East Hartford, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
East Hartford is a town
in Hartford County
, Connecticut
, United States
. The population was 51,252 at the 2010 census.
, the town has a total area of 18.8 square miles (48.6 km²), of which, 18.0 square miles (46.7 km²) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (2.0 km²) of it (4.05%) is water.
occupied territory now lying in the towns of East Hartford and South Windsor
, and numbered, by differing estimates, from sixty to two hundred bowmen. They were governed by two sachems, Waginacut and Arramamet, and were connected in some way with the Native Americans who lived across the Great River, in Windsor. The region north of the Hockanum river was generally called Podunk; that south of the river, Hockanum; but these were no certain designations, and by some all the meadow along the Great River was called Hockanum.
In 1659, Thomas Burnham
(1617–1688) purchased the tract of land now covered by the towns of South Windsor and East Hartford from Tantinomo, Chief sachem of the Podunk Indians. Burnham lived on the land and later willed it to his nine children. The town of Hartford once included the land now occupied by the towns of East Hartford, Manchester
, and West Hartford. In 1783, East Hartford became a separate town, which included Manchester in its city limits until 1823.
of 2000, there were 49,575 people, 20,206 households, and 12,830 families residing in the town. The population density
was 2,750.5 people per square mile (1,062.2/km²). There were 21,273 housing units at an average density of 1,180.2 per square mile (455.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 64.69% White, 18.83% Black or African American
, 0.34% Native American, 4.01% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 8.74% from other races
, and 3.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.23% of the population.
There were 20,206 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples
living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $41,424, and the median income for a family was $50,540. Males had a median income of $36,823 versus $29,860 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $21,763. About 8.1% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.
, part of the United Technologies conglomerate. The manufacturing plant takes up a significant amount of East Hartford's area, and at its peak, it employed tens of thousands of people; however, currently, it only employs about 5,000. East Hartford also contains a Coca-Cola
bottling plant, located on Main Street. The city is dotted with various industrial and suburban office parks.
, contain extensive development, including car dealerships, medical offices, and light retail development. Notably, Goodwin College
has begun to build a large campus on Riverside Drive. It will also develop blighted housing projects into student housing.
Wickham Park, located in both East Hartford and Manchester
, features Oriental gardens, fountains, open fields, woodlands, ponds, picnic areas, softball fields, and an aviary. The west side of the park offers a scenic view of East Hartford and the skyline of Hartford across the Connecticut River
.
Nearby, on the former Pratt & Whitney company airfield Rentschler Field
, lies the recently-erected stadium of the same name (construction completed September 2003), home of the UConn
Huskies
football
team and the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League. The stadium has also been used for concerts by artists including The Rolling Stones
. The remainder of the former airfield is currently being redeveloped, with a $1 billion dollar technology, entertainment, lodging, and retail development planned. Hotels, technology companies, and various retail outlets are expected to begin construction in the near future as well.
East Hartford is home to a diverse mix of neighborhoods. The northeast and southeast sections of the town are suburban and resemble neighboring towns like South Windsor
, Connecticut
and Glastonbury
, Connecticut
. People here tend to be middle class
. In contrast, the older, more urban sections of the town are moderate and low income. Some of these neighborhoods include Hockanum in the southwest of the city, Burnside Avenue
in the center of the city, and Mayberry Village
.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in Hartford County
Hartford County, Connecticut
Hartford County is a county located in the north central part of the US state of Connecticut. The 2010 Census records show that the county population is at 894,014 making it the second most populated county in Connecticut....
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 51,252 at the 2010 census.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 18.8 square miles (48.6 km²), of which, 18.0 square miles (46.7 km²) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (2.0 km²) of it (4.05%) is water.
History
When the Connecticut Valley became known to Europeans around 1631, it was inhabited by what were known as the River Tribes — a number of small clans of Native Americans living along the Great River and its tributaries. Of these tribes the PodunksPodunk (people)
The Podunks were an indigenous people living in some of the southern parts of what came to be known as New England. The Europeans referred to these people as the Podunk, but they did not have a name for themselves, or a written language, and they spoke an Algonquian dialect...
occupied territory now lying in the towns of East Hartford and South Windsor
South Windsor
South Windsor may refer to:* South Windsor, Connecticut, a town in Connecticut, USA* South Windsor, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney, Australia* South Windsor, Maine...
