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Meriden is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 58,244 at the 2000 census.
History
Meriden was originally part of Wallingford. It was granted a separate meetinghouse in 1727, became a town in 1806, and incorporated as a city in 1867.
The oldest house in town still standing, built by Solomon Goffe in 1711, is now a museum, the Solomon Goffe House.
In the 1800s, Meriden earned the nickname “Silver City,” due to the large number of cutlery and related products which were manufactured here by companies such as International Silver and Meriden Cutlery.
In 1900, Castle Craig was dedicated in Hubbard Park. The Curtis Memorial Library opened in 1903.
Meriden is known as the home of the first steamed cheeseburger, which remains a popular local favorite to this day.
The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist have their mother house in Meriden as do the Franciscan Brothers of the Eucharist.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 62.5 km² (24.1 mi²). 61.5 km² (23.8 mi²) of it is land and 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²) of it (1.66%) is water.
Meriden is the showcase for one of the finest Traprock Ridges in all of New England. The Ridges frame the City, from Mount Lamentation along the easterly boundary to West Peak in the Hanging Hills along the westerly boundary. Castle Craig, a city landmark for over a century, was constructed among the Hanging Hills.
The Quinnipiac River cuts through the southwest quadrant of the city, which is known to area residents as "South Meriden". Here, the river cuts through two hills for almost a mile, resulting in a gorge full of exposed sandstone and brownstone cliffs.
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 58,244 people, 22,951 households, and 14,964 families residing in the city. The population density was 946.9/km² (2,452.8/mi²). There were 24,631 housing units at an average density of 400.4/km² (1,037.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.2% White, 6.4% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 8.6% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.1% of the population.
There were 22,951 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $43,237, and the median income for a family was $52,788. Males had a median income of $39,633 versus $10,268 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,597. About 17.5% of families and 20.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.3% of those under age 18 and 23.8% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Railroad
The city of Meriden is connected to the cities of New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield, Massachusetts by regional rail service provided by Amtrak, which runs south-to-north through the center of the city. This rail line opened in 1839, and operated for many years under the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. The city was also serviced by the Middletown, Meriden and Waterbury Railroad, which provided both freight and passenger service to Waterbury and Middletown from 1888 until its abandonment in 1924.In the Quinnipiac River Gorge in South Meriden, 1.5 miles of the original MM&W Railroad right of way is currently being converted into a recreational linear trail slated to open in December 2006.
Highway
The city of Meriden is located on Interstate 91, which provides access to Hartford, Springfield, Massachusetts, and New Haven. Interstate 691 provides access to Interstate 84 and points west such as Waterbury. The Wilbur Cross Parkway, which provides access to points south such as Wallingford merges with Interstate 91 in Meriden.Points of interest
- Castle Craig
- Curtis Memorial Library
- Hanging Hills
- Hubbard Park
- Moses Andrew Homestead
- Old Traffic Tower
- Solomon Goffe House
- Red Bridge
Meriden in popular culture
Meriden was the location chosen for the filming of the 1989 Robert DeNiro film Jacknife. Many Meriden landmarks can be seen in the film, and many Meriden residents boast of encountering DeNiro during the filming.
Notable natives
- George P. Murdock (1897–1985) Cultural anthropologist, he initiated the cross-cultural survey, as an instrument of sociological and anthropological generalization.
- Rosa Ponselle (1897-1981) Soprano, later artistic director of the Baltimore Civic Opera.
- Gary Waslewski Major league pitcher from 1960-1972, Pittsburgh Pirates (1960-64) Boston Red Sox (1964-69), also St. Louis Cardinals, Montreal Expos, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics.
- Toby Driver (1978- ), composer and musician (with Kayo Dot).
- Steven Smith (1969- ), notable musician, ex-football player and currently high school English teacher.
External links
"Meriden, Connecticut"