Farmington, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Farmington is a town located in Hartford County in the Farmington Valley
area of central Connecticut
in the United States
. The population was 25,340 at the 2010 census. It is home to the world headquarters of several large corporations including Carrier Corporation
, Otis Elevator Company
, and Carvel. As an affluent suburb of Hartford
, Farmington is often regarded as one of the most posh and desirable communities in the area.
Indian
tribe. In 1640, a white settlement was established by residents of Hartford, making Farmington the oldest inland settlement west of the Connecticut River
and one of the oldest communities in the state. Settlers found the area ideal because of its rich soil, location along the floodplain of the Farmington River
, and valley geography.
The town and river were given their present names in 1645, which is considered the incorporation year of the town. The town's boundaries were later enlarged several times, making it the largest in the Connecticut
Colony.
Farmington has been called the mother of towns because its vast area was divided to produce nine other central Connecticut communities.
The borough of Unionville
, in Farmington's northwest corner, was once home to many factories harnessing the water power of the Farmington River
.
Farmington is steeped in New England
history. Main Street, in the historic village section, is lined with colonial estates, some of which date back to the 17th century. During the Revolutionary War, George Washington
passed through Farmington on several occasions and referred to the town as "the village of pretty houses." In addition, French troops under General Rochambeau
encamped in Farmington en route to Westchester County to offer crucial support to General George Washington
's army.
The majority of Farmington residents were abolitionists and were active in aiding escaped slaves. Several homes in the town were "safe houses" on the underground railroad
. The town became known as "Grand Central Station" among escaped slaves and their "guides".
Farmington played an important role in the famous Amistad trial
. In 1841, 38 Mendi
Africans and Cinque
, the leader of the revolt on the Amistad slave ship
, were housed and educated in Farmington after the U.S. government refused to provide for their return to Africa following the trial. The Mendi were educated in English and Christianity
while funds were raised by residents for their return to Africa.
The Farmington Canal
, connecting New Haven with Northampton, Massachusetts
, passed through the Farmington River on its eastern bank and was in operation between 1828 and 1848. The canal's right of way and towpath
was eventually used for a railroad, portions of which were active up to the 1990s. Much of the towpath and the railroad bed have been converted to a cycling and running trail running from New Haven to Northampton.
Just above the village, off Mountain Road, lies the Hill-Stead Museum
. The estate, completed in 1901 and designed for Alfred Atmore Pope
by his daughter Theodate Pope Riddle
, one of the first woman American architects, is known for its Colonial Revival architecture. Now a museum, its 19 rooms hold a nationally-recognized collection of Impressionist
paintings by such masters as Manet
, Monet
, Whistler
, Degas
and Cassatt
. It is also the sight of the annual Sunken Garden Poetry Festival, and is a National Historic Landmark
.
Miss Porter's School
, an exclusive college preparatory school for girls, is in Farmington. The school, whose buildings occupy much of the village center, is a significant historic and cultural institution in its own right. Founded in 1843 by educational reformer Sarah Porter, Miss Porter’s has long been one of the most selective preparatory schools for girls in the country. Famous alumni include Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
, Lilly Pulitzer
and members of the Bush, Vanderbilt, and Rockefeller families.
The town is also home to the University of Connecticut Health Center
, which employs over 5,000 people. The Health Center also houses John Dempsey Hospital. The hospital provides the only full-service emergency department in the Farmington Valley and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
(NICU), one of only two in Connecticut.
Farmington is also home to TRUMPF Inc. TRUMPF is the largest manufacturer of fabricating machinery in the United States and a world market Leader in lasers used for industrial production technology.
Many residents have repeatedly fought proposals by the state to widen Route 4
, a main thoroughfare linking northwestern Connecticut to I-84, fearing that such a move would compromise the character and integrity of the town. With the recent relocation of Parsons Chevrolet, "on that crazy corner" just above the village, there is some suspicion that this widening of Route 4 will come sooner rather than later. Work has been delayed because of the town's fight to maintain the village aesthetic and requests for modifications to the proposed plan.
Farmington also faces a relatively strong demand for housing. The lure of Farmington's quality public school system, convenient location for commuters, charm, and name recognition continue to attract new home buyers. As such, town officials are faced with the task of accommodating new growth while respecting the preservation and need for open space. Farmington's real estate values are among the highest in Greater Hartford.
