Tolland, Connecticut
Tolland, Connecticut | |
|---|---|
| Town of Tolland | |
 Hicks Memorial Municipal Center and Library | |
 Seal | |
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| Coordinates:41°52′19.85″N72°22′10.06″W/ 41.8721806°N 72.3694611°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| U.S. state |  Connecticut |
| County | Tolland |
| Region | Capitol Region |
| Incorporated | 1715 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-manager |
| • Town manager | Brian Foley |
| • Town council | Steven Jones (D), Chm. John Reagan (R), Vice Chm. Katie Murray (D) Colleen Yudichak (D) Sami Khan(D) Lou Luba (R) Tammy Nuccio (R) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 40.3 sq mi (104.4 km2) |
| • Land | 39.7 sq mi (102.9 km2) |
| • Water | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km2) |
| Elevation | 656 ft (200 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 14,563 |
| • Density | 366/sq mi (141.5/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5(Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4(Eastern) |
| ZIP Code | 06084 |
| Area code(s) | 860/959 |
| FIPS code | 09-76290 |
| GNISfeature ID | 0212667 |
| Website | www |
Tolland(/ˈtɑːlənd/TAH-lənd) is a suburbantowninTolland County, Connecticut,United States. The town is part of theCapitol Planning Region.The population was 14,563 at the2020 census.[1]
History[edit]
Tolland was named in May 1715, and incorporated in May 1722 fromWindsor.The town was over 20 miles away from Tolland and was incorporated to grow the population out in the hill areas. According to some, the town derives its name from being a toll station on the old road between Boston and New York. Alternatively, its name could have been taken afterTollandinSomerset,England.[2]TodayInterstate 84,the main highway connectingNew York City,Hartford,ConnecticutandBoston,bisects Tolland, but the town retains a charming village feel. Tolland Green is the informal center of the community, and a national historic district. The Green's features include an old-fashionedpenny candyand antiques store known to locals as the 'Red and White'; the town'soriginal 19th-century town hall, now an arts center;theOld Tolland County Jail and Museum;theTolland County Courthouseand former public library; the 'Tolland Inn' bed and breakfast; and theHicks-Stearns Family Museum,a restored Victorian house. The architectural styles on display, including the white steeples of several churches, are reminiscent of a picture-postcardNew Englandscene. The town is also home to the supposedly hauntedDaniel Benton Homestead,built in 1720 and the oldest house in Tolland.
Many of the town's adults work inHartford,located about 30 minutes away, often at one of the city's many insurance companies, or for theUniversity of ConnecticutinStorrs,to the south. A family-oriented town, the landscape of Tolland is primarily composed of houses on plots of land around twoacres.Undeveloped, forested land covers the area between the town's many residential developments. Containing two state forests and several municipal parks, the town retains a relativelyruralcharacter.
TheTolland Public Libraryopened in 1899. Located in the old county courthouse until 1985, the library was moved to the formerHicks Memorial Schoolin 1985.[3]It was significantly expanded in 2017.[4]
In 2006, Tolland opened the newTolland High Schoolto support the growing number of students.[5]The town is also expanding with new commercial and residential developments.
Tolland has ranked among "Best Places to Live in America" by CNN magazine in the "Small Town" category several times:
| Year | Ranking |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 29th[6] |
| 2009 | 27th[7] |
| 2011 | 37th[8] |
| 2015 | 34th[9] |
In April 2008,Wes Cravenbegan filming scenes for his 2009 movieMy Soul to Takeinside the formerTolland High School.[10]
In September 2019, it was announced that Birch Grove Elementary School would undergo renovation after the foundation started to crack due to the presence ofpyrrhotitein the cement. Construction is expected to complete in August 2021.[11][12][13]
Geography[edit]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau,the town has a total area of 40.3 sq mi (104.4 km2), of which 39.7 sq mi (102.8 km2) is land and 0.58 sq mi (1.5 km2) (1.46%) is water.
Nearby towns includeCoventry,Ellington,Mansfield,Stafford,Vernon,andWillington,Connecticut.
