Simsbury, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Simsbury is a suburban town in Hartford County
, Connecticut
, United States. The population was 23,234 at the 2000 census. The town was incorporated as Connecticut
's twenty-first town in May 1670.
At the beginning of the 17th century, the area today known as Simsbury was inhabited by indigenous peoples
. The Wappinger
s were one of these groups, composed of eighteen bands, organized not as formally as a tribe, but more of an association, like the Delaware
. These bands lived between the Hudson and Connecticut Rivers. The Wappingers were one of the Algonquian peoples
, a linguistic grouping which includes hundreds of tribes. One of the Wappinger bands, the Massaco, lived near, but mostly west of what is now called the Farmington River, the area now known as Simsbury and Canton. The river was called the Massaco by the native inhabitants. The term "Massaco" may refer to the indigenous peoples, the river itself, the village occupied by the indigenous peoples, and the land adjacent to the river.
Windsor
was the first town in Connecticut settled by Europeans, in 1633. For some time, the area of Massaco was considered "an appendix to the towne of Windsor." Settlers in Windsor forested and farmed in the area, but did not come to Massaco permanently for a number of years. In 1642, the General Court [of the colony of Connecticut] ordered that:
but there is no record of grants of land arising from this order.
In 1643, John Griffin started a tar and turpentine business in Windsor. A few years later, a Massaco Indian named Manahanoose started a fire which destroyed tar belonging to Griffin. The Court ordered the payment of "five hundred fathom of wampum" as compensation. Instead of cash payment, Manahanoose delivered a deed to the land at Massacoe. The deed was agreed to by Manahanoose as well as other Indians, identified as "the proprietors of Massaco". In 1653, The General Court granted 50 acres (202,343 m²) of meadowland to Lieutenant Aaron Cook, 60 acres (242,811.6 m²) to John Bissell and 50 acres (202,343 m²) to Thomas Ford, all in Massacoe.
White settlers were farming the land and harvesting tar and turpentine in the 1650s, but did not build permanent settlements until the following decade. Aaron Cook built one of the early homes in the area now known as Terry's Plain and John Griffin built a home, possibly in 1664, the date associated with a deed to land in Massacoe. The settlement of Massacoe continued in the late 1660s. The General Court awarded a land grant to John Griffin of two hundred acres in 1663. In 1664, a deed description indicated he had become a permanent inhabitant. By 1669, a survey revealed that there were thirteen permanent residents of Massacoe. One of those residents, John Case, was appointed to the position of constable. This is the first recorded civil office held by residents of the area.
on the south, and Windsor
on the east, with the extent of Simsbury running ten miles (16 km) north of Farmington and ten miles (16 km) west of Windsor, although the northern border, subject to dispute with Massachusetts, would be resolved later. This extent covers what is present day Simsbury as well as Granby
and Canton
.
The precise origin of the name of the town is not known for certain. The town records covering the first ten years after incorporation were accidentally burned in 1680 and 1681. One possibility is that the name of Simsbury comes from the English town of Symondsbury
. Holcomb, one of the petitioners, originally came from Symondsbury. Another possibility is that the name was derived from Simon Wolcott. He was known familiarly as "Sim" and he was considered one of the prominent men of the town.
began, a war between a number of tribes, and the English settlers. The war extended through parts of four states, with Simsbury on the western edge of the conflict. At the time, it was seen as a frontier settlement. The conflict was largely over by August of 1676, although it did not formally end until a treaty was signed in 1678.
The colony formed an Council of War. In the days leading up to the war, they ordered settlers to keep night watches, and to work in the fields in armed groups of at least six. By the time of the colony's General Court meeting of October 14, 1675, the situation was considered serious enough that the court ordered the residents of Simsbury to move to safety in Windsor. The order read:
In March of 1676, the town was Simsbury was first pillaged, then burned to the ground. This destruction is described as the most extensive of any event of any Indian War in New England. The settlers remained in Windsor until the spring of 1677, at which time most moved back to Simsbury, although some never returned.
. Near the end of the gauntlet, he hid in a wigwam to avoid an attempted blow by a club. The squaw in the wigwam declared that the house was sacred, and having lost a husband and son to a war, adopted Hayes as her son. He remained for several years, attending to the squaw. Eventually, he was sold to a Frenchman, who learned that Hayes had skill as a weaver, so put him to work in that business. Hayes managed to earn enough to buy his freedom after two years. He then returned to Simsbury, settled down on a farm and married. He became prominent, both in civil affairs as well as the church at Salmon Brook (now Granby).
were minted in North Simsbury, now called Granby. These coins were made of pure copper, which is very soft. Consequently, there are very few in existence today. The first coins were inscribed with a value of three pence. Later versions carried the phrase "Value me as you please."
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 34.3 square miles (88.8 km²), of which, 33.9 square miles (87.8 km²) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.1 km² or 1.25%) is water.
