East Haddam, Connecticut
Town
Town of East Haddam
View of the Goodspeed Opera House (left) and Gelston House (right) from the Connecticut River
View of the Goodspeed Opera House (left) and Gelston House (right) from the Connecticut River
Official seal of East Haddam, Connecticut
Seal
East Haddam's location within Middlesex County and Connecticut
Coordinates: 41°28′47″N 72°23′40″W / 41.47972°N 72.39444°W / 41.47972; -72.39444
Country United States
U.S. state Connecticut
CountyMiddlesex
RegionLower CT River Valley
Incorporated1734
Government
 • TypeSelectman–town meeting
 • First selectmanGeorge Williams (R)
Area
 • Total56.6 sq mi (146.6 km2)
 • Land54.3 sq mi (140.7 km2)
 • Water2.2 sq mi (5.8 km2)
Elevation
[1]
535 ft (163 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total8,875
 • Density163.4/sq mi (63.1/km2)
DemonymEast Haddamite
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
06423, 06469
Area code(s)860/959
FIPS code09-22280
GNIS feature ID0213422[1]
Websitewww.easthaddam.org

East Haddam is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut. The town is part of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region. The population was 8,875 at the time of the 2020 census.[2]

History

Looking north from the Nathan Hale Schoolhouse, 1919

Until 1650, the area of East Haddam was inhabited by at least three Indigenous peoples: the Wangunk, the Mohegan and the Niantic. The Indigenous nations called the area "Machimoodus", the place of noises, because of numerous earthquakes that were recorded between 1638 and 1899. Loud rumblings, the "Moodus Noises", could be heard for miles surrounding the epicenter of the quakes near Mt. Tom. The land, which is now Haddam and East Haddam, was purchased by settlers from the natives in 1662 for thirty coats, worth about $100.[3]

Layout of the highways began in 1669 with Creek Row about ¼ mile east of the River and Town Street “The Great Highway” about ¼ mile east of Creek Row. The first permanent settlers established homesteads along Creek Row in 1685. By 1700, there were thirty families living in East Haddam. Agricultural and timber farming, shipbuilding, tanneries and blacksmiths were among the early commerce. Captain John Chapman began ferry service across the Connecticut River in 1695, which ended with the completion of the swing bridge in 1913.

East Haddam was incorporated as a separate town from Haddam in 1734. By 1756, there were nearly 2,000 residents, with the Millington District as the most populated. Growth of commerce brought a surge in population to around 3,000 people by the mid-1800s. In the nineteenth century, Moodus was the “Twine Capital of America,” with twelve mills in operation.[4] In the winter of 1773, American patriot Nathan Hale briefly taught in a one-room schoolhouse in East Haddam which is now a living history museum operated by Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution[usurped].

Visitors and residents such as actor William Gillette whose castle home was completed in 1914, were drawn to the area known for its rural charm and natural scenery. The growth of the resort areas of Lake Hayward, Bashan Lake and Moodus Reservoir began in the early 1900s and was a booming business for the next fifty years. Lake Hayward is a small private lake community within East Haddam that is home to around 120 families, most living at the lake only during summer months.[5]

East Haddam was listed as one of the 52 Places to Love in 2021 by the New York Times.[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 56.6 square miles (147 km2), of which, 54.3 square miles (141 km2) of it is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) of it (3.96%) is water.

Principal communities

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
17902,749—
18002,8052.0%
18102,537−9.6%
18202,5721.4%
18302,6643.6%
18402,620−1.7%
18502,610−0.4%
18603,05617.1%
18702,951−3.4%
18803,0322.7%
18902,599−14.3%
19002,485−4.4%
19102,422−2.5%
19202,312−4.5%
19302,114−8.6%
19402,2174.9%
19502,55415.2%
19603,63742.4%
19704,67628.6%
19805,62120.2%
19906,67618.8%
20008,33324.8%
20109,1269.5%
20208,875−2.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 8,333 people, 3,174 households, and 2,285 families residing in the town. The population density was 153.4 inhabitants per square mile (59.2/km2). There were 4,015 housing units at an average density of 73.9 per square mile (28.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.26% White, 0.84% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.46% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.98% of the population.

