Washington, Connecticut
Washington, Connecticut | ||
---|---|---|
Town of Washington | ||
![]() The Hickory Stick Bookshop in Washington Depot | ||
FIPS code 09-79720 | | |
GNIS feature ID | 0213524 | |
Website | www |
Washington is a rural
History
Prehistoric period
Archeological evidence suggests that Native Americans first settled along the banks of the Shepaug River about 10,000 years ago, following the conclusion of the last ice age. Before the arrival of European settlers, the lands today comprising Washington were inhabited by the Wyantenock tribe.[3]
Colonial era
In 1734, Joseph Hurlbut settled the eastern section of what is now Washington, marking the beginning of the town's inhabitation by colonists. The area around the Hurlbut homestead came to be known as the Judea Parish, a name preserved in the still active Judea Cemetery. The area was initially part of Woodbury.[4]
In 1746, Edward Cogswell secured the right to mine iron ore, as part of the New Milford North Purchase, and established an ironworks along the East Aspetuck River in New Preston. 1746 also marked the purchase of land from the Wyantenock tribe by the Averill family for a homestead on Baldwin Hill, which is still occupied and farmed by direct descendants of the original inhabitants.[5]
Washington was incorporated in 1779, with lands carved from the towns of Woodbury,
19th century
Industrial Revolution. Early in the 19th century, small mills and factories proliferated along the Shepaug River in present-day
Invention of Summer Camp. In 1861, Frederick W. Gunn, the abolitionist founder of the Gunnery prep school, opened one of America's earliest summer camp's in Washington.[7]
Slavery Safe Harbor. Washington was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Local residents provided a safe harbor for slaves fleeing captivity, and organized efforts to throw bounty hunters off the tracks of their pursuits.[8]
Arcadian Movement. The arrival of the
20th century
Birth of Steep Rock. In 1925, architect Ehrick Rossiter donated 100 acres (0.40 km2) of land along the Shepaug River to a group of trustees for the purpose of preserving it as open space, marking the founding of the Steep Rock Association[11] land trust, which today holds land and conservation easements protecting more than 2,700 acres (11 km2) in Washington.[12]
Flood of 1955. In August 1955, two large storms passed over Litchfield County in close succession, flooding many local river valleys. North of Washington Depot, twin culverts carrying the Shepaug River under U.S. Route 202 were plugged with debris, causing floodwaters to accumulate upstream. The culverts and roadway succumbed to the resulting pressure, causing a wall of water to race down the river valley, washing away many of the homes and businesses in the Depot's village center, and killing a couple who ignored warnings to evacuate.[13] A reconstruction effort, led by Henry B. Van Sinderen, and modeled after a town on Long Island, was quickly commenced.[4] Homes and businesses soon reemerged, but the village lost many historic structures, and it has never regained its pre-flood density or vitality. The layout and visual character of the Depot were also radically altered, and the village center assumed its contemporary appearance, which varies considerably from Washington's traditional architectural vernacular.