Simsbury lies in the northern end of the Farmington Valley
. The east side of Simsbury is flanked by Talcott Mountain
, part of the Metacomet Ridge
, a mountainous trap rock
ridgeline that stretches from Long Island Sound
to nearly the Vermont
border. Notable features of the Metacomet Ridge in Simsbury include Heublein Tower
, Talcott Mountain State Park
, Penwood State Park
, and the Tariffville Gorge of the Farmington River
. The 51 miles (82.1 km) Metacomet Trail
traverses the ridge. At the western foot of the mountain, near the Farmington River, grows the Pinchot Sycamore
, the largest tree in Connecticut.
s in Simsbury: Simsbury Center
, Tariffville
, Weatogue
, and West Simsbury
.
of 2000, there were 23,234 people, 8,527 households, and 6,591 families residing in the town. The population density
was 685.7 people per square mile (264.8/km²). There were 8,739 housing units at an average density of 257.9 per square mile (99.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.3% White, 1.17% African American,, 0.09% Native American, 2.12% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races
, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population.
There were 8,527 households out of which 41.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.1% were married couples
living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the town the population was spread out with 29.5% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $82,996, and the median income for a family was $97,008 (these figures had risen to $105,152 and $120,815 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $70,519 versus $42,136 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $39,710. About 1.0% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.
Fire protection is provided by the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company. The Fire Company has 6 stations located throughout the town and a dispatch center housed at the Main Station. The Fire Company has seven engines, two aerials, two rescues, a tanker, two marine units, a hazmat unit, a brush truck, a special command vehicle and several utility vehicles. In addition to fire suppression and vehicle extrication the Fire Company provides high-angle, confined space and ice rescue services, and is a member of the Capital Region HazMat Response Team.
Emergency medical services is provided by the Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Association. The Association has a primary ambulance staffed twenty-four hours a day by volunteer EMTs. There is a secondary ambulance that can be staffed by off-duty personnel for calls when the primary ambulance is out. SVAA also has a paramedic response unit staffed around the clock by a career paramedic, providing the residents of Simsbury with the highest level of emergency medical care. The organization has 8 paramedics and 43 active EMTs. In addition to being the primary EMS responder in town, SVAA also does stand-bys at public events and holds first aid/CPR courses throughout the year, as well as an annual EMT-Basic course.
The Simsbury Public Library serves more than 800 residents daily and offers many programs and services including homebound delivery, public computers, a museum pass program, a Business Resource Center, and 24/7 reference assistance. The library can trace its history back to 1872 as the Town’s Social and Literary Club. In 1890 the town built a library as part of the Town’s center and it operated until the present library was constructed nearby in 1985. The library held a grand opening to celebrate the renovated library in June 2008. In the year ending June 30, 2006, the library maintained a collection of 163,000 print, audio, and video items, offered the contents of 40 databases, circulated 436,000 items, answered 57,000 requests for information, and offered 756 programs to the various constituencies that the Library serves.
In the last five years, the Simsbury Public Library has ranked among the top five of
Connecticut’s Public Libraries according to Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings. In 2002, it ranked among the top 100 in the country (out of 9,000). In 2008 the Simsbury Public Library expanded with a new addition.
& Homebound (Location: 933 HOPMEADOW STREET; Grades: PK – 12)
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. The population was 23,234 at the 2000 census. The town was incorporated as 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...
's twenty-first town in May 1670.
Early history
Indigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups that are defined as indigenous according to one of the various definitions of the term, there is no universally accepted definition but most of which carry connotations of being the "original inhabitants" of a territory....
. The Wappinger
Wappinger
The Wappinger were an American tribe native to eastern New York. The term "Wappinger" may also refer to:* Wappinger, New York, the Town of Wappinger named for the tribe...
s were one of these groups, composed of eighteen bands, organized not as formally as a tribe, but more of an association, like the Delaware
Lenape
The Lenape are an Algonquian group of Native Americans of the Northeastern Woodlands. They are also called Delaware Indians. As a result of the American Revolutionary War and later Indian removals from the eastern United States, today the main groups live in Canada, where they are enrolled in the...
. These bands lived between the Hudson and Connecticut Rivers. The Wappingers were one of the Algonquian peoples
Algonquian peoples
The Algonquian are one of the most populous and widespread North American native language groups, with tribes originally numbering in the hundreds. Today hundreds of thousands of individuals identify with various Algonquian peoples...
, a linguistic grouping which includes hundreds of tribes. One of the Wappinger bands, the Massaco, lived near, but mostly west of what is now called the Farmington River, the area now known as Simsbury and Canton. The river was called the Massaco by the native inhabitants. The term "Massaco" may refer to the indigenous peoples, the river itself, the village occupied by the indigenous peoples, and the land adjacent to the river.
