Wethersfield, Connecticut

Another Wethersfield is in Wyoming County, New York.

Wethersfield is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. Many records from colonial times spell the name Weathersfield. The population was 26,271 at the 2000 census.

History

Founded in 1633–34 by a group of Puritans led by John Oldham, Wethersfield has its niche in history, being "Ye Most Ancient Towne" in Connecticut, as set out by the Code of 1650 — "Colonial Records of Connecticut."

Four witch trials and three executions for witchcraft occurred in the town in the 17th century. Mary Johnson was convicted of witchcraft and executed in 1648, Joan and John Carrington in 1651. Landowner Katherine Harrison was convicted, and although her conviction was reversed, she was banished and her property seized by her neighbors.

Silas Deane, commissioner to France during the American Revolutionary War, lived in the town. His house is now part of the Webb Deane Stevens Museum.

Popular culture

Wethersfield was the setting for Elizabeth George Speare's novel The Witch of Blackbird Pond.

The ABC smash-hit slapstick comedy series, Perfect Strangers, featured Mark Linn-Baker as Larry Appleton. Mark Linn-Baker was a Wethersfield resident during his formative years and graduated from Wethersfield High School. He is known in Wethersfield as our most famous former resident and many residents aspire to be in television sitcoms due to his influence.

Geography

Wethersfield is located at 41° 42' 43" North, 72° 39' 48" West (41.7122° -72.6636°).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 34.0 km² (13.1 mi²). 32.1 km² (12.4 mi²) of it is land and 1.9 km² (0.7 mi²) of it (5.49%) is water.

Wethersfield is bordered by Hartford on the north, the Connecticut River and Glastonbury on the east, Rocky Hill on the south and Newington on the west.

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 26,269 people, 11,214 households, and 7,412 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 818.7/km² (2,119.9/mi²). There were 11,454 housing units at an average density of 356.9/km² (924.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.19% White, 2.09% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.58% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.82% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.19% of the population.

There were 11,214 households out of which 25.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 20.1% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $53,289, and the median income for a family was $68,154. Males had a median income of $43,998 versus $37,443 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $28,930. About 2.4% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Greater Hartford's only major method of public transportation is Connecticut Transit (CTTransit), a Connecticut Department of Transportation-owned bus service operating routes throughout the New Haven, Stamford and Hartford metro areas, including Wethersfield.

Education

The Wethersfield public school system encompasses five elementary schools (Highcrest School, Charles Wright School, Emerson-Williams School, A.W. Hamner School and Webb Elementary School), one middle school (Silas Deane Middle School) and one high school (Wethersfield High School).

Wethersfield is also the home of Corpus Christi School, a Catholic K-8 school of 440 students, as well as a Porter and Chester Institute campus on the Silas Deane Highway.

Places

Streets and Paths

Major streets include: Main Street in Old Wethersfield, CT-99/Silas Deane Highway and CT-15/Berlin Turnpike.

Heritage Way, a "linear park" developed in the 1990s, is a multi-use path that connects Wethersfield's open areas and recreation facilities .

Points of interest

Wethersfield Cove
Keeney Memorial Culture Center
Broad Street Green
Great Meadows
Ancient Burying Ground

Landmarks and Historic Districts

Four buildings in Wethersfield are designated as historic landmarks by the National Register of Historic Places:

Buttolph-Williams House — 249 Broad St. (added December 24, 1968)
Joseph Webb House — 211 Main St. (added November 15, 1966)
Roger Butler House — 146 Jordan Ln. (added September 15, 1996)
Silas Deane House — 203 Main St. (added November 6, 1970)

In 1970, Old Wethersfield, the district bounded by Hartford, the railroad tracks, I-91 and Rocky Hill, was added as a historic district in the National Register of Historic Places.

References

External links

Hartford County, Connecticut | Census-designated places in Connecticut | Towns in Connecticut | Witchcraft | Puritanism

Wethersfield | Wethersfield (Connecticut)

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