Kent, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Kent is a town
in Litchfield County
, Connecticut
, alongside the border with New York
. The population was 2,858 at the 2000 census. The town is home to three New England boarding schools: South Kent School
, Kent School
and The Marvelwood School. The Schaghticoke
Indian Reservation is also located within town borders.
. Its location is 41°43′29"N 73°28′39"W. According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 49.6 square miles (128.5 km²), of which, 48.5 square miles (125.6 km²) of it is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²) of it (2.26%) is water. Bulls Bridge
, one of two covered bridge
s open to vehicles in Connecticut, is located in the town. The town is bisected by the Housatonic River
. The western half contains Macedonia Brook State Park, the Schaghticoke Indian Reservation, as well as a section of the Appalachian Trail
.
Besides the pure beauty of Appalachia, the park also boasts extensive trails, campgrounds, a venue for large group picnics, a small hilltop lake and of course, Macedonia Brook. Visitors can also take advantage of the numerous grills set up around the park. From peaks on the Blue Trail, hikers can take in fantastic views of the Catskill Mountains
and the Taconic Mountains
.
Kent Falls State Park is often called “The Jewel of the Inland Parks” with its scenic view of 17 different waterfalls. The falls is fed by wetlands which are located in Warren, and empties directly into the Housatonic River, which is across the street from the park.
A trail winds a quarter of a mile up along the falls and although it is not difficult to walk it is steep, rising 250 feet (76.2 m) in just a quarter mile. In 2006 a 1.1 million dollar trail renovation was finished which provided new viewing platforms and a redesigned trail. Swimming was at one time allowed along the entire length of the falls but due to a number of serious accidents, and large scale damage to the natural environment which thrives in the park all of the area along the water above the bottom level is now closed by state law.
The park is designated as a Trout Park and is stocked with trout
from the state's hatcheries. Due to the Trout Park designation the daily creel limit in the park is two fish.
is one of three remaining covered bridges in Connecticut dating from the 19th century. George Washington crossed the Housatonic River near the site of the present bridge in 1781.
.
of 2000, there were 2,858 people, 1,143 households, and 744 families residing in the town. The population density
was 59.0 people per square mile (22.8/km²).were 1,463 housing units at an average density of 30.2 per square mile (11.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.77% White
, 0.56% Black
or African American
, 0.77% Native American
, 0.98% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 0.70% from other races
, and 1.19% from two or more races. 2.52% of the population were Hispanic or Latino
of any race.The top 5 ethnic groups in Kent are
· English - 19%http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genealogyInfo.php?locIndex=9178
· Irish - 16%
· German - 14%
· Italian - 7%
· Scottish - 5%
There were 1,143 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples
living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $53,906, and the median income for a family was $66,065. Males had a median income of $46,343 versus $31,493 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $38,674. About 0.1% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.
is the main east-west highway.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in Litchfield County
Litchfield County, Connecticut
Litchfield County is a county located in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. Litchfield County has the lowest population density of any county in Connecticut but is geographically the state's largest county. As of 2010 the population was 189,927...
, 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...
, alongside the border with New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The population was 2,858 at the 2000 census. The town is home to three New England boarding schools: South Kent School
South Kent School
South Kent School is a private boarding school for boys in South Kent, Connecticut, United States. The school is located on a campus in the hills of Litchfield County. It was founded in 1923 as a joint venture between Reverend Frederick Herbert Sill, headmaster of Kent School, and two of his...
, Kent School
Kent School
Kent School is a private, co-educational college preparatory school in Kent, Connecticut, USA. The Reverend Frederick Herbert Sill, Order of the Holy Cross, established the school in 1906 and it retains its affiliation with the Episcopal Church of the United States.Students at Kent come from more...
and The Marvelwood School. The Schaghticoke
Schaghticoke (tribe)
The Schaghticoke are a Native American tribe of the Eastern Woodlands consisting of descendants of Mahican , Potatuck , Weantinock, Tunxis, Podunk, and other people indigenous to what is now Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. They amalgamated after encroachment of white settlers on their...
Indian Reservation is also located within town borders.
Geography
Kent is in Litchfield CountyLitchfield County, Connecticut
Litchfield County is a county located in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. Litchfield County has the lowest population density of any county in Connecticut but is geographically the state's largest county. As of 2010 the population was 189,927...
. Its location is 41°43′29"N 73°28′39"W. According to the United States Census Bureau
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 49.6 square miles (128.5 km²), of which, 48.5 square miles (125.6 km²) of it is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²) of it (2.26%) is water. Bulls Bridge
Bulls Bridge
Bulls Bridge is a small area that is part of Hayes in west London, UK....
, one of two covered bridge
Covered bridge
A covered bridge is a bridge with enclosed sides and a roof, often accommodating only a single lane of traffic. Most covered bridges are wooden; some newer ones are concrete or metal with glass sides...
s open to vehicles in Connecticut, is located in the town. The town is bisected by the Housatonic River
Housatonic River
The Housatonic River is a river, approximately long, in western Massachusetts and western Connecticut in the United States. It flows south to southeast, and drains about of southwestern New England into Long Island Sound...