In January 2008, town residents overwhelmingly approved the purchase of nearly 100 acre (0.404686 km²) of farmland. This blocked a proposal to convert the farm into a residential strip, something many feared would have compromised the town's rural feel.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 28.8 square miles (74.6 km²), of which, 28.1 square miles (72.8 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (2.50%) is water.
Farmington borders the towns of Avon
, Burlington
, Newington
, West Hartford
, and Plainville
, and the cities of New Britain
and Bristol
.
Farmington is mostly wooded. But there are also a myriad of meadows and hills in the east and southeast. There are also numerous ponds and lakes. The Farmington River runs through the town from the northwest from Burlington, enters Unionville, then takes a sharp near Farmington Center and flows north towards Avon. The Metacomet Ridge
, a 100 miles (160.9 km) range of low traprock
mountain ridges, occupies the east side of Farmington as Pinnacle Rock
, Rattlesnake Mountain
, Farmington Mountain
, and Talcott Mountain
. The ridge is traversed by the 51 miles (82.1 km) Metacomet Trail
, a hiking
trail and contains several rock walls and chimneys suitable for technical climbing. These climbing areas, as well as several other rockclimbing locations in Central Connecticut are documented in the 1995 book, Hooked on Traprockhttp://www.amazon.com/dp/0848817621
of 2000, there were 23,641 people, 9,496 households, and 6,333 families residing in the town. The population density
was 842.6 people per square mile (325.3/km²). There were 9,854 housing units at an average density of 351.2 per square mile (135.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.91% White, 1.55% African American, 0.12% Native American, 3.72% Asian, 0.59% from other races
, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.19% of the population.
There were 9,496 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% were married couples
living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% 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 3.05.
In the town, the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $67,073, and the median income for a family was $85,396 (these figures had risen to $82,455 and $106,599 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $57,113 versus $39,156 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $39,102. About 2.8% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.
passes through the eastern edge of the town. The sprawling Westfarms Mall
is also located on this end of town. The mall houses anchor stores Nordstrom
, Lord and Taylor, and Macy's
as well as a host of other retailers and restaurants.
Farmington Valley
The Farmington Valley is located west of Hartford, Connecticut in Hartford and Litchfield Counties. It is defined by the Farmington River, which runs through it....
area of central 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...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 25,340 at the 2010 census. It is home to the world headquarters of several large corporations including Carrier Corporation
Carrier Corporation
The Carrier Corporation is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and distributors of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, and a global leader in the commercial refrigeration and food service equipment industry...
, Otis Elevator Company
Otis Elevator Company
The Otis Elevator Company is the world's largest manufacturer of vertical transportation systems today, principally focusing on elevators and escalators...
, and Carvel. As an affluent suburb of Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
, Farmington is often regarded as one of the most posh and desirable communities in the area.
Seventeenth and eighteenth centuries
Farmington was originally inhabited by the TunxisTunxis
The Tunxis were a Native American tribe historically linked to the Wappinger that lived by a sizeable bend on the Farmington River near where Farmington and Southington in Hartford County, Connecticut exist today. The name Tunxis comes from the Wuttunkshau-sepus word meaning "the point where the...
Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tribe. In 1640, a white settlement was established by residents of Hartford, making Farmington the oldest inland settlement west of 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...
and one of the oldest communities in the state. Settlers found the area ideal because of its rich soil, location along the floodplain of the Farmington River
Farmington River
The Farmington River is a river located in northwest Connecticut, with major tributaries extending into southwest Massachusetts. Via its longest branch , the Farmington's length increases to , making it the Connecticut River's longest tributary by a mere over the major river directly to its...
, and valley geography.
The town and river were given their present names in 1645, which is considered the incorporation year of the town. The town's boundaries were later enlarged several times, making it the largest in the 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...
Colony.
Farmington has been called the mother of towns because its vast area was divided to produce nine other central Connecticut communities.
The borough of Unionville
Unionville
-Canada:*Unionville, Ontario**Unionville GO Station, a station in the GO Transit network located in the community-United States:*Unionville, Connecticut*Unionville, Georgia*Unionville, Illinois, the former name of Streator, Illinois*Unionville, Indiana...
, in Farmington's northwest corner, was once home to many factories harnessing the water power of the Farmington River
Farmington River
The Farmington River is a river located in northwest Connecticut, with major tributaries extending into southwest Massachusetts. Via its longest branch , the Farmington's length increases to , making it the Connecticut River's longest tributary by a mere over the major river directly to its...