Windsor
Windsor, Connecticut
Windsor is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States, and was the first English settlement in the state. It lies on the northern border of Connecticut's capital, Hartford. The population was estimated at 28,778 in 2005....
was the first town in Connecticut settled by Europeans, in 1633. For some time, the area of Massaco was considered "an appendix to the towne of Windsor." Settlers in Windsor forested and farmed in the area, but did not come to Massaco permanently for a number of years. In 1642, the General Court [of the colony of Connecticut] ordered that:
Despite this order, there is no record that any settlements ensued immediately. Five years later the General Court issued another order:
the Governor and Mr. Heynes shall have liberty to dispose of the ground uppon that parte of Tunxis River cauled Mossocowe, to such inhabitants of Wyndsor as they shall see cause.
The Court thinks fitt that Massacoe be purchased by the Country, and that ther be a Comitte chosen to dispose of yt to such inhabitants of Wyndsor as by the shalbe judged meet to make improuement therof...
but there is no record of grants of land arising from this order.
In 1643, John Griffin started a tar and turpentine business in Windsor. A few years later, a Massaco Indian named Manahanoose started a fire which destroyed tar belonging to Griffin. The Court ordered the payment of "five hundred fathom of wampum" as compensation. Instead of cash payment, Manahanoose delivered a deed to the land at Massacoe. The deed was agreed to by Manahanoose as well as other Indians, identified as "the proprietors of Massaco". In 1653, The General Court granted 50 acres (202,343 m²) of meadowland to Lieutenant Aaron Cook, 60 acres (242,811.6 m²) to John Bissell and 50 acres (202,343 m²) to Thomas Ford, all in Massacoe.
White settlers were farming the land and harvesting tar and turpentine in the 1650s, but did not build permanent settlements until the following decade. Aaron Cook built one of the early homes in the area now known as Terry's Plain and John Griffin built a home, possibly in 1664, the date associated with a deed to land in Massacoe. The settlement of Massacoe continued in the late 1660s. The General Court awarded a land grant to John Griffin of two hundred acres in 1663. In 1664, a deed description indicated he had become a permanent inhabitant. By 1669, a survey revealed that there were thirteen permanent residents of Massacoe. One of those residents, John Case, was appointed to the position of constable. This is the first recorded civil office held by residents of the area.
Incorporation
In 1670, Case, along with Joshua Holcomb, presented a petition to the General Court, requesting that Massacoe become a town of the colony of Connecticut. On May 12 of 1670, the General Court granted the petition, and ordered that the plantation should be called "Simmsbury". The boundaries at that time were FarmingtonFarmington, Connecticut
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...
on the south, and Windsor
Windsor, Connecticut
Windsor is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States, and was the first English settlement in the state. It lies on the northern border of Connecticut's capital, Hartford. The population was estimated at 28,778 in 2005....
on the east, with the extent of Simsbury running ten miles (16 km) north of Farmington and ten miles (16 km) west of Windsor, although the northern border, subject to dispute with Massachusetts, would be resolved later. This extent covers what is present day Simsbury as well as Granby
Granby, Connecticut
Granby is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 10,347 at the 2000 census. The town center was defined as a census-designated place known as Salmon Brook in the 2000 census....
and Canton
Canton, Connecticut
Canton is a rural town, incorporated in 1806, in Hartford County, Connecticut. The population was 8,840 at the 2000 census, and has grown to 10,292 as of the 2010 census. It is bordered by Granby on the north, Simsbury on the east, Avon and Burlington on the south, New Hartford on the west, and...
.
The precise origin of the name of the town is not known for certain. The town records covering the first ten years after incorporation were accidentally burned in 1680 and 1681. One possibility is that the name of Simsbury comes from the English town of Symondsbury
Symondsbury
Symondsbury is a village in south west Dorset, England, west of Bridport and west of Dorchester. The village is located just to the north of the A35 trunk road, which runs between Southampton and Honiton. The village has a pub , a pottery and a primary school...
. Holcomb, one of the petitioners, originally came from Symondsbury. Another possibility is that the name was derived from Simon Wolcott. He was known familiarly as "Sim" and he was considered one of the prominent men of the town.
King Philip's War
In 1675, rumors of unrest among the indigenous peoples began to surface. The rumors proved accurate, and in the summer, King Philip's WarKing Philip's War
King Philip's War, sometimes called Metacom's War, Metacomet's War, or Metacom's Rebellion, was an armed conflict between Native American inhabitants of present-day southern New England and English colonists and their Native American allies in 1675–76. The war is named after the main leader of the...
began, a war between a number of tribes, and the English settlers. The war extended through parts of four states, with Simsbury on the western edge of the conflict. At the time, it was seen as a frontier settlement. The conflict was largely over by August of 1676, although it did not formally end until a treaty was signed in 1678.
