GLASTONBURY, CONNECTICUT

'Glastonbury' (41n43, 72w37 EST) is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 31,876 at the 2000 census. It was named after the English Glastonbury. Glastonbury is located on the banks of the Connecticut River, south east from Hartford.

Contents

Geography

Demographics

History

Schools

Notable residents

References

External links

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 135.4 km² (52.3 mi²). 133.0 km² (51.4 mi²) of it is land and 2.4 km² (0.9 mi²) of it (1.76%) 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 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 lake named Diamond Lake, which is surrounded by growing subdivisions of large homes.
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.

Demographics

Glastonbury is the wealthiest town east of the Connecticut River (in terms of household income) in the state of Connecticut. Many estates are perched on hills with views of the Hartford skyline. Glastonbury has experienced continuous rapid growth since the 1950s, and was on the edge of Hartford's urban sprawl until the mid-1990s. By mid-1990s, growth moved beyond Glastonbury as the open land became sparse and the municipality began buying back land. Currently, most of the development are subdivisions of large homes on relatively small lots, and existing property has experienced a significant growth in real-estate values as the state of Connecticut began constructing a green belt, increasing the land shortage for metro Hartford.
As of the census ² of 2000, there were 31,876 people, 12,257 households, and 8,984 families residing in the town. The population density was 239.6/km² (620.5/mi²). There were 12,614 housing units at an average density of 94.8/km² (245.5/mi²). 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 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. 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.

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005[1]
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%

History

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 of trading cloth. In 1672, Wethersfield and Hartford were granted permission by the General Court to extend the boundary line of Pyaug 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][1] 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 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 1970’s. Remaining parts of the complex are currently the Soap Factory Condominiums and the Glastonbury Board of Education office.
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 one acre in 1866 grew to more than by 1900.
John Hale never went beyond grade school, but he was responsible for Storrs Agricultural College, now UConn. He helped organize 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 1780’s, 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 1700’s.
During the 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.
Other famous people who hail from Glastonbury are the Smith Sisters, staunch abolitionists and supporters of the Women's Suffrage Movement, Thomas Welles, Governor of Connecticut in 1658 and 1659, and Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy under Abraham Lincoln.
(With the exception of a minor addition, this history is derived from text provided by the [Historical Society of Glastonbury][2])

Schools

There are 6 elementary schools in Glastonbury: Naubuc School, Hopewell School, Hebron Avenue School, Eastbury School, Buttonball School, and Nayaug School. All have about 600 students. There are 2 middle schools in Glastonbury. Gideon Welles School has about 750 students for the 6th grade, and Smith Middle School has about 1500 7th and 8th grade students. The town's high school, Glastonbury High School, has about 2,500 students.

Notable residents

★ Bob Backlund : A former pro wrestler and political candidate.

★ Amy Brenneman: Star of the TV show ''Judging Amy''.

★ John R. Buck (1835-1917) was a United States Representative from Connecticut.

★ Candace Bushnell: Author of the book ''Sex and the City''. Of interest: she was Mike O'Meara's (below) prom date.

★ Sidney Dean (1818-1901) was a United States Representative from Connecticut.

★ The Gaghan Family, who finished in sixth place in The Amazing Race 8, live in Glastonbury.^[2]

★ John Howard Hale: A peach grower. Developed a peach that would withstand New England winters. Influential in starting ''Storrs Agricultural College'', now the University of Connecticut.

★ Laura Ingraham, conservative author and radio personality

★ Gayle King, Former talk show host and news anchor, best friend of Oprah Winfrey

★ Chris Lemmon: A famous actor and son of actor Jack Lemmon.

★ Michelle Lombardo: A ''Sports Illustrated'' cover model.

★ Adam Liam McCleery: A high-fashion model.

★ Mike O'Meara of the nationally syndicated Don and Mike Radio Show. Of interest: he was Candace Bushnell's (above) prom date.

★ Smith Sisters: Five women who, in the late 1800s, advocated for voting rights for women, blacks, and immigrants.

★ Gideon Welles: Secretary of the Navy under Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, 1861 to 1869

★ Thomas Welles: Governor of Connecticut in 1658 and 1659

★ J. B. Williams: Created the first known soap manufacturing company and factory in Glastonbury. Was a world-renowned soap maker in the late 19th and early 20th century.

★ Tim Petrovic: PGA Golfer

★ Kevin Ollie: Former UConn and now NBA basketball player

References

1. Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 25, 2005
2. Families compete in new 'Amazing Race' Gary Levin

External links

★ Town of Glastonbury