Union, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Union is a town
in Tolland County
, Connecticut
, United States
. The population was 854 at the 2010 census, making it the least populous town in Connecticut and the second-least populous municipality in Connecticut; only the Borough of Fenwick
has fewer people. Union includes the village of Mashapaug located in the Eastern Uplands at the Massachusetts
state line.
settlement in Union was in 1727, making Union the last Connecticut town east of the Connecticut River
to be settled. The first settler was James McNall of Worcester, Massachusetts
. He was closely followed by his brother William. The town was incorporated in October 1734.
There were 500 people in the town in 1756. The population grew to 767 by 1800, but declined thereafter. There were just 431 people in Union as of 1890.
, the town has a total area of 29.8 square miles (77.2 km²), of which 28.7 square miles (74.3 km²) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²) (3.75%) is water.
Approximately one-third of the town is state park land, including Bigelow Hollow State Park
, Nipmuck State Forest
and the Mountain Laurel Sanctuary. A portion of the Yale-Myers Forest
is located in Union.
of 2000, there were 693 people, 285 households, and 200 families residing in the town. The population density
was 24.1 people per square mile (9.3/km²). There were 332 housing units at an average density of 11.6 per square mile (4.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.56% White, 0.14% Asian, and 1.30% from two or more races.
There were 285 households out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.6% were married couples
living together, 4.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% 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 2.87.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.5% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 34.6% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 103.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $58,214, and the median income for a family was $65,417. Males had a median income of $48,021 versus $35,469 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $27,900. About 2.0% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
through 8. The only school in the district is Union Elementary School.
High Schoolers have the option of attending Stafford High School, Rockville Vocational-Agricultural School, Windham Regional Technical Vocational School or Woodstock Academy
.
s to its patrons.
The Union Free Public Library is housed in one of the town's few public buildings. The library was established by a town meeting in November 1894, and opened March 25, 1895 in a private home. In 1912 it moved into a newly built building, which it still occupies.
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 Tolland County
Tolland County, Connecticut
Tolland County is a county located in the northeastern part of Connecticut. As of 2010, the population was 152,691.Counties in Connecticut have no governmental function: all legal power is vested in the state, city, and town governments...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 854 at the 2010 census, making it the least populous town in Connecticut and the second-least populous municipality in Connecticut; only the Borough of Fenwick
Fenwick, Connecticut
Fenwick is a borough in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States, in the town of Old Saybrook. The population was 52 at the 2000 census, making it the least populous municipality in Connecticut. It is a popular summer colony. Most of the borough is included in Fenwick Historic District, a...
has fewer people. Union includes the village of Mashapaug located in the Eastern Uplands at the Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
state line.
History
The first whiteWhite people
White people is a term which usually refers to human beings characterized, at least in part, by the light pigmentation of their skin...
settlement in Union was in 1727, making Union the last Connecticut town east 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...
to be settled. The first settler was James McNall of Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
. He was closely followed by his brother William. The town was incorporated in October 1734.
There were 500 people in the town in 1756. The population grew to 767 by 1800, but declined thereafter. There were just 431 people in Union as of 1890.
Notable people
- Alonzo HortonAlonzo HortonAlonzo Erastus Horton was an American real estate developer in the nineteenth century. The Horton Plaza mall in downtown San Diego is named for him.-Early life:...
, considered the second founder of the city of San DiegoSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and the founder of HortonvilleHortonville, WisconsinHortonville is a village in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,711 at the 2010 census.-History:The village was founded in 1848 by landowner Alonzo Horton. One of Father Horton's first priorities was to dam Black Otter Creek, creating the Black Otter Lake...
, WisconsinWisconsinWisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, was born in Union on October 24, 1813. His family moved away from the area in 1815. - Moses G. LeonardMoses G. LeonardMoses Gage Leonard was a U.S. Representative from New York.-Biography:Born in Stafford, Connecticut, Leonard attended the public schools.He moved to New York City.City alderman and judge of the city court 1840-1842....
(1809–1899), a United States Representative from New YorkNew YorkNew 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...
, grew up in Union but was born in nearby StaffordStafford, ConnecticutStafford is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States, settled in 1719. The population was 11,307 at the 2000 census.-History:The Colonial Town of Stafford began as a rural agricultural community...
. - Ebenezer StoddardEbenezer StoddardEbenezer Stoddard was a United States Representative from Connecticut. He was born in Union. He attended Woodstock Academy in 1802 and in 1803, and was graduated from Brown University in 1807...
(1785–1847), a United States Representative from Connecticut and Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut, was born in Union.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 29.8 square miles (77.2 km²), of which 28.7 square miles (74.3 km²) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²) (3.75%) is water.
Approximately one-third of the town is state park land, including Bigelow Hollow State Park
Bigelow Hollow State Park
Bigelow Hollow State Park, in Union, Connecticut is a Connecticut state park surrounded by Nipmuck State Forest, and bordering Mashapaug Lake. There are picnic benches, beaches, and a boat launch, plus miles of hiking trails. This picture of Bigelow Pond is the first body of water you would see...
, Nipmuck State Forest
Nipmuck State Forest
Nipmuck State Forest, in Union, Connecticut is a Connecticut State Forest. Its surrounds Bigelow Hollow State Park and includes parcels in Stafford and Ashford. The forest is part of a larger network of forest lands making up some in all....
and the Mountain Laurel Sanctuary. A portion of the Yale-Myers Forest
Yale-Myers Forest
The Yale-Myers Forest is a 7,800-acre forest owned by Yale University and administered by the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. Located in the towns of Union, Ashford, Eastford, and Woodstock in the northeast corner of Connecticut...
is located in Union.
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 693 people, 285 households, and 200 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 24.1 people per square mile (9.3/km²). There were 332 housing units at an average density of 11.6 per square mile (4.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.56% White, 0.14% Asian, and 1.30% from two or more races.
There were 285 households out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.6% 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, 4.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% 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 2.87.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.5% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 34.6% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 103.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $58,214, and the median income for a family was $65,417. Males had a median income of $48,021 versus $35,469 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 $27,900. About 2.0% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Education
Union residents are zoned to the Union School District for grades KindergartenKindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
through 8. The only school in the district is Union Elementary School.
High Schoolers have the option of attending Stafford High School, Rockville Vocational-Agricultural School, Windham Regional Technical Vocational School or Woodstock Academy
Woodstock Academy
Woodstock Academy, founded in 1801, is an endowed academy or independent high school for students located in Woodstock, Connecticut, United States....
.
Landmarks
The village of Mashapaug in Union is the site of the Traveler Restaurant, a unique eating establishment that gives away used bookUsed book
A used book or secondhand book is a book which has been owned before by an owner other than the publisher or retailer, usually by an individual or library....
s to its patrons.
The Union Free Public Library is housed in one of the town's few public buildings. The library was established by a town meeting in November 1894, and opened March 25, 1895 in a private home. In 1912 it moved into a newly built building, which it still occupies.
- Union Green Historic DistrictUnion Green Historic DistrictUnion Green is the town green of the New England town of Union, Connecticut. The Green is a small town-owned wedge at the north end of a triangle park area formed by Town Hall Road, Buckley Highway and Kinney Hollow Road...