Preston, Connecticut facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Preston, Connecticut
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| Town of Preston | ||
Preston City Congregational Church
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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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| State |  Connecticut |
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| County | New London | |
| Region | Southeastern CT | |
| Incorporated | 1687 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Selectman-town meeting | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 31.8 sq mi (82.4 km2) | |
| • Land | 30.9 sq mi (80.0 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.9 sq mi (2.2 km2) | |
| Elevation | 177 ft (54 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,788 | |
| • Density | 150.57/sq mi (58.11/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | |
| ZIP Code |
06365
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| Area code(s) | 860/959 | |
| FIPS code | 09-62150 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0213492 | |
Preston is a small town located in New London County, Connecticut, United States. It's part of the Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region. In 2020, about 4,788 people lived here. The town includes three main villages: Long Society, Preston City, and Poquetanuck.
Contents
Preston's Past: A Look at History
In 1686, a group of people, including Thomas Parke and Thomas Tracy, asked the Connecticut General Court for permission to start a new settlement. They wanted to create a "plantation" (a large farming area) east of Norwich and north of New London and Stonington.
The land was officially given to them in 1687 by Owaneco, who was the son of the Mohegan leader Uncas. In October of that same year, the town was officially named Preston. It was named after the city of Preston in England.
Early Churches and Communities
The first church group in Preston was formed in 1698. Their first meetinghouse was in what is now Preston City. Later, in 1716, another church group was created for people living in the northern part of Preston. This area is now the town of Griswold.
A different church group, called the Separate Church of Preston, started in 1747 and lasted until 1817. The Preston City Baptist Church, now known as the Preston City Bible Church, began in 1812.
A Plane Crash in 1954
On August 4, 1954, an Air France plane called a Lockheed L-1049C Super Constellation crashed near Preston. The plane was flying from Orly Airport in France to Idlewild Airport (now JFK Airport) in New York.
Where is Preston? Geography and Communities
Preston covers a total area of about 31.8 square miles (82.4 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 30.9 square miles (80.0 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.9 square miles (2.2 square kilometers), is water.
Main Villages in Preston
When Preston was first settled, it had three main communities:
Other smaller areas and places in the town include Hallville, Happyland, and Preston Plains.
Who Lives in Preston? Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 1,899 | — | |
| 1850 | 1,842 | — | |
| 1860 | 2,092 | 13.6% | |
| 1870 | 2,161 | 3.3% | |
| 1880 | 2,523 | 16.8% | |
| 1890 | 2,555 | 1.3% | |
| 1900 | 2,807 | 9.9% | |
| 1910 | 1,917 | −31.7% | |
| 1920 | 2,743 | 43.1% | |
| 1930 | 3,928 | 43.2% | |
| 1940 | 4,206 | 7.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,775 | −57.8% | |
| 1960 | 4,992 | 181.2% | |
| 1970 | 3,593 | −28.0% | |
| 1980 | 4,644 | 29.3% | |
| 1990 | 5,006 | 7.8% | |
| 2000 | 4,688 | −6.4% | |
| 2010 | 4,726 | 0.8% | |
| 2020 | 4,788 | 1.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
According to the census from 2000, there were 4,688 people living in Preston. There were 1,837 households, and 1,359 families. The population density was about 151.7 people per square mile.
Most of the people living in Preston were White (95.63%). There were also smaller percentages of African American, Native American, and Asian residents. About 1.39% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Age and Income in Preston
The population in Preston is spread out across different age groups. About 22.4% of residents were under 18 years old. About 14.0% were 65 years or older. The average age in Preston was 41 years old.
In 2000, the average income for a household in Preston was $54,942. For families, the average income was $62,554. About 3.3% of the total population lived below the poverty line.
Learning in Preston: Education
The Preston Historical Society shares that schools were first built in different "districts" to teach local children. Later, two main schools were built between 1938 and 1940. These were located in Poquetanuck and Preston City.
Today, public schools in Preston are run by Preston Public Schools. They operate:
- Preston Veterans' Memorial School (for Pre-K to Grade 5)
- Preston Plains Middle School (for Grades 6–8)
For high school, students from Preston attend schools in nearby towns. These include Norwich Free Academy, Ledyard High School, and various technical and magnet high schools.
Fun Places to Visit in Preston
Preston has some interesting places to see and visit:
- Strawberry Park is a popular spot in Preston.
- Pachaug State Forest offers outdoor activities.
- Amos Lake is a local body of water.
- Foxwoods Resort Casino is a large casino and resort located very close to Preston.
Historic Places to Explore
Several places in Preston are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites:
- Hallville Mill Historic District: This area includes Hallville Road, Hall's Mill Road, and Route 2A. It was added to the list in 1996.
- Long Society Meetinghouse: Built in 1819, this historic meetinghouse was added to the list in 1976.
- Poquetanuck Village Historic District: This historic area is along Main Street and other nearby roads. It was added in 1996.
- Preston City Historic District: This district includes Amos and Old Shetucket Roads, Northwest Corner Road, and Route 164. It was added in 1987.
Famous People from Preston
Many notable people have connections to Preston:
- Nathan Belcher (1813–1891): A lawyer and US congressman, born in Preston.
- Jonathan Brewster (1593–1659): An early colonist, buried in Preston.
- Isaac E. Crary (1804–1854): The first elected congressman from Michigan, born in Preston.
- William Howard Doane (1831–1915): An industrialist and composer.
- Beriah Green (1795–1874): An abolitionist and author, born in Preston.
- Clarence Ellis Harbison (1885–1960): An animal psychologist who lived and died in Preston.
- John Haskell Hewitt (1835–1920): A classical scholar and professor, born in Preston.
- George D. Prentice (1802–1870): A well-known newspaper editor, born in town.
- Henry Brewster Stanton (1805–1887): An abolitionist and social reformer, and husband of Elizabeth Cady Stanton; born in town.
- George A. Starkweather (1794–1879): A congressman for New York, born in Preston.
- Henry H. Starkweather (1826–1876): A postmaster and congressman, born in Preston.
- Joseph Steward (1753–1822): An artist who studied and lived in Preston.
- Ann Story (1735-1817): A local heroine from the Revolutionary War, born in Preston.
Images for kids
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Preston City Congregational Church
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Seal of Preston, Connecticut
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Preston's location within New London County and Connecticut
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Preston's location within the Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region and the state of Connecticut
See also
In Spanish: Preston (Connecticut) para niños