, and numbered, by differing estimates, from sixty to two hundred bowmen. They were governed by two sachems, Waginacut and Arramamet, and were connected in some way with the Native Americans who lived across the Great River, in Windsor. The region north of the Hockanum river was generally called Podunk; that south of the river, Hockanum; but these were no certain designations, and by some all the meadow along the Great River was called Hockanum.
In 1659, Thomas Burnham
Thomas Burnham
Thomas Burnham was born in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England. A lawyer and landowner, he arrived in the American Colonies in 1637, and lived most of his adult live in Connecticut. He was among the earliest puritan settlers in Connecticut, living in Podunk and finally settling in Hartford,...
(1617–1688) purchased the tract of land now covered by the towns of South Windsor and East Hartford from Tantinomo, Chief sachem of the Podunk Indians. Burnham lived on the land and later willed it to his nine children. The town of Hartford once included the land now occupied by the towns of East Hartford, Manchester
Manchester, Connecticut
Manchester is a township and city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 58,241.- History :...
, and West Hartford. In 1783, East Hartford became a separate town, which included Manchester in its city limits until 1823.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 49,575 people, 20,206 households, and 12,830 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,750.5 people per square mile (1,062.2/km²). There were 21,273 housing units at an average density of 1,180.2 per square mile (455.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 64.69% White, 18.83% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.34% Native American, 4.01% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 8.74% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.23% of the population.
There were 20,206 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $41,424, and the median income for a family was $50,540. Males had a median income of $36,823 versus $29,860 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $21,763. About 8.1% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.
| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 30, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Active Voters | Inactive Voters | Total Voters | Percentage |
Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
11,321 | 1,088 | 12,409 | 45.82% |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
2,820 | 305 | 3,125 | 11.54% |
Unaffiliated | 10,087 | 1,420 | 11,507 | 42.48% |
Minor Parties | 38 | 6 | 44 | 0.16% | |
| Total | 24,266 | 2,819 | 27,085 | 100% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Economy
East Hartford is home to the headquarters of Pratt & WhitneyPratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a U.S.-based aerospace manufacturer with global service operations. It is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation . Pratt & Whitney's aircraft engines are widely used in both civil aviation and military aviation. Its headquarters are in East Hartford, Connecticut, USA...
, part of the United Technologies conglomerate. The manufacturing plant takes up a significant amount of East Hartford's area, and at its peak, it employed tens of thousands of people; however, currently, it only employs about 5,000. East Hartford also contains a Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
bottling plant, located on Main Street. The city is dotted with various industrial and suburban office parks.
Attractions
The East River Drive and Connecticut Boulevard areas, just east of the Connecticut RiverConnecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
, contain extensive development, including car dealerships, medical offices, and light retail development. Notably, Goodwin College
Goodwin College
Goodwin College is a private, nonprofit, four year institution located on One Riverside Drive, East Hartford, Connecticut. The college offers a variety of certificate and associate degree programs along with bachelor degree programs in child study, health science, organizational studies, and...
has begun to build a large campus on Riverside Drive. It will also develop blighted housing projects into student housing.
Wickham Park, located in both East Hartford and Manchester
Manchester, Connecticut
Manchester is a township and city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 58,241.- History :...
, features Oriental gardens, fountains, open fields, woodlands, ponds, picnic areas, softball fields, and an aviary. The west side of the park offers a scenic view of East Hartford and the skyline of Hartford across the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
.
Nearby, on the former Pratt & Whitney company airfield Rentschler Field
Rentschler Field (airport)
Rentschler Field was an airport in East Hartford, Connecticut in use from 1933 to 1999. Originally a military facility, later a private corporate airport, it was decommissioned in 1999, after which the football stadium of the same name was built on the site....
, lies the recently-erected stadium of the same name (construction completed September 2003), home of the UConn
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
Huskies
Connecticut Huskies
The Connecticut Huskies, also known as the UConn Huskies, are the athletic teams of the University of Connecticut in the United States. The school is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Big East Conference for all sports except Men's Ice Hockey and Women's Ice...
football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team and the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League. The stadium has also been used for concerts by artists including The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
. The remainder of the former airfield is currently being redeveloped, with a $1 billion dollar technology, entertainment, lodging, and retail development planned. Hotels, technology companies, and various retail outlets are expected to begin construction in the near future as well.