The colony formed an Council of War. In the days leading up to the war, they ordered settlers to keep night watches, and to work in the fields in armed groups of at least six. By the time of the colony's General Court meeting of October 14, 1675, the situation was considered serious enough that the court ordered the residents of Simsbury to move to safety in Windsor. The order read:
In March of 1676, the town was Simsbury was first pillaged, then burned to the ground. This destruction is described as the most extensive of any event of any Indian War in New England. The settlers remained in Windsor until the spring of 1677, at which time most moved back to Simsbury, although some never returned.
Daniel Hayes
In 1707, Daniel Hayes, then aged twenty-two, was captured by the indigenous people and carried off to Canada. The capture was witnessed, and a rescue party raised, but the group did not catch up with the captors. He was tied up each night, and bound to saplings. It took thirty days to reach Canada, at which point Hayes was forced to run the gauntletRunning the gauntlet
Running the gauntlet is a form of physical punishment wherein a captive is compelled to run between two rows—a gauntlet—of soldiers who strike him as he passes.-Etymology:...
. Near the end of the gauntlet, he hid in a wigwam to avoid an attempted blow by a club. The squaw in the wigwam declared that the house was sacred, and having lost a husband and son to a war, adopted Hayes as her son. He remained for several years, attending to the squaw. Eventually, he was sold to a Frenchman, who learned that Hayes had skill as a weaver, so put him to work in that business. Hayes managed to earn enough to buy his freedom after two years. He then returned to Simsbury, settled down on a farm and married. He became prominent, both in civil affairs as well as the church at Salmon Brook (now Granby).
First American colonies coins
The first unauthorized coins minted in the American colonies, and the first in Connecticut, were struck by Dr. Samuel Higley in 1737 from copper mined from his own mine. The coins, including the Trader's Currency Token of the Colony of ConnecticutTrader's Currency Token of the Colony of Connecticut
A trader's currency token was issued by Samuel Higley of Simsbury, Connecticut in 1737. Higley owned the mine which produced the copper, which was located near Granby, Connecticut. He smelted the copper ore, designed and engraved the dies, and struck the tokens himself. They wore out extremely...
were minted in North Simsbury, now called Granby. These coins were made of pure copper, which is very soft. Consequently, there are very few in existence today. The first coins were inscribed with a value of three pence. Later versions carried the phrase "Value me as you please."
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 34.3 square miles (88.8 km²), of which, 33.9 square miles (87.8 km²) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.1 km² or 1.25%) is water.
Simsbury lies in the northern end of the Farmington Valley
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....
. The east side of Simsbury is flanked by 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...
, part of 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 mountainous trap rock
Trap rock
Trap rock is a form of igneous rock that tends to form polygonal vertical fractures, most typically hexagonal, but also four to eight sided. The fracture pattern forms when magma of suitable chemical composition intrudes as a sill or extrudes as a thick lava flow, and slowly cools.Because of the...
ridgeline that stretches from Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound is an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, located in the United States between Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south. The mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, empties into the sound. On its western end the sound is bounded by the Bronx...
to nearly the Vermont
Vermont
Vermont 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...
border. Notable features of the Metacomet Ridge in Simsbury include Heublein Tower
Heublein Tower
The Heublein Tower located in Talcott Mountain State Park in Connecticut provides panoramic views of the Hartford skyline and the Farmington River Valley that are particularly spectacular in the fall.-Origin:...
, Talcott Mountain State Park
Talcott Mountain State Park
Talcott Mountain State Park is a state park located in Bloomfield, Connecticut. The Heublein Tower, a 165 foot high lookout tower, sits atop Talcott Mountain. The Tower Trail is 1.25 miles long; a walk to the Tower takes approximately 30 – 40 minutes. Also running through the park is a section of...
, Penwood State Park
Penwood State Park
Penwood State Park is a state park in Bloomfield, Connecticut. Located on Talcott Mountain, it is contiguous with the north end of Talcott Mountain State Park. The Metacomet Trail runs the entire length of the park, in addition to park trails and paved roads accessible by bike.Penwood State Park...
, and the Tariffville Gorge 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...
. 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...
traverses the ridge. At the western foot of the mountain, near the Farmington River, grows the Pinchot Sycamore
Pinchot Sycamore
The Pinchot Sycamore is a large American sycamore in Simsbury, Connecticut. It is the largest tree in Connecticut. When measured by the Connecticut Botanical Society in 1998, the Pinchot Sycamore was 26 feet around and 95 feet tall, with an average canopy diameter of 140 feet...
, the largest tree in Connecticut.
Principal communities
There are four census-designated placeCensus-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
s in Simsbury: Simsbury Center
Simsbury Center, Connecticut
Simsbury Center is the central neighborhood of the town of Simsbury, Connecticut in the United States. It was listed as a census-designated place in the 2000 census with a population of 5,603...
