Middletown, Connecticut facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Middletown
City
City of Middletown
Middletown skyline
Seal Logo
Nickname(s):  Forest City
Middlesex County and Connecticut  Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region and Connecticut
Country	United States
U.S. state	Connecticut
County	Middlesex
Region	Lower CT River Valley
Incorporated (town)	1651
Incorporated (city)	1784
Consolidated	1923
Named for	Being halfway between Hartford, and Saybrook on the Connecticut River
Government
• Type	Mayor-council
Area
• Total	42.37 sq mi (109.72 km2)
• Land	41.02 sq mi (106.24 km2)
• Water	1.35 sq mi (3.49 km2)
Elevation	135 ft (41 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	47,717
• Density	1,163.26/sq mi (449.14/km2)
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern)
ZIP Code	06457
Area code(s)	860/959
FIPS code	09-47290
GNIS feature ID	02378281
Major highways

Middletown is a city in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. Located along the Connecticut River, in the central part of the state, it is 16 miles (26 kilometers) south of Hartford. Middletown is the largest city in the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region. In 1650, it was incorporated by English settlers as a town under its original Native American name, Mattabeseck, after the local Wangunk village of the same name. They were among many tribes along the Atlantic coast who spoke Algonquian languages. The colonists renamed the settlement in 1653.

When Hartford County was organized on May 10, 1666, Middletown was included within its boundaries. In 1784, the central settlement was incorporated as a city distinct from the town. Both were included within newly formed Middlesex County in May 1785. In 1923, the City of Middletown was consolidated with the Town, making the city limits extensive.

Originally developed as a sailing port and then an industrial center on the Connecticut River, it is now largely residential. Its downtown, based on Main Street, serves as a popular retail, dining, and bar district near Wesleyan University. Middletown was the county seat of Middlesex County from its creation in 1785 until the elimination of county government in 1960. As of the 2020 census, the city had a total population of 47,717. Middletown, Connecticut is considered the southernmost city in the Hartford-Springfield Knowledge Corridor Metropolitan Region, which features a combined metro population of 1.9 million. Middletown is largely a politically progressive city, and is home to one of the largest pride events in all of Connecticut.

History

The land on the western bank of the Connecticut River where Middletown now lies was home to the Mattabesett Native Americans (also spelled Mattabesec, Mattabeseck, and Mattabesek); the area they inhabited—now Middletown and the surrounding area—was named after them. At the time the first European settlers arrtived in the region, the Mattabesetts were a part of the group of tribes in the Connecticut Valley, under a single chief named Sowheag.

Plans for the colonial settlement of "Mattabesett" were drawn up by the General Court in 1646; the first Europeans arrived from nearby Connecticut colonies in 1650. The Name Middletown was chosen because the site was approximate halfway between Windsor and Saybrook on the Great River. Life was not easy among these early colonial Puritans; clearing the land and building homes, and tending farms in the rocky soil of New England was a labor-intensive ordeal. Law, too, was often harsh among the Puritans; offenses legally punishable by death in the Connecticut colonies included, "witchcraft, blasphemy, cursing or smiting of parents, and incorrigible stubbornness of children."

Pequot Mohegans, at that time traditional allies of the English colonists and enemies of the Mattabesett and other local tribes, arrived in the Middletown area in the latter half of the 17th century; conflict between them and local Native American tribes ensued. The Mattabesett and other tribes referred to the Mohegan as "destroyers of men." Sowheag hoped that the colonists would intervene. They did not. Smallpox, too, afflicted the Mattabesett, significantly lessening their ability to resist and their cohesion as a tribe. Records show that, over time, Sowheag was forced to sell off most of the Mattabesett property to the local colonists; by 1676 the Puritans owned all but 300 acres (1.2 km²) of the former Mattabesett territory. Similar milieus of tragic interaction between Native Americans and colonists were common in 17th century New England.

