Stafford, Connecticut

Last updated • 7 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Stafford, Connecticut
Town of Stafford
StaffordCT StaffordHollowHD 2.jpg
Mill Pond Country Store in Stafford Hollow Historic District
StaffordCTflag.PNG
StaffordCTseal.PNG
Tolland County Connecticut Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Stafford Highlighted 2010.svg
Capitol Region incorporated and unincorporated areas Stafford highlighted.svg
Stafford, Connecticut
Stafford, Connecticut
Stafford, Connecticut
Coordinates: 41°59′N72°19′W / 41.983°N 72.317°W / 41.983; -72.317
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
U.S. state Flag of Connecticut.svg  Connecticut
County Tolland
Region Capitol Region
Settled1719
Government
  Type Selectman-town meeting
   First Selectman William "Bill" Morrison (D)
   Selectman Richard F. Hartenstein, Jr. (D)
   Selectman Kurt Vail (R)
Area
  Total
58.8 sq mi (152.2 km2)
  Land58.0 sq mi (150.2 km2)
  Water0.8 sq mi (2.1 km2)
Elevation
627 ft (191 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
11,472
  Density200/sq mi (75/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST) UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP Code
06076
Area code(s) 860/959
FIPS code 09-72090
GNIS feature ID0212349
Staffordville Lake Staffordville Lake.JPG
Staffordville Lake

Stafford is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States, settled in 1719. The town is part of the Capitol Planning Region. The population was 11,472 at the 2020 United States Census. [1] The community consists of the downtown area of Stafford Springs and the more rural villages of Crystal Lake, Ellithorpe, Hydeville, Orcuttsville, Staffordville, Stafford Hollow, Village Hill, and West Stafford.

Contents

Etymology

The town most likely derives its name from Staffordshire, in England. [2]

History

The Colonial Town of Stafford began as a rural agricultural community in the eastern part of Hartford County. It became part of Tolland County upon the latter's formation on 13 October 1785. The easy availability of water power from the tributaries of the Willimantic River led to industrialization, and this abundance of power helped generate local population growth. By the mid-19th century, Stafford was connected by railroad to markets across New England, and before the State Highway projects of the 1920s and 1930s, the town had a trolley connection to Rockville.

During the Civil War, factories in Stafford made cannonballs and other war supplies for the northern forces.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 58.8 sq mi (152.2 km2), of which 58.0 sq mi (150.1 km2) is land and 0.81 sq mi (2.1 km2) (1.38%) is water; it is the fourth largest town in Connecticut based on area.

Stafford Springs is located at the intersection of Routes 190 and 32, in the northeastern region of the state. The community consists of the downtown area of Stafford Springs and the more rural villages of Crystal Lake, Ellithorpe, Hydeville, Orcuttsville, Staffordville, Stafford Hollow, Village Hill, and West Stafford.

While the town has managed to maintain its New England mill-town charm and culture, it is also a bedroom commuter town feeding into larger area communities. Many residents drive into Hartford, Manchester, and Enfield, Connecticut, as well as Springfield, Massachusetts, all of which can be reached in roughly a 30-mile auto commute. It is also about a half-hour drive to the University of Connecticut's [3] main campus in Storrs.

The highest point in town is the western slope of Burley Hill at 1,300'. Burley Hill's "summit" is 1,315'. [4]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1820 2,269
1850 2,940
1860 3,39715.5%
1870 3,4050.2%
1880 4,45530.8%
1890 4,5351.8%
1900 4,297−5.2%
1910 5,23321.8%
1920 5,4073.3%
1930 5,94910.0%
1940 5,835−1.9%
1950 6,47110.9%
1960 7,47615.5%
1970 8,68016.1%
1980 9,2686.8%
1990 11,09119.7%
2000 11,3071.9%
2010 12,0876.9%
2020 11,472−5.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [5]

In 2011, there were 12,192 people, 4,819 households, and 3,086 families residing in the town. The population density was 210.2 inhabitants per square mile (81.2/km2). There were 4,956 housing units at an average density of 85.4 per square mile (33.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.51% White, 0.69% African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.10% Asian, and 2.53% from other races or from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.04% of the population. [6]

In 2019, there were 11,893 people and 4,707 households residing in the town. The population density was 208.3 inhabitants per square mile (80.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.7% White, 0.9% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 3.0% Two or More Races, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 92.4% White alone, not Hispanic or Latino.

