Newington, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Newington is a town in Hartford County
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...

. As of the 2000 census, it had a total population of 29,306. The Connecticut Department of Transportation
Connecticut Department of Transportation
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is responsible for the development and operation of highways, railroads, mass transit systems, ports, waterways and aviation facilities in the U.S. state of Connecticut. The current Commissioner of ConnDOT is Jeffrey Parker...

 has its headquarters in Newington.

Newington is also home to Mill Pond Falls
Mill Pond Falls
Mill Pond Falls is a waterfall located in Newington, Connecticut. It is the smallest natural waterfall in the United States. The falls are located inside Mill Pond Park and is celebrated each fall during the Waterfall Festival.- Description :...

, the smallest natural waterfall in the country. It is celebrated each fall during the Waterfall Festival.

The American Radio Relay League
American Radio Relay League
The American Radio Relay League is the largest membership association of amateur radio enthusiasts in the USA. ARRL is a non-profit organization, and was founded in May 1914 by Hiram Percy Maxim of Hartford, Connecticut...

 is headquartered in Newington, with a call sign of W1AW
W1AW
W1AW is both the amateur radio call sign and the primary operating station of the American Radio Relay League . This station, which is commonly called the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, is located on the grounds of ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut. It was inspired by Maxim's 1AW...

.

Geography

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 13.2 sq mi. None of the area is covered with water, except for two small ponds, found in the town's largest parks, and various small streams. The town of Newington is bordered by the capital city of Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...

, as well as the suburbs of (clockwise from Hartford) Wethersfield
Wethersfield, Connecticut
Wethersfield is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. Many records from colonial times spell the name Weathersfield, while Native Americans called it Pyquag...

, Rocky Hill
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Rocky Hill is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 17,966 at the 2000 census. Rocky Hill was part of Wethersfield, the neighboring town to the north, until it was independently incorporated in 1849....

, Berlin
Berlin, Connecticut
Berlin is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 19,866 at the 2010 census. It was incorporated in 1785. The geographic center of Connecticut is located in the town. Berlin is residential and industrial, and served by the Amtrak station of the same name...

, New Britain
New Britain, Connecticut
New Britain is a city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is located approximately 9 miles southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 71,254....

, Farmington
Farmington, Connecticut
Farmington is a town located in Hartford County in the Farmington Valley area of central Connecticut in the United States. The population was 25,340 at the 2010 census. It is home to the world headquarters of several large corporations including Carrier Corporation, Otis Elevator Company, and Carvel...

, and West Hartford
West Hartford, Connecticut
West Hartford is a town located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The town was incorporated in 1854. Prior to that date, the town was a parish of Hartford....

. The town consists mostly of residential areas, although it is also home to the Berlin Turnpike, a large, commercial highway.

Mill Pond Falls

The town seal depicts Mill Pond Falls
Mill Pond Falls
Mill Pond Falls is a waterfall located in Newington, Connecticut. It is the smallest natural waterfall in the United States. The falls are located inside Mill Pond Park and is celebrated each fall during the Waterfall Festival.- Description :...

, named for a sawmill that was built there in 1860. The 16 feet (4.9 m) high falls, located in central Newington at Mill Pond Park, is the smallest natural waterfall in the country. A walking path that encircles Mill Pond includes a footbridge which crosses over the waterfall. There is also an observation area with benches at the base of the falls. The park is popular with local residents as a place to walk dogs, ice skate, jog, and picnic; it also hosts the occasional wedding party and festivals. It is open year round.

Starting in 2000, the Newington Waterfall Committee has celebrated the famed waterfall through the Waterfall Festival, held every September in the center of town. The festival features over 72 vendors and local music groups, as well as the "Artist's Chalk Walk" in which artists of all ages compete to create the best chalk drawing while passerby attend the festival. On April 17, 2010, the Newington Waterfall Committee agreed to plant a Crimson Maple dubbed the "Thankful Tree" at the falls, giving Newington residents the chance to write on tags what they are thankful for.

Newington Junction

Newington Junction
Newington Junction
Newington Junction is a section of the town of Newington, Connecticut. It is centered at the intersection of Willard Avenue and West Hill Road in the northwestern part of the town, in the area generally just south of the Hartford city line...

 is a section of town centered at the intersection of Willard Avenue. It contains three historic districts and the Newington Junction Railroad Depot
Newington Junction Railroad Depot
The Newington Junction Railroad Depot is located in Newington, Connecticut. The depot was built in 1870 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 22, 1986....

