|Essex (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Essex, Connecticut
| settlement_type = [[New England town|Town]]
| image_skyline = Essex CT - view from Essex Park 02 (9363053237).jpg
| image_caption = View from Essex Park
| image_flag = EssexCTflag.gif
| image_seal = EssexCTseal.png
| motto =
| image_map = {{switcher|[[File:Essex CT lg.PNG|230px|frameless|alt=Essex's location within Middlesex County and Connecticut]]| [[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex County]] and Connecticut|[[File:Lower Connecticut River Valley incorporated and unincorporated areas Essex highlighted.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Essex's location within the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region and the state of Connecticut]]| [[Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region]] and Connecticut|default=1}}
| image_map1 = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=280|frame-height=200|frame-coord=SWITCH:{{coord|qid=Q753828}}###{{coord|qid=Q779}}###{{coord|41|21|N|72|25|W}}|zoom=SWITCH:11;6;3|type=SWITCH:shape-inverse;point;point|marker=city|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|id2=SWITCH:Q753828;Q779;Q30|type2=shape|fill2=#ffffff|fill-opacity2=SWITCH:0;0.1;0.1|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080|stroke-opacity2=SWITCH:0;1;1|switch=Essex;Connecticut;the United States}}
| coordinates = {{coord|41|21|N|72|25|W|region:US-CT|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Connecticut}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Councils of governments in Connecticut|Region]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Lower CT River Valley]]
| established_title = Incorporated
| established_date = 1852
| established_title2 = Name changed
| established_date2 = 1854
| government_type = [[Board of selectmen|Selectman-town meeting]]
| leader_title = [[First Selectman]]
| leader_name = Norman Needleman
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_total_km2 = 30.6
| area_total_sq_mi = 11.8
| area_land_km2 = 26.8
| area_land_sq_mi = 10.4
| area_water_km2 = 3.8
| area_water_sq_mi = 1.5
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft = 39
| population_total = 6,733
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_density_km2 = 251.2
| population_density_sq_mi =
| timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset = −5
| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset_DST = −4
| postal_code_type = ZIP code
| postal_code = 06409, 06426, 06442
| area_codes = [[Area codes 860 and 959|860/959]]
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 09-26270
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 0213428<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|213428}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|http://www.essexct.gov/}}
}}

'''Essex''' is a [[New England town|town]] in [[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex County]], [[Connecticut]], United States. The town is part of the [[Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region]]. The population was 6,733 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US0900726270|title=Census - Geography Profile: Essex town, Middlesex County, Connecticut|access-date=December 15, 2021}}</ref> It is made up of three villages: [[Essex Village]], [[Centerbrook]], and [[Ivoryton, Connecticut|Ivoryton]].

== History ==
[[File:Essex Historical Marker.jpg|thumb|left|Historical marker sign in Essex Park]]

=== The Great Attack ===

Essex is one of the few American towns to have ever been attacked by a foreign power; this occurred on April 8, 1814, and the economic losses were among the largest sustained by the United States during the [[War of 1812]]. Twenty-eight vessels, with a total value estimated to be close to $200,000 (at a time when a very large two story home in Essex, then known as Potapoug Point, would have been worth no more than $1,000), were burnt by British forces.<ref name="coote"/> One historian has called it the "[[Pearl Harbor]]" of that war.<ref name="coot"/>

On that date, approximately 136 British [[Royal Marines|marines]] and sailors under the command of Richard Coote<ref name = "coote">{{Cite web |url=http://essexct.com/History#Attack |title=A Brief History of Essex, Connecticut: The Great Attack |access-date=September 13, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821104607/http://www.essexct.com/History/#Attack |archive-date=August 21, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=Marshall>{{cite RNB1823 |wstitle=Pyne, Henry |part=1 |volume=4 |pages=301–304}}</ref> (or Coot<ref name = "coot">"Essex", Mary Murphy, the [[Hartford Courant]], April 25, 2007, Middlesex County advertising supplement page 1.</ref>) rowed 6 boats from four British warships (the {{HMS|Hogue|1811|2}}, {{HMS|Endymion|1797|2}}, ''Maidstone'' and {{HMS|Borer|1812|2}}) anchored in [[Long Island Sound]], 6 miles up the [[Connecticut River]], past the unmanned fort in [[Old Saybrook]], arriving at the boat launch at the foot of Main Street in Essex close to 4 A.M. The boats were armed with [[swivel gun]]s loaded with [[grapeshot]], the officers armed with swords and pistols, the marines with "[[Brown Bess]]" muskets, and the sailors with torches and axes; they responded to the single cannon fired by the town's surprised defenders with a massive volley, neither side incurring any casualties. They quickly commandeered the town, eliciting a promise of no resistance from the Essex [[militia]] in return for promising not to harm the townspeople or burn their homes, while a messenger rode to [[Fort Trumbull]] in [[New London, Connecticut|New London]] for help. A dubious local myth states that Coote did not burn the town as a favor to a local merchant who greeted him with a secret [[Masonic handshake]].<ref name="coot"/>