The age population was evenly spread out, with 18.2% under the age of 18, 64.4% from 18 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $74,386. The per capita income for the town was $37,359. About 6.2% of the population was below the poverty line. [7]

Most of the town's population is located in seven villages, with nearly half in Stafford Springs. The rest of the town, particularly the northern third, is rural and forested. [8]

Education

Pinney Grammar School, c. 1909 PostcardStaffordCTPinneyGrmrSch1909.jpg
Pinney Grammar School, c.1909

At the present time there are one primary, one elementary, one middle and one high school in Stafford.

The primary school, West Stafford, serves children in Pre-K and kindergarten. Stafford Elementary school serves children in grades one through five. The middle school is for grades 6–8, and the high school is grades 9–12.

Stafford High School fields competitive teams in football, basketball, cross country, track, soccer, field hockey, baseball and softball and in more recent years wrestling, as well as offering an active intramural sports program. Each spring the music, arts, and drama departments of the high and middle schools put on plays and musical productions. A variety of extracurricular activities rounds out the school program. [9]

Medical

Johnson Memorial Medical Center is a 90-bed acute care facility, located on Route 190 in Stafford, The Hospital offers inpatient and outpatient services, including medical and surgical, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, mental health, intensive/coronary care, oncology, physical rehabilitation and emergency care. The facility was built in 1975. It has an adjoining professional building which houses the practices of area doctors. [10]

Evergreen Health Care Center opened in 1989, is a nursing facility located on the hospital campus consisting of 120 long term care beds and a 30-bed sub-acute rehabilitation unit and a 30-bed Memory Support Unit for residents with Alzheimer's disease. Evergreen and JMH serve several area towns. [10]

Family Birth Suites at the Nirenberg Center is a state of the art birthing center featuring six private birthing suites designed to accommodate patients throughout their stay, for labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum care. [11]

Evergreen, JMH, and the Nirenberg Center serve several area towns.

Stafford hosts offices of a number of physicians, dentists, optometrists, chiropractors, physical therapists and other health professionals. The Stafford Veterinary Center serves the needs of large and small animals.

Recreation

The town has several tennis courts, ball fields, soccer fields, and several parks. In addition, there are private hunting and fishing clubs, as well as recreational swimming and tennis clubs. During the spring and summer there is an active Little League program, youth softball, adult softball for men and women, and a summer recreational program offering swimming lessons and martial arts instruction for children. There are programs for youth football, basketball, soccer and hockey.

The Stafford Motor Speedway attracts tens of thousands of spectators every year and is a fixture of spring and summer. There is a small public beach on Staffordville Lake which is a summertime destination for many residents. [12] Stafford also has (limited) access to Sandy Beach on Crystal Lake in Ellington. Plans are being developed to provide hiking and multi-use trails within Stafford. There are two bed and breakfasts as well as a few campgrounds (Sun Valley, [13] Roaring Brook [14] and Mineral Springs [15] ) that provide accommodation for visitors.

Government

Stafford is governed by a three-member Board of Selectmen, elected by voters in odd-numbered years for two-year terms. The Town has no charter but is governed under the general statutes of the State of Connecticut, and under ordinances specific to the Town which have been adopted by popular vote at town meetings.

Stafford is served by the Connecticut State Police through the Resident State Trooper program. The town has both CSP Uniformed troopers, as well as Stafford uniformed officers. [16] The barracks of Troop C of the State Police are located nearby, just off Interstate Highway 84 in Tolland. Full-time and part-time constables also serve with resident troopers.

Two volunteer fire departments cover Stafford with strategically located firehouses (West Stafford Fire, [17] Stafford Fire #1 [18] ). The Stafford Fire Department has two locations, one in the Staffordville district (Station 145) and the second in the Stafford Springs District (Station 245). The Town also has a volunteer ambulance organization [19] which serves the area.

The Stafford Public Library continually offers public service programs and special events for the community. [20]

A modern sewer plant, constructed in 1972, serves about a third of the Town; the commercial and industrial areas of the Town lie largely in the Service District. Curbside pick-up of municipal refuse and recyclable materials is available within the Stafford Springs Service District.

In the Connecticut General Assembly, Stafford is represented by State Representative Kurt Vail and State Senator Dan Champagne.

