East Haddam is a
town
A town is a human settlement. Towns are generally larger than villages and smaller than cities, though the criteria to distinguish between them vary considerably in different parts of the world.
Origin and use
The word "town" shares an ori ...
in
Middlesex County,
Connecticut
Connecticut () is the southernmost state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. Its cap ...
. The population was 8,875 at the time of the
2020 census.
History
Until 1650, the area of East Haddam was inhabited by at least three Indigenous peoples: the
Wangunk The Wangunk or Wongunk were an Indigenous people from central Connecticut. They had three major settlements in the areas of the present-day towns of Portland, Middletown, and Wethersfield. They also used lands in other parts of what were later or ...
, the
Mohegan
The Mohegan are an Algonquian Native American tribe historically based in present-day Connecticut. Today the majority of the people are associated with the Mohegan Indian Tribe, a federally recognized tribe living on a reservation in the east ...
and the
Niantic Niantic may refer to:
* Niantic people, tribe of American Indians
* Niantic, Inc., mobile app developer known for the mobile games ''Ingress'' and ''Pokémon Go''
Ships
* ''Niantic'' (whaling vessel), relic of San Francisco Gold Rush
*USS ''Ni ...
. The Indigenous nations called the area "Machimoodus", the place of noises, because of numerous earthquakes that were recorded between 1638 and 1899. Loud rumblings, the "
Moodus Noises
Moodus is a village in the town of East Haddam, Connecticut, United States. The village is the basis of a census-designated place (CDP) of the same name. The population of the CDP was 1,982 as of the census of 2020.
History
Prior to its purchas ...
", could be heard for miles surrounding the epicenter of the quakes near Mt. Tom. The land, which is now
Haddam and East Haddam, was purchased by settlers from the natives in 1662 for thirty coats, worth about $100.
Layout of the highways began in 1669 with Creek Row about ¼ mile east of the River and Town Street “The Great Highway” about ¼ mile east of Creek Row. The first permanent settlers established homesteads along Creek Row in 1685. By 1700, there were thirty families living in East Haddam. Agricultural and timber farming, shipbuilding, tanneries and blacksmiths were among the early commerce. Captain John Chapman began ferry service across the Connecticut River in 1695, which ended with the completion of the swing bridge in 1913.
East Haddam was incorporated as a separate town from Haddam in 1734. By 1756, there were nearly 2,000 residents, with the Millington District as the most populated. Growth of commerce brought a surge in population to around 3,000 people by the mid-1800s. In the nineteenth century, Moodus was the “Twine Capital of America,” with twelve mills in operation. Visitors and residents such as actor
William Gillette
William Hooker Gillette (July 24, 1853 – April 29, 1937) was an American actor-manager, playwright, and stage-manager in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best remembered for portraying Sherlock Holmes on stage and in a 1916 ...
whose castle home was completed in 1914, were drawn to the area known for its rural charm and natural scenery. The growth of the resort areas of Lake Hayward, Bashan Lake and Moodus Reservoir began in the early 1900s and was a booming business for the next fifty years.
Lake Hayward is a small private lake community within East Haddam that is home to around 120 families, most living at the lake only during summer months. The community hosts several events for residents, including game nights, bingo, child activities, and live music.
Geography
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it (3.96%) is water.
Principal communities
*Bashan
*
East Haddam Center
*
Hadlyme
*
Leesville
*
Little Haddam
*
Millington
*
Moodus
*North Plain
Demographics
As of the
census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...
of 2000, there were 8,333 people, 3,174 households, and 2,285 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 4,015 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 97.26%
White
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...
, 0.84%
African American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
, 0.28%
Native American, 0.40%
Asian
Asian may refer to:
* Items from or related to the continent of Asia:
** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia
** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia
** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...
, 0.46% from
other races
Other often refers to:
* Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy
Other or The Other may also refer to:
Film and television
* ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack
* ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...
, and 0.77% from two or more races.
Hispanic
The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad.
The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to Vic ...
or
Latino
Latino or Latinos most often refers to:
* Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America
* Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States
* The people or cultures of Latin America;
** Latin A ...
of any race were 0.98% of the population.
There were 3,174 households, out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were
married couples
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...
living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $62,304, and the median income for a family was $70,091. Males had a median income of $45,500 versus $36,055 for females. The
per capita income
Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population.
Per capita i ...
for the town was $28,112. About 1.0% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the
poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...
, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over. 2017 CERT Town Profile, click here.
Education
Public
The East Haddam Public School System has about 1,100 students in grades Pre-K–12; about 121 certified teachers, 70 support staff and 7 administrators. Mr. Brian Reas is superintendent of schools.
Located in
Moodus, Connecticut
Moodus is a village in the town of East Haddam, Connecticut, United States. The village is the basis of a census-designated place (CDP) of the same name. The population of the CDP was 1,982 as of the census of 2020.
History
Prior to its purcha ...