[The British marched to the Bushnell Tavern (now [[the Griswold Inn]]), then seized the town's stores of rope (each ship of that time requiring 8 miles of rope) and, according to the April 19, 1814 [[Hartford Courant]], "$100,000 or upwards" worth of [[rum]] (acquired from the [[East Indies]] in trade for beef and wood from Connecticut).<ref name="coot"/>

Their main targets, however, were the newly constructed [[privateer]]s in the harbor, ready or nearly ready for sail, which they burned. Within 6 hours, their mission was accomplished, and the British went downstream with two captured ships in tow, including the ''Black Prince'', a vessel that may well have primarily inspired the raid.<ref name="coote"/> Stranded in the river by [[low tide]], they were forced to wait at the extreme range of the shots of the volunteers from the nearby town of [[Killingworth, Connecticut]] who lined the riverbanks; 2 marines were killed and the captured ships had to be destroyed, but the rest of the men escaped safely when the tide turned.<ref name="coote"/><ref name="coot"/>

At the time of the raid, Essex (then known as Potopaug)<ref name="coot"/> had been a major center of shipping and shipbuilding, but was suffering under a [[blockade]]d by the British; as a result, the privateers were being constructed. Captain Richard Hayden, a prominent shipbuilder, had advertised his ''Black Prince'' in a [[New York City]] newspaper as "a 315 ton sharp [[schooner]] that would make an ideal privateer." This may have caught the attention of the British, who then investigated Essex and launched the successful raid.<ref name="coote"/> Perhaps as a consequence of the practical, but somewhat less than heroic, response of the town to the raid, shortly afterwards, the name of the town was changed to Essex.<ref name="coot"/>

On the second Saturday of each May since 1964, the [http://www.sailingmasters.org "Sailing Masters of 1812"] of Essex commemorate the "Burning of the Ships" with an [[ancient fife and drum corps]] parade down Main Street and ceremony at the steamboat dock, wearing the [[Uniforms of the United States Navy|United States naval uniform]] of that period; by tradition, this event is unpublicized.<ref name="coote"/><ref name="coot"/> The [http://www.ctrivermuseum.org/ Connecticut River Museum], situated at the site where Coot landed, now hosts an exhibit portraying the raid, featuring a large [[diorama]] by [[Russell Joseph Buckingham]], a [[musket ball]] believed to have been fired then and a plank from the ship ''Osage'', burned by the British. Plans are to expand the celebration of "the town's worst day in history" in future years, according to the museum's executive director, Jerry Roberts.<ref name="coot"/>

=== Historical architecture ===
{{more citations needed|date=June 2017}}
[[File:Essex - First Baptist Church.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''[[First Baptist Church of Essex, Connecticut]]. Built 1846'']]
[[File:Gingerbread House Essex CT.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''"Gingerbread House". Built 1855.'' An example of the architectural style found throughout Essex]]
Centerbrook, a fertile and productive agricultural area, was the "center" of town until the Revolutionary War. Many farmhouses remain from this era. The Selah Griswold House and Clark Nott House on Bokum Road are fine examples of two-story center chimney homes that were characteristic of the time. The Benjamin Bushnell Homestead on Ingham Hill Road falls into the same category. Also characteristic of Centerbrook were smaller [[Cape Cod (house)|Cape Cod type homes]]. The Snow House on Main Street, the Nott House on Westbrook Road, the Taylor Bushnell House on Ingham Hill Road, and the Silent Rose House near the train station are fine examples. The dominant building in Centerbrook, from a historical standpoint, is the Congregational Church. This structure is the second to stand here, and the oldest existing church building in Middlesex County.