.
Farmington is steeped in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
history. Main Street, in the historic village section, is lined with colonial estates, some of which date back to the 17th century. During the Revolutionary War, George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
passed through Farmington on several occasions and referred to the town as "the village of pretty houses." In addition, French troops under General Rochambeau
Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau
Marshal of France Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau was a French nobleman and general who participated in the American Revolutionary War as the commander-in-chief of the French Expeditionary Force which came to help the American Continental Army...
encamped in Farmington en route to Westchester County to offer crucial support to General George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
's army.
Nineteenth century
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
. The town became known as "Grand Central Station" among escaped slaves and their "guides".
Farmington played an important role in the famous Amistad trial
Amistad (1841)
The Amistad, also known as United States v. Libellants and Claimants of the Schooner Amistad, 40 U.S. 518 , was a United States Supreme Court case resulting from the rebellion of slaves on board the Spanish schooner Amistad in 1839...
. In 1841, 38 Mendi
Mendi
Mendi, Papua New Guinea, is the provincial capital of the Southern Highlands Province....
Africans and Cinque
Cinque
From the Latin quinque, Cinque carries the meaning of "five" in Italian.Cinque may refer to:In places:* Cinque Ports, five English ports making up the Confederation of the Cinque Ports...
, the leader of the revolt on the Amistad slave ship
Slave ship
Slave ships were large cargo ships specially converted for the purpose of transporting slaves, especially newly purchased African slaves to Americas....
, were housed and educated in Farmington after the U.S. government refused to provide for their return to Africa following the trial. The Mendi were educated in English and Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
while funds were raised by residents for their return to Africa.
The Farmington Canal
Farmington Canal
The Farmington Canal, also known as the New Haven and Northampton Canal, was a major private canal built in the early 19th century to provide water transportation from New Haven into the interior of Connecticut, Massachusetts and beyond. Its Massachusetts segment was known as the Hampshire and...
, connecting New Haven with Northampton, Massachusetts
Northampton, Massachusetts
The city of Northampton is the county seat of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of Northampton's central neighborhoods, was 28,549...
, passed through the Farmington River on its eastern bank and was in operation between 1828 and 1848. The canal's right of way and towpath
Towpath
A towpath is a road or trail on the bank of a river, canal, or other inland waterway. The purpose of a towpath is to allow a land vehicle, beasts of burden, or a team of human pullers to tow a boat, often a barge...
was eventually used for a railroad, portions of which were active up to the 1990s. Much of the towpath and the railroad bed have been converted to a cycling and running trail running from New Haven to Northampton.
On the National Register of Historic Places
- Austin F. Williams Carriagehouse and HouseAustin F. Williams Carriagehouse and HouseAustin F. Williams Carriagehouse and House in Farmington, Connecticut is a historic site notable for serving as living quarters for the Amistad Africans and as a "station" on the Underground Railroad....
— 127 Main Street (added 1998) - Farmington Historic District — Porter and Mountain Rds., Main and Garden Sts., Hatter's and Hillstead Lanes, and Farmington Ave. (added 1972)
- First Church of ChristFirst Church of Christ, Congregational (Farmington, Connecticut)First Church of Christ, Congregational, in Farmington, Connecticut, is a historic Greek revival church that served the Amistad Africans before their return to Africa....
— 75 Main St. (added 1975) - Gen. George Cowles HouseGen. George Cowles HouseThe Gen. George Cowles House is located in Farmington, Connecticut. The house was built in 1803 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 11, 1982.-References:...
— 130 Main St. (added 1982) - Gridley-Parsons-Staples Homestead — 1554 Farmington Ave. (added 1981)
- Hill-Stead MuseumHill-Stead MuseumHill-Stead Museum, also known as Hill-Stead, is a Colonial Revival house and art museum in Farmington, Connecticut, USA. It is best known for its French Impressionist masterpieces, architecture, and stately grounds.-House and museum:...
— 35 Mountain Rd. (added 1991) - Pequabuck Bridge — Meadow Rd. at Pequabuck River (added 1984)
- Shade Swamp ShelterShade Swamp ShelterShade Swamp Shelter is a historic building on US 6 east of New Britain Avenue in Farmington, Connecticut.It was built in 1934 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986....
— US 6 E of New Britain Ave. (added 1986) - Stanley-Whitman HouseStanley-Whitman HouseStanley-Whitman House is a historic eighteenth century house that is now a museum focusing on the history and culture of early Farmington, Connecticut....
