East Hampton, Connecticut - Misplaced Pages

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Town in Connecticut, United States

East Hampton, Connecticut
Town
Town of East Hampton
Congregational Church of East Hampton
Seal
Nickname(s): Belltown, USA
Middlesex County and Connecticut Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region and Connecticut
Show East HamptonShow ConnecticutShow the United States
Coordinates: 41°34′N 72°30′W / 41.567°N 72.500°W / 41.567; -72.500
Country	United States
U.S. state	Connecticut
County	Middlesex
Region	Lower CT River Valley
Incorporated	1767
Government
• Type	Council-manager
• Council	Mark Philhower (R), Chair Tim Feegel (R), Vice-Chair Pete Brown (D) Brandon Goff (R) Eric Peterson (R) Kevin Reich (D) Alison Walck (R)
• Town Manager	David E. Cox
Area
• Total	36.8 sq mi (95.3 km)
• Land	35.6 sq mi (92.2 km)
• Water	1.2 sq mi (3.2 km)
Elevation	417 ft (127 m)
Population
• Total	12,717
• Density	357/sq mi (137.9/km)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code	06424, 06414, 06456
Area code(s)	860/959
FIPS code	09-22490
GNIS feature ID	0213423
Website	www.easthamptonct.gov

East Hampton is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The town is part of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region. The population was 12,717 at the 2020 census. The town center village is listed as a census-designated place (CDP). East Hampton includes the communities of Cobalt, Middle Haddam, and Lake Pocotopaug.

The southern trailhead of the Shenipsit Trail is in Cobalt, and the Airline State Park (a rail trail) has its southern trailhead in East Hampton, at Main Street in the Village Center. The 884-acre (358 ha) Hurd State Park, Meshomasic State Forest, and Salmon River State Forest are located in town. Comstock's Bridge, more commonly known as the Comstock Covered Bridge and the only remaining covered bridge in eastern Connecticut, spans the Salmon River near Route 16 in East Hampton.

The Chatham Historical Society Museum and the Joseph N. Goff House Museum and Cultural Center are located in the town.

History

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The first European-derived settlers of the area arrived in 1739 by sea from Eastham, Massachusetts. They traveled up the Connecticut River to Middle Haddam parish between the two adjacent towns of Middletown and Haddam. Led by Isaac Smith, some of these settlers went on to the hills near Lake Pocotopaug, the present-day location of East Hampton. In 1746, the settlers named their community Easthampton parish after their former home of Eastham. In 1767, the community was separated from Middletown incorporated by the Connecticut General Assembly as the township of Chatham, after Chatham, Medway due to the important shipbuilding industries that both places had in common. An iron forge at the outlet of Lake Pocotopaug was one of the earliest in Connecticut. The forge supplied the local needs and the shipbuilding industry on the banks of the Connecticut River. Shipbuilding up the Connecticut River was given a boost during the War of 1812 when the British raided a town at the mouth of the Connecticut River. The knowledge gained in forging and casting iron was later used for creating other items including waffle irons. Bell making continued to grow during the 1800s with firms utilizing the water power of the Pocotopaug Stream. After the Civil War numerous coffin trimming concerns lined the stream. Some firms changed focus over time such as the Watrous Mfg. Co. which started making just bells, later making coffin trimmings, and still later making bell toys.

In the 19th century, East Hampton became the center of the manufacturing of bells. So many bells were made in East Hampton that the town was given the name BellTown. The first factory was constructed in 1808 by William Barton on Bevin Hill later renamed Barton Hill. During the 1800s, thirty firms were said to have built and run shops, or small factories producing bell and bell related products. The most prominent names include William Barton and the numerous Barton companies of his sons, Bevin Brothers Manufacturing Company, Starr Bros. Bell Co., The N. N. Hill Brass Co., The East Hampton Bell Co., Watrous Mfg. Co., Veazey and White, and Gong Bell.

The bell companies that dominated the economy of East Hampton by making metal bells continued to flourish until horses and buggy transportation (and the bells used to adorn their harnesses) gave way to automobiles. The Great Depression also negatively impacted manufacturing in the area. Two firms continued to flourish into the 1950s by changing from making predominantly metal bells with bell toys being a minor part of their production in the 1800s, to primarily making bell toys. These two firms N. N. Hill Brass Co. and Gong Bell Mfg. Co., survived till the 1960s. The last remaining original operating bell shop, operated by Bevin Brothers, was razed by fire on May 27, 2012, but continues in full operation in a new East Hampton location; some other structures shut down while still structurally intact but remained unavailable for adaptive re-use, due to the presence of toxic substances at levels that resist remediation. Other mills, which were remediated or did not contain toxics, have been converted into offices, stores, and other small businesses.

