1. Geography
    Principal communities 

2. History
     Founding   19th century  20th century 

3. Demographics
    Town center 

4. Education
    Jordan Schoolhouse 

5. Government
    Town Meeting 

6. Economy

7. Attractions

8. Emergency services
    Police Department  Crime  Statistics  Fire service 

9. Ambulance Service

10. References

11. External links

Waterford is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. It is named after Waterford, Ireland. The population was 19,517 at the 2010 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of {{convert|115.4|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|84.9|km2|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|30.5|km2|order=flip}}, or 26.43%, is water.^[3] The town center CDP has a total area of {{convert|4.9|km2|order=flip}}, all land. Waterford is bordered on the west by the Niantic River.

Principal communities

• Graniteville
• Jordan
• Millstone
• Morningside Park
• Quaker Hill (06375)
  • Bartlett Point, Best View, Cohanzie, Thames View

Other minor communities and geographic features are Dufree Hill, East Neck, Fog Plain, Gilead, Goshen, Great Neck, Harrisons, Lake's Pond, Logger Hill, Mago Point, Magonk, Mullen Hill, Oswegatchie, Pepperbox Road, Pleasure Beach, Ridgewood Park, Riverside Beach, Spithead, Strand, West Neck.

History

Founding

The first people emigrated from England in 1637, and came to the New London and Waterford area (at the time, this land was called West Farms). One of the first people who set sail for this area was John Winthrop, Jr. Waterford got its name for its proximity to being in between two rivers. The residents of Waterford resided in wigwams until they dug up plots for 38 houses near the Great Neck area. John Winthrop was given several hundred acres of land, including Millstone Point and Alewife Cove. Various dams, mills, and ponds were constructed in these area. The only expansion of people in the Waterford-New London area were the growth of families and children. Later on, more people immigrated to Waterford, including the Welsh, Italian, Russian, Irish, and Scottish.

Waterford finally disbanded from New London on October 8, 1801. This happened after several farmers decided to hold a petition to separate them. The first town meeting was held in November, 1801 to appoint town officials; tax collectors, town surveyors, Fence Viewers, and First Selectman. Only the first selectman got paid at the time.^[4]

19th century

Waterford in the 19th century was a huge agricultural town, having mostly sheep farms. Waterford was also widely known for its granite industry that lasted from the late 19th century to the 1930s. Graniteville, a district in Waterford, is named after this industry. Although not part of Graniteville, the area today known as Crystal Mall was also home to granite quarries. Waterford's granite was used in many construction projects such as roads, the foundation for Fort Sumter, and the Statue of Liberty. Granite though was replaced by concrete which slowly shrunk the granite industry until the 1930s.^[5]

20th century

During the 20th century, sheep farms were replaced by dairy farms. Between 1920 and 1960, there were about 100 dairy farms in Waterford. In addition, there were 10 to 100 heads of cattle. Waterford also obtained its town seal in 1946. It was made by Martin Branner who was a cartoonist who also made the famous comic, Winnie Winkle. After World War II, Waterford boomed with development. Many new roads and building were made. Also, Waterford's population increased by 10,000 between 1946 and the present time. In 1957, the first stop light was added in Waterford. In addition, the first retail center was built in 1978.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}}

Demographics

The town consists of a wide variety of rural and city living. As of the census of 2010, there were 19,517 people, 8,005 households, and 5,335 families residing in the town.^[2]

The population density was 584.7 people per square mile (225.8/km²). There were 7,986 housing units at an average density of 243.8 per square mile (94.2/km²).{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}

The racial makeup of the town was 89.4% White, 2.5% African American, 0.5% Native American, 3.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.7% of the population.^[2]

There were 8,005 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38, and the average family size was 2.91.^[2]

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.9% under the age of 20, 3.9% from 20 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 31.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.1 years.^[2]

The median income for a household in the town was $73,156, and the median income for a family was $93,933. The per capita income for the town was $114,645. About 3.1% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.^[8]

Town center

As of the census of 2010,^[9] there were 2,887 people, 1,327 households, and 732 families residing in the town center CDP.

The population density was 1,465.7 inhabitants per square mile (566.6/km²). There were 1,379 housing units at an average density of 688.6 per square mile (266.2/km²).{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}

The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.8% White, 4.3% African American, 0.8% Native American, 2.9% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.5% of the population.^[9]

There were 1,327 households, out of which 20.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.5% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.8% were non-families. 39.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.80.^[9]

In the CDP the population was spread out, with 19.2% under the age of 20, 5.0% from 20 to 24, 4.1% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 23.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.7 years.^[9]

The median income for a household in the CDP was $59,886, and the median income for a family was $69,543. The per capita income for the CDP was $71,509. About 4.6% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.2% of those under age 18 and 20.4% of those age 65 or over.^[8]

Education

Elementary schools appeared in 1915 when Quaker Hill School was built. Earlier, a lot was set aside for Quaker Hill in 1725 while the town was split into three districts: "Neck and Nehantick quarters," "West," and the "North East." Each district would end up getting split into even more individual districts. Later on, a second schoolhouse was replaced, built in 1858. Cohanzie School was built in 1923. It replaced four schools: Gilead School, "Peter Baker" located on far northern Vauxhall Street, Lakes Pond brick building, and Cohanzie predecessor.^[10][11]

Jordan Schoolhouse

1737 is the earliest mention of a schoolhouse in Waterford, known as the Jordan Schoolhouse, located on the Jordan Green. Farmers mainly wanted their children to be taught writing, reading, arithmetic, and religion. The Jordan School also influenced proper manners and obedience. Private lessons were of no need in Waterford, but were set up in the 19th century for those who had enough money to afford it. The Jordan School's last day of teaching was in the year 1979 with a final assembly. The Jordan School is still used but is held as a museum to the public.^[12][13]

Government

Town Meeting

Waterford's local government is structured using a Representative Town Meeting system. There are four elective districts in town, and each one sends one representative to the town meeting per every 550 electors in that area. As of 2017, districts 1 and 2 have 5 representatives, and district 3 and 4 have six, giving the Town Meeting a total of 22 elected members. In 2017, six Democrats, four Greens, and twelve Republicans were elected to the body.