, Tariffville
Tariffville, Connecticut
Tariffville is a neighborhood and census-designated place in the town of Simsbury in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is a popular location for whitewater paddlers who use the Farmington River...
, Weatogue
Weatogue, Connecticut
Weatogue is a census-designated place and village in Simsbury, Hartford County, Connecticut. The population was 2,805 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, and West Simsbury
West Simsbury, Connecticut
West Simsbury is a census-designated place and section of the town of Simsbury, Connecticut. It is located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States...
.
Climate
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 23,234 people, 8,527 households, and 6,591 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 685.7 people per square mile (264.8/km²). There were 8,739 housing units at an average density of 257.9 per square mile (99.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.3% White, 1.17% African American,, 0.09% Native American, 2.12% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.26% 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 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population.
There were 8,527 households out of which 41.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.1% 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, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the town the population was spread out with 29.5% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $82,996, and the median income for a family was $97,008 (these figures had risen to $105,152 and $120,815 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $70,519 versus $42,136 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 $39,710. About 1.0% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.
Landmarks
- The Ethel Walker SchoolEthel Walker SchoolThe Ethel Walker School is a college preparatory school for girls in grades 6 through 12 in Simsbury, Connecticut.-History:Founded in 1911, the school was one of the first college preparatory schools for girls in the United States. The school sits on ; an additional of school land has been...
, Master's School, St. Mary's School, and Westminster SchoolWestminster SchoolThe Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
are private schools in Simsbury. - The International Skating Center of Connecticut
- Three of the four state parks in Hartford County: Penwood State Park, Stratton Brook State Park, and Talcott Mountain State ParkTalcott Mountain State ParkTalcott Mountain State Park is a state park located in Bloomfield, Connecticut. The Heublein Tower, a 165 foot high lookout tower, sits atop Talcott Mountain. The Tower Trail is 1.25 miles long; a walk to the Tower takes approximately 30 – 40 minutes. Also running through the park is a section of...
are in town. - Simsbury AirportSimsbury AirportSimsbury Airport is a public use airport located in Simsbury and East Granby, both towns in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is privately owned by the Airport Realty Association, LLC. The airport is operated by the Simsbury Flying Club, a not-for-profit group that operates an FBO at...
is a public use airport located in Simsbury and East Granby, - Ensign-Bickford IndustriesEnsign-Bickford CompanyThe Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company was started in 1836 in Simsbury, Connecticut as a manufacturer of William Bickford's safety fuse for use in mining. Safety fuse was a great advance in mining technology over the practice of filling holes with black powder. The next step in mining...
, founded in Simsbury in 1836, is still headquartered in town. - The Pinchot SycamorePinchot SycamoreThe Pinchot Sycamore is a large American sycamore in Simsbury, Connecticut. It is the largest tree in Connecticut. When measured by the Connecticut Botanical Society in 1998, the Pinchot Sycamore was 26 feet around and 95 feet tall, with an average canopy diameter of 140 feet...
, a large American sycamoreAmerican sycamorePlatanus occidentalis, also known as American Sycamore, American plane, Occidental plane, and Buttonwood, is one of the species of Platanus native to North America...
located in town, is the largest tree in Connecticut. According to a measurement made in 1998, the tree was 26 feet (7.9 m) around and 95 feet (29 m) tall, with an average canopy diameter of 140 feet (42.7 m).
On the National Register of Historic Places
- Drake Hill Road BridgeDrake Hill Road BridgeDrake Hill Road Bridge is a bridge in Simsbury, Connecticut. It is on Drake Hill Rd. at Farmington River. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984....
—Drake Hill Rd. at Farmington River (added August 19, 1984) The Drake Hill Bridge is a pin-connected Parker truss, built in 1892 over the Farmington river. The bridge has a 12 feet (3.7 m) roadway and a span of 183 feet (55.8 m). It originally carried vehicle traffic but now is open open for foot and bicycle traffic. This bridge is only one of three surviving Parker trusses in Connecticut. - East Weatogue Historic DistrictEast Weatogue Historic DistrictThe East Weatogue Historic District is a historic district in the town of Simsbury, Connecticut that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. It then included 102 contributing buildings, 10 contributing sites, 11 contributing structures, and one other contributing...
—Roughly, properties on East Weatogue St. from just N of Riverside Dr. to Hartford Rd., and Folly Farm property to S (added 1990) - Heublein TowerHeublein TowerThe Heublein Tower located in Talcott Mountain State Park in Connecticut provides panoramic views of the Hartford skyline and the Farmington River Valley that are particularly spectacular in the fall.-Origin:...
—Talcott Mountain State Park (added 1983) - John Humphrey HouseJohn Humphrey House (Simsbury, Connecticut)The John Humphrey House in Simsbury, Connecticut, at 115 E. Weatogue St., was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.It is a Colonial two-story frame house, built approximately 1760...