. The western half contains Macedonia Brook State Park, the Schaghticoke Indian Reservation, as well as a section of the Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the AT, is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately long...
.
Principal communities
- Bulls Bridge
- Flanders
- Kent center
- Kent Furnace
- Macedonia
- North Kent
- South Kent (has its own post office)
- SchaghticokeSchaghticoke (tribe)The Schaghticoke are a Native American tribe of the Eastern Woodlands consisting of descendants of Mahican , Potatuck , Weantinock, Tunxis, Podunk, and other people indigenous to what is now Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. They amalgamated after encroachment of white settlers on their...
Indian Reservation
Macedonia Brook State Park
Macedonia Brook State Park was first opened in 1918 with a donation of 1552 acres (6.3 km²) from White Memorial Foundation of Litchfield. Since then, it has now grown to a size of 2300 acres (9.3 km²) and is used for outdoor recreation throughout the year.Besides the pure beauty of Appalachia, the park also boasts extensive trails, campgrounds, a venue for large group picnics, a small hilltop lake and of course, Macedonia Brook. Visitors can also take advantage of the numerous grills set up around the park. From peaks on the Blue Trail, hikers can take in fantastic views of the Catskill Mountains
Catskill Mountains
The Catskill Mountains, an area in New York State northwest of New York City and southwest of Albany, are a mature dissected plateau, an uplifted region that was subsequently eroded into sharp relief. They are an eastward continuation, and the highest representation, of the Allegheny Plateau...
and the Taconic Mountains
Taconic Mountains
The Taconic Mountains or Taconic Range are a physiographic section of the larger New England province and part of the Appalachian Mountains, running along the eastern border of New York State and adjacent New England from northwest Connecticut to western Massachusetts, north to central western...
.
Kent Falls State Park
Kent Falls State Park is often called “The Jewel of the Inland Parks” with its scenic view of 17 different waterfalls. The falls is fed by wetlands which are located in Warren, and empties directly into the Housatonic River, which is across the street from the park.
A trail winds a quarter of a mile up along the falls and although it is not difficult to walk it is steep, rising 250 feet (76.2 m) in just a quarter mile. In 2006 a 1.1 million dollar trail renovation was finished which provided new viewing platforms and a redesigned trail. Swimming was at one time allowed along the entire length of the falls but due to a number of serious accidents, and large scale damage to the natural environment which thrives in the park all of the area along the water above the bottom level is now closed by state law.
The park is designated as a Trout Park and is stocked with trout
Trout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
from the state's hatcheries. Due to the Trout Park designation the daily creel limit in the park is two fish.
Bulls Bridge
Bull's BridgeBull's Bridge
Bull's Bridge is a single-lane vehicular wooden covered bridge across the Housatonic River in the town of Kent, Connecticut. The bridge uses lattice truss design by Ithiel Town and was built in 1842 out of timber. Queen post trusses were added later in the 19th century as secondary support. The...
is one of three remaining covered bridges in Connecticut dating from the 19th century. George Washington crossed the Housatonic River near the site of the present bridge in 1781.
Sloane-Stanley Museum
A museum featuring the studio and antique collections of Eric SloaneEric Sloane
Eric Sloane was an American landscape painter and author of illustrated works of cultural history and folklore. He is considered a member of the Hudson River School of painting....
.
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 2,858 people, 1,143 households, and 744 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 59.0 people per square mile (22.8/km²).were 1,463 housing units at an average density of 30.2 per square mile (11.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.77% White
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...
, 0.56% Black
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...
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...
, 0.77% Native 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...
, 0.98% Asian
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...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
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...
, 0.70% 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 1.19% from two or more races. 2.52% of the population were Hispanic or Latino
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...
of any race.The top 5 ethnic groups in Kent are
· English - 19%http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genealogyInfo.php?locIndex=9178
· Irish - 16%
· German - 14%
· Italian - 7%
· Scottish - 5%
There were 1,143 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% 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, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $53,906, and the median income for a family was $66,065. Males had a median income of $46,343 versus $31,493 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 $38,674. About 0.1% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.
| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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... |
602 | 26 | 628 | 29.68% |
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... |
570 | 20 | 590 | 27.88% |
Unaffiliated | 839 | 59 | 898 | 42.44% |
Minor Parties | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | |
| Total | 2,011 | 105 | 2,116 | 100% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Transportation
Route 7 is the main north-south highway in the town, while Route 341Route 341 (Connecticut)
Route 341 is a state highway in western Connecticut, running from the New York state line in Kent to Washington.-Route description:Route 341 begins at an intersection with Bog Hollow Road at the New York state line in Kent and heads southeast along Bog Hollow Brook and Macedonia Brook...
is the main east-west highway.
Notable people, past and present
- William H. ArmstrongWilliam H. ArmstrongWilliam H. Armstrong was an American children's author and educator, best known for his 1969 Newbery Medal-winning novel, Sounder....
, author of "Sounder" - Ted DansonTed DansonEdward Bridge “Ted” Danson III is an American actor best known for his role as central character Sam Malone in the sitcom Cheers, and his role as Dr. John Becker on the series Becker. He also plays a recurring role on Larry David's HBO sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm and starred alongside Glenn Close...