Notable people

Climate

Climate data for Stafford Springs, Connecticut
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °F (°C)66
(19)
70
(21)
81
(27)
93
(34)
95
(35)
95
(35)
100
(38)
99
(37)
93
(34)
84
(29)
79
(26)
72
(22)
100
(38)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)34
(1)
37
(3)
46
(8)
57
(14)
68
(20)
77
(25)
81
(27)
79
(26)
75
(24)
61
(16)
49
(9)
39
(4)
58
(14)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)15
(−9)
15
(−9)
23
(−5)
34
(1)
45
(7)
54
(12)
58
(14)
57
(14)
50
(10)
38
(3)
26
(−3)
21
(−6)
37
(3)
Record low °F (°C)−20
(−29)
−17
(−27)
−8
(−22)
−4
(−20)
19
(−7)
28
(−2)
37
(3)
32
(0)
25
(−4)
14
(−10)
−3
(−19)
−15
(−26)
−20
(−29)
Average precipitation inches (mm)3.47
(88)
3.15
(80)
4.13
(105)
3.96
(101)
3.52
(89)
4.20
(107)
4.12
(105)
4.29
(109)
3.92
(100)
4.77
(121)
3.84
(98)
4.04
(103)
47.40
(1,204)
Average snowfall inches (cm)16.6
(42)
14.7
(37)
11.0
(28)
2.8
(7.1)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0.6
(1.5)
2.9
(7.4)
11.6
(29)
60.2
(153)
Source: NCDC - Stafford Springs COOP Record

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brookfield, Connecticut</span> Town in Connecticut, United States

Brookfield is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, situated within the southern foothills of the Berkshire Mountains. The population was 17,528 at the 2020 census. The town is located 55 miles (89 km) northeast of New York City, making it part of the New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA combined statistical area. The town is part of the Western Connecticut Planning Region. In July 2013, Money magazine ranked Brookfield the 26th-best place to live in the United States, and the best place to live in Connecticut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tolland County, Connecticut</span> County in Connecticut, United States

Tolland County is a county in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Connecticut. As of the 2020 census, its population was 149,788. It is incorporated into 13 towns and was originally formed on October 13, 1785, from portions of eastern Hartford County and western Windham County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windham County, Connecticut</span> County in Connecticut, United States

Windham County is one of the eight historical counties in the U.S. state of Connecticut, located in its northeastern corner. As of the 2020 census, the population was 116,418, making it the least populous county in Connecticut. It forms the core of the region known as the Quiet Corner. Windham County is included in the Worcester, MA-CT Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT Combined Statistical Area. The entire county is within the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor, as designated by the National Park Service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Fairfield, Connecticut</span> Town in Connecticut, United States

New Fairfield is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 13,579 at the 2020 census. New Fairfield is one of five towns that surround Candlewood Lake, the largest lake in Connecticut. The town is located 55 miles (89 km) northeast of New York City, making it part of the New York metropolitan area. The town is part of the Western Connecticut Planning Region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marlborough, Connecticut</span> Town in Connecticut, United States

Marlborough is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It contains the census-designated place (CDP) of Terramuggus. The town is part of the Capitol Planning Region. The town's population was 6,133 at the 2020 census. Marlborough is a suburban and rural community. The local high school is RHAM High School. In 2013, Marlborough ranked third in Connecticut Magazine's biannual ranking of Connecticut small towns. Educationally, RHAM High School, which serves Marlborough, Hebron, and Andover students, is one of the top-ranked regional high schools in the state on the SAT in 2017, and 11th highest-performing school in the state on the test. The town is home to Elmer Theines-Mary Hall elementary school which serves Pre-K through 6th grade. The school scores above state average on standardized testing and student progress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barkhamsted, Connecticut</span> Town in Connecticut, United States

Barkhamsted is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. It contains seven villages: West Hill, Mallory, Barkhamsted Center, Center Hill, Washington Hill, Pleasant Valley, and Riverton. The population was 3,647 at the 2020 census, down from 3,799 at the 2010 census. The town is part of the Northwest Hills Planning Region. Barkhamsted was first incorporated in 1779, and named after Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Haddam, Connecticut</span> Town in Connecticut, United States

East Haddam is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The town is part of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region. The population was 8,875 at the time of the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westbrook, Connecticut</span> Town in Connecticut, United States

Westbrook is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The town is part of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region. The population was 6,769 at the 2020 census. The town center is classified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place (CDP).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andover, Connecticut</span> Town in Connecticut, United States