There were 3,174 households, out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $62,304, and the median income for a family was $70,091. Males had a median income of $45,500 versus $36,055 for females. The per capita income for the town was $28,112. About 1.0% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over. 2017 CERT Town Profile, click here.[9]

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005[10]
Party Active Voters Inactive Voters Total Voters Percentage
Democratic 1,529 91 1,620 28.72%
Republican 1,181 56 1,237 21.93%
Unaffiliated 2,598 179 2,777 49.24%
Minor parties 5 1 6 0.11%
Total 5,313 327 5,640 100%
Presidential Election Results[11][12]
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
2020 51.2% 2,980 46.9% 2,731 1.9% 114
2016 45.9% 2,331 49.0% 2,487 5.1% 259
2012 53.0% 2,471 45.2% 2,109 1.8% 82
2008 58.9% 2,874 39.3% 1,918 1.8% 87
2004 55.4% 2,607 42.7% 2,009 1.9% 89
2000 52.8% 2,186 40.7% 1,687 6.5% 271
1996 45.4% 1,663 32.6% 1,193 22.0% 804
1992 37.3% 1,468 26.5% 1,042 36.2% 1,427
1988 45.5% 1,457 53.1% 1,702 1.4% 44
1984 36.9% 1,112 62.7% 1,885 0.4% 11
1980 38.9% 1,104 46.6% 1,324 14.5% 413
1976 50.4% 1,308 49.3% 1,280 0.3% 9
1972 41.2% 968 57.6% 1,353 1.2% 28
1968 49.1% 1,028 44.1% 922 6.8% 143
1964 67.3% 1,243 32.7% 605 0.00% 0
1960 50.2% 930 49.8% 921 0.00% 0
1956 38.1% 647 61.9% 1,049 0.00% 0

Education

Public

The East Haddam Public School System has about 1,100 students in grades Pre-K–12; about 121 certified teachers, 70 support staff and 7 administrators. Mr. Brian Reas is superintendent of schools.[13] Located in Moodus, Connecticut, the three schools in the public school system are:

  • Nathan Hale-Ray High School (grades 9–12) – about 418 students[14]
  • Nathan Hale-Ray Middle School (Grades 4–8) – about 573 students[15]
  • East Haddam Elementary School (Grades Pre-K–3) – about 430 students[16]

Private

  • Franklin Academy – "A Boarding and Day School for Students with Nonverbal Learning Differences in grades 8–12", according to the school's Web site. The private, nonprofit school was opened in 2003 and has a campus of 75 acres (300,000 m2).

Attractions

An auto test track in East Haddam

Cultural

  • East Haddam Libraries – two public libraries, The East Haddam Free Public Library] (18 Plains Rd, Moodus) and The Rathbun Free Memorial Library (36 Main St, East Haddam). EHFPL is well known for its teen and family programs, while Rathbun Library is known for its adult and child programs. Both have special collections in addition to offering basic library fare
  • Goodspeed Opera House – twice Tony award-winning theater, on Route 82 near the East Haddam Bridge.
  • Music on the River - annual summer series of free concerts held on the Goodspeed Opera House green.[17]
  • Scherer Library of Musical Theatre - at the Goodspeed Opera House; the only library dedicated solely to American musical theatre in the world.
  • Venture Smith Day – annual celebration at First Church Cemetery honoring Venture Smith, East Haddam resident and author of early slave narrative[18]

