Deep River, Connecticut facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Deep River
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| Town of Deep River | |||
Town Hall, Deep River
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 Middlesex County and Connecticut Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region and Connecticut |
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| Country |  United States |
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| U.S. state |  Connecticut |
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| County | Middlesex | ||
| Region | Lower CT River Valley | ||
| Established | 1635 | ||
| Name changed | 1947 | ||
| Named for | A Deep River referring to the Connecticut River | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Selectman-town meeting | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 14.2 sq mi (36.8 km2) | ||
| • Land | 13.6 sq mi (35.1 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 148 ft (45 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,415 | ||
| • Density | 310.9/sq mi (119.97/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | ||
| ZIP code |
06417, 06419
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| Area code(s) | 860/959 | ||
| FIPS code | 09-19130 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0213417 | ||
Deep River is a small and friendly town in Middlesex County, Connecticut. It's part of the beautiful Lower Connecticut River Valley. In 2020, about 4,415 people lived here. The main part of town, called Deep River Center, is a special area recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau. Deep River is also known as one of the "Tri-town Area" towns, along with Chester and Essex.
Contents
Where is Deep River Located?
Deep River covers about 14.2 square miles (36.8 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part (about 0.6 square miles or 1.6 square kilometers) being water. The main town center, Deep River Center, is a specific area within the town.
Main Areas in Deep River
The town has two main communities:
- Deep River Center
- Winthrop
Deep River's Story
Deep River has a long and interesting history! It was once part of the Saybrook Colony, which officially joined Connecticut in 1644. Over time, different parts of the original colony became their own separate towns.
The area where Deep River village is now was owned by the Kirtland family back in 1723. The village of Winthrop was settled by Baptists around 1729.
In 1947, the town of Saybrook changed its name to "Deep River." This name comes from a smaller river or stream that flows through the town. This stream used to power mills and factories. It's not named after the big Connecticut River, which forms the town's eastern border. The actual Deep River stream starts near the town of Chester and flows into a cove that connects to the Connecticut River.
Towns That Grew from Saybrook Colony
The original Saybrook Colony was a large settlement near the mouth of the Connecticut River. Over many years, several towns were formed from its different parts:
- Lyme (originally East Saybrook) in 1665
- Chester in 1836
- Westbrook in 1840
- Essex (originally Old Saybrook) in 1852
- Old Saybrook (which separated from Essex) in 1854
Deep River's Ivory History
Did you know that from about 1840 to 1940, Deep River was a very important place for ivory? The United States bought a lot of ivory during this time, and much of it came to Deep River.
A man named Phineas Pratt invented a special machine called an ivory lathe. This machine helped shape ivory. Because of this invention and the ivory industry, Deep River became known as "the queen of the valley" due to the wealth it gained. Another company, Comstock, Cheney & Company, also worked with ivory in nearby Ivoryton.
Cool Places to Visit in Deep River
Deep River has several historic sites that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important places to protect and learn about!
- Deep River Freight Station – An old train station building.
- Deep River Town Hall – The town's main government building.
- Doris (Sailing yacht) – A historic sailing yacht.
- Pratt, Read and Company Factory Complex – An old factory complex that was important for the town's industries.
- The grave of XYZ – This is a mysterious grave in Fountain Hill Cemetery with only the initials "XYZ" on it. People say you should knock three times!
- Mount Saint John – A place with a long history.
Fun Events in Deep River
Every year, on the third Saturday in July, Deep River hosts a really cool event called the Deep River Ancient Muster. It's the biggest one-day gathering of fife and drum corps in the whole United States! These groups play old-fashioned music using fifes (like small flutes) and drums. It's a loud and exciting tradition!
Schools in Deep River
Deep River is part of Regional School District #4, which also includes the towns of Chester and Essex.
- Deep River Elementary School serves students from kindergarten to 6th grade.
- John Winthrop Middle School is for 7th and 8th graders.
- Valley Regional High School is where students go for grades 9 through 12.
Both the middle and high schools are located near each other. There's also the Connecticut Transition Academy at Mount Saint John, which helps students from elementary to high school.
Getting Around Deep River
The Estuary Transit District helps people get around Deep River and nearby towns. Their 9 Town Transit Service offers public transportation. You can even connect to the Old Saybrook Train Station, where you can catch Amtrak trains or the Shoreline East railroad.
Famous People from Deep River
Some notable people have connections to Deep River:
- Elizabeth Jarvis Colt, who was the wife of famous firearms maker Samuel Colt.
- Mysterious Dave Mather, a well-known gunfighter from the Wild West.
- Gretchen Mol, an actress.
- Alpheus S. Williams, a lawyer, judge, journalist, U.S. Congressman, and a general in the American Civil War.
Images for kids
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Town Hall, Deep River
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Flag of Deep River, Connecticut
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Seal of Deep River, Connecticut
See also
In Spanish: Deep River (Connecticut) para niños
