Winsted, Connecticut

Winsted is a census-designated place and an incorporated city in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is part of the town of Winchester, Connecticut.The population was 7,321 at the 2000 census.

History

The City of Winsted was formed at the junction of the Mad River and Still River, and was one of the first Mill Towns in Connecticut. Manufactured products started with scythes at the Winsted Manufacturing Company in 1792. The city is within the town of Winchester, and its name derives from the fact that it is the buisness center for the towns of Winchester and Barkhamsted.

Winsted, along with New Haven, Connecticut, was a center for the production of mechanical clocks in the 1900s. The Gilbert Clock Company, located along the Still River north of town, was founded in 1807 and became one of the largest clock companies in the world at turn of the century.

The Gilbert School is an endowed high school and although technically private, it is the high school for all residents.

In 1955, Hurricane Connie and Hurricane Diane passed over Connecticut within one week, flooding the Mad River and Still River through downtown. Mad River, which parallels the South side of Main Street, caused flooding up to 10 feet deep through the center of town. This damaged the buildings between Main Street and the river such that all buildings on that side of Main Street through the center of town were subsequently removed and Main Street widened to 4 lanes. The buildings on the North side of Main Street for the most part survived and were repaired. Further downstream, Still River flowed between the buildings of the Gilbert Clock Company. The flooding caused extensive damage to their buildings, and this was the final blow to a company which was already in poor financial condition.

Today, Winsted is a deteriorating city with a much lower median household income than neighbors to the east. The town of Winchester has made efforts to remodel Main Steet by renovating building façades, replacing sidewalks, and other small-scale beautification attempts. Unfortunately, the area lacks jobs, and many residents work in surrounding towns, travelling as far as Hartford.

Ralph Nader was born in Winsted.

Historical Companies

Winsted United Methodist Church

The groundwork for Winsted Methodism was laid by such Methodist itinerant preachers as Jesse Lee (appointed to the Stamford Circuit 1789), who followed the earlier New England visits of Methodism's founder John Wesley (1736), and George Whitfield (1740-70). Connecticut state law, which required a personal tax for the support of the state ^* church, was changed in 1787; by 1818 full religious freedom came to Connecticut. By that time early Methodists had endured numerous petty persecutions.

The Methodists were viewed as roving fanatics, and young Jonathan Coe, Jr., son of Ensign Jonathan Coe, was converted to Methodism without the approval of his family until -- after a preaching service at a home in Winchester -- Jonathan's grandfather rose and told his neighbors, "This is a man of God." The family members and their friends were converted, and Ensign Coe, of considerable influence in the community, opened his home to the itinerant preachers as a "Methodist Tavern".

After 15 years, with increasing numbers of converts, meetings were held in the little red schoolhouse of Spencer Street, and in 1807 the first church was built (now a dwelling at 30-32 Spencer St.). Local preachers John Sweet and Daniel Coe preached on Sundays when the circuit preacher was at another station. Pews were auctioned to the highest bidder to gain funds; firewood and candles were used for light and a committee of three, in charge of music, pitched the hymns in the absence of any musical instruments.

In 1834 a new church was build on part of the present lot (630 Main Street) for $4,500. A preacher, The Rev. Daniel Smith, was assigned, and a parsonage (the red brick house two doors from the present church) was rented. The "long line of splendor" includes outstanding preachers and laymen; and while we are often unaware, we are enriched and supported by their lives.

The Winsted Methodist Church underwent the societal and organizational changes of each era with a burning zeal for social reform. We offered a post on the Underground Railroad for escaping slaves during the Civil War period, holding prayer meetings for the slaves and organizing the "Freedmen's and Southern Educational Society" (cf. Up From Slavery: A Documentary History of Negro Education). Foreign and home missions were a major concern in the 1890's and Temperance lectures, with tracts and politically active committees, were a forerunner of Prohibition. World War I involved efforts to aid "the boys in the trenches" and, in the volatile postwar era, concern for immigrants' needs, foreign missions, Women's Suffrage and the plight of American Indians.

Methodist Campgrounds at Plainville and Pine Grove were summer visitation choices for many churchmen who found renewal in Bible study and revival meetings. Revival and conversion, Christian education, singing and fellowship have marked Methodism in Winsted from the beginning.

The present church structure (630 Main Street, Winsted CT 06098-1515 Telephone: 860.379.6386) was dedicated in 1904 during the pastorate of The Rev. Benjamin Kidder. Architect: George W. Kramer (N.Y.). Builder: E. B. Parsons. Stained glass windows: Tiffany Master Benjamin Sellers (N.Y.). The original Skinner organ was replaced in 1968 by the present pipe organ, built by Richard M. Geddes (whose mother served as soprano soloist for many years). Adapted from text prepared by Lewella Francis.

Folkcraft Musical Instruments maintains a lutherie and showroom in Winsted. Although they produce a variety of musical instruments they are best known for dulcimers.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 12.5 km² (4.8 mi²). 12.1 km² (4.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (3.31%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 7,321 people, 3,072 households, and 1,889 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 604.0/km² (1,563.6/mi²). There were 3,370 housing units at an average density of 278.0/km² (719.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.28% White, 1.53% African American, 0.23% Native American, 1.12% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.20% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.02% of the population.

There are 3,072 households of which 27.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $40,202, and the median income for a family was $51,044. Males had a median income of $37,837 versus $25,990 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,804. 7.3% of the population and 4.3% of families were below the poverty line. Of the total population, 9.2% of those under the age of 18 and 7.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.