During the 18th century, Middletown became the largest and most prosperous settlement in Connecticut. By the time of the American Revolution, Middletown was a thriving port with one-third of its citizens involved in merchant and maritime activities. Slavery was part of the early economy of Middletown; African slaves were brought to the town in 1661 from Barbados; by 1756 Middletown had the third largest African slave population in the state of Connecticut—218 slaves to 5,446 whites.

Middletown merchant traders pushed for the clearance of the Saybrook Bar at the mouth of the Connecticut River, and later sought the creation of Middlesex County in 1785. The name 'Middlesex' was chosen because the intention was to make Middletown the head of a long river port, much as London was at the head of its long river port in Middlesex County, England. The same persons also established the Middlesex Turnpike (now Route 154) to link all the settlements on the western side of the Connecticut, again with the intent of creating one long port.

The port's decline began in the early 19th century with strained American-British relations and resulting trade restrictions, which led to the War of 1812. The port never recovered; however, the city distinguished itself in the war effort, as Middletown's Commodore Thomas Macdonough led American forces to the victory on Lake Champlain in 1814 which ended British hopes for an invasion of New York.

During this period, Middletown became a major center for firearms manufacturing. Numerous gun manufacturers in the area supplied the majority of pistols to the United States government during the War of 1812. After that war, however, the center of this business passed to Springfield, Massachusetts, Hartford, Connecticut, and New Haven, Connecticut. (See also History of Connecticut industry)

1831 saw the establishment of Wesleyan University which was to become one of the United States' leading liberal arts institutions. The institution replaced an earlier institution on the same site, Partridge's American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy, which had moved to Norwich, Vermont and later became Norwich University. The two main buildings of the original campus were built by the people of Middletown with the intent of attracting an academic institution to the city. In 1841, Middletown established the state's first public high school, which at first enrolled all students from age nine through age sixteen who had previous attended district schools.

Home of Governor Frank Weeks, decorated for "Wesleyan Taft Day", 1909

The mid-19th century also saw manufacturing replace trade as Middletown's economic mainstay; however, industrial growth was limited by railroad operators' decision to bypass Middletown when tracks were laid between Hartford and New Haven. There had been an ambitious plan to build a railroad suspension bridge in the White Rock, Middletown to Bodkin Rock, Portland vicinity, which was seen as an unpractical solution.

Main Street, looking north from City Hall, about 1912

Regardless, Middletonians played a role in the Civil War. For example, General Joseph K. Mansfield of Middletown was a Union General at Antietam, where he died in action in 1862. Ironically, another casualty at Antietam was Brig. Gen. George Taylor, who had been educated at a private military academy in Middletown. Also, the popular Civil War marching song "Marching Through Georgia" was written by Henry Clay Work, a Middletown resident. The city was also active in the abolitionism movement, and was a hub along the underground railway.

In the latter half of the 19th century, manufacturing was the mainstay of the city's economy, especially finely made metal parts, such as marine hardware (Wilcox, Crittendon & Co.) and typewriters (Royal Typewriters). There were also several machine tool & die manufacturers in the city. Middletown was also the site of a major unit of Goodyear. In addition, there was the pioneer automobile manufacturer Eisenhuth Horseless Vehicle Company.

Middletown also briefly was the home of a major-league baseball team, the Middletown Mansfields of the National Association.

In the late 19th and early 20th century, the once predominantly Anglo-Saxon city underwent a demographic transformation. First the Irish, and then large numbers of Italian immigrants arrived to work in Middletown's factories and farms, many coming from the town of Melilli, Sicily. Polish and German arrivals followed, and by 1910 the population had swelled to nearly 21,000. Meanwhile, the number of African-Americans dwindled to a mere 53 persons, as employers chose to hire white immigrants. Later in the century, more African-Americans migrated to the area, followed by a more recent influx of Hispanic residents. The efforts of two Wesleyan professors also brought a small group of Cambodian refugees to Middletown in the early 1980s, who became the basis of a thriving Cambodian community, and a similar story is true for Middletown's small Tibetan community. Middletown is also the home of the first Hindu temple in Connecticut, and has attracted a Hindu population as well.