, the three schools in the public school system are:
* Nathan Hale-Ray High School (grades 9–12) – about 418 students
* Nathan Hale-Ray Middle School (Grades 4–8) – about 573 students
* East Haddam Elementary School (Grades Pre-K–3) – about 430 students
Private
*
Franklin Academy – "A Boarding and Day School for Students with Nonverbal Learning Differences in grades 8–12", according to the school's Web site. The private, nonprofit school was opened in 2003 and has a campus of .
Attractions
Cultural
*''East Haddam Libraries'' – two public libraries, The East Haddam Free Public Library] (18 Plains Rd, Moodus) and The Rathbun Free Memorial Library (36 Main St, East Haddam). EHFPL is well known for its teen and family programs, while Rathbun Library is known for its adult and child programs. Both have special collections in addition to offering basic library fare
*
Gillette Castle State Park
Gillette Castle State Park straddles the towns of East Haddam, Connecticut, East Haddam and Lyme, Connecticut in the United States, sitting high above the Connecticut River. The castle was designed and built by William Gillette (1853–1937), an Un ...
– historic former home of late actor William Gillette and river outlook on Route 82.
*
Goodspeed Opera House
Goodspeed Musicals is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theater and the creation of new works, located in East Haddam, Connecticut. A distinctive feature of the view from the Connecticut River, th ...
– award-winning theater, on Route 82 near the
East Haddam Bridge.
*Venture Smith Day – annual celebration at First Church Cemetery honoring
Venture Smith
Venture Smith (Birth name: Broteer Furro) (c. 1729 – 1805) was an African-American farmer and craftsman. Smith was kidnapped when he was six and a half years old in West Africa and was taken to Anomabo on the Gold Coast (modern-day Ghana) t ...
, East Haddam resident and author of early slave narrative
Historical
*
Amasa Day House
The Amasa Day House is a historic house museum at 33 Plains Road in the Moodus village of East Haddam, Connecticut. Built in 1816, it is one of the oldest buildings in the village of Moodus, and a fine example of Federal period architecture. ...
– historic museum, on Plains Road
*
Boardman House Inn – built in 1860 as the home of Luther Boardman, now a luxury inn
*
East Haddam Bridge – built in 1913, the 899-foot-long swing bridge is reputed to be the longest of its type in the world
* East Haddam Historical Society Museum – includes local history exhibits, including pictures of the construction of the
East Haddam Swing Bridge.
[''Connecticut, Massachusetts & Rhode Island Tourbook 2007 Edition''. (2007) p 42. AAA Publishing, Heathrow, Florida]
* First Church of Christ – Congregational Church built in 1794, on Town Street.
*Gelston House – built in 1736, once a tavern and boarding house, now a restaurant and bar adjacent from the
Goodspeed Opera House
Goodspeed Musicals is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theater and the creation of new works, located in East Haddam, Connecticut. A distinctive feature of the view from the Connecticut River, th ...
.
*Gideon Higgins house – site on the Underground Railroad, on Route 149.
*
Johnsonville Village – once a thriving mill community, then a Victorian Era tourist attraction, then an abandoned ghost town, now owned by
Iglesia ni Cristo.
*
Nathan Hale School House – historic site, on Route 149, one of two Nathan Hale School Houses in Connecticut.
*St. Stephen's Bell – thought to be the oldest bell in the New World, it was cast in a Spanish monastery in 815
CE and brought to the US in 1834. It now hangs at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church on Route 149.
*
Venture Smith
Venture Smith (Birth name: Broteer Furro) (c. 1729 – 1805) was an African-American farmer and craftsman. Smith was kidnapped when he was six and a half years old in West Africa and was taken to Anomabo on the Gold Coast (modern-day Ghana) t ...
's Grave – a site on the Connecticut Freedom Trail.
Natural
*
Devil's Hopyard State Park, natural area with hiking trails, picnic areas, campground, and Chapman's Falls.
* Eagle viewing sites:
** Along the
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the longest river in the New England region of the United States, flowing roughly southward for through four states. It rises 300 yards (270 m) south of the U.S. border with Quebec, Canada, and discharges at Long Island ...
at the Town Office parking lot
** Near Riverhouse, overlooking the north side of the
East Haddam Bridge
*
Lake Hayward, long, wide spring-fed lake in northern section of East Haddam. Originally called Long Pond.
*
Machimoodus State Park
Machimoodus State Park is a public recreation area located on the Salmon River near the village of Moodus in the town of East Haddam, Connecticut. The state park is bordered by Sunrise State Park to the north and by the Salmon River and Salm ...
*
Sunrise Resort State Park
Notable people
*
Morgan Bulkeley
Morgan Gardner Bulkeley (December 26, 1837 – November 6, 1922) was an American politician, businessman, and sports executive. A Republican, he served in the American Civil War, and became a Hartford bank president before becoming the third pre ...
(1837–1922),
Baseball Hall of Fame
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests. It serves as the central point of the history of baseball in the United States and displays baseball-r ...
inductee and first president of the National League
*
George Comer
Captain George Comer (April 1858 – 1937) was considered the most famous American whaling captain of Hudson Bay, and the world's foremost authority on Hudson Bay Inuit in the early 20th century.
Comer was a polar explorer, whaler/ sealer, ethno ...