.

Demographics

As of the census
Census
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 are 29,306 people, 12,014 households, and 8,253 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...

 is 2,223.4/sq mi. There are 12,264 housing units at an average density of 930.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town is 92.48% White, 2.08% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 2.81% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.20% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races. 3.68% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 12,014 households out of which 27.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% are 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, 10.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% are non-families. 26.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.39 and the average family size is 2.92.

In the town the population is spread out with 20.6% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $57,118, and the median income for a family is $67,085. Males have a median income of $43,475 versus $35,601 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 is $26,881. 3.5% of the population and 2.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.7% of those under the age of 18 and 3.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Government and infrastructure

The Connecticut Department of Transportation
Connecticut Department of Transportation
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is responsible for the development and operation of highways, railroads, mass transit systems, ports, waterways and aviation facilities in the U.S. state of Connecticut. The current Commissioner of ConnDOT is Jeffrey Parker...

 has its headquarters in Newington.

The United States Postal Service
United 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...

 operates the Newington Post Office.

Education

Newington Public Schools operates public schools in Newington.

There are seven public schools in Newington. There are four elementary schools, which teach pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. Children attend the elementary school which is located in the district in which they reside. The names of the elementary schools are Elizabeth Green, Anna Reynolds, John Paterson, and Ruth Chaffee. There are also two middle schools in town, Martin Kellogg and John Wallace, which teach grades five through eight. Newington High School is attended by graduates of both middle schools and teaches grades nine through twelve. There are also two other schools in Newington, St. Mary's, a parochial school which teaches grades Pre-K through Grade 8. And there is Emmanuel Christian Academy, which teaches grade Kindergarten through Grade 6.

Newington High School

Until 1933, students of high school age in Newington traveled to Hartford or New Britain to attend high school. In 1933 eleven rooms were added to the existing junior high school to accommodate grades eleven and twelve. The first senior high graduating class was the class of 1938.

By 1940 improvisation was needed to serve Newington students in already limited space. World War II prevented a building program, but in 1949 Newington's citizenry voted to build a new high school building. This new building was occupied by 1951 and the first class to complete three years in the "new" Newington Senior High School graduated in 1954. Very soon, Newington's population growth was reflected in the overcrowded conditions at the high school. By the mid-sixties planning began for a new high school building. Meanwhile, the student population continued to grow. As a result, double sessions were instituted in 1967 and continued through 1971.

In March 1971, Newington High School students and faculty were in their new location at 605 Willard Avenue and on October 3, 1971 formal dedication ceremonies were held. The high school currently occupies the building built in 1971. The original building (the first separate junior high) was razed and the former Newington Senior High School of 1951 was renovated and is now used as the Town Hall and the Police Department.

Notable Alumni include Karl Swanke
Karl Swanke
Karl Swanke is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 1980 NFL Draft. He played college football at Boston College....

, an offensive lineman in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers (1980–1986) and Bill Rodgers
Bill Rodgers
William or Bill Rodgers may refer to:*William Rodgers, Baron Rodgers of Quarry Bank , British politician*Bill Rodgers , American marathon runner*Bill Rodgers , American MLB player...

, a 4 time winner of the Boston Marathon (1975, 1978–80).
The Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium
Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium
The Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium is a State of Connecticut agency that supports online learning in Connecticut. Although not a college, it hosts and provides services to Connecticut's colleges and universities to make it easier for them to offer online courses and degree programs...

 is also located in Newington.

Emergency services

Newington is served by the Connecticut state police, the local municipal police, and the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs Police Department. The municipal police department consists of 45 full-time sworn officers, who also act as the town's first-responders for medical emergencies, all officers have gone through first responder training once more in order to implement the use of new automatic external defibrillators that will be carried in their vehicles.

The town also has an incorporated volunteer ambulance service, that provides basic life support and transport services Monday through Friday from 6:00 pm – 6:00 am and weekends 24 hours. Advanced life support and transport during all other times is provided by American Medical Response
American Medical Response
American Medical Response, Inc. or is an American provider of emergency and non-emergency medical transportation, operating in 38 states and the District of Columbia. It employs around 17,000 personnel and has a fleet of 4,400 vehicles...