— 37 High St. (added November 15, 1966) - West End Library — 15 School St., Unionville (added 2000)
Education
Students in Farmington have access to public schools that consistently rank among the best in the nation. The town has seven main public schools. The four K-4 elementary schools are Union School, West District School, Noah Wallace School, and East Farms School. The recently built West Woods Upper Elementary School houses all of grades 5-6 and features state of the art facilities. Irving A. Robbins Middle School houses grades 7-8. Farmington High School serves grades 9-12 for the entire town. In 2005, Farmington High School was ranked 125 on Newsweek Magazine's list of the best schools in the United States, in 2006 Farmington was ranked 269 and in 2007, 298.Important institutions in town
Hill-Stead Museum
Hill-Stead Museum, also known as Hill-Stead, is a Colonial Revival house and art museum in Farmington, Connecticut, USA. It is best known for its French Impressionist masterpieces, architecture, and stately grounds.-House and museum:...
. The estate, completed in 1901 and designed for Alfred Atmore Pope
Alfred Atmore Pope
Alfred Atmore Pope was an American industrialist and art collector. He was the father of Theodate Pope Riddle, a noted American architect.-Family background:...
by his daughter Theodate Pope Riddle
Theodate Pope Riddle
Theodate Pope Riddle was an American architect. She was one of the first American women architects as well as a survivor of the Lusitania.-Life:...
, one of the first woman American architects, is known for its Colonial Revival architecture. Now a museum, its 19 rooms hold a nationally-recognized collection of Impressionist
Impressionism
Impressionism was a 19th-century art movement that originated with a group of Paris-based artists whose independent exhibitions brought them to prominence during the 1870s and 1880s...
paintings by such masters as Manet
Édouard Manet
Édouard Manet was a French painter. One of the first 19th-century artists to approach modern-life subjects, he was a pivotal figure in the transition from Realism to Impressionism....
, Monet
Claude Monet
Claude Monet was a founder of French impressionist painting, and the most consistent and prolific practitioner of the movement's philosophy of expressing one's perceptions before nature, especially as applied to plein-air landscape painting. . Retrieved 6 January 2007...
, Whistler
James McNeill Whistler
James Abbott McNeill Whistler was an American-born, British-based artist. Averse to sentimentality and moral allusion in painting, he was a leading proponent of the credo "art for art's sake". His famous signature for his paintings was in the shape of a stylized butterfly possessing a long stinger...
, Degas
Edgar Degas
Edgar Degas[p] , born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas, was a French artist famous for his work in painting, sculpture, printmaking and drawing. He is regarded as one of the founders of Impressionism although he rejected the term, and preferred to be called a realist...
and Cassatt
Mary Cassatt
Mary Stevenson Cassatt was an American painter and printmaker. She lived much of her adult life in France, where she first befriended Edgar Degas and later exhibited among the Impressionists...
. It is also the sight of the annual Sunken Garden Poetry Festival, and is a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
.
Miss Porter's School
Miss Porter's School
Miss Porter's School, sometimes simply referred to as Porter's or Farmington, is a private college preparatory school for girls located in Farmington, Connecticut.- History :...
, an exclusive college preparatory school for girls, is in Farmington. The school, whose buildings occupy much of the village center, is a significant historic and cultural institution in its own right. Founded in 1843 by educational reformer Sarah Porter, Miss Porter’s has long been one of the most selective preparatory schools for girls in the country. Famous alumni include Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Jacqueline Lee Bouvier "Jackie" Kennedy Onassis was the wife of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, and served as First Lady of the United States during his presidency from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. Five years later she married Greek shipping magnate Aristotle...
, Lilly Pulitzer
Lilly Pulitzer
Lillian Pulitzer Rousseau , better known as Lilly Pulitzer, is a socialite and prominent fashion designer. She is known for founding Lilly Pulitzer, Inc., which produces clothing and other wares featuring bright, colorful prints...
and members of the Bush, Vanderbilt, and Rockefeller families.
The town is also home to the University of Connecticut Health Center
University of Connecticut Health Center
The University of Connecticut Health Center includes the , School of Dental Medicine, , the UConn Medical Group, UConn Health Partners and . Founded in 1961, the Health Center pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and...