—115 E. Weatogue St. (added 1990) The John Humphrey House is a Colonial two-story frame house, built approximately 1760. The estimate of the building date comes partially from land records, and partially from the location of the bake oven in the kitchen. - Massaco Forest PavilionMassaco Forest PavilionThe Massacoe Forest Pavilion, also known as Stratton Brook Park Pavilion, is an object in the Stratton Brook State Park in the town of Simsbury, Connecticut. It was built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and is one of many CCC structures recognized in a Connecticut-wide thematic...
—Off Old Farms Rd., Stratton Brook State Park (added 1986) - Simsbury Center Historic DistrictSimsbury Center Historic DistrictThe Simsbury Center Historic District is a historic district located in the town center area of Simsbury, Connecticut that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996....
—Roughly, Hopmeadow St. from West St. to Massaco St. (added 1996)- Amos Eno HouseAmos Eno HouseThe Amos Eno House is a historic home in Simsbury, Connecticut. It is also known as the 1820 House.-Prior to Amos Eno:The house was built in 1822 by Elisha Phelps, who was given the land by his father, Noah. Noah Phelps was a graduate of Yale University, a lawyer and a judge. The first floor...
—Off U. S. 202 on Hopmeadow Rd. (added 1975) Also, known as the Simsbury House or the 1820 House, this house was built by Elisha PhelpsElisha PhelpsElisha Phelps was a United States Representative from Connecticut. He was the son of Noah Phelps and father of John Smith Phelps who was a United States Representative from Missouri. He was born in Simsbury, Connecticut. In 1800, he was graduated from Yale College and from Litchfield Law School...
, but named after Amos EnoAmos EnoAmos Richards Eno of Simsbury, Connecticut was an American merchant of dry goods who expanded into real estate in New York City, built the Fifth Avenue Hotel and established a prominent family fortune, of which the New York real estate alone was estimated at $20,000,000 at the time of his...
, who used it as a summer residence for many years. - Eno Memorial HallEno Memorial HallEno Memorial Hall is a building built in 1932 in Simsbury, Connecticut. It served historically as acourthouse, as a city hall, as an auditorium, and as government offices. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993....
—754 Hopmeadow St. (added 1993) - Horace Belden School (Now the Town Hall/Police Station) and Central Grammar School—933 Hopmeadow St. and 29 Massaco St. (added 1993)
- Robert and Julia Darling HouseRobert and Julia Darling HouseThe Robert and Julia Darling House, in Simsbury, Connecticut, also known as Cannon Medical Center, is a Colonial Revival building built in 1917. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991....
—720 Hopmeadow St. (added 1991) - Capt. Elisha Phelps HouseCapt. Elisha Phelps HouseThe Captain Elisha Phelps House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built by David Phelps in 1711. His son Elisha Phelps received the land from his father and expanded the house in 1771. Elisha Phelps along with his brother Noah Phelps and others took part in the capture of...
(also known as "Phelps Tavern Museum & Homestead")—800 Hopmeadow St., A 1771 house used as a tavern from 1786–1849 (added 1972) - Simsbury Bank and Trust Company BuildingSimsbury Bank and Trust Company BuildingThe Simsbury Bank and Trust Company Building, also known as Town Hall Building, in Simsbury, Connecticut was built in 1917. Its designer was Smith & Bassette. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986....
—760–762 Hopmeadow St. (added 1986) - Simsbury Railroad DepotSimsbury Railroad DepotThe Simsbury Railroad Depot is located in Simsbury, Connecticut. The depot was built in 1875 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 26, 1976.-See also:*New Haven and Northampton Railroad...
—Railroad Ave. at Station St. (added 1976) - Simsbury TownhouseSimsbury TownhouseThe Simsbury Townhouse, also known as Boy Scout Hall, was built in 1839. It historically served as a city hall. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993....
—695 Hopmeadow St. (added 1993) The Simsbury Townhouse was the original town hall for the town of Simsbury, used as a town hall for almost 100 years. It was originally built in 1839, at the top of the hill near its present location, and moved, possibly in 1843, and finally in 1869. The wooden structure was constructed in the Greek Revival style.
- Amos Eno House
- Tariffville Historic DistrictTariffville Historic DistrictThe Tariffville Historic District is a historic district in the town of Simsbury, Connecticut. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. It is part of the Tariffville section of Simsbury....
—Roughly bounded by Winthrop St., Main St., Tunxis Rd., Mountain Rd., and Elm St. (added 1993) - Terry's Plain Historic District—Roughly bounded by Pharos, Quarry and Terry's Plain Rds. and the Farmington R. (added 1993)
Skaters
- Shizuka ArakawaShizuka Arakawais a Japanese figure skater.She is the 2006 Olympic Champion in Ladies Singles and the 2004 World Champion. Arakawa is the first Japanese skater to win an Olympic gold medal in figure skating and the second Japanese skater to win any Olympic medal in figure skating, after Midori Ito, who won silver...
