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Enfield, Connecticut
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Enfield is a town located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 45,212 at the 2000 census. It sits on the border with Longmeadow, Massachusetts to the north, Somers to the east, East Windsor and Windsor Locks to the south and the Connecticut River and Suffield, Connecticut to the west.
eld was originally inhabited by the Pocomtuc tribe, and contained their two villages of Scitico and Nameroke. Enfield was settled in 1679 by settlers from Salem, Massachusetts.
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Encyclopedia
Enfield is a town located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 45,212 at the 2000 census. It sits on the border with Longmeadow, Massachusetts to the north, Somers to the east, East Windsor and Windsor Locks to the south and the Connecticut River and Suffield, Connecticut to the west.
History
Enfield was originally inhabited by the Pocomtuc tribe, and contained their two villages of Scitico and Nameroke. Enfield was settled in 1679 by settlers from Salem, Massachusetts. Enfield was incorporated in Massachusetts in 1683. In 1749, following the settlement of a lawsuit in which it was determined that a surveyor's error placed a section of present-day Hartford County (including Enfield) within the boundaries of Massachusetts, the town seceded and became part of Connecticut.
Jonathan Edwards preached his famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" in Enfield. This sermon is one of the most famous sermons ever scripted. It was part of the Great Awakening Revival that struck New England in the mid-1700s and spread throughout Western civilization.
The modern town of Enfield was formed through the merging of Enfield, Thompsonville, and Hazardville. Hazardville was named for Colonel Augustus George Hazard (1802-1868), whose company manufactured gun powder in a part of the town known as Powder Hollow from the 1830s to the 1910s. In fact, in the 1989 film Glory, boxes of gun powder can be seen with the words Enfield, CT printed on the sides. Also, in an episode in the 1970s cop-drama Hawaii Five-O, Jack Lord's character Steve McGarrett traces explosives back to "The Hazard Gunpowder Company- Enfield, CT". Most of the gunpowder that the Union used in the Civil War was made in Enfield. Over 60 people died in explosions in Powder Hollow during the years when gun powder was manufactured there. The mill blew up several times, but was set up so that if one building blew up, the rest would not follow in a chain reaction. The ruins of these buildings and the dams are open to the public. Powder Hollow is now home to baseball fields and hiking trails.
Enfield Shaker village
In 1793, a historic Shaker village, one of nineteen scattered from Maine to Kentucky, was established in the town. The Utopian religious sect practiced celibate, communal living, and is today renowned for its simple architecture and furniture. Membership eventually dwindled, however, and the village disbanded. The property has since been redeveloped by the Enfield Correctional Institution, still located on "Shaker Road."
The presumption that Enfield was named for the town near London is incorrect. According to Dr. Frank Taylor, a noted historian of the town, Enfield was named, in a pattern similar to its neighboring towns of Springfield, Massachusetts (once Northfield) and Suffield, Connecticut (once Southfield). The neighborhood of Old Enfield in Austin, Texas is a namesake of Enfield, Connecticut, largely named by the family of Elisha M. Pease former governor of Texas who was born in Enfield, and whose great-great grandfather helped found Enfield as part of Massachusetts in the late seventeenth century.
Industry
Enfield is home to the U.S. headquarters of Danish plastic building toy manufacturer LEGO, which is also the town's largest employer. In June 2006, the company announced that they would be laying off over 290 employees and begin outsourcing jobs to Mexico. Hallmark Cards is the second-largest employer.
In the past, Enfield manufactured carpets and gunpowder.
The town contains several shopping centers, including Enfield Square Mall.
Neighborhoods
The neighborhoods of Enfield, CT are as follows:
Enfield Historical District- Listed in the National Register of Historical Districts, the Enfield Historical District runs along Enfield Street (U.S. Route 5). Many old homes dating back to the mid-1700s were built from 1106-1492 Enfield Street. Varying styles of architecture are noted including Late Victorian, Georgian and 19th Century Revival. The Enfield Town Hall museum as well as one of the oldest Congregational Churches in America can be found here.
Hazardville - Named after Colonel Augustus Hazard, this neighborhood encompasses a few smaller burbs, including Powder Hollow, and more recently, the center of Enfield began to encroach on this historical area. The center of Hazardville is located between the streets of Park Street and North Street on Hazard Avenue. Notable small shops include Gayle's Thyme Herbal Apothecary, The Cranberry Scoop Gift Shop, Smoke n' Leather, and numerous pizzarias. The Powder Hollow Park is located in the Hazardville neighborhood district.
North Thompsonville - Contains mostly residential and partially commercial areas of Enfield with many parks and schools.
Presidential Section - This entirely residential area contain streets that are all named after former Presidents of The United States of America. Houses are mid-sized to large in this area.
Scitico - Scitico is on the eastern end of town. Green Manor is considered part of Scitico. This is a suburb in the purest sense, with winding roads, sidewalks, a park, and cul-de-sacs. Green Manor is approximately 4.5 miles from the main highway Interstate 91 and borders Somers, Connecticut. Across from the elementary school Nathan Hale Elementary School is a residential park with tennis court, skate boarding ramps, and a playground for younger kids. Green Manor Park did contain a pool at one time but was removed due to the lack of maintenance by the town.