This mix of people has also become evident in the range of restaurants which Middletown now has, and which is quickly becoming one of the most well-known aspects of the city.

Looking South on Broad Street from Washington Street, 1910 postcard

Both natural events and a continuing influx of people and businesses impacted the city in the first half of the 20th century. Middletown was hit by floods in 1927 and 1936, and by The Great New England Hurricane in 1938. Despite these occurrences, the Arrigoni Bridge was completed over the Connecticut River in 1938, which connects Middletown to Portland and points east, replacing an earlier bridge.

During the 1950s, as the popularity of the automobile increased, government officials approved the construction of a highway that effectively separated Middletown from the Connecticut River, its initial, natural raison d'être. Highway construction demolished historic neighborhoods, including many buildings from the 18th century, and led people to commute to newer housing outside older neighborhoods. The loss of industry and jobs contributed to a decline in Middletown, like many other northeastern U.S. cities at the time, went into a decline that did not reverse until the 1990s.

During this time, many handsome (albeit decrepit) buildings were torn down in the name of 'urban renewal', and later turned into parking lots, or left empty. Crime increased. During the 1960s, Pratt and Whitney Aircraft opened a large plant in the Maromas section of Middletown. Concurrently, developers bought much of the city's remaining farms, including most of Oak Grove Dairy, to create suburban developments for local workers and commuters to surrounding cities.

During the 1970s, Oddfellows Playhouse was established. The theater attracts hundreds of young people every year from around the state to perform in plays and other performances. The playhouse is one of the few youth theaters in the state of Connecticut. It is located on 128 Washington Street, right around the corner from Middletown's famous Main Street.

During the 1990s, a partnership between the city, the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce, and Wesleyan University invested heavily in Middletown's Main Street. Their actions helped the revival of downtown Middletown. Crime decreased, and new restaurants and shops opened.

The Samuel Wadsworth Russell House on High Street, built in 1827, was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2001. The Alsop House, also located on High Street, and built in 1840, was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2009. Both buildings are part of the Wesleyan campus.

Geography

Higby Mountain

Middletown sits on the west bank of the Connecticut River, in the south-central portion of the state. Running alongside the river, Route 9 bisects the city. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 42.3 square miles (109.6 km²), of which, 40.9 square miles (105.9 km²) of it is land and 1.4 square miles (3.7 km²) of it is water. The total area is 3.36% water.

The west side of Middletown is flanked by the Metacomet Ridge—a mountainous trap rock ridgeline that stretches from Long Island Sound to nearly the Vermont border. Notable mountains of the Metacomet Ridge in Middletown include Higby Mountain and the north side of Lamentation Mountain. The 50-mile (80 km) Mattabesett Trail traverses the ridge. The Nature Conservancy manages the summit and ledges of Higby Mountain.

Demographics

As of the census of 2020, there were 47,717 people, and 20,089 households residing in the city, with an average household size of 2.14. The population density was 1,163.26 inhabitants per square mile (449.14/km²). There were 21,549 housing units at an average density of 508.59 per square mile (196.37/km²) and a vacancy rate of 7%. Owner occupied housing made up 54% of the units and the average value of owner occupied housing units was $240,700.

The racial makeup of the city was 66.2% White only, not Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Black or African American, 10.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 5.7% Asian. The foreign born population made up 11.9% of residents.

15.5% of residents were under the age of 18, and 16.2% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.5 years.

The median income for a household in the city was $62,022. Males had a median income of $49,846 versus $37,412 for females. The per capita income for the city was $39,845. 12.3% of the population below the poverty line.

Economy

Top employers

Top employers in Middletown according to the town's 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report

Education

Middletown operates public schools, including Middletown High School.

The city has one Roman Catholic elementary school, Saint John Paul II Regional Catholic School, and two Roman Catholic high schools, Xavier High School for boys and Mercy High School for girls.

Middletown also has one technical high school, Vinal Technical High School.

Post-secondary institutions include Wesleyan University and Middlesex Community College.