Neighborhoods
South Windsor, Connecticut
-History:In 1659, Thomas Burnham purchased the tract of land now covered by the towns of South Windsor and East Hartford from Tantinomo, chief sachem of the Podunk Indians. Burnham lived on the land and later willed it to his nine children...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
and Glastonbury
Glastonbury, Connecticut
Glastonbury is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States, founded in 1693. The population was 31,876 at the 2000 census. The town was named after Glastonbury in Somerset, England. Glastonbury is located on the banks of the Connecticut River, 7 miles southeast of Hartford. The town...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. People here tend to be middle class
Middle class
The middle class is any class of people in the middle of a societal hierarchy. In Weberian socio-economic terms, the middle class is the broad group of people in contemporary society who fall socio-economically between the working class and upper class....
. In contrast, the older, more urban sections of the town are moderate and low income. Some of these neighborhoods include Hockanum in the southwest of the city, Burnside Avenue
Burnside Avenue
Burnside Avenue is a main thoroughfare connecting East Hartford, Connecticut's Main Street to Manchester, Connecticut. The road is part of U.S. Route 44. It runs through a low income portion of East Hartford and is home to a significant population of Hispanics and African Americans...
in the center of the city, and Mayberry Village
Mayberry Village
Mayberry Village is an urban area in east central East Hartford, Connecticut, US. Once a prominent area, after the decline of the Pratt & Whitney airplane engine manufacturing plant, the area declined and its population gradually became low-income. The village is home to Labor Field, which contains...
.
Notable residents
- Lawrence BrainerdLawrence BrainerdLawrence Brainerd was a businessman, abolitionist and United States Senator from Vermont. He was the father of Anne Eliza Brainerd Smith and the father-in-law of Vermont Governor J. Gregory Smith....
- Businessman, abolitionist and United States Senator from Vermont. - Mary CadoretteMary CadoretteMary Therese Cadorette is an American actress best known for playing John Ritter's live-in girlfriend, flight attendant Vicky Bradford on the short-lived 1984 Three's Company spinoff, Three's a Crowd....
- Actress - Francis Patrick Garvan - Lawyer and long time president of the Chemical Foundation.
- John A. GurleyJohn A. GurleyJohn Addison Gurley was a U.S. Congressman from Ohio during the early part of the American Civil War. He was appointed as the first Governor of the Arizona Territory, but died before taking office....
- U.S. Congressman from Ohio during the early part of the American Civil War. - Hiram N. MoultonHiram N. Moulton-Biography:Moulton was born on August 14, 1818 in East Hartford, Connecticut, the eldest of twelve children. Moulton moved to Madison in 1854. He would marry Ellen Cook. They would also own a home in Burke, Wisconsin. Moulton worked as a contractor and helped construct the Wisconsin State Capitol....
- Mayor of Madison, WisconsinMadison, WisconsinMadison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
. - Aaron OlmsteadAaron OlmsteadCaptain Aaron Olmsted , erroneously spelled Olmstead, was a wealthy sea captain in the China trade out of New England, and one of 49 investors who formed the Connecticut Land Company in 1795 to purchase a major part of the Western Reserve from the U.S. state of Connecticut...
- Sea Captain, namesake of several cities in Ohio. - Denison OlmstedDenison OlmstedDenison Olmsted , U.S. physicist and astronomer, was born at East Hartford, Connecticut. Professor Olmsted is credited with giving birth to meteor science after the 1833 Leonid meteor shower over North America spurred him to study this phenomenon.-Biography:In 1813, he graduated from Yale...
- Physicist and astronomer. - Gérard OuelletGérard OuelletGérard Ouellet was a member of the Canadian House of Commons. Born in East Hartford, Connecticut, United States, he was a farmer by career....
- Member of the Canadian House of Commons. - Diane VenoraDiane VenoraDiane Venora is an American stage, television, and film actress.-Early life:Venora was born Diana Venora in East Hartford, Connecticut, the daughter of Marie and Robert P. Venora, who owned a dry cleaning establishment. Diane graduated from East Hartford High School, class of 1970. During her...
- Actress
External links
- Town of East Hartford
- Historical Society of East Hartford - Related historical links.
- Central Regional Tourism District