There were a few homes built in Essex Village (known as Potapoug Point until 1854) during the first half of the 18th century. One of the more notable is the Pratt House on West Avenue, an "[[Organic architecture|organic]]" structure built according to the immediate needs of the Pratt family. Shipbuilding dominated between the [[American Revolution|Revolution]] and the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. As a result, the village came to be the focal point of the area. Many homes were erected between 1790 and 1820. By that time, Main Street had much the same make-up as today. The homes were primarily [[Federal architecture|Federal]], with one extended family dominating lower Main Street. The first eight structures (including [[the Griswold Inn]]) on the south side of this highway (starting at the waterfront) were either built or lived in by members of the Hayden family. Of these eight structures, only the one on the west side of Novelty Lane and the one on the east corner of Parker Lane were not built by this family. The fact that the well known Hayden Shipyard was directly south of these buildings was the primary reason for this situation. All these homes are different architecturally. The Ebenezer Hayden House (third from the river) was the initial [[Hip roof|hip-roof]] house in the lower valley, and the current Episcopal Church Rectory (the Richard Hayden Dwelling) was the first brick house in the lower valley. Pratt Street runs parallel to Main Street, and many houses on that thoroughfare not only were built in the [[Federal architecture|Federal style]], but have their roof lines perpendicular to the street, which allows for more homes to be erected on a given highway. In addition, there are two homes on Pratt Street that have [[Palladian architecture|Palladian]] windows in the garret area. Also of note is the 1846 Baptist Church on Prospect Street, one of three [[Egyptian Revival architecture|Egyptian Revival]] style churches in the United States.

As the construction of wooden sailing ships faded, the growth of the ivory and piano parts industry in the village of Ivoryton changed the focal point of Essex again. The growth of Comstock, Cheney & Co., one of the two largest producers of ivory products in the United States, made Ivoryton literally the center of Essex (and the lower [[Connecticut River Valley]]). The houses built here after the Civil war reflect the influence and affluence of that village. East Main Street, entering Ivoryton from Centerbrook is " Victorian Row." All the houses along this way were owned by executives or stockholders of Comstock, Cheney & Co. Contrast this with Essex Village, where there are relatively few [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] or [[Victorian architecture|Victorian style dwellings]], two examples of which are the 1855 "[[:File:Gingerbread House Essex CT.jpg|Gingerbread House]]" at the corner of Riverview Street and Maple Avenue, and the Parker House on North Main Street.

Perhaps the most culturally significant homes in town were built in Ivoryton during the 1890 to 1920 era. The factory was in desperate need of low-cost labor, and as a result, many immigrants from Italy and Poland came to work for Comstock, Cheney & Co. around the turn of the 20th century. The firm constructed many factory homesteads for these people. The great majority of these homes remain today, although most have been substantially altered. A journey through Blake, Oak, Walnut, and Chestnut Streets as well as Comstock Avenue is most revealing, as these factory homes give a glimpse into the past.

== Geography and climate ==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|11.8|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|10.4|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|1.5|sqmi|km2}} (12.35%) is water.

The town is made up of three villages: [[Essex Village|Essex]] (ZIP code 06426), Centerbrook (06409) and Ivoryton (06442). The local public school, [http://www.ees.reg4.k12.ct.us/ Essex Elementary School], educates approximately 560 students for grades K–6.

'''Climate'''

There are 4 distinct seasons in Essex. During Autumn, the leaves change colors and the temperatures fall. The average November high temperature is about 50 degrees. Snow is prevalent in winter, typically starting in December and lasting through March. The average January low temperature is about 19 degrees. In recent years winter have become erratic, with the first snowfall of winter 2006-2007 not reported until mid-late January. However, the winter of 2008-2009 was unusually cold and snowy, with over 50 inches of snow (compared to an average of about 30 inches) and days with temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit in the morning. Spring is pleasant with temperatures averaging in the 60s. Summertime in Essex is warm and humid, with average July temperatures into the 80s.