, actor and graduate of Kent School. - Oscar De la RentaOscar de la RentaOscar de la Renta is one of the world's leading fashion designers. He was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1973.-Career:...
, designer - Peter GallagherPeter GallagherPeter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
, actor - Steve KatzSteve Katz (musician)Steve Katz is a guitarist and record producer who is best known as a member of the rock group Blood, Sweat & Tears. Katz was an original member of the rock bands The Blues Project and American Flyer...
, founding member of rock group Blood, Sweat & TearsBlood, Sweat & TearsBlood, Sweat & Tears is an American music group, originally formed in 1967 in New York City. Since its beginnings in 1967, the band has gone through numerous iterations with varying personnel and has encompassed a multitude of musical styles... - Adam KennedyAdam Kennedy (actor)Adam Kennedy was an American actor, screenwriter, novelist, and painter, who starred as the Irish-American newspaper editor Dion Patrick in thirty-seven episodes during the first season, 1957–1958, of NBC's western television series, The Californians...
(1922–1997), actor, author, painter, died in Kent - Henry KissingerHenry KissingerHeinz Alfred "Henry" Kissinger is a German-born American academic, political scientist, diplomat, and businessman. He is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He served as National Security Advisor and later concurrently as Secretary of State in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon and...
, former U.S. Secretary of State, has a home in town and often does television interviews from Kent. - Patti LuPonePatti LuPonePatti Ann LuPone is an American singer and actress, known for her Tony Award-winning performances as Eva Perón in the 1979 stage musical Evita and as Madame Rose in the 2008 Broadway revival of Gypsy, and for her Olivier Award-winning performance as Fantine in the original London cast of Les...
, singer and actress - Seth MacFarlaneSeth MacFarlaneSeth Woodbury MacFarlane is an American animator, writer, comedian, producer, actor, singer, voice actor, and director best known for creating the animated sitcoms Family Guy, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show, for which he also voices many of the shows' various characters.A native of Kent,...
(b. 1973), animator, TV producer and director and voice actor who created Family GuyFamily GuyFamily Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
and American Dad!American Dad!American Dad! is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane and owned by Underdog Productions and Fuzzy Door Productions. It is produced in association with 20th Century Fox Television...
, born in Kent, as well as his sister Rachael MacFarlaneRachael MacFarlaneRachael Ann MacFarlane is an American voice actress best known for her appearances in Codename: Kids Next Door as supreme leader Numbuh 362 and the FOX animated series Family Guy and American Dad!, both created and executive-produced by her older brother Seth MacFarlane.Aside from voice acting,...
(b. 1976). - Edmund Morris, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer
- Lynn RedgraveLynn RedgraveLynn Rachel Redgrave, OBE was an English actress.A member of the well-known British family of actors, Redgrave trained in London before making her theatrical debut in 1962...
, actress - Brooke StevensBrooke StevensBrooke Stevens is an American novelist. His first novel, The Circus of the Earth and the Air, was a nominee for the Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writer's Award in 1994 and a finalist for the World Fantasy Award in 1995. He has published two subsequent novels, not works of fantasy, and has...
, novelist - Trudie Lamb-RichmondTrudie Lamb-RichmondTrudie Lamb-Richmond is a member of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation and has been involved in Native American educational and political issues over forty years.- Biography :...
, SchaghticokeSchaghticoke (tribe)The Schaghticoke are a Native American tribe of the Eastern Woodlands consisting of descendants of Mahican , Potatuck , Weantinock, Tunxis, Podunk, and other people indigenous to what is now Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. They amalgamated after encroachment of white settlers on their...
elder, former Tribal Chairwoman, American Indian activist, author, educator, cultural leader, Storyteller, and tribal historian. - Joe BouchardJoe BouchardJoe Bouchard was the original bassist for Blue Öyster Cult. He grew up in Clayton, New York...
, founding member of rock group Blue Öyster CultBlue Öyster CultBlue Öyster Cult, often abbreviated BÖC, is an American rock band, most of whose members first came together in Long Island, NY in 1967 as the band Soft White Underbelly... - James BurnhamJames BurnhamJames Burnham was an American popular political theorist, best known for his influential work The Managerial Revolution, published in 1941. Burnham was a radical activist in the 1930s and an important factional leader of the American Trotskyist movement. In later years he left Marxism and produced...
, American political theorist, spent his final years in Kent, where he died.
External links
- Kent Center School
- KenMont & KenWood Camps
- Town Website
- News on Kent
- Kent Chamber of Commerce Website
- Northwest Connecticut Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Northwest Connecticut Arts Council
- Northwestern Connecticut Community College in Winsted
- http://ctman2.dyndns.ws/kent1.jpg Horses in Kent
- http://ctman2.dyndns.ws/geer1a.jpg Geer Mountain Overlook South
- http://ctman2.dyndns.ws/river2006/river2006/100OLYMP/ Bulls Bridge Pictures and Videos of high water
- Schaghticoke Tribal Nation