Invasion of the Iroquois. In 1986, Iroquois Gas Transmission System sought permission from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to construct a 356-mile-long (573 km) natural gas pipeline through New York and Connecticut. The proposed route ran through Lake Waramaug's eastern watershed, across the Shepaug River, and through the Steep Rock Reservation, with a secondary spur running through Washington Green and Nettleton Hollow. The Washington Environmental Council[14] became an intervenor in the proceedings, retained a prominent Washington, D.C., law firm, and mounted a vigorous opposition campaign. In 1989, Iroquois decided to reroute the pipeline, shifting it south of Washington's borders.[15][16]
Shepaug River Lawsuit. In 1997, Washington residents voted unanimously to join a lawsuit against the
Sempra Fight. In 1998,
Contemporary Washington
In 2008, Optasite submitted an application to the Connecticut Siting Council to erect a telecommunications tower atop Tanner Hill in a visually conspicuous location above the Macricostas Preserve, some 250 feet (76 m) north of the Washington town line.[20] The State of Connecticut had previously purchased the development rights for the land beneath the proposed tower site for farmland preservation. Washington's Conservation Commission became an intervenor in the application. Working with a coalition that included Governor Jodi Rell, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, and an ad-hoc community organization called CROWW,[21] they built an environmental and legal case against the tower proposal.[22] In 2009, Optasite withdrew its application, and legislation was subsequently introduced in the Connecticut General Assembly to hold companies liable for costs incurred as a consequence of applications submitted to the Siting Council in bad faith.[23]
Geography
Washington is located in the Litchfield Hills region of Connecticut, approximately 22 miles (35 km) northeast of Danbury, 40 miles (64 km) west of Hartford, and 80 miles (130 km) northeast of New York City.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 38.6 square miles (100.1 km2), of which 38.1 square miles (98.6 km2) are land and 0.58 square miles (1.5 km2), or 1.48%, are water.[24]
The dominant geographic features of Washington are the Shepaug, East Aspetuck, and Bantam river valleys. Lake Waramaug is in the northeast corner of the town. The landscape is characterized by rolling hills, high plateaus, and river and stream valleys. Mixed deciduous and coniferous forest covers most of Washington, but open agricultural fields are also prevalent.
Principal communities
- Washington Green
- Washington Depot
- New Preston
- Marbledale
- Woodville
Natural resources
- The
- Kent, is the second largest natural lake in Connecticut.[27]
- Mount Tom and Mount Tom Pond are in Washington's northeast corner and share municipal boundaries with the towns of Litchfield. Mount Tom State Park is one of Connecticut's oldest state parks.[28]A stone tower at the top of the mountain affords distant views and attracts many hikers.
- Meeker Swamp is a large complex of exceptionally high-quality wetlands which overlay a geologically distinctive potable water.
- The ridgeline running east–west along Washington's northern boundary, between Lake Waramaug and the Shepaug River, forms the edge of the northern portion of the Highlands of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.[30]
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1820 | 1,487 | — | |
1850 | 1,832 | — | |
1860 | 1,659 | −9.4% | |
1870 | 1,563 | −5.8% | |
1880 | 1,590 | 1.7% | |
1890 | 1,633 | 2.7% | |
1900 | 1,820 | 11.5% | |
1910 | 1,747 | −4.0% | |
1920 | 1,619 | −7.3% | |
1930 | 1,775 | 9.6% | |
1940 | 2,089 | 17.7% | |
1950 | 2,227 | 6.6% | |
1960 | 2,603 | 16.9% | |
1970 | 3,121 | 19.9% | |
1980 | 3,657 | 17.2% | |
1990 | 3,905 | 6.8% | |
2000 | 3,596 | −7.9% | |
2010 | 3,578 | −0.5% | |
2020 | 3,646 | 1.9% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[31] |
Many families have local histories dating back to the Colonial period. The town is overwhelmingly caucasian, has a substantial gay population, and is unusually urbane for a rural community.[2] A significant percentage of homes are occupied on a part-time basis, with their owners residing principally in New York City or elsewhere. Consequently, census data may not accurately reflect the population's demography.
As of the
There were 1,416 households, out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $65,288, and the median income for a family was $80,745. Males had a median income of $51,610 versus $35,337 for females. The
Government
Washington has a traditional New England town meeting form of government, which operates under the Connecticut General Statutes. Town meetings serve as Washington's chief legislative body,[4] and several specialized boards and commissions, run by volunteer residents, tend to municipal business.
An elected
Washington's volunteer boards and commissions are supplemented by a small paid staff, which includes the full-time elected positions of First Selectman, Town Clerk,[35] Tax Collector,[36] and Judge of Probate. The town also has a paid land-use coordinator, zoning enforcement officer, inland wetlands enforcement officer, assessor, building inspector, and administrative staff, as well as a road crew and building maintenance person.