, which employs over 5,000 people. The Health Center also houses John Dempsey Hospital. The hospital provides the only full-service emergency department in the Farmington Valley and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Neonatal intensive care unit
A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit —also called a Special Care Nursery, newborn intensive care unit, intensive care nursery , and special care baby unit —is an intensive care unit specializing in the care of ill or premature newborn infants.The problem of premature and congenitally ill infants is not a...
(NICU), one of only two in Connecticut.
Farmington is also home to TRUMPF Inc. TRUMPF is the largest manufacturer of fabricating machinery in the United States and a world market Leader in lasers used for industrial production technology.
Development issues
Route 4 (Connecticut)
Route 4 is an east–west primary state highway connecting rural Litchfield County to the Greater Hartford area of the U.S. state of Connecticut...
, a main thoroughfare linking northwestern Connecticut to I-84, fearing that such a move would compromise the character and integrity of the town. With the recent relocation of Parsons Chevrolet, "on that crazy corner" just above the village, there is some suspicion that this widening of Route 4 will come sooner rather than later. Work has been delayed because of the town's fight to maintain the village aesthetic and requests for modifications to the proposed plan.
Farmington also faces a relatively strong demand for housing. The lure of Farmington's quality public school system, convenient location for commuters, charm, and name recognition continue to attract new home buyers. As such, town officials are faced with the task of accommodating new growth while respecting the preservation and need for open space. Farmington's real estate values are among the highest in Greater Hartford.
In January 2008, town residents overwhelmingly approved the purchase of nearly 100 acre (0.404686 km²) of farmland. This blocked a proposal to convert the farm into a residential strip, something many feared would have compromised the town's rural feel.
Notable residents
- Anna Roosevelt Cowles, eldest sister of President Theodore RooseveltTheodore RooseveltTheodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
and aunt of Eleanor RooseveltEleanor RooseveltAnna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international...
. - Theodate Pope RiddleTheodate Pope RiddleTheodate Pope Riddle was an American architect. She was one of the first American women architects as well as a survivor of the Lusitania.-Life:...
, noted female architect and founder of Hill-Stead MuseumHill-Stead MuseumHill-Stead Museum, also known as Hill-Stead, is a Colonial Revival house and art museum in Farmington, Connecticut, USA. It is best known for its French Impressionist masterpieces, architecture, and stately grounds.-House and museum:... - Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy resided here while a student at Miss Porter's SchoolMiss Porter's SchoolMiss Porter's School, sometimes simply referred to as Porter's or Farmington, is a private college preparatory school for girls located in Farmington, Connecticut.- History :...
. - Oliver Wolcott, second secretary of the U.S. Treasury Department and signer of the Declaration of Independence died in town.
- Wilford WoodruffWilford WoodruffWilford Woodruff, Sr. was the fourth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1889 until his death...
, fourth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) was born there. - Winchell Smith, playwright and director.
- Wilmarth Lewis, founder of the Lewis Walpole LibraryLewis Walpole LibraryThe Lewis Walpole Library in Farmington, Connecticut possesses important collections of 18th-century English literary manuscripts and books, including the pre-eminent gathering of Horace Walpole's papers and effects from his estate at Strawberry Hill...
in Farmington. - Suzy WhaleySuzy WhaleySuzy Whaley is a professional golfer, from Connecticut, who, in 2003, became the first woman in 58 years to qualify for a PGA Tour event when she qualified for the 2003 Greater Hartford Open, after winning the 2002 Connecticut Section PGA Championship. She was also the first woman to win a PGA...
, the first female golfer to qualify for a PGA event. - Former New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
football player Tebucky JonesTebucky JonesTebucky Shermain Jones is a former American football safety in the National Football League. His career began when he was drafted out of Syracuse University in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He is best known for his role on the 2001 Patriots team that won...
. - Chauncey LangdonChauncey LangdonChauncey Langdon was a United States Representative from Vermont. He was born in Farmington, Connecticut. He pursued classical studies and was graduated from Yale College in 1787. He also studied law at Litchfield, Connecticut and was admitted to the bar in 1787...
, a United States Representative from VermontVermontVermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, was born in town. - Pawel SzajdaPawel SzajdaPawel Szajda is a first-generation Polish-American screen and stage actor. He is most recognized for his roles in Under the Tuscan Sun, Generation Kill, and Tatarak.-Heritage:...
, actor, was born here. He spent his youth here and visited the local High School. - Kevin GalvinKevin GalvinKevin Galvin is a Connecticut-based business activist. He is the founding chair of the Small Business for Health Care Reform advisory committee and is best known for his efforts as an advocate for the interests of small business in the reform of health care systems...