{{wide image|Essex, CT Harbor.jpg|800px|alt=Panoramic view of Essex Harbor from Essex Park|Panoramic view of Essex Harbor from Essex Park}}

== Demographics ==

{{US Census population
|1850= 950
|1860= 1764
|1870= 1669
|1880= 1855
|1890= 2035
|1900= 2530
|1910= 2745
|1920= 2815
|1930= 2777
|1940= 2859
|1950= 3491
|1960= 4057
|1970= 4911
|1980= 5078
|1990= 5904
|2000= 6505
|2010= 6683
|2020= 6733
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2015 }}</ref>
}}
{{See also|List of Connecticut locations by per capita income}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 6,505 people, 2,811 households, and 1,776 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|627.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,977 housing units at an average density of {{convert|287.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.
There were 2,811 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.9% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $66,746, and the median income for a family was $88,888. Males had a median income of $54,053 versus $38,276 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $42,806. About 0.5% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan = 6 | Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of November 1, 2022<ref>{{cite web|title = Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of November 1, 2022 | publisher = Connecticut Secretary of State | access-date = July 23, 2023 | url = https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/sots/electionservices/registration_and_enrollment_stats/nov22re.pdf |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230213095156/https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SOTS/ElectionServices/Registration_and_Enrollment_Stats/Nov22RE.pdf |archive-date = February 13, 2023}}</ref>
|-
! colspan = 2 | Party
! Active voters
! Inactive voters
! Total voters
! Percentage
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| align = center | 2,006
| align = center | 168
| align = center | 2,174
| align = center | 37.18%
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| align = center | 1,314
| align = center | 98
| align = center | 1,412
| align = center | 24.14%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| [[Independent voter|Unaffiliated]]
| align = center | 1,944
| align = center | 229
| align = center | 2,173
| align = center | 37.16%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| Minor parties
| align = center | 79
| align = center | 10
| align = center | 89
| align = center | 1.52%
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! align = center | 5,343
! align = center | 505
! align = center | 5,848
! align = center | 100%
|}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4" |Presidential Election Results<ref>{{Cite web|title=General Election Statements of Vote, 1922 – Current|url=https://authoring.ct.gov//SOTS/Election-Services/Statement-Of-Vote-PDFs/General-Elections-Statement-of-Vote-1922|access-date=May 2, 2021|website=CT Secretary of State}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Election Night Reporting|url=https://ctemspublic.pcctg.net/#/selectTown|access-date=May 2, 2021|website=ctemspublic.pcctg.net }}</ref>
|-
!Year
![[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
![[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
![[Third party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2020 United States presidential election|2020]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''63.8%''' ''3,011''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|34.7% ''1,635''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.5% ''69''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2016 United States presidential election|2016]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.9%''' ''2,291''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|39.6% ''1,620''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|4.5% ''181''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2012 United States presidential election|2012]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''56.1%''' ''2,230''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|42.9% ''1,709''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.0% ''44''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2008 United States presidential election|2008]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''61.7%''' ''2,542''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|37.4% ''1,541''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.9% ''37''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2004 United States presidential election|2004]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''53.4%''' ''2,201''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|44.9% ''1,852''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.7% ''65''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[2000 United States presidential election|2000]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|42.9% ''1,865''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''51.7%''' ''2,244''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|5.4% ''229''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1996 United States presidential election|1996]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''46.7%''' ''1,630''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|40.6% ''1,417''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|12.7% ''439''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1992 United States presidential election|1992]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''39.9%''' ''1,503''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|36.9% ''1,391''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|23.2% ''870''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1988 United States presidential election|1988]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|40.6% ''1,300''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''58.4%''' ''1,870''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.0% ''32''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1984 United States presidential election|1984]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|33.0% ''1,012''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''66.6%''' ''2,038''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.4% ''10''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1980 United States presidential election|1980]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|28.8% ''852''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''54.1%''' ''1,599''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|17.1% ''502''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1976 United States presidential election|1976]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|36.8% ''1,044''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''62.7%''' ''1,779''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.5% ''13''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1972 United States presidential election|1972]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|31.6% ''886''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''67.4%''' ''1,892''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.0% ''27''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1968 United States presidential election|1968]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|36.6% ''895''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''59.8%''' ''1,462''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|3.6% ''88''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1964 United States presidential election|1964]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''58.7%''' ''1,294''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|41.3% ''913''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1960 United States presidential election|1960]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|35.1% ''814''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''64.9%''' ''1,506''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1956 United States presidential election|1956]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|29.0% ''651''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''71.0%''' ''1,597''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|}

===Ancestry/Ethnicity===

The largest self-reported ancestry groups in Essex, Connecticut are:

* English 24.9%
* Irish 23.1%
* Italian 18.6%
* German 15.5%
* Scottish 6.1%
* Polish 6.6%
* French 6.3%
* Swedish 5.0%<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ancestry in the Town of Essex, Middlesex County, Connecticut|url=https://statisticalatlas.com/county-subdivision/Connecticut/Middlesex-County/Town-of-Essex/Ancestry|website=The Demographic Statistical Atlas of the United States|publisher=Statistical Atlas}}</ref>

== Government ==
The Essex Town Hall is located on the corner of West Avenue and Grove Street in Essex.