(1858–1937), polar explorer and whaler; namesake of ''
Gallinula comeri''
*
Christopher Dodd
Christopher John Dodd (born May 27, 1944) is an American lobbyist, lawyer, and Democratic Party politician who served as a United States senator from Connecticut from 1981 to 2011. Dodd is the longest-serving senator in Connecticut's histor ...
, a former
United States senator
The United States Senate is the Upper house, upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the United States House of Representatives, House of Representatives being the Lower house, lower chamber. Together they compose the national Bica ...
for Connecticut
*
John Gardner Griffin, Wisconsin state assemblyman
*
Bill Griffith
William Henry Jackson Griffith (born January 20, 1944) is an American cartoonist who signs his work Bill Griffith and Griffy. He is best known for his surreal daily comic strip '' Zippy''. The catchphrase "Are we having fun yet?" is credited to ...
(born 1944), cartoonist
*
Louis P. Harvey
Louis Powell Harvey (July 22, 1820 – April 19, 1862) was an American politician and the seventh Governor of Wisconsin. He was the first Wisconsin Governor to die in office.
Early life
Harvey was born in East Haddam, Connecticut, and moved w ...
(1820–1862), seventh
governor of Wisconsin
The governor of Wisconsin is the head of government of Wisconsin and the commander-in-chief of the state's army and air forces. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Wiscons ...
*
Uriel Holmes
Uriel Holmes (August 26, 1764 – May 18, 1827) was a United States representative from Connecticut. He was born in East Haddam, Connecticut, and then moved with his parents to Hartland, Connecticut. He attended the common schools and graduated ...
(1764–1827), United States representative from Connecticut
*
Elizabeth Louisa Foster Mather (1815–1882), writer
*
George White Pratt
George White Pratt (March 23, 1840 – January 17, 1899) was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly and the Wisconsin State Senate.
Biography
Pratt was born on March 23, 1840, in East Haddam, Connecticut. He moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 18 ...
, Wisconsin state senator
*
Joseph Spencer
Joseph Spencer (October 3, 1714 – January 13, 1789) was an American lawyer, soldier, and statesman from Connecticut. During the Revolutionary War, he served both as a delegate to the Continental Congress and as a major general in the C ...
, lawyer, soldier, and statesman during the
Revolutionary War
*
Calvin Willey
Calvin Willey (September 15, 1776August 23, 1858) was an American politician from Connecticut who served in the United States Senate from 1825 to 1831.
Early life and education
Willey was born in East Haddam, Connecticut, and attended common scho ...
, United States senator and chair of the
Senate Agriculture Committee
The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry is a committee of the United States Senate empowered with congressional oversight, legislative oversight of all matters relating to the nation's agriculture industry, farming programs, forest ...
In popular culture
East Haddam has been used as a filming location for many different films and TV shows including:
*
Billy Joel
William Martin Joel (born May 9, 1949) is an American singer, pianist and songwriter. Commonly nicknamed the "Piano Man (song), Piano Man" after his album and signature song of the same name, he has led a commercially successful career as a solo ...
's 1993 music video for "
The River of Dreams
"The River of Dreams" is a song by American musician Billy Joel. It is the title track and first single from his 1993 album, ''River of Dreams.'' The song was a hit, peaking at number three on the US and UK charts, making it Joel's best-charting ...
" was filmed in several locations around East Haddam, including the chapel and one-room schoolhouse in Johnsonville Village.
*In season 1, episode 2 of ''
Gilmore Girls
''Gilmore Girls'' is an American comedy-drama television series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and starring Lauren Graham (Lorelai Gilmore) and Alexis Bledel (Rory Gilmore). The show debuted on October 5, 2000, on The WB and became a flagshi ...
'', b-roll was used of East Haddam, showing the Gelston House and the
Goodspeed Opera House
Goodspeed Musicals is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theater and the creation of new works, located in East Haddam, Connecticut. A distinctive feature of the view from the Connecticut River, th ...
, standing in for the fictional town of
Stars Hollow
Stars Hollow is a fictional town in Connecticut featured on the television show ''Gilmore Girls'' and the Netflix miniseries '' Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life''. It is the town in which the protagonists Lorelai Gilmore and her daughter Rory ...
.
*The
Cuba Gooding Jr
Cuba Mark Gooding Jr. (born January 2, 1968) is an American actor. He is the recipient of an Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and an Emmy nomination.
After his breakthrough role as Tre Styles in ''Boyz n the Hood'' (1991), he appeare ...
film ''Something Whispered'' was filmed partially on location in Johnsonville Village.
* East Haddam's "
Devil's Hop Yard" is referred to in
H. P. Lovecraft's ''
The Dunwich Horror
"The Dunwich Horror" is a horror novella by American writer H. P. Lovecraft. Written in 1928, it was first published in the April 1929 issue of '' Weird Tales'' (pp. 481–508). It takes place in Dunwich, a fictional town in Massachusett ...
''.
References
External links
Town of East Haddam Official SiteEast Haddam Public Schools
{{authority control
Towns in Middlesex County, Connecticut
Connecticut populated places on the Connecticut River
Towns in Connecticut
Greater Hartford