Russell Library is the public library of Middletown. It has books, newspapers, magazines, informational databases of full-text newspaper and magazine articles, classes, computer training, workshops, concerts, and meeting spaces.

Media

Middletown has three regular news outlets. The Middletown Press is a daily broadsheet which covers news in the Middletown area. The Hartford Courant is a daily broadsheet which includes a Middletown story in every issue. Three radio stations are licensed to Middletown: WMRD 1150 AM (variety), WESU 88.1 FM (Wesleyan University) and WIHS 104.9 FM (religious).

Transportation

River Valley Transit provides public transportation services throughout Middletown as well as service between Middletown and Old Saybrook, which, along with New Haven, provides connections to Amtrak intercity trains and Shore Line East commuter rail service. The New Britain Transportation Company provides connecting service to New Britain and the surrounding area; and Connecticut Transit provides local and express service to Hartford as well as express service to New Haven.

Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Windsor Locks and Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN) in East Haven are the closest commercial airports to Middletown. Meriden Markham Municipal Airport, in Meriden, and Goodspeed Airport, in East Haddam, each offer general aviation services as well and are open to the public.

In popular culture

Middletown's riverfront and bridges were featured extensively in the music video for Billy Joel's hit song "The River of Dreams". TLC's reality series 90 Day Fiancé (2017–2020) documented Darcey Silva's relationships. On June 29, 2020, Entertainment Weekly announced that Silva and her sister Stacey are getting their own reality show called Darcey & Stacey. Three seasons of Darcey & Stacey have been filmed in Middletown.

Notable organizations

• Artists For World Peace, Nonprofit International Peace Organization

Notable people

This notable people list is divided into three sections: people born in Middletown, people who currently live in Middletown, and people who once lived in Middletown at some point in their lives.

The following notable people were born in Middletown:

• Dean Acheson (1893–1971), 51st United States Secretary of State
• Joseph Wright Alsop IV, politician and insurance executive; father of Joseph Alsop
• Jules Dassin, film director
• Reginald De Koven, music critic and composer
• Bill Denehy, Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher
• Samantha Johnson, soccer player
• Joey Logano, NASCAR driver, 2018 and 2022 NASCAR Cup Series champion
• Mark MacDonald, member of the Vermont House of Representatives and Vermont Senate
• Samuel Mattocks, officer in the American Revolution and Vermont State Treasurer
• Peter Parcek, blues rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter
• Tony Pastor, band leader, singer
• Eli Pemberton (born 1997), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
• Willie Pep, boxer, two-time World Featherweight Champion
• Marco Rafalà, Novelist and Game Writer
• William Ranney, 19th century Western artist
• James Riley, captain of the United States merchant ship Commerce
• Adelaïde Alsop Robineau, American potter
• Maurice Rose, U.S. Army Major General, highest-ranking American killed by enemy fire in Europe during World War II
• Jordan Russolillo, professional soccer player
• Bill Rutan, racing driver
• Darcey Silva, television personality, former beauty queen and businesswoman
• Amari Spievey, professional football player for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL)
• Duke Thomas, professional football player for the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL
• Alton Tobey, artist
• Nicholas Tucci, actor
• Will Tye, professional football player for the New England Patriots of the NFL
• Edward Burr Van Vleck, mathematician
• John Hasbrouck Van Vleck, physicist and mathematician, co-recipient of the 1977 Nobel Prize in Physics
• Bill Watrous, jazz musician and band leader
• Allie Wrubel, composer and songwriter

The following notable people were not born in Middletown but lived there at some point in their lives:

• Jeff Bagwell, Hall of Fame MLB baseball player
• Horatio Strother, historian and educator

The following notable people were not born in Middletown but currently live there:

• Andre Drummond, American professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the NBA
• Anthony Fantano, music critic and YouTuber
• William Raymond Manchester, American author, biographer, and historian

Sister cities

• Melilli, Italy

See also

In Spanish: Middletown (Connecticut) para niños