. With this system the taxpayers get get charged one bill sent by the volunteer ambulance with the Advance Life Support charge included. This system is used by several surrounding towns in the Greater Hartford Area.

The town is served by a fire department that is 100% volunteer and was founded in 1917. Besides the school system, it is the only part of town government that is not under the control of the Town Council or Town Manager. The volunteer fire department is run by an elected board of three fire commissioners, which appoints the fire marshal, the chief, and all officers. A study was undertaken during the administration of former town manager Paul Fetherston that recommended eliminating the board of fire commissioners and placing the department under the control of the town manager. During the current (2008) round of Charter Revision, both the immediate past mayor (Mortenson) and current town manager (Salomone) have brought up the topic of the fire services organizational structure.

Building plans

Currently, the Newington Town Council along with Mayor Jeff Wright are planning to totally change the Western Portion of Route 175 (Cedar Street) and its intersection with Fenn Road. There are plans to destroy the old welding factory and to put in its place a hotel and many other commercial places. Some of the town council has called this the "Gateway to Newington". However, plans are being delayed because of traffic concerns and the toxic welding factory. This area, right off the Route 9 Exit 29 location, would bring increased traffic because of the plans. It is still not definite what will happen in this part of Western Newington.

Notable locations

  • Gen. Martin Kellogg House
    Gen. Martin Kellogg House
    The Gen. Martin Kellogg House is located in Newington, Connecticut. The house was built in 1808 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 1, 1987....

     - built in 1808 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
  • The National Iwo Jima Memorial
    National Iwo Jima Memorial
    The US National Iwo Jima Memorial is located on Ella Grasso Boulevard, near the New Britain/Newington town line in Connecticut. It was erected by the Iwo Jima Survivors Association, Inc. of Newington, Connecticut. It was dedicated on February 23, 1995 on the 50th anniversary of the historic flag...

     is located on Ella Grasso Boulevard on the Newington and New Britain town line.
  • The Newington Junction North, South, and West Historic Districts
    Newington Junction
    Newington Junction is a section of the town of Newington, Connecticut. It is centered at the intersection of Willard Avenue and West Hill Road in the northwestern part of the town, in the area generally just south of the Hartford city line...

    .
  • Newington Junction Railroad Depot
    Newington Junction Railroad Depot
    The Newington Junction Railroad Depot is located in Newington, Connecticut. The depot was built in 1870 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 22, 1986....

     - built in 1870 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
  • Willard Homestead (Newington, Connecticut)
    Willard Homestead (Newington, Connecticut)
    The Willard Homestead is a house built in 1730 in the Newington Junction area of the town of Newington, Connecticut. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.It is a center-chimney colonial structure....

     - built in 1730 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Noted people from Newington

  • Amy Archer-Gilligan
    Amy Archer-Gilligan
    "Sister" Amy Duggan Archer-Gilligan was a Windsor, Connecticut nursing home proprietor and serial killer who systematically murdered at least five people by poison; one was her second husband, Michael Gilligan, and the rest were residents of her nursing home...

     (1873–1962), nursing home proprietor and serial killer ran a home for the elderly in town from 1904-1907.
  • Ed Cody
    Ed Cody
    -Career:Cody was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 1946 NFL Draft and would later play with the team for two seasons. During the two following seasons, he played with the Chicago Bears....

    , NFL Player for Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears from 1947 to 1950, born in Newington.
  • Richard P. Freeman
    Richard P. Freeman
    Richard Patrick Freeman was a U.S. Representative from Connecticut.Born in New London, Connecticut, Freeman attended the public schools....

      (1869–1944), Spanish American War veteran and US Congressman died in town.
  • John Pezzenti
    John Pezzenti
    John Pezzenti, Jr. was an American wildlife photographer born in Newington, Connecticut, but who spent much of his life taking pictures of wildlife in the Alaska wilderness....

     (1952–2007), wildlife photographer was born in town.
  • Lindy Remigino
    Lindy Remigino
    Lindy John Remigino is an American track and field athlete, the 1952 Olympic 100 m champion.-Biography:Remigino was born in Elmhurst, Queens, New York in 1931...

    (1931- ), Gold Medalist (100 meters & 4 X 100 meters) 1952 Olympics (Grew up in Hartford; Long-time resident of Newington)

External links

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