Climate[edit]
Tolland's climate is classified aswarm summer continental(Dfb), as is typical of the eastern hills of Connecticut. The area enjoys some characteristicshot-summer continental climate(Dfa)due to a relatively high July mean temperature of 70.7 °F (21.5 °C), which is very close to the threshold of 71.6 °F (22 °C) mean temperature required for a hot-summer climate.The area experiences four distinct seasons, with cold, snowy winters and warm to hot summers. The climate of Tolland is distinguished from the warmer climate of nearbyHartforddue to its elevation. The area is prone to blizzards and ice storms in the winter, and during the summer it occasionally experiences tropical activity (though less severe than in lower elevations of the state). Precipitation is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, with the wettest month being November and the driest being February.
| Climate data for Tolland, Connecticut | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 67 (19) |
69 (21) |
83 (28) |
93 (34) |
91 (33) |
96 (36) |
98 (37) |
96 (36) |
96 (36) |
86 (30) |
78 (26) |
71 (22) |
98 (37) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 34.3 (1.3) |
37.7 (3.2) |
45.9 (7.7) |
57.9 (14.4) |
68.6 (20.3) |
76.4 (24.7) |
80.9 (27.2) |
79.6 (26.4) |
72.5 (22.5) |
61.3 (16.3) |
50.9 (10.5) |
39.3 (4.1) |
58.8 (14.9) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 25 (−4) |
28.1 (−2.2) |
35.8 (2.1) |
47 (8) |
57 (14) |
65.8 (18.8) |
70.7 (21.5) |
69.4 (20.8) |
61.8 (16.6) |
50.4 (10.2) |
41.3 (5.2) |
30.7 (−0.7) |
48.6 (9.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 15.7 (−9.1) |
18.5 (−7.5) |
25.6 (−3.6) |
36 (2) |
45.4 (7.4) |
55.1 (12.8) |
60.4 (15.8) |
59.1 (15.1) |
51 (11) |
39.5 (4.2) |
31.7 (−0.2) |
22 (−6) |
38.3 (3.5) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −32 (−36) |
−27 (−33) |
−24 (−31) |
4 (−16) |
20 (−7) |
27 (−3) |
34 (1) |
28 (−2) |
20 (−7) |
13 (−11) |
−5 (−21) |
−19 (−28) |
−32 (−36) |
| Averageprecipitationinches (mm) | 4.38 (111) |
3.11 (79) |
4.32 (110) |
4.54 (115) |
3.96 (101) |
4.46 (113) |
4.08 (104) |
4.07 (103) |
4.54 (115) |
4.56 (116) |
4.64 (118) |
4.02 (102) |
50.68 (1,287) |
| Source:[14] | |||||||||||||
Demographics[edit]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 1,597 | — | |
| 1850 | 1,406 | — | |
| 1860 | 1,310 | −6.8% | |
| 1870 | 1,216 | −7.2% | |
| 1880 | 1,169 | −3.9% | |
| 1890 | 1,037 | −11.3% | |
| 1900 | 1,036 | −0.1% | |
| 1910 | 1,126 | 8.7% | |
| 1920 | 1,040 | −7.6% | |
| 1930 | 1,064 | 2.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,192 | 12.0% | |
| 1950 | 1,659 | 39.2% | |
| 1960 | 2,950 | 77.8% | |
| 1970 | 7,857 | 166.3% | |
| 1980 | 9,694 | 23.4% | |
| 1990 | 11,001 | 13.5% | |
| 2000 | 13,146 | 19.5% | |
| 2010 | 15,052 | 14.5% | |
| 2020 | 14,563 | −3.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[15] | |||
As of the census of 2010, there were 15,052 people, divided into 5,092 households living in the town. The average household size was 2.9 people. The population density was 373.0 inhabitants per square mile (144.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.1%White(93.2% non-Hispanic White), 0.8%African American,2.0%Asian,and 1.7% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latinoof any race were 1.6% of the population. In terms of language, 94% of Tolland's residents spokeEnglishat home, and 4.1% of residents were foreign-born. The median age was 41 years. The median income for a household in the town was $110,781, and the median income for a family was $122,299. The per capita income for the town was $47,611, and around 1.7% of the population was below the poverty line. 122 families receivedSupplemental Security Incomeor some other form of cash assistance, and 945 residents (0.6%) were onsocial security.[16]
As of thecensus[17]of 2000, there were 13,146 people, 4,586 households, and 3,788 families residing in the town. The population density was 331.0 inhabitants per square mile (127.8/km2). There were 4,665 housing units at an average density of 117.5 per square mile (45.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.36%White,0.57%African American,0.08%Native American,1.19%Asian,0.02%Pacific Islander,0.39% fromother races,and 0.81% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were.75% of the population.
There were 4,586 households, out of which 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.4% weremarried couplesliving together, 1.9% had a female householder, and 17.4% were non-families. 13.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.3% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males. The median income for a household in the town was $135,398 as of Census 2000, and, according to CNN/Money magazine's 2009 "Best Places to Live", the median income for a family in 2009 was $136,772.[7]Theper capita incomefor the town was $54,571. About.6% of families and.7% of the population were below thepoverty line,including.5% of those under age 18 and.2% of those age 65 or over.
Government[edit]
Tolland was governed bytown meetinguntil November 1973, when it adopted a new charