Granby, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Granby is a town in Hartford County
, Connecticut
, United States
. The population was 10,347 at the 2000 census. The town center was defined as a census-designated place
known as Salmon Brook in the 2000 census.
Other areas in town include North Granby
and West Granby. Granby is a rural town with a suburban center. The outskirts of town are either very wooded and mountainous or consist of farms.
, Connecticut
until 1786, when it became independent.
Part of Southwick
, Massachusetts
known as "the Notch" seceded from Massachusetts in 1774, just before the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War
. This territory became part of Granby when it seceded from Simsbury, but was returned to Southwick as part of an 1803-4 border dispute compromise. (See History of Massachusetts
.)
. Near the end of the gauntlet, he hid in a wigwam to avoid an attempted blow by a club. The squaw in the wigwam declared that the house was sacred, and having lost a husband and son to a war, adopted Hayes as her son. He remained for several years, attending to the squaw. Eventually, he was sold to a Frenchman, who learned that Hayes had skill as a weaver, so put him to work in that business. Hayes managed to earn enough to buy his freedom after two years. He then returned to Simsbury, settled down on a farm and married. He became prominent, both in civil affairs as well as the church at Salmon Brook (now Granby).
were minted in North Simsbury, now called Granby. These coins were made of pure copper, which is very soft. Consequently, there are very few in existence today. The first coins were inscribed with a value of three pence. Later versions carried the phrase "Value me as you please."
, Granby is located at 41.966062°N, 72.796407°W. According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 40.8 square miles (105.7 km²), of which, 40.7 square miles (105.4 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.32%) is water. The town center (Salmon Brook CDP) has a total area of 3 square miles (7.8 km²), all land. The highest point in Granby is 1150 feet (350.5 m) at an unnamed hill in the western section of the McLean Game Refuge
.
of 2000, there were 10,347 people, 3,781 households, and 2,994 families residing in the town. The population density
was 254.3 people per square mile (98.2/km²). There were 3,887 housing units at an average density of 95.5 per square mile (36.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.54% White, 0.61% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races
, and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.30% of the population.(Does not add up to 100%)
There were 3,781 households out of which 39.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.1% were married couples
living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.8% were non-families. 16.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $81,151, and the median income for a family was $90,057. Males had a median income of $63,093 versus $42,203 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $33,863. About 1.5% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.
of 2000, there were 2,453 people, 988 households, and 672 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 826.8 people per square mile (318.9/km2). There were 1,018 housing units at an average density of 343.1 per square mile (132.3/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.08% White, 0.24% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races
, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.14% of the population.
There were 988 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples
living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $67,500, and the median income for a family was $80,945. Males had a median income of $57,424 versus $40,307 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $32,311. About 3.1% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.
A large number of school aged children attend one of the numerous private and boarding schools close to Granby, CT such as:
Hartford County, Connecticut
Hartford County is a county located in the north central part of the US state of Connecticut. The 2010 Census records show that the county population is at 894,014 making it the second most populated county in Connecticut....
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 10,347 at the 2000 census. The town center was defined as a census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
known as Salmon Brook in the 2000 census.
Other areas in town include North Granby
North Granby, Connecticut
North Granby is a census-designated place in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 1,720 at the 2000 census.The center of North Granby is today marked principally by the Cossitt Branch Library and the Allen Cider Mill....
and West Granby. Granby is a rural town with a suburban center. The outskirts of town are either very wooded and mountainous or consist of farms.
History
Granby was part of SimsburySimsbury, Connecticut
Simsbury is a suburban town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 23,234 at the 2000 census. The town was incorporated as Connecticut's twenty-first town in May 1670.-Early history:...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
until 1786, when it became independent.
Part of Southwick
Southwick, Massachusetts
Southwick is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 9,502 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
known as "the Notch" seceded from Massachusetts in 1774, just before the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. This territory became part of Granby when it seceded from Simsbury, but was returned to Southwick as part of an 1803-4 border dispute compromise. (See History of Massachusetts
History of Massachusetts
Massachusetts was first colonized by principally English Europeans in the early 17th century, and became the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the 18th century. Prior to English colonization of the area, it was inhabited by a variety of mainly Algonquian-speaking indigenous tribes...
.)
Daniel Hayes
In 1707, Daniel Hayes, then aged twenty-two, was captured by the indigenous people and carried off to Canada. The capture was witnessed, and a rescue party raised, but the group did not catch up with the captors. He was tied up each night, and bound to saplings. It took thirty days to reach Canada, at which point Hayes was forced to run the gauntletRunning the gauntlet
Running the gauntlet is a form of physical punishment wherein a captive is compelled to run between two rows—a gauntlet—of soldiers who strike him as he passes.-Etymology:...
. Near the end of the gauntlet, he hid in a wigwam to avoid an attempted blow by a club. The squaw in the wigwam declared that the house was sacred, and having lost a husband and son to a war, adopted Hayes as her son. He remained for several years, attending to the squaw. Eventually, he was sold to a Frenchman, who learned that Hayes had skill as a weaver, so put him to work in that business. Hayes managed to earn enough to buy his freedom after two years. He then returned to Simsbury, settled down on a farm and married. He became prominent, both in civil affairs as well as the church at Salmon Brook (now Granby).
First American colonies coins
The first unauthorized coins minted in the American colonies, and the first in Connecticut, were struck by Dr. Samuel Higley in 1737 from copper mined from his own mine. The coins, including the Trader's Currency Token of the Colony of ConnecticutTrader's Currency Token of the Colony of Connecticut
A trader's currency token was issued by Samuel Higley of Simsbury, Connecticut in 1737. Higley owned the mine which produced the copper, which was located near Granby, Connecticut. He smelted the copper ore, designed and engraved the dies, and struck the tokens himself. They wore out extremely...
were minted in North Simsbury, now called Granby. These coins were made of pure copper, which is very soft. Consequently, there are very few in existence today. The first coins were inscribed with a value of three pence. Later versions carried the phrase "Value me as you please."
Modern history
In 2009 Connecticut Magazine ranked Granby the #3 overall Connecticut small town (population 10,000-1500) to live in, and #1 small town in Hartford County.Geography
According to the USPSUnited States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
, Granby is located at 41.966062°N, 72.796407°W. According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 40.8 square miles (105.7 km²), of which, 40.7 square miles (105.4 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.32%) is water. The town center (Salmon Brook CDP) has a total area of 3 square miles (7.8 km²), all land. The highest point in Granby is 1150 feet (350.5 m) at an unnamed hill in the western section of the McLean Game Refuge
McLean Game Refuge
The McLean Game Refuge is a nature preserve in the towns of Granby, Simsbury, and Canton, Connecticut. Senator and Governor of Connecticut, George P. McLean had purchased the land throughout his life. It was left to the McLean Fund upon his death in 1932 and remains open to the public today...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 10,347 people, 3,781 households, and 2,994 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 254.3 people per square mile (98.2/km²). There were 3,887 housing units at an average density of 95.5 per square mile (36.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.54% White, 0.61% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.30% of the population.(Does not add up to 100%)
There were 3,781 households out of which 39.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.8% were non-families. 16.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $81,151, and the median income for a family was $90,057. Males had a median income of $63,093 versus $42,203 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $33,863. About 1.5% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.
| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Active Voters | Inactive Voters | Total Voters | Percentage |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
2,328 | 138 | 2,466 | 32.10% |
Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
1,711 | 82 | 1,793 | 23.34% |
Unaffiliated | 3,186 | 219 | 3,405 | 44.32% |
Minor Parties | 16 | 2 | 18 | 0.23% | |
| Total | 7,241 | 441 | 7,682 | 100% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Town center
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,453 people, 988 households, and 672 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 826.8 people per square mile (318.9/km2). There were 1,018 housing units at an average density of 343.1 per square mile (132.3/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.08% White, 0.24% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.14% of the population.
There were 988 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $67,500, and the median income for a family was $80,945. Males had a median income of $57,424 versus $40,307 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $32,311. About 3.1% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Granby's public school system consists of one primary school, two intermediate schools, one middle school, and one high school.A large number of school aged children attend one of the numerous private and boarding schools close to Granby, CT such as:
- Ethel Walker High School (Simsbury, CT)
- The Montessori School (Simsbury, CT)
- Northwest Catholic School (West Hartford, CT)
- Avon Old Farm's Preparatory (Avon, CT)
- Miss Porter's (Farmington, CT)
- Watkinson School (Hartford, CT)
- Westminster School (Simsbury, CT)
- Suffield Academy (Suffield, CT)
- Renbrook School (West Hartford, CT)
- The Loomis Chaffee School (Windsor, CT)
- Talcott Mountain Academy (Avon, CT)
Primary schools
- Frank Morton Kearns Primary School
- Principal:Mrs. Dessert
- Grades: Pr-K-2
Intermediate schools
- Kelly Lane Intermediate School
- Principal: Robert Gilbert
- Grades: 3-6
- Wells Road Intermediate School
- Principal: Anna Forlenza-Bailey
- Grades: 3-6
Middle schools
- Granby Memorial Middle SchoolGranby Memorial Middle SchoolGranby Memorial Middle School is a middle school in Granby, Connecticut for students in 7th and 8th grade.In 2006 Brian Donna, a 7th grader at Granby, became the Connecticut state champion in the Readers Digest National Word Power Challenge....