(荒川 静香), Japanese figure skater who won the gold medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics, has trained at the International Skating Center of Connecticut in town - Sasha CohenSasha CohenAlexandra Pauline "Sasha" Cohen is a U.S. figure skater. She is the 2006 Olympic silver medalist, a three-time World Championship medalist, the 2003 Grand Prix Final Champion, and the 2006 U.S. Champion.-Personal life:...
, reigning U.S. National Champion figure skater and silver medalist at the 2006 Olympics, trained in Simsbury with Russian coach Tatiana TarasovaTatiana TarasovaTatiana Anatolyevna Tarasova is a Russian figure skating coach and national figure skating team adviser. Tarasova has been coach to more world and Olympic champions than any other coach in skating history. As of 2003, her students have won a total of 41 gold medals at the European and World...
, starting in summer 2002 - Michelle KwanMichelle KwanMichelle Wingshan Kwan is an American figure skater. She is a two-time Olympic medalist, a five-time World champion and a nine-time U.S...
, Olympic figure skater, has trained at the International Skating Center of Connecticut - Ekaterina GordeevaEkaterina GordeevaEkaterina "Katia" Alexandrovna Gordeeva is a Russian figure skater. Together with her late partner and husband Sergei Grinkov, she was the 1988 and 1994 Olympic Champion and four-time World Champion in pair skating...
, winner of two Olympic gold medals (1988 and 1994), moved to Simsbury in the 1990s - Alexei YagudinAlexei YagudinAlexei Konstantinovich Yagudin is a former Russian figure skater. His major achievements in his six years of eligible sports career include:*2002 Olympic Champion*Four-time World Champion...
, 2002 Olympic champion and four time World Champion, lived and trained in Simsbury from 1998 to 2005 with Tatiana TarasovaTatiana TarasovaTatiana Anatolyevna Tarasova is a Russian figure skating coach and national figure skating team adviser. Tarasova has been coach to more world and Olympic champions than any other coach in skating history. As of 2003, her students have won a total of 41 gold medals at the European and World...
Others
- Sean BurkeSean BurkeSean Burke is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New Jersey Devils, Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes, Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Florida Panthers, Phoenix Coyotes, Tampa Bay Lightning and Los Angeles...
, NHL goalie (former Hartford Whaler) - Rob DibbleRob DibbleRobert Keith Dibble is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and television analyst.-Personal life:Dibble is a graduate of Southington High School in Southington, Connecticut...
, former MLB player - Justin FoleyJustin FoleyJustin Foley is best known as the drummer of the metalcore band, Killswitch Engage. He is also an active member of the band Blood Has Been Shed along with Killswitch Engage's lead singer, Howard Jones...
, drummer, Killswitch EngageKillswitch EngageKillswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 after the disbandment of Overcast and Aftershock. Killswitch Engage's current lineup consists of vocalist Howard Jones, bassist Mike D'Antonio, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, and drummer...
and Blood Has Been ShedBlood Has Been ShedBlood Has Been Shed is a mathcore group from Connecticut. They formed in 1997. They are known for having two members of Killswitch Engage in the band, though both bands have very different styles. Although Jones and Foley are currently performing with Killswitch Engage, they do not intend to end...
. - Martin Luther King, Jr.Martin Luther King, Jr.Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
(1929–1968), worked on a tobacco farm in Simsbury during the summers of 1944 and 1947 to earn money for college - George McLeanGeorge McLeanGeorge McLean is the name of:* George P. McLean , American Senator from Connecticut* George McLean , Scottish footballer, midfield* George McLean , Scottish footballer for English clubs, centre-forward...
(1857–1932), U.S. senator and Simsbury resident who founded the 4200 acres (17 km²) McLean Game RefugeMcLean Game RefugeThe McLean Game Refuge is a nature preserve in the towns of Granby, Simsbury, and Canton, Connecticut. Senator and Governor of Connecticut, George P. McLean had purchased the land throughout his life. It was left to the McLean Fund upon his death in 1932 and remains open to the public today...
in town - Elisha PhelpsElisha PhelpsElisha Phelps was a United States Representative from Connecticut. He was the son of Noah Phelps and father of John Smith Phelps who was a United States Representative from Missouri. He was born in Simsbury, Connecticut. In 1800, he was graduated from Yale College and from Litchfield Law School...
(1779–1847), United States Representative from Connecticut - Gifford PinchotGifford PinchotGifford Pinchot was the first Chief of the United States Forest Service and the 28th Governor of Pennsylvania...
(1865–1946), first Chief of the United States Forest Service (1905–1910), Governor of Pennsylvania (1923–1927, 1931–1935), born in Simsbury - Sigourney WeaverSigourney WeaverSigourney Weaver is an American actress. She is best known for her critically acclaimed role of Ellen Ripley in the four Alien films: Alien, Aliens, Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection, for which she has received worldwide recognition .Other notable roles include Dana...
