| Glastonbury, Connecticut | |||
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| — Town — | |||
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| Location of Glastonbury in Hartford County, Connecticut | |||
| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | United States | ||
| State | Connecticut | ||
| NECTA | Hartford | ||
| County | Hartford | ||
| Region | Capitol Region | ||
| Settled | 1636 | ||
| Incorporated | 1693 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Council-manager | ||
| • Town manager | Richard J. Johnson | ||
| • Town council | Susan Karp, Chm. Whit Osgood, Vice Chm. Carol Hemlock Ahlschlager Stewart Beckett, III Kurt P. Cavanaugh Marti Curtiss Timothy P. Coon Bob Zalungo Michele Jacklin |
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| Area | |||
| • Total | 52.3 sq mi (135.5 km2) | ||
| • Land | 51.4 sq mi (133.0 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.9 sq mi (2.4 km2) 1.76% | ||
| Elevation | 417 ft (127 m) | ||
| Population (2005) | |||
| • Total | 33,089 | ||
| • Density | 644/sq mi (249/km2) | ||
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) | ||
| ZIP code | 06025, 06033, 06073 | ||
| Area code(s) | 860 | ||
| FIPS code | 09-31240 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0213432 | ||
| Website | www.glastonbury-ct.gov | ||
Glastonbury is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States, founded in 1693. The population was 31,876 at the 2000 census. The town was named after Glastonbury in Somerset, England. Glastonbury is located on the banks of the Connecticut River, 7 miles southeast of Hartford. The town center is also defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place (CDP).
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According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 52.3 square miles (135 km2), of which, 51.4 square miles (133 km2) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km2) of it (1.76%) is water. The CDP has a total area of 4.8 square miles (12 km2) of it 1.45% is water.
The town begins on the banks of the Connecticut River and extends up into foothills, many of which provide a view of Hartford's skyline. Some major developments in the town are built entirely on relatively steep hills, such as "Minnechaug Mountain", the major residential area developed from the 70s until late 90s.
Part of Glastonbury resides in an area called "Kongscut Mountain", locally called "Rattlesnake Mountain", because it has a small population of Timber Rattlesnakes. Since that area is sparsely developed and mostly in a state forest, the snakes don't pose much of a threat. Incidents are rare and every known bite has been treated in time.
The town boasts a small private lake named Diamond Lake, which is surrounded by growing subdivisions of large homes. Access to Diamond Lake is limited to members of the Diamond Lake Property Owners Association.
Glastonbury has one of largest state forests, Meshomasic State Forest, a popular area for hiking, fishing, and hunting.
Glastonbury borders the town and cities of East Hartford, Wethersfield, Portland, Rocky Hill, Cromwell, Marlborough, Hebron, Manchester, East Hampton and Bolton.
As of the census [1] of 2000, the racial makeup of the town was 93.10% White, 1.53% African American, 0.15% Native American, 3.40% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.91% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.51% of the population. There were 31,876 people, 12,257 households, and 8,984 families residing in the town. The population density was 620.5 people per square mile (239.6/km²). There were 12,614 housing units at an average density of 245.5 per square mile (94.8/km²).
There were 12,257 households out of which 1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.7% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 4.1% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $80,660, and the median income for a family was $94,978 (these figures had risen to $103,360 and $124,614 respectively as of a 2007 estimate[2]). Males had a median income of $68,083 versus $43,810 for females. The per capita income for the town was $40,820. About 1.5% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,157 people, 3,257 households, and 1,866 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,500.0 inhabitants per square mile (579.3/km²). There were 3,405 housing units at an average density of 713.6 per square mile (275.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.49% White, 0.88% African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.80% Asian, 0.94% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.57% of the population.
There were 3,257 households out of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 81.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.2 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $58,947, and the median income for a family was $88,881. Males had a median income of $61,780 versus $43,646 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $35,293. About 0.7% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.
| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005[3] | |||||
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| Party | Active Voters | Inactive Voters | Total Voters | Percentage | |
| Democratic | 6,204 | 193 | 6,397 | 28.46% | |
| Republican | 6,182 | 243 | 6,425 | 28.58% | |
| Unaffiliated | 9,255 | 399 | 9,654 | 42.95% | |
| Minor Parties | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0.01% | |
| Total | 21,644 | 835 | 22,479 | 100% | |
In 1636, thirty families were settled in Pyaug, a tract of land belonging to Wethersfield on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River bought from the Native American Chief, Sowheag, for 12 yards (11 m) of trading cloth. In 1672, Wethersfield and Hartford were granted permission by the General Court to extend the boundary line of Pyaug 5 miles (8 km) to the East. By 1690, residents of Pyaug had gained permission from Wethersfield to become a separate town and, in 1693, Glastonbury came into existence. The ties have not been completely broken: the oldest continuously operating ferry [2] in the United States still runs between South Glastonbury and Rocky Hill, also then part of Wethersfield, as it did as far back as 1655. (One result of being split off from Wethersfield was that the town was built along a main road, rather than the large green that anchors most New England towns. After part of New London Turnpike was realigned to eliminate the rotary in the middle of town during the mid-20th century, a small green was established there.)