Shaker Pines - This Neighborhood consists mostly of tall pine trees towering above the quaint lakeside houses (hence the name). Shaker Pines was originally part of the Shaker settlement in Enfield. The lake was built by the Shakers to power a mill. The mill stood, vacant, at the dam located at the end of the lake into the late 1990s. This mill provided shelter for Frederick Merrill in 1987 after he escaped from the local high security prison. He was dubbed "The Peanut Butter Bandit" after his mother sneaked him supplies for his first prison escape in 1968 in a jar of peanut butter. The mill was subsequently torn down for safety reasons.
Sherwood Manor
Southwood Acres - A village contained within the town of Enfield. This neighborhood is almost entirely residential.
Thompsonville - Named after Orrin Thompson, Thompsonville is the town center of Enfield with a more urban environment. In the past few years, there has been an attempt to revitalize the downtown area. On the southbound portion of Pearl Street there are many old Victorians. There are also many boat launches onto the bordering Connecticut River. Planning has started for renovating an old building into a commuter rail station on the not yet built New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Line.
Parks and recreation
- Connecticut River
- Hazardville Park: off Hazard Avenue, features playscapes, basketball courts, covered picnic area
- Scantic River Recreational Area: near South Maple Street Bridge, rapids for canoeing and kayaking, fishing
- Green Manor Recreational Area: off Taylor Road, features playscape, skate park
- Mark Twain Recreational Area: off South Road, features tennis courts, ball fields
- Brainard Park: off Brainard Road, features softball fields, children's swing sets
Enfield is also home base of the New England Lightning girls AAU basketball program. Enfield is also home to the Enfield Ultimate Frisbee Association.
Demographics
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 34.2 square miles (88.6 kmē), of which, 33.4 square miles (86.5 kmē) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 kmē) of it (2.43%) is water.
As of the census of 2000, there were 45,212 people, 16,418 households, and 11,394 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,354.3 people per square mile (523.0/kmē). There were 17,043 housing units at an average density of 510.5/sq mi (197.1/kmē). The racial makeup of the town was 89.74% White, 5.61% African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.34% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.57% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.74% of the population.
There were 16,418 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 34.2% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 110.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $52,810, and the median income for a family was $60,528. Males had a median income of $42,335 versus $31,082 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,967. About 2.8% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.
Because of its location between Hartford and Springfield, Enfield is an ideal location for numerous upper middle class families who work in the neighboring towns and cities, providing a stable income for spouses and children.
| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005 |
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| Party | Active Voters | Inactive Voters | Total Voters | Percentage | Democratic | 9,137 | 200 | 9,337 | 34.67% | Republican | 4,765 | 312 | 5,077 | 18.85% | Unaffiliated | 11,997 | 497 | 12,494 | 46.40% | Minor Parties | 21 | 0 | 21 | 0.08% |
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| Total | 25,920 | 1,009 | 26,929 | 100% |
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Education system
Elementary
The Enfield Elementary School System runs from kindergarten through grade 6.
Junior high school
The Enfield School Junior High School System runs from grade 7 through grade 8.
Until the early 1980s, JFK's crosstown rival was Kosciuscko Junior High, a school named for a hero of the American Revolution.
It closed down as the demographics of the town changed and two distinct junior highs became clearly unnecessary. The facility of Kosciuscko Junior High School is now used as Enfield's Asnuntuck Community College.
High school
The Enfield School Senior High School System runs from grade 9 through grade 12.
Parochial schools
Notable residents, past and present
- Jeremiah Mervin Allen, (1833-1903), born in Enfield, noted educator, engineer, and president of the YMCA.
- Johnny April, bassist for the alternative metal/hard rock band Staind.
- John Ashton, actor, attended Enfield High School (former resident).
- Elijah Churchill, soldier in the American Revolutionary War and recipient of the medal later known as the Purple Heart.
- Kevin Foxe, Film Producer, Writer, Executive Producer of The Blair Witch Project was born and grew up in Enfield, graduated Enfield High School.
- Paul Herscu, naturopathic doctor noted for his homeopathic work.
- Craig Janney, Olympian and professional ice hockey center (former resident).
- Peter King, football columnist for Sports Illustrated and author.
- Elisha M. Pease, politician and two-term Governor of Texas (elected in 1853 and 1855).
- Paul Robeson, singer and actor (former resident).
- Karen Scavotto, Olympic archer.
- Bill Spanswick, baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox.
- Nathaniel Terry, Representative from Connecticut in the 15th United States Congress (served 1817-1819).
- The Last Goodnight, Upcoming band originally from Enfield and formerly called Renata, attended Enfield High School.
Notable historical sites
- The Strand Theater: Most prominently active in the '40s and '50s, in the '70s the Strand had to resort to X-rated films. It is no longer active.
Sister cities
Enfield has two official sister cities as designated by Sister Cities International :
External links
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