In 1841, the East Middletown parish, which had been a part of Chatham, separated and became a new township called Conway (later renamed to Portland).

Chatham was renamed to East Hampton in 1915, which had long been a second name for the township. The name "East Hampton", however, is confusing, since the town is, in fact, approximately 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Hampton, Connecticut. In addition, there is often confusion between East Hampton and the contiguous town of East Haddam, which was named in 1734.

Capt. Jesse Hurd was a master ship builder in Middle Haddam after the Revolutionary War until his death in 1839. Interest in ship building in Middle Haddam dwindled thereafter. Captain Hurd was also the owner and creator of the New York Screw Dock Company, a "dry dock" facility for ship repairs.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 36.8 square miles (95 km), of which 35.6 square miles (92 km) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km) (3.37%) is water, due chiefly to Lake Pocotopaug, which was formerly inhabited by Native American tribes. The town center CDP has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km), of which 2.5 square miles (6.5 km) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km) (0.78%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1790	3,230	—
1800	3,295	2.0%
1810	3,258	−1.1%
1820	3,159	−3.0%
1830	3,646	15.4%
1840	3,413	−6.4%
1850	1,525	−55.3%
1860	1,766	15.8%
1870	2,771	56.9%
1880	1,967	−29.0%
1890	1,949	−0.9%
1900	2,271	16.5%
1910	2,390	5.2%
1920	2,394	0.2%
1930	2,616	9.3%
1940	2,955	13.0%
1950	4,000	35.4%
1960	5,403	35.1%
1970	7,078	31.0%
1980	8,572	21.1%
1990	10,428	21.7%
2000	13,352	28.0%
2010	12,959	−2.9%
2020	12,717	−1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census

At the 2000 census there were 13,352 people, 4,126 households, and 3,003 families living in the town. The population density was 375.2 inhabitants per square mile (144.9/km). There were 4,412 housing units at an average density of 124.0 per square mile (47.9/km). The racial makeup of the town was 93.36% White, 2.04% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 2.39% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.69%.

Of the 4,126 households 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.7% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 20.5% of households were one person and 5.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.07.

The age distribution was 21.4% under the age of 18, 22.4% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% 65 or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.

The median household income was $66,326 and the median family income was $74,409. Males had a median income of $50,157 versus $35,867 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,769. About 2.2% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

Town center

At the 2000 census there were 2,254 people, 821 households, and 596 families living in the East Hampton CDP. The population density was 883.0 inhabitants per square mile (340.9/km). There were 858 housing units at an average density of 336.1 per square mile (129.8/km). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.96% White, 0.80% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.04% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67%.

Of the 821 households 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 20.0% of households were one person and 5.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.15.

The age distribution was 27.3% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.

The median household income was $53,464 and the median family income was $64,150. Males had a median income of $50,727 versus $31,181 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $25,207. About 1.2% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.

Historic sites

Historic sites in East Hampton include the following three sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

Comstock's Bridge, southeast of East Hampton off CT 16
Middle Haddam Historic District, Moodus and Long Hill Rds.
Middle Haddam School, Schoolhouse Lane
Rapallo Viaduct, Flat Brook and former Air Line railroad right-of-way

Notable people

Scott Wasserman, musician, composer, orchestrator, musical director, and electronic music programmer and two-time Grammy award winner
Erin Brady, Miss Connecticut USA 2013 and Miss USA 2013
Eleanor Hoyt Brainerd, novelist, lived at "Faraway Farm" near East Hampton in the early 20th century
Caroline Brown Buell (1843–1927), activist
Elizabeth Eunice Marcy (1821–1911), author, activist, and social reformer
Mark Mulcahy, front-man for the New Haven-based band Miracle Legion and solo recording artist
William A. O'Neill (1930–2007), Governor of Connecticut, 1980–1991, native and lifelong resident of East Hampton
Alfred Henry Wilcox (1823–1883), sea captain, steamboat and steamship entrepreneur, banker

Notes

The historic 1880s Bevin factory located off Bevin Boulevard was destroyed by fire in 2012. As of 2017, the company operates out of rented space on Watrous Street, in a building once occupied by the woodworking shop of Gong Bell, using bell molds salvaged from the fire and refurbished presses.