Civic life
Washington has a culture of volunteerism and active civic engagement. Many residents give freely of their time and resources to operate town government, provide emergency services, and support local community organizations.[37] The town has unusually high voter turnout rates, and, in several elections, has had the highest level of voter participation of any municipality in Connecticut. For example, Washington's voter turnout rate in the 2004 presidential election was as high as 93.08%[38]
Conservation focus
Successive generations of Washington residents have actively supported land conservation efforts, and their gifts of property and conservation easements to local land trusts have yielded large tracts of permanent open space.[12]
The town's strong conservation ethic is also evident in its land-use policies, which strictly limit new development. Washington was one of the first Connecticut municipalities to establish zoning regulations, which were enacted in 1939,
Development proposals seen as posing a threat to the town's natural resources or rural character typically elicit controversy and often result in litigation, which is quietly underwritten by Washington's deep-pocketed and well-connected residents.[42][43]
Economy
Washington's economy has changed considerably over the course of the town's history. At various points, iron works, logging, manufacturing, and farming have driven local economic activity, but contemporary Washington has no industrial base, and only a handful of farms remain active. Today, the local economy is centered on the town's population of affluent, part-time residents, whose income, for the most part, is not locally derived. The design, construction, renovation, decoration, maintenance, and sale of country houses accounts for a substantial portion of local economic activity. Restaurants, inns, speciality retail shops, and professional services also play an important role in Washington's economy, as do educational institutions.[44]
Infrastructure
Transportation
. There is no public transportation within the town.Architecture
A substantial percentage of the houses in Washington were built prior to 1950,
The Connecticut Historical Commission[47] conducted a comprehensive inventory of historic structures in Washington and in 2000 published the voluminous "Historic and Architectural Resource Survey of Washington, Connecticut," which includes detailed information about dozens of historic structures throughout the town.
Historic districts
Washington includes three municipal historic district and one federally designated National Register district.
- The Italianate styles.[48]
- The Calhoun–Ives Historic District runs along Calhoun Street and Ives Road. It is Connecticut's only agricultural historic district and is characterized by modestly scaled 18th- and 19th-century farmhouses, built in the Georgian and Greek Revival styles, together with accompanying agricultural outbuildings, farm fields, and fruit orchards.
- The Sunny Ridge Historic District encompasses the area along Sunny Ridge Road, just south of its junction with Connecticut Route 109, and includes several well-preserved 18th century Georgian homes.
- The New Preston Hill Historic District overlays portions of the top of New Preston Hill, along New Preston Hill Road and Findlay Road, approximately three quarters of a mile west of the New Preston village center.[49] The structures in this district are built principally in the Georgian style.
Education
Washington is part of the
- Reach Preschool[50]
- Washington Primary School[51]
- Shepaug Valley School (secondary)
The town is also home to four private educational institutions:
- Rumsey Hall School
- The Gunnery
- Devereux Glenholme School
- Washington Montessori School[52]
Notable people
- Christopher Andersen, journalist and author
- Helen Armstrong, violinist[53]
- Christine Baranski, actress[54]
- Robert Barnett, choreographer
- Peter Brimelow, magazine editor[55]
- Graydon Carter, editor of Vanity Fair magazine[56]
- Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece[57]
- Jim Dine, artist[58]
- Rufus Easton, U.S. congressman
- Ezra Hasbrouck Fitch, co-founder of Abercrombie & Fitch
- Benjamin Delahauf Foulois, aviator
- Matthew Franjola, former reporter and photographer for the Associated Press[59]
- William Hamilton Gibson, illustrator, author and naturalist
- Frederick Gunn, abolitionist, educator, and inventor of summer camp[9][60]
- Thomas Hastings, composer
- Ann Hodgman, author[61]
- Alfred R. Kelman, film producer & director
- Dan Lufkin, co-founder of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette[62]
- Paul Marks, scientist
- Jeff McCracken, actor, director, producer
- Danny Meyer, restaurateur
- Robert Mnuchin, art dealer and former banker
- Conan O'Brien, comedian[63]
- David Owen, author[64]
- Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece[57]
- Moses Pendleton, choreographer[65]
- Orville Hitchcock Platt, U.S. senator, 1879–1905, author of the Platt Amendment dictating U.S.-Cuba relations after 1901
- Joan Rivers, comedian[66]
- Ehrick Rossiter, architect[9]
- Scott Rudin, film producer[67]
- George Soros, financier[68]
- Art Spiegelman, cartoonist[69]
- Phil Stong, novelist
- Peter C. Sutton, art historian
- James Taylor, musician[70]
- William vanden Heuvel, diplomat and author[71]
- Chris von Wangenheim, photographer[72]
- Heather Watts, dancer[73]
- Elisha Whittlesey, US congressman
- Damian Woetzel, dancer[74]
- Jonathan Wolken, choreographer[75]
- Stuart Woods, author[67]
In popular culture