=== Police/Fire/EMS ===
-'''Essex Police Department''' is attached to the rear of the town hall. Essex has a resident state trooper and five constables. The town pays the Connecticut State Police for a state trooper to supervise the constables. The First Selectman is considered the Chief of Police.<ref>[http://www.essexct.gov/departments/police.html Essex Police]</ref>

-'''Essex Fire Engine Co. 1''' has two fire houses: the central fire house on the corner of Route 153 and Route 154 and the sub-station in Ivoryton on Summit Street. The Fire Department is the designated PSA holder for first responding to medical emergencies.

Elections for these positions are annual and voted by the department at an annual meeting. The department is limited by its charter with the town to 60 Members. The Fire Department responds to about 1000 calls each year, mostly medical first response calls, and fire alarms.<ref>[http://www.essexctfire.com Essex Fire]</ref>

-'''Essex Ambulance Association, Inc.''' is an independent association, receiving town funding for workers' compensation insurance only. The association was founded in 1964, and is composed of 32 volunteers with MRT and EMT certification levels. The association operates three ambulances which respond to over 900 calls for service each year, and provides mutual aide to all surrounding towns.<ref>[http://www.essexems.org Essex EMS]</ref> Elections for officers are held annually.

The association is self-sufficient, funded through billing and donations. The ambulance receives an intercept paramedic for Advanced Life Support when needed through Middlesex Hospital.

=== Libraries ===

There are two libraries in Essex: the Essex Library, located next to the Town Hall (corner of Grove St. and West Ave.) and one in the center of Ivoryton, the Ivoryton Library.] A resident can obtain a single card for both libraries. The Essex Library was recently rebuilt and is a center of the community, providing nearly 400 free programs a year for children and adults. It is an association library with 501(c)(3) non-profit status.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

== Religion ==
The one Lutheran Church sits on Main Street in [[Centerbrook, Connecticut|Centerbrook]]. There is a building which once housed a Methodist church on the corner of Prospect Street and Main Street, but it is no longer in use. The [[First Baptist Church of Essex, Connecticut]], built in 1846, is notable for being one of only three [[Egyptian revival]] churches known to have ever been built in the United States. The architect was [[Minard Lafever]].<ref>JACOB LANDY, The Architecture of Minard Lafever, New York, Columbia University Press, 1970</ref>

There is also one Catholic Church, Our Lady of Sorrows, on Prospect Street in [[Essex Village, Connecticut|Essex Village]], just a short walk from Essex downtown. After being destroyed by a fire in 1925, the new church was built on the foundations of an abandoned inn. Recently, the parish joined with the Chester, CT parish church, [http://www.stjosephs-chester.org St. Joseph's] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201173153/http://www.stjosephs-chester.org/ |date=February 1, 2016 }}. The current pastor of the Our Lady of Sorrows is Father Arul Rajan Peter, and has been with the parish since 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.olos-sx.org/history.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116114034/http://www.olos-sx.org/history.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 16, 2015|title=Our Lady Of Sorrows|website=www.olos-sx.org|access-date=November 6, 2016}}</ref>

== Education ==
Essex, like the other two towns in the "tri-town area" ([[Deep River, Connecticut|Deep River]] and [[Chester, Connecticut|Chester]]), is a member of Regional School District #4. Essex Elementary School is located in Centerbrook and serves students in grades Pre-K–6 and serves about 350 students. John Winthrop Junior High School, located in Deep River, serves grades 7 and 8, and Valley Regional High School, located on Kelsey Hill Road in [[Deep River, Connecticut|Deep River]], serving grades 9–12, are the secondary schools for Regional School District #4.

