Ledyard, Connecticut facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ledyard, Connecticut
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| Town of Ledyard | ||
Bill Library and the Ledyard Congregational Church in Ledyard Center
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 New London County and Connecticut Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region and Connecticut |
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| Country |  United States |
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| U.S. state |  Connecticut |
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| County | New London | |
| Region | Southeastern CT | |
| Incorporated | 1836 | |
| Named for | William Ledyard | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Mayor-council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 40.0 sq mi (103.6 km2) | |
| • Land | 38.1 sq mi (98.8 km2) | |
| • Water | 1.9 sq mi (4.8 km2) | |
| Elevation | 295 ft (90 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 15,413 | |
| • Density | 385.3/sq mi (148.77/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) | |
| ZIP Codes |
06335, 06338, 06339
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| Area code(s) | 860/959 | |
| FIPS code | 09-42600 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0213450 | |
Ledyard (/ˈlɛdʒɜːrd/ LEH-jerd) is a town in New London County, Connecticut. It is located along the Thames River. The town is named after Colonel William Ledyard. He was a Revolutionary War officer. He died during the Battle of Groton Heights. Ledyard is part of the Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region. In 2020, about 15,413 people lived there. The Foxwoods Resort Casino is in Ledyard. It is owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe.
Ledyard has a main ZIP code of 06339. The area called Gales Ferry uses postal code 06335. In the northeast, Mashantucket uses postal code 06338.
Contents
History of Ledyard
Ledyard was named after Colonel William Ledyard. He was a leader of colonial forces. He died in the Battle of Groton Heights in 1781. In 1836, Ledyard officially became a separate town. It was set off from the town of Groton.
Early Settlers and Farming
The western part of Ledyard was settled in the mid-1600s. Early settlers included Thomas Bayley and Robert Allyn. They were farmers. The Thames River was important for their travel and trade.
Geography and Nature in Ledyard
Ledyard covers about 40 square miles (103.6 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. About 1.9 square miles (4.8 square kilometers) is water. Ledyard is north of Groton. It is on the east side of the Thames River. The northern part of the Naval Submarine Base New London is in Ledyard.
Glacial Features in Ledyard
Ledyard was once covered by a huge ice sheet. This happened during the last ice age. Because of this, Ledyard has many interesting rocks and landforms. Glaciers carried large boulders that are now found all over town.
Ledyard has a "Glacial Park." This park shows features left by glaciers. It includes a section of the "Ledyard Moraine." This is a special type of rock deposit.
Communities and Neighborhoods
Ledyard has several main communities. These include Ledyard Center and Gales Ferry. Gales Ferry has smaller neighborhoods like Glenwoods.
Other areas in Ledyard include Aljen Heights and Lakeside. The town also contains the Mashantucket Pequot Reservation. This reservation is in the northeastern part of Ledyard.
People from Ledyard
Many interesting people have connections to Ledyard.
- Frederick Ayer (1822–1918) was an industrialist. He was born in Ledyard.
- Dennis Blair (born 1947) is a retired Admiral. He lived in Ledyard.
- Andy Dick (born 1965) is an actor and comedian. He grew up in Ledyard.
- Doc Hammer (born 1967) is a painter and co-creator of The Venture Bros.. He was born in Ledyard.
- Casey Neistat (born 1981) is a filmmaker. He grew up in Ledyard.
- Samuel Seabury (1729–1796) was an important bishop. He was born in Ledyard.
Population and Demographics
Ledyard has grown over the years. In 1840, about 1,871 people lived here. By 2020, the population was 15,413.
Population Changes Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1840 | 1,871 | — | |
| 1850 | 1,558 | −16.7% | |
| 1860 | 1,615 | 3.7% | |
| 1870 | 1,392 | −13.8% | |
| 1880 | 1,373 | −1.4% | |
| 1890 | 1,183 | −13.8% | |
| 1900 | 1,236 | 4.5% | |
| 1910 | 1,079 | −12.7% | |
| 1920 | 1,161 | 7.6% | |
| 1930 | 1,144 | −1.5% | |
| 1940 | 1,426 | 24.7% | |
| 1950 | 1,749 | 22.7% | |
| 1960 | 5,395 | 208.5% | |
| 1970 | 14,837 | 175.0% | |
| 1980 | 13,735 | −7.4% | |
| 1990 | 14,913 | 8.6% | |
| 2000 | 14,687 | −1.5% | |
| 2010 | 15,051 | 2.5% | |
| 2020 | 15,413 | 2.4% | |
| Population 1840 - 2000 Population 2010 |
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Who Lives in Ledyard?
In 2000, there were about 14,687 people in Ledyard. About 39.6% of households had children under 18. Most households (65.2%) were married couples.
The median age in Ledyard was 37 years old. About 28.3% of the population was under 18. About 9.0% were 65 or older.
Schools in Ledyard
Ledyard has several schools for students. The superintendent of schools is Jason Hartling.
Elementary Schools
- Gales Ferry School (Grades K-2)
- Gallup Hill School (Grades K-5)
- Juliet W. Long School (Grades 3-5)
Middle School
- Ledyard Middle School (Grades 6-8)
High School
- Ledyard High School (Grades 9-12)
Major Employers in Ledyard
Many people in Ledyard work at nearby businesses. The Naval Submarine Base New London is a big employer. It is located just south of Ledyard. Other major employers include Foxwoods Resort Casino and Electric Boat. Pfizer also employs many residents.
Points of Interest in Ledyard
Ledyard has several interesting places to visit.
- Allyn's Point is a scenic spot on the Thames River.
Historic Places to Explore
Several buildings and areas in Ledyard are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These places help us learn about the past.
- Applewood Farm was founded in 1826.
- Gurdon Bill Store was built in 1818.
- Nathan Lester House was built in 1793.
- Main Sawmill was built in 1869.
- Mashantucket Pequot Reservation Archeological District is a very important historical area.
- Perkins-Bill House was built in 1781.
- Capt. Mark Stoddard Farmstead was built in 1770.
Images for kids
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A large glacial erratic in Ledyard
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Another example of a glacial erratic
See also
In Spanish: Ledyard (Connecticut) para niños