Television writer/producer Amy Sherman-Palladino used a trip to Washington Depot and the Mayflower Inn with her husband Daniel as the inspiration and basis for the fictional town of Stars Hollow seen in her television series Gilmore Girls, along with Lorelai Gilmore's workplace, the Independence Inn. A Gilmore Girls fan festival took place in the town in October 2016, in anticipation of the series' Netflix revival.[76]
Portions of the 1981 horror movie
Author Stuart Woods' principal character Stone Barrington had a house in Washington and often ate at the Mayflower Inn. He drives from Manhattan to Washington in numerous novels.
References
- ^ a b "Census - Geography Profile: Washington town, Litchfield County, Connecticut". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ a b Williams, Gisela (December 5, 2003). "Havens; Weekender; Washington, Conn". The New York Times. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
- ^ Gunn Celebrates Lake Waramaug in New Exhibit
- ^ a b c d "About". Town of Washington Connecticut. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- ^ "A Brief History of Washington". www.nynjctbotany.org. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly. Connecticut Magazine Company. 1903. p. 335.
- ^ Domonell, Kristen A. (June 17, 2009). "Hello muddah, I'll see you at home: Economy Throwing Cold Water on Many Campfires". Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ Gibson, William Hamilton (August 13, 1887). "The master of the Gunnery". New York, The Gunn Memorial Association. Retrieved August 13, 2019 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ a b c "Home · Gunn Memorial Library and Museum". Gunn Memorial Library and Museum. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ https://books.google.com/books?id=N7U9R3AK4aAC&dq=%22Return+to+Arcadia%3A+Ehrick+Rossiter%27s+Washington%22&pg=PA313 [dead link]
- ^ "A Land Trust Supported by Your Donations". Steep Rock Association. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ a b "Steep Rock Association, Inc. » History". Archived from the original on July 29, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
- ^ Miller, Robert (August 14, 2005). "Angry waters". newstimes. The News-Times. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
- ^ a b "Washington Environmental Council". Washington Environmental Council. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ Libov, Charlotte (May 31, 1987). "Pipeline Shift: Logic of Litchfield?". The New York Times. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Iroquois Pipeline". Washington Environmental Council. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- ^ Charles, Eleanor (October 25, 1998). "In the Region / Connecticut; A Flurry of Proposals for Gas-Fired Power Plants". The New York Times. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Metro Business; Power Plant Is Rejected". The New York Times. Associated Press. December 17, 1999. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Sempra Power Plant". Washington Environmental Council. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- ^ "Washington Connecticut October Minutes" (PDF). October 1, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Minutes: Conservation Commission - Washington, Connecticut". Archived from the original on May 2, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
- ^ "Minutes: Conservation Commission - Washington, Connecticut". Archived from the original on May 14, 2010. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
- ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), Washington town, Litchfield County, Connecticut". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- ^ "Steep Rock Association, Steep Rock Preserve". Archived from the original on May 10, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- ^ "Steep Rock Association, Hidden Valley Preserve". Archived from the original on May 5, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- ^ Ferris, Jamie (May 21, 2010). "Visions of Waramaug in Exhibit". The Litchfield County Times. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
- ^ "DEEP: Mount Tom State Park". www.ct.gov. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Macricostas Preserve". Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry". www.fs.usda.gov. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "AN ACT CONCERNING PLANS OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT". www.cga.ct.gov. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "CHAPTER 97a* HISTORIC DISTRICTS AND HISTORIC PROPERTIES". Archived from the original on May 31, 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
- ^ "Town Clerk - Washington, Connecticut". Archived from the original on February 23, 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
- ^ "Tax Collector - Washington, Connecticut". Archived from the original on February 23, 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
- ^ Coraggio, Jack (May 14, 2010). "Firefighters in Washington Praised for a Long Ordeal". The Litchfield County Times. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
- ^ Coraggio, Jack (February 4, 2005). "Washington Wins Democracy Cup...Again". The Danbury News-Times. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 24, 2011. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 19, 2011. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 10, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Prevost, Lisa (February 13, 2009). "Anti-Inn? How About 33 Homes?". The New York Times. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
- ^ "Public & Legal Notices - Washington, Connecticut". Archived from the original on January 26, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
- ^ "Plan of Conservation and Development - Washington, Connecticut". Archived from the original on July 25, 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
- ^ "Site Unavailable".