Historical

Bust of Nathan Hale located in the center of town.
  • Amasa Day House – historic museum, on Plains Road
  • Allegra Farm - horsedrawn carriage and sleigh museum [19]
  • East Haddam Bridge – built in 1913, the 899-foot-long swing bridge is reputed to be the longest of its type in the world[20]
  • East Haddam Historical Society Museum – includes local history exhibits, including pictures of the construction of the East Haddam Swing Bridge.[21]
  • First Church of Christ – Congregational Church built in 1794, on Town Street.[22]
  • Gelston House – built in 1736, once a tavern and boarding house, now a restaurant and bar adjacent from the Goodspeed Opera House.
  • Gideon Higgins house – site on the Underground Railroad, on Route 149.[23]
  • Johnsonville Village – once a thriving mill community, then a Victorian Era tourist attraction, then an abandoned ghost town, now owned by Iglesia ni Cristo.
  • Nathan Hale School House – historic site, on Route 149, one of two Nathan Hale School Houses in Connecticut.
  • St. Stephen's Bell – thought to be the oldest bell in the New World, it was cast in a Spanish monastery in 815 CE and brought to the US in 1834. It now hangs at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church on Route 149.[24]
  • Thunder in the Valley Ancient Drum & Fife Muster - annual parade of local corps.[25]
  • Venture Smith's Grave – a site on the Connecticut Freedom Trail.

Natural

Notable Citizens

Filming Location

  • Christmas at Pemberley Manor (2018 Hallmark movie) - Staehly Farms
  • Deep In Darkness (2014) - Moodus Village [27]
  • Gilmore Girls (2007) - Drive-by Gelston House in second episode
  • Let's Scare Jessica To Death (1971) - Exterior of First Church of Christ, Petticoat Lane, various sciences on Town St.[28]
  • River of Dreams (1993 Billy Joel music video) - Johnsonville Village
  • Sherlock Holmes Turns Engineer (1927) - Gillette's Castle[27]

References

  1. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: East Haddam, Connecticut
  2. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: East Haddam town, Middlesex County, Connecticut". Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  3. ↑ "History of East Haddam". easthaddam.org.
  4. ↑ "Historic Buildings of Connecticut » East Haddam". Historicbuildingsct.com. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  5. ↑ "History". Easthaddam.org. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  6. ↑ "52 Places to Love in 2021". The New York Times. January 6, 2021. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  8. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  9. ↑ "2017 CERT Town Profile" (PDF). easthaddam.org.
  10. ↑ "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 25, 2005" (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2006. Retrieved October 2, 2006.
  11. ↑ "General Election Statements of Vote, 1922 – Current". CT Secretary of State. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Election Night Reporting". CT Secretary of State. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  13. ↑ "East Haddam Public Schools". Archived from the original on January 6, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Nathan Hale-Ray High School". Archived from the original on February 24, 2010. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on November 19, 2010. Retrieved May 24, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. ↑ "East Haddam Public Schools". Archived from the original on March 23, 2010. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Welcome to the Official Website of the Town of East Haddam, Connecticut - Music on the River". www.easthaddam.org. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Venture Smith Day honors freed slave, longtime CT resident". The Middletown Press. August 29, 2019. Archived from the original on August 31, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Allegra Farm And The Horsedrawn Carriage And Sleigh Museum Of New England - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)". Tripadvisor. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Attractions". Easthaddam.org. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  21. ↑ Connecticut, Massachusetts & Rhode Island Tourbook 2007 Edition. (2007) p 42. AAA Publishing, Heathrow, Florida
  22. ↑ "First Church of Christ 1794". firstchurcheh.org/about-us/1794-meetinghouse/. August 7, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Tracking the Truth of the Underground Railroad - Hartford Courant". Courant.com. September 29, 2002. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  24. ↑ "St. Stephen's Bell". ststeves.org/learn/the-legend-of-our-bell/. August 3, 2019.
  25. ↑ "Thunder in the Valley Ancient Drum & Fife Muster". The Company of Fifers & Drummers. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  26. ↑ https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g33764-d4050501-Reviews-Ray_of_Light_Farm-East_Haddam_Connecticut.html
  27. 1 2 https://www.imdb.com/search/title-text/?location=east+haddam,+connecticut
  28. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?locations=First%20Church%20Cemetery%2C%20Town%20Street%2C%20East%20Haddam%2C%20Connecticut%2C%20USA&ref_=tt_dt_loc
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for East Haddam.
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