- Principal: Paul Osypuk
- Grades: 7-8
High schools
- Granby Memorial High SchoolGranby Memorial High SchoolGranby Memorial High School is a public high school in Granby, Connecticut. It was founded in 1957 to accommodate the town's growing population. The school is commonly known as "Home of the Bears" and is a member of the NCCC Athletic Conference, where its athletic teams have won a number of...
- Principal: Patricia Law
- Vice Principal: Kathy Sutton
- Vice Principal: Kimberly S. Calcasola
- Grades: 9-12
National Register of Historic Places
- Allen's Cider MillAllen's Cider MillAllen's Cider Mill in Granby, Connecticut was built in 1783 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. The mill is one of the few operational wooden cider mills in Connecticut predating the 19th century....
- Frederick H. Cossitt Library
- Granby Center Historic DistrictGranby Center Historic DistrictThe Granby Center Historic District is a historic district in Granby, Connecticut. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985....
- Samuel Hayes II, House
- Judah Holcomb House
- Nathaniel Holcomb III HouseNathaniel Holcomb III HouseThe Nathaniel Holcomb III House was the residence of Nathaniel Holcomb III, a prominent resident of Granby, Connecticut.-The Holcomb Family:In 1679, John Talcott had a plan to "people" the Salmon Brook area.. Only nine years earlier, the area known as Massaco, had petitioned the colony and become...
- Rowe and Weed Houses
- West Granby Historic DistrictWest Granby Historic DistrictWest Granby Historic District is a historic district in Granby, Connecticut. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.-See also:*East Granby Historic District, also NRHP-listed...
Notable residents
- Joe BouchardJoe BouchardJoe Bouchard was the original bassist for Blue Öyster Cult. He grew up in Clayton, New York...
(b. 1948), musician, member of Blue Öyster CultBlue Öyster CultBlue Öyster Cult, often abbreviated BÖC, is an American rock band, most of whose members first came together in Long Island, NY in 1967 as the band Soft White Underbelly... - Jesse CampJesse CampJesse Camp was the winner of the first Wanna Be a VJ contest on MTV. He beat out Dave Holmes for a VJ job on the popular music video show Total Request Live , and also hosted the short-lived Lunch with Jesse, which was canceled in 2002.-Controversy:During the course of Wanna Be a VJ, it was...
(b. 1979), MTVMTVMTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
VJ - Chauncey ForwardChauncey ForwardChauncey Forward was a Jacksonian member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.Chauncey Forward was born in Old Granby, Connecticut. He moved with his father to Ohio in 1800, and a short time afterward to Greensburg, Pennsylvania...
(1793–1839), U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania - Philip C. HayesPhilip C. HayesPhilip Cornelius Hayes was a U.S. Representative from Illinois, as well as an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Biography:...
(1833–1916) U.S. Representative from Illinois - Byron KilbournByron KilbournByron Kilbourn was an American surveyor, railroad executive, and politician who was an important figure in the founding of Milwaukee, Wisconsin....
(1801–1870), surveyor and politician - Rebecca LoboRebecca LoboRebecca Rose Lobo-Rushin is an American television basketball analyst and a former player in the professional Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 to 2003...
(b. 1973), former Women's National Basketball Association player - Theodore Mills MaltbieTheodore Mills MaltbieTheodore Mills Maltbie was a lawyer and a member of both the Connecticut State Assembly and the Connecticut State Senate...
(1842-1915), lawyer and politician - William M. MaltbieWilliam M. MaltbieWilliam Mills Maltbie was a lawyer, judge, and Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court....
(1880–1961), Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court - Garrett LucashGarrett LucashGarrett Lucash is an American pair skater. With partner Katie Orscher, he is the 2005 U.S. National Champion.-Biography:...
(b. 1978), figure skater - Aaron Draper ShattuckAaron Draper ShattuckAaron Draper Shattuck was an American painter of the White Mountain School. He was born in Francestown, New Hampshire. A second-generation artist affiliated with the Hudson River School, Shattuck differed from most of his contemporaries in that he never studied abroad, and appears to have spent...
(1832–1928), painter of the White Mountain School