, business/health care advocate. - Curtis James Jackson III, rapper more commonly known as 50 Cent50 CentCurtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
. - Mike TysonMike TysonMichael Gerard "Mike" Tyson is a retired American boxer. Tyson is a former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles, he was 20 years, 4 months and 22 days old...
once lived there. In 2004 50 Cent bought Tyson's 18 acres (72,843.5 m²) compound, which is located about 2 miles (3.2 km) southeast from the town center. - Erin PacErin PacErin Pac is an American bobsledder who has competed since 2002. She won two medals in the mixed bobsleigh-skeleton team event at the FIBT World Championships with a silver in 2007 and a bronze in 2008....
, U.S. Olympic Women's Bobsled Team & Two-Woman Bobsled Event Bronze Medalist at the 2010 Winter Olympics. - Eric Ashmont, on-air radio personality "Shmonty," was born and raised in Farmington, CT.
Geography
United 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 28.8 square miles (74.6 km²), of which, 28.1 square miles (72.8 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (2.50%) is water.
Farmington borders the towns of Avon
Avon, Connecticut
Avon is a town in the Farmington Valley region of Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. , the town had a population of 18,098.Avon is a suburb of Hartford. Avon Old Farms School, a prestigious boarding school, is located there. In 2005, Avon was named the third-safest town in America by...
, Burlington
Burlington, Connecticut
Burlington is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States.Situated at the foot of the Berkshires and bordering the Farmington River, Burlington is a scenic hill town, rural in nature, located west of Hartford. Incorporated in 1806, the population was 8,190 at the 2000 census. Burlington...
, Newington
Newington, Connecticut
Newington is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2000 census, it had a total population of 29,306. The Connecticut Department of Transportation has its headquarters in Newington....
, West Hartford
West Hartford, Connecticut
West Hartford is a town located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The town was incorporated in 1854. Prior to that date, the town was a parish of Hartford....
, and Plainville
Plainville, Connecticut
Plainville is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 17,328 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 9.8 square miles , of which 9.8 square miles is land and 0.1 square miles is water...
, and the cities of New Britain
New Britain, Connecticut
New Britain is a city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is located approximately 9 miles southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 71,254....
and Bristol
Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 61,353. Bristol is primarily known as the home of ESPN, whose central studios are in the city. Bristol is also home to...
.
Farmington is mostly wooded. But there are also a myriad of meadows and hills in the east and southeast. There are also numerous ponds and lakes. The Farmington River runs through the town from the northwest from Burlington, enters Unionville, then takes a sharp near Farmington Center and flows north towards Avon. The Metacomet Ridge
Metacomet Ridge
The Metacomet Ridge, Metacomet Ridge Mountains, or Metacomet Range of southern New England, United States, is a narrow and steep fault-block mountain ridge known for its extensive cliff faces, scenic vistas, microclimate ecosystems, and communities of plants considered rare or endangered...
, a 100 miles (160.9 km) range of low traprock
Basalt
Basalt is a common extrusive volcanic rock. It is usually grey to black and fine-grained due to rapid cooling of lava at the surface of a planet. It may be porphyritic containing larger crystals in a fine matrix, or vesicular, or frothy scoria. Unweathered basalt is black or grey...
mountain ridges, occupies the east side of Farmington as Pinnacle Rock
Pinnacle Rock (Connecticut)
Pinnacle Rock, , is a traprock mountain peak located southwest of Hartford, Connecticut in the towns of Farmington and Plainville.It is part of the narrow, linear Metacomet Ridge that extends from Long Island Sound near New Haven, Connecticut, north through the Connecticut River Valley of...
, Rattlesnake Mountain
Rattlesnake Mountain (Connecticut)
Rattlesnake Mountain is a traprock mountain, above sea level, located southwest of Hartford, Connecticut in the town of Farmington. It is part of the narrow, linear Metacomet Ridge that extends from Long Island Sound near New Haven, Connecticut, north through the Connecticut River Valley of...
, Farmington Mountain
Farmington Mountain
Farmington Mountain, , is a traprock ridge located southwest of Hartford, Connecticut in the town of Farmington. It is part of the narrow, linear Metacomet Ridge that extends from Long Island Sound near New Haven, Connecticut, north through the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts to the...