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 19, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Informativa per l'utenza: il sito cslib.org diventerà truffa.net". www.truffa.net. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Historic District Commission - Washington, Connecticut". Archived from the original on July 25, 2010. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ "Reach Preschool". Archived from the original on March 14, 2007. Retrieved July 24, 2006.
- ^ "Washington Primary School". Archived from the original on February 5, 2007. Retrieved July 24, 2006.
- ^ "Washington Montessori School". Washington Montessori School. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Helen Armstrong". Archived from the original on September 5, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
- ^ Prevost, Lisa (July 21, 2006). "Lots of New Yorkers, but Little City Pretense". The New York Times. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Peter Brimelow". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ McMullen, Troy. "A Pricey Publication". Wall Street Journal Online. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
- ^ a b Greek Crown Heir Sells Country Estate, Naples News
- ^ Casselman, Ben. "Susan Sontag's Manhattan Penthouse Is Listed for Sale for $3.75 Million". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on November 9, 2006. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
- ^ McCallum, Kaitlin (January 5, 2015). "Litchfield County's Matthew Franjola dies at 72". The Register Citizen. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
- ^ "Parents have a lot to consider before sending kids to camp". The News-Times. February 17, 2008. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "EatingWell.com". Archived from the original on February 25, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ Balley, Sian. "Cynthia Lufkin". New York York Social Diary.
- ^ Williams, Gisela (December 5, 2003). "HAVENS; Weekender | Washington, Conn". The New York Times. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "David Owen". The New Yorker. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ Rizzo, Frank (January 7, 2010). "Family Business". Hartford Courant. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ Maker, Elizabeth (September 26, 2004). "In Warren, a Big 'For Sale' Sign". The New York Times. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ a b "Asking price for Connecticut's Rocks pretty steep at $5.3 mil". Chicago Sun-Times. November 4, 2012. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ Williams, Gisela (December 5, 2003). "HAVENS; Weekender – Washington, Conn". The New York Times.
- ^ Collins-Hughes, Laura (June 20, 2010). "Spiegelman, from 'Maus' to movement". The Boston Globe.
- ^ Catlin, Roger (August 15, 1992). "James Taylor Plays Warm Reunion at Civic Center". Hartford Courant. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ Maker, Elizabeth (May 16, 1999). "The View From/Washington; Library as Centerpiece at Celebrity Dinners". The New York Times.
- ^ Morris, Bernardine (March 12, 1981). "Chris von Wagenheim, 39, Took Innovative Fashion Photographs". The New York Times.
- ^ Watson, Virginia (February 9, 1995). "CHATSWORTH : Watts Retires From New York City Ballet". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "Mick's A Hit With Jerry & Kids". Daily News. New York. June 10, 1999. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011.
- ^ Fox, Margalit (June 18, 2010). "Jonathan Wolken; founded Pilobolus dance troupe". The Boston Globe.
- ^ Kickham, Dylan (August 24, 2016). "Gilmore Girls Fan Fest to take place in the town that inspired Stars Hollow". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- ^ "Friday the 13th Part 2: Film Location".