Andover is a rural town in the Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut, United States, roughly 10 miles east of Hartford. The population was 3,151 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bolton, Connecticut</span> Town in Connecticut, United States

Bolton is a small rural town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 4,858 as of the 2020 census. Bolton was incorporated in October 1720 and is governed by town meeting, with a first selectman and board of selectman as well as other boards serving specific functions. Bolton was named after a town of the same name in England, also located near Manchester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coventry, Connecticut</span> Town in Connecticut, United States

Coventry is a town in Tolland County and in the Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut, United States. The population was 12,235 at the 2020 census. The birthplace of Captain Nathan Hale, Coventry is home to the Nathan Hale Homestead, which is now a museum open to the public.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellington, Connecticut</span> Town in Connecticut, United States

Ellington is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. Ellington was incorporated in May 1786, from East Windsor. The town is part of the Capitol Planning Region. As of the 2020 census, the town population was 16,426.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hebron, Connecticut</span> Town in Connecticut, United States

Hebron is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The town is part of the Capitol Planning Region. The population was 9,098 at the 2020 census. Hebron was incorporated May 26, 1708. In 2010, Hebron was rated #6 in Top Towns in Connecticut with population between 6,500 and 10,000, according to Connecticut Magazine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mansfield, Connecticut</span> Town in Connecticut, United States

Mansfield is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The town is part of the Capitol Planning Region. The population was 25,892 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Somers, Connecticut</span> Town in Connecticut, United States

Somers is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The town is part of the Capitol Planning Region. The population was 10,255 at the 2020 census. The town center is listed by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place (CDP). In 2007, Money Magazine listed Somers 53rd on its "100 Best Places to Live", based on "economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a real sense of community."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tolland, Connecticut</span> Town in Connecticut, United States

Tolland is a suburban town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The town is part of the Capitol Planning Region. The population was 14,563 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union, Connecticut</span> Town in Connecticut, United States

Union is a town located in the northeastern part of Tolland County, Connecticut, United States and is part of the Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region and Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor. The population was 785 at the 2020 census, making it the least populous town and municipality in Connecticut. Union includes the village of Mashapaug located in the Eastern Uplands at the Massachusetts state line. Union is located 33 miles northeast of the state capital, Hartford and 67 mi (108 km) southwest of Boston, as well as 153 mi (246 km) northeast of New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willington, Connecticut</span> Town in Connecticut, United States

Willington is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The town is part of the Capitol Planning Region. The population was 5,566 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stafford Springs, Connecticut</span> Census-designated place in Connecticut, United States

Stafford Springs is a census-designated place located in Stafford, Connecticut, United States. The population was 4,780 at the 2020 Census. The village was a borough until November 1991, when it was disincorporated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connecticut Route 19</span> State highway in Tolland County, Connecticut, US

Route 19 is a minor Connecticut state route running from Stafford to the Massachusetts state line. It is 6.99 miles (11.25 km) long and runs north–south, entirely within Stafford. The road interconnects the settlements in the eastern part of the town.

References

  1. "Census - Geography Profile: Stafford town, Tolland County, Connecticut" . Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  2. The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly. Connecticut Magazine Company. 1903. p. 334.
  3. "University of Connecticut". uconn.edu.
  4. "Map around Lake George". Archived from the original on May 14, 2011.
  5. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  6. "Site Unavailable".
  7. "QuickFacts Stafford town, Tolland County, Connecticut". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  8. "Town of Stafford - CT - About Stafford".
  9. Stafford High School
  10. 1 2 "johnsonhealthnetwork.com - johnsonhealthnetwork Resources and Information".
  11. "johnsonhealthnetwork.com - johnsonhealthnetwork Resources and Information".
  12. "Home". www.staffordvillelake.com.
  13. "三亿体育·(中国)官方网站".
  14. "Roaring Brook Camp Ground". Archived from the original on June 25, 2017.
  15. "Connecticut Camping at Mineral Springs Family Campground, Stafford Springs, CT". www.mineralspringscampground.com.
  16. "Town of Stafford - CT - Resident Troopers Office".
  17. "Home". wsfd44.bravesites.com.
  18. "staffordfire.org". Stafford fire.
  19. Welcome to the new homepage of the Stafford Ambulance Association
  20. "Town of Stafford, CT". www.staffordct.org. April 16, 2022.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Stafford, Connecticut at Wikimedia Commons