, actress, attended Ethel Walker School in Simsbury - Jennifer WeinerJennifer WeinerJennifer Weiner is a Jewish American writer, television producer, and former journalist. She is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-Background and career:...
, author - Vince CazzettaVince CazzettaVincent "Vince" Cazzetta was head coach of the Pittsburgh Pipers during the 1967-1968 season in which they won the American Basketball Association championship. He was one of the most successful head coaches in Seattle University's men's basketball historyCazzetta was head coach at Seattle...
, head coach for the Pittsburgh Pipers - Andy BernardAndy BernardAndrew "Andy" Baines Bernard is a fictional character from the U.S. television series The Office. The character is highly insecure, yet egotistical, constantly mentioning his education at Cornell University...
, fictional character from NBC's "The Office"
Public safety
Law enforcement is provided by the Simsbury Police Department.Fire protection is provided by the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company. The Fire Company has 6 stations located throughout the town and a dispatch center housed at the Main Station. The Fire Company has seven engines, two aerials, two rescues, a tanker, two marine units, a hazmat unit, a brush truck, a special command vehicle and several utility vehicles. In addition to fire suppression and vehicle extrication the Fire Company provides high-angle, confined space and ice rescue services, and is a member of the Capital Region HazMat Response Team.
Emergency medical services is provided by the Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Association. The Association has a primary ambulance staffed twenty-four hours a day by volunteer EMTs. There is a secondary ambulance that can be staffed by off-duty personnel for calls when the primary ambulance is out. SVAA also has a paramedic response unit staffed around the clock by a career paramedic, providing the residents of Simsbury with the highest level of emergency medical care. The organization has 8 paramedics and 43 active EMTs. In addition to being the primary EMS responder in town, SVAA also does stand-bys at public events and holds first aid/CPR courses throughout the year, as well as an annual EMT-Basic course.
Simsbury Public Library
In the last five years, the Simsbury Public Library has ranked among the top five of
Connecticut’s Public Libraries according to Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings. In 2002, it ranked among the top 100 in the country (out of 9,000). In 2008 the Simsbury Public Library expanded with a new addition.
Public high schools
- Simsbury High SchoolSimsbury High SchoolSimsbury High School is a public school located in Simsbury, Connecticut. The school was ranked number 3 in Connecticut Magazine's list of Top Connecticut Public High Schools. It was also included in list of Newsweek magazine's 2009 top 1500 public schools, as well as earning the top and second...
(Students: 1,457; Location: 34 FARMS VILLAGE RD.; Grades: 09 – 12)
Private high schools
- Westminster SchoolWestminster School, ConnecticutWestminster School is a small, private, boarding school located in Simsbury, Connecticut.-History:Westminster School was founded by William Lee Cushing in 1888 as a boys’ school in Dobbs Ferry, New York....
(Students: 353; Location: 995 HOPMEADOW STREET; Grades: 9 – 12) - Ethel Walker SchoolEthel Walker SchoolThe Ethel Walker School is a college preparatory school for girls in grades 6 through 12 in Simsbury, Connecticut.-History:Founded in 1911, the school was one of the first college preparatory schools for girls in the United States. The school sits on ; an additional of school land has been...
(Students: 252; Location: 230 BUSHY HILL ROAD; Grades: 7 – 12; Girls only) - The Master's School (Students: 400; Location: 36 WESTLEDGE ROAD; Grades PK – 12)
Public primary/middle schools
- Central School (Students: 479; Location: 29 MASSACO ST.; Grades: PK – 06)
- Latimer Lane School (Students: 623; Location: 33 MOUNTAIN VIEW RD.; Grades: KG – 06)
- Squadron Line School (Students: 849; Location: 44 SQUADRON LINE RD.; Grades: KG – 06)
- Tariffville School (Students: 280; Location: 42 WINTHROP ST.; Grades: 01 – 06)
- Tootin' Hills School (Students: 537; Location: 25 NIMROD RD.; Grades: KG – 06)
- Henry James Memorial School (Students: 840; Location: 155 FIRETOWN RD.; Grades: 07 – 08)
& Homebound (Location: 933 HOPMEADOW STREET; Grades: PK – 12)
Private primary/middle schools
- St. Mary's SchoolSt. Mary's School (Connecticut)St. Mary's School is Catholic elementary school located in Simsbury, Connecticut, USA. It is the only Catholic school for grades K-8 in the Farmington Valley....
(Students: 264; Location: 946 HOPMEADOW STREET; Grades: K – 8) - The Cobb School Montessori (Students: 145; Location: 112 SAND HILL RD; Grades: PK – 5)
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Hartford County, Connecticut