, and Talcott Mountain
Talcott Mountain
Talcott Montain of central Connecticut, with a high point of , is a long trap rock mountain ridge located west of the city of Hartford. The ridge, a prominent landscape feature, forms a continuous line of exposed western cliffs visible across the Farmington River valley from Farmington to Simsbury...
. The ridge is traversed by the 51 miles (82.1 km) Metacomet Trail
Metacomet Trail
The Metacomet Trail is a Blue-Blazed hiking trail that traverses the Metacomet Ridge of central Connecticut and is a part of the newly designated New England National Scenic Trail. Despite being easily accessible and close to large population centers, the trail is considered remarkably rugged and...
, a hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
trail and contains several rock walls and chimneys suitable for technical climbing. These climbing areas, as well as several other rockclimbing locations in Central Connecticut are documented in the 1995 book, Hooked on Traprockhttp://www.amazon.com/dp/0848817621
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 23,641 people, 9,496 households, and 6,333 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 842.6 people per square mile (325.3/km²). There were 9,854 housing units at an average density of 351.2 per square mile (135.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.91% White, 1.55% African American, 0.12% Native American, 3.72% Asian, 0.59% 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 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.19% of the population.
There were 9,496 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% 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, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% 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 3.05.
In the town, the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $67,073, and the median income for a family was $85,396 (these figures had risen to $82,455 and $106,599 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $57,113 versus $39,156 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 $39,102. About 2.8% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.
| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 28, 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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... |
5,579 | 186 | 5,765 | 31.96% |
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... |
4,467 | 172 | 4,639 | 25.72% |
Unaffiliated | 7,229 | 380 | 7,609 | 42.18% |
Minor Parties | 21 | 6 | 27 | 0.15% | |
| Total | 17,296 | 744 | 18,040 | 100% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Economy
Interstate 84Interstate 84 (east)
Interstate 84 is an Interstate Highway extending from Dunmore, Pennsylvania at an interchange with Interstate 81 to Sturbridge, Massachusetts, at an interchange with the Massachusetts Turnpike . I-84 has mile-log junction numbering in Pennsylvania; otherwise, exit numbers are roughly sequential...
passes through the eastern edge of the town. The sprawling Westfarms Mall
Westfarms Mall
WestFarms Mall, sometimes referred to as WestFarms, is a mall located seven miles southwest of Hartford, Connecticut. The mall developer is The Taubman Company. It is the third largest indoor mall in the state....
is also located on this end of town. The mall houses anchor stores Nordstrom
Nordstrom
Nordstrom, Inc. is an upscale department store chain in the United States, founded by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin. Initially a shoe retailer, the company today also sells clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, and in some locations, home furnishings...
, Lord and Taylor, and Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
as well as a host of other retailers and restaurants.
See also
- Hill-Stead MuseumHill-Stead MuseumHill-Stead Museum, also known as Hill-Stead, is a Colonial Revival house and art museum in Farmington, Connecticut, USA. It is best known for its French Impressionist masterpieces, architecture, and stately grounds.-House and museum:...
- Farmington High School
- Farmington CanalFarmington CanalThe Farmington Canal, also known as the New Haven and Northampton Canal, was a major private canal built in the early 19th century to provide water transportation from New Haven into the interior of Connecticut, Massachusetts and beyond. Its Massachusetts segment was known as the Hampshire and...
- Miss Porter's SchoolMiss Porter's SchoolMiss Porter's School, sometimes simply referred to as Porter's or Farmington, is a private college preparatory school for girls located in Farmington, Connecticut.- History :...
- Tunxis Community CollegeTunxis Community CollegeNamed after the Tunxis Native American Tribe, Tunxis Community College is a two-year public college located in Farmington, Connecticut. It opened 1969 and is currently one of the twelve colleges in the Connecticut Community Colleges system.-Accreditation:...
- Metacomet RidgeMetacomet RidgeThe Metacomet Ridge, Metacomet Ridge Mountains, or Metacomet Range of southern New England, United States, is a narrow and steep fault-block mountain ridge known for its extensive cliff faces, scenic vistas, microclimate ecosystems, and communities of plants considered rare or endangered...
- Metacomet TrailMetacomet TrailThe Metacomet Trail is a Blue-Blazed hiking trail that traverses the Metacomet Ridge of central Connecticut and is a part of the newly designated New England National Scenic Trail. Despite being easily accessible and close to large population centers, the trail is considered remarkably rugged and...
- Dr. Eli Todd