Windsor, Connecticut
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Windsor is located just north of Hartford in Hartford County, Connecticut. Settled in 1633, it is the oldest town in Connecticut. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 28,237. It is home to numerous branches of national and international corporations such as Konica-Minolta and Pepperridge Farms. The nationally ranked college preparatory school Loomis-Chaffee is also located in town on 320 pristine acres at the confluence of the Connecticut and Farmington River.
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History
Settlers from the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts founded Windsor after the Podunk Indians invited them and made them a gift of a plot of land. They invited them to help relieve the pressure from neighboring tribes. The Pequot and Mohawk were at war, and the Podunk were not only caught in the crossfire, but also were forced to pay tribute to the Pequots who claimed their land. The Sicaog tribe made a similar offer to the Dutch in New Amsterdam, but they declined to send settlers, since their interest in Connecticut was only the fur trade. After Edward Winslow inspected the sight, William Holmes led a party there. Sailing up the Connecticut River past the Dutch fort at Hartford, they arrived at Windsor on September 26, 1633.
Windsor was once known for it thriving tobacco farms, some of which still exist today. Driving around the Day Hill section of town, one can still see the many red wooden sheds that were used to store tobacco.
Windsor Today
Windsor is a suburban community with a very equal mix of races and ethnicities. It has 4 elementary schools (Oliver Ellsworth, Clover Street, John F. Kennedy, Poqounnock), 1 middle school (Sage Park) and 1 high school (Windsor Public). Sage Mark Middle School is the largest in the state. A beautiful public park, complete with a nature center, trials and petting zoo resides in the Northwest corner of town. Atop the highest peak in Windsor sits the Hilton Garden Inn, which is next to the new Marriot and Courtyard by Marriot.
Windsor sits in the town next to Bradley International Airport which serves the greater Hartford/Springfield area.
The Windsor Historical Society is a collection of old homesteads that have existed since the 17th and 18th centuries and are available for tour. On historic Palisado Ave., one can find the old First Church and the adjacent graveyard. Across the street, on the old town green stands a statue of John Mason (founder of Windsor and colonial leader in the Pequot War).
The town center is small yet very quintissential. It includes a CVS Pharmacy, Geissler's Supermarket, Subway, Ice Cream Parlor, Donut Shoppe, Driving School, Jewelers, Public Library, Huntington House Museum (art museum), Town Hall and green w/ fountain, Bank, Indian and Italian restaurant, a computer store and various other small shoppes.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 80.4 km² (31.0 mi²). 76.7 km² (29.6 mi²) of it is land and 3.7 km² (1.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 4.61% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 28,237 people, 10,577 households, and 7,604 families residing in the town. The population density is 368.0/km² (953.0/mi²). There are 10,900 housing units at an average density of 142.0/km² (367.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 65.12% White, 27.09% African American, 0.16% Native American, 3.14% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.09% from other races, and 2.38% from two or more races. 4.98% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 10,577 households out of which 32.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% are married couples living together, 13.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.1% are non-families. 23.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.61 and the average family size is 3.10.
In the town the population is spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $64,137, and the median income for a family is $73,064. Males have a median income of $45,443 versus $37,476 for females. The per capita income for the town is $27,633. 3.7% of the population and 2.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.3% of those under the age of 18 and 5.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- Town of Windsor (http://www.townofwindsorct.com/)
- Windsor Public Schools (http://www.windsorct.org/)
- Windsor Public Library (http://www.windsorlibrary.com/)