References

^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: East Hampton, Connecticut
"Census - Geography Profile: East Hampton town, Middlesex County, Connecticut". Retrieved December 15, 2021.
"Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.

External links

Media related to East Hampton, Connecticut at Wikimedia Commons
Official website
Chatham Historical Society (for the Town of East Hampton)

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Connecticut River watershed

Tributaries

Connecticut	Blackledge River Coginchaug River Connecticut River Duck River Eightmile River Falls River Farmington River Hockanum River Hubbard River Jeremy River Lieutenant River Mattabesset River Nepaug River Pameacha Creek Park River Pequabuck River Salmon River Scantic River
Massachusetts	Burnshirt River Chapel Brook Chicopee River Connecticut River Cranberry River Deerfield River East Brookfield River Farmington River Fall River Five Mile River Green River Hubbard River Manhan River Mill River (Northampton) Mill River (Springfield) Millers River Mirey Brook North Branch Millers River North Branch Westfield River North River Otter River Quaboag River Scantic River Seven Mile River Tarbell Brook Ware River Westfield River
New Hampshire	Ammonoosuc River Ashuelot River Blow-me-down Brook The Branch Cold River Connecticut River East Branch Mohawk River Gale River Great Brook Halls Stream Ham Branch Indian River Indian Stream Israel River Johns River Knox River Little River Little Sugar River Mascoma River Millers River Mink Brook Mirey Brook Mohawk River Nash Stream North Branch Gale River North Branch Millers River North Branch Sugar River North Branch Upper Ammonoosuc River Oliverian Brook Otter Brook Partridge Brook Perry Stream Phillips Brook Simms Stream South Branch Ashuelot River South Branch Gale River South Branch Israel River South Branch Sugar River Stocker Brook Sugar River Tarbell Brook Upper Ammonoosuc River West Branch Mohawk River West Branch Upper Ammonoosuc River Wild Ammonoosuc River Zealand River
Vermont	Black River Connecticut River Deerfield River Fall River Green River Halls Stream Leach Creek Moose River Nulhegan River Ompompanoosuc River Ottauquechee River Passumpsic River Rock River Saxtons River Utley Brook Waits River Wells River West River Whetstone Brook White River Williams River Winhall River

Lakes

Connecticut	Barkhamsted Reservoir Lake Beseck Lake Hayward Lake Pocotopaug
Massachusetts	Brooks Pond Browning Pond Lake Monomonac Quabbin Reservoir Lake Wyola
New Hampshire	Ashuelot Pond Back Lake Canaan Street Lake Cedar Pond Christine Lake Comerford Reservoir Connecticut Lakes Crystal Lake Dublin Pond Eastman Pond Echo Lake Lake Francis (Murphy Dam) Goose Pond Grafton Pond Granite Lake Lakes of the Clouds Little Sunapee Lake Mascoma Lake McIndoes Reservoir Lake Monomonac Moore Reservoir Pearly Lake Silver Lake Spofford Lake Lake Sunapee Surry Mountain Lake Lake Tarleton
Vermont	Ball Mountain Lake Comerford Reservoir Harriman Reservoir Harvey's Lake McIndoes Reservoir Moore Reservoir North Hartland Lake Lake Rescue Townshend Lake

Towns

Connecticut	Chester Cromwell Deep River East Haddam East Hampton East Hartford East Windsor Enfield Essex Glastonbury Haddam Hartford Higganum Lyme Middletown Moodus Old Lyme Old Saybrook Portland Rocky Hill South Windsor Suffield Thompsonville Wethersfield Windsor Windsor Locks
Massachusetts	Agawam Chicopee Deerfield Easthampton Gill Greenfield Hadley Hatfield Holyoke Longmeadow Millers Falls Montague Northampton Northfield South Hadley Springfield Sunderland Turners Falls West Springfield Whately
New Hampshire	Bath Charlestown Chesterfield Claremont Clarksville Colebrook Columbia Cornish Dalton Groveton Hanover Haverhill Hinsdale Lancaster Lebanon Littleton Lyme Monroe Northumberland Orford Piermont Pittsburg Plainfield Stewartstown Stratford Walpole West Lebanon Westmoreland Woodsville
Quebec	East Hereford
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