During the American Revolution, Glastonbury was home to George Stocking’s gunpowder factory. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, Glastonbury was a shipbuilding town, located between the Connecticut River, oak forests, and reliable waterpower. The shipyards’ needs were filled by sawmills, charcoal kilns, and foundries.
As shipbuilding was ending, the early industrial beginning continued. The J.B. Williams Soap Factory started in 1840 in James B. Williams’ drugstore in Manchester, where he experimented with chemical formulas for shaving soap. When he had produced a formula that satisfied him, he moved his business to Glastonbury. Two years later, he was joined by his brother, William Stuart Williams. They formed what is believed to be the first commercial soap manufacturing business in the world. Although shaving soap was their first product, they also made ink and shoe blacking. Products made by the J.B. Williams Company included Williams ‘Lectric Shave and Aqua Velva. Over time, J.B. Williams expanded to Montreal (around 1922), England, and Argentina. When the business was sold in 1957, ten former employees organized Glastonbury Toiletries and continued operation into the 1970s. Remaining parts of the complex are currently the Soap Factory Condominiums and the Glastonbury Board of Education office. JB Williams Park, on Neipsic Street, is named for JB Williams.
During the World Wars, Glastonbury factories supplied leather and woolen goods to the military of Belgium, France, Great Britain, Italy, and the United States. In addition, Glastonbury has been home to feldspar mills, cotton mills, paper mills, a maker of silver plate, and a builder of airplanes, to name a few.
Also an agricultural town, J.H. Hale Orchards began in Glastonbury. John Howard Hale was known as the Peach King. He developed a peach that could withstand New England winters and was disease resistant. He also had land in Georgia and was the first Glastonbury industry to establish a branch outside the state. He was a marketing pioneer, shipping peaches all over the country. The orchard that started with 1-acre (4,000 m2) in 1866 grew to more than 1,200 acres (5 km2) by 1900.
John Hale never went beyond grade school, but he was responsible for Storrs Agricultural College, now UConn. He helped to organize the Glastonbury Grange and the State Grange. His home, at the intersection of Main Street and Route 17, was once used as a restaurant and is currently offices.
In 1948, the Saglio Brothers formed Arbor Acres and produced a chicken that A&P Food Stores awarded the title “Chicken of Tomorrow”. Glastonbury was also a major grower of broad leaf tobacco. Her agricultural tradition is carried on by the orchards and berry farms in her hills.
Glastonbury has been progressive, freeing her slaves in the 1780s, sixty years before slavery became illegal in the State of Connecticut. Her first library was founded in 1803. Her first hospital was formed shortly after the Revolution to combat and treat small pox. By the end of the Revolution, there were ten schools, formed one by one during the 18th century.
During the American Revolutionary War, several homes embraced classes from Yale University. Noah Webster was both a student in these classes, and taught classes in one of Glastonbury’s one-room schoolhouses.
(With the exception of a minor addition, this history is derived from text provided by the [Historical Society of Glastonbury][3] )
There are 6 elementary schools in Glastonbury: Buttonball Lane School, Eastbury School, Hebron Avenue School, Hopewell School, Naubuc School, and Nayaug School. Each school has between 350 and 700 students. There are 2 middle schools in Glastonbury. Gideon Welles School has about 550 students for the 6th grade, and Smith Middle School has about 1,000 7th and 8th grade students. The town's high school, Glastonbury High School, has 2,061 students, as of January 2008.
The most notable of town events is the Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce Apple Harvest Festival. The festival occurs annually every October during the apple harvest season. The festival is a town-wide event lasting three days that includes various rides and attractions, including booths from many of the local town businesses and politicians.
Other events include the Under a Strawberry Moon Festival in June and various events held by the local town historical society. The Glastonbury Youth and Family Services' Creative Experiences put on annual drama productions and family events.
Popular sporting events include three 5K races organized by the Glastonbury River Runners, a local running club with 160+ members.
The annual Glastonbury Art Walk, a joint project of the Town Center Initiative and Glastonbury Art Guild, showcases the works of local artists in businesses all over the town center.
In 1993, to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the founding of the town, an exchange of bands was made between Glastonbury, England, and Glastonbury, Connecticut, resulting in Glastonbury's hosting the Glastonbury Brass Band for several enjoyable performances.
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