As of the 2017 election results,^[14] the Representatives of the Waterford Town Meeting are:

Economy

Waterford's economic center is predominantly retail chains, including a variety of mini-malls and the Crystal Mall.^[15] There are several family-owned delicatessens and restaurants. Waterford is also home to JayPro Sports, which manufactures sports equipment for baseball, basketball, and tennis,^[16] and to Dominion's Millstone Nuclear Power Plant. The plant consists of three reactors, the first built between 1966 and 1970. While Millstone's first reactor is no longer in operation, the remaining two still provide power to a variety of towns in New England.

Attractions

• Mago Point, Waterford, Connecticut is an area in Waterford that is home to many marine businesses such as The Dock Restaurant, the Sunbeam Fleet, Mago Point Marina, Hillyers Bait and Tackle, the Mijoy 747 fishing boat, Sunset Ribs, Mago Point Packy, and the Niantic Bay Boat Valet^[17] It is a large tourist site, attracting people from all around the North East to Waterford.
• The Connecticut College Arboretum is a {{convert|750|acre|km2|adj=on}} arboretum and botanical garden which lies partially within Quaker Hill, a neighborhood of Waterford.
• The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center is located in Waterford, as is the Intentional Theatre.
• Waterford Beach
• Harkness Memorial State Park is a recreational area that provides a picturesque view of Long Island Sound. The park features the former mansion, gardens and grounds of Edward Harkness, who bought the property in 1907. Activities include fishing, formal gardening, golf, and tours of the mansion, known as Eolia. The Harkness estate is also open for formal occasions including weddings, and is often used for group photography.
• Adjacent to the Harkness Memorial State Park is Camp Harkness for the Handicapped, a summer facility for children and adults with physical and/or mental disabilities. Most of what is now Camp Harkness for the Handicapped was once a golf course, but there is no longer a trace of this golf course in evidence.
• The Waterford Speedbowl is a racetrack recognized under NASCAR's Whelen All-American Series sanction. It holds touring events throughout the year, including the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Valenti Modified Racing Series, International Super Modified Association and North Eastern Midget Association among many others. The track holds weekly NASCAR events every Saturday from April thru mid-October. The popular Wild N' Wacky Wednesday series runs from May to Labor Day. Recently they have added Friday Night Sho N' Go drag races during the summer.^[18]
• In 2009, Waterford was the home of the game show Deal or No Deal, which was filmed at Sonalyst Studios.
• The Seaside Sanatorium continues to be considered prime real estate in Waterford, Connecticut, being a {{convert|36|acre|km2|adj=on}} shoreline property, located on the original parcel of 11 Magonk Pt. The property was designed by the renowned architect, Cass Gilbert. The Sanatorium opened in 1934 to treat patients suffering from tuberculosis by using heliotherapy, until 1958 when patients relocated to Uncas on the Thames and it later became a Geriatric Hospital, which opened in 1959-1961. Later in 1961, the Sanatorium opened to serve people with Developmental Disabilities, staying open until 1996.^[19][20][21]

Emergency services

Police Department

The Waterford Police Department has 47 officers on active duty. "The Waterford Police Department, commanded by Chief Brett Mahoney, also has a Board of Police Commissioners. The rest of the department consists of Lieutenants, Sergeants, Patrol Officers, K-9 Officers, Detectives, Traffic Officer, Evidence/Court Officer, School Resource Officers and civilian Community Service Officers."^[22]

Crime

According to 2012 statistics, the crime rate in Waterford is below average compared to most cities in the United States.^[23]

Statistics

The murder rate for Waterford is 5.1 per 100,000 with one murder occurring in 2012.^[23] 6 robberies occurred as well as 38 assaults.^[23] In 2012, 55 burglaries, 451 thefts and 9 auto thefts occurred.^[23]

Fire service

The Town of Waterford is protected by a combination volunteer and career fire service, consisting of five fire companies located throughout the town.

Ambulance Service

Ambulance service for the town is provided by Waterford Ambulance.

References

External links

• {{Official website|http://www.waterfordct.org/ }}
• Waterford Public Schools
• Waterford Public Library
• Waterford Police Department

• Gower
• Gower and Swansea Bay Coast Path
• Gower Baronets
• Gower Coast Path
• Gower dialect
• Gower Formation
• Gower Publishing
• Gower's Cricket Monthly
• Gowers norm
• Gowers syndrome
• Gower's syndrome
• Gowers' syndrome
• Gower Street, Hollywood
• Gower Street (Hollywood)
• Gower Street (London)
• Gower Street tube station
• Gower (surname)
• Gowers, William
• GO WEST
• Go West: A Lucky Luke Adventure
• Go West (Crazy Spinning Circles)
• Go West - Freiheit um jeden Preis
• Go west young man
• Go West Young Man
• Go West, Young Man (1936 film)