== Culture and attractions ==
[[File:Downtown Essex.jpg|thumb|right|Main Street is home to many small shops, restaurants and boutiques]]
[[File:Essex CT Griswold Inn 04 (9365849358).jpg|thumb|left|The Griswold Inn, 2013.]]
[[File:Essex CT - museum 01 (9363087823).jpg|thumb|left|Connecticut River Museum, 2013]]
The town of Essex sponsors an annual Groundhog Day parade. A large papier mache groundhog named "Essex Ed" is carried through town with revelers making noise in order to rouse him from his slumber and bring an end to winter. The town also sponsors a "Loser's Day Parade," which celebrates the 1814 event of having 29 ships burned in Essex harbor during a raid by British marines.<ref>[http://www.essexct.com/Welcome/ Town of Essex] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109044357/http://www.essexct.com/Welcome/ |date=November 9, 2007 }}</ref> The first Saturday in June there is a Shad Bake sponsored by the Rotary Club of Essex.

In 1851 was founded the [[Essex Savings Bank]] located on the Main Street (today on the Plains Road), one of the oldest still functioning banks in Connecticut.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.essexsavings.com/about-essex-savings.html
|title=A Brief History of Essex Savings Bank
|access-date=March 10, 2017
}}</ref>

The Essex Art Association Gallery at 10 North Main Street was founded in 1946 by a group of avant-garde artists. It is open 1–5 PM daily during the summer months. It is housed in a historic schoolhouse. Artists are invited to take part in the six shows held each season.

The [[Valley Railroad Company|Essex Steam Train]] is one of the most famous and popular Essex attractions. The main station is located in Centerbrook, with other stations in Deep River, Chester, and Haddam.<ref name="History">{{Cite web |title=The Origins of Valley Railroad |url=https://essexsteamtrain.com/about/history/ |access-date=June 30, 2025 |website=www.essexsteamtrain.com }}</ref> The regular train ride goes from Essex to Deep River and then the Becky Thatcher Riverboat takes the passengers up to the Haddam area. The [[Essex Clipper Dinner Train]] goes from Essex all the way up to Haddam. A few times a year [[Thomas the Tank Engine]] comes to town and it’s a large attraction for the children. During the holiday season, the Essex Steam Train has a North Pole Express where you can celebrate the spirit of the season with elves and Mr. and Mrs. Claus.<ref>{{cite web |title=North Pole Express |url=http://essexsteamtrain.com/seasonal-excursions/north-pole-express/ |website=The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat |access-date=May 10, 2019}}</ref>

The [[Ivoryton Playhouse]] is a regional theater located in Essex's village of Ivoryton. The theater produces 8–12 plays and musicals each year.

The [[Connecticut River Museum]], located at the end of Main Street and right on the Connecticut River, is home to numerous river artifacts and is home to the Connecticut River Eagle Festival each year.

== Transportation ==
[[File:ESSEX FREIGHT STATION.jpg|thumb|Essex station, October 1970. The station is now used as a ticket office for the [[Valley Railroad (Connecticut)|Essex Steam Train]] [[heritage railway]].]]
The [[Estuary Transit District]] provides public transportation throughout Essex and the surrounding towns through its 9 Town Transit Service. Services include connections to the [[Old Saybrook station|Old Saybrook Train Station]], served by [[Amtrak]] and [[Shore Line East]] railroads.

== National Historic Sites in Essex ==
* [[Benjamin Bushnell Farm]], added May 10, 1990
* [[Centerbrook Congregational Church]], added February 12, 1987
* ''[[Christeen (sloop)|Christeen]]'', added December 4, 1991
* [[Comstock-Cheney Hall]] (The Ivoryton Playhouse), added April 15, 1982
* [[Essex Freight Station]], added April 19, 1994
* [[Hill's Academy]], added August 23, 1985
* [[Pratt House (Essex, Connecticut)|Pratt House]], added August 23, 1985
* [[Steamboat Dock Site]], added April 1, 1982

==Sister cities==
*{{flagdeco|Haiti}} [[Deschapelles]], Haiti<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sistercities.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2019-SCI-Impact-Annual-Report-Final.pdf |title=2019 Membership Directory |publisher=Sister Cities International}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Connecticut}}
* [[Essex Reef Light]]

== References ==

{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.essexct.gov Official website]
* [http://www.essexhistory.org/ Essex Historical Society]
* [http://www.essexct.com Essex Board of Trade]

{{Connecticut}}
{{Middlesex County, Connecticut}}
{{Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut}}
{{Greater Hartford}}
{{Connecticut River}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Essex, Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Middlesex County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Connecticut populated places on the Connecticut River]]
[[Category:Towns in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Greater Hartford]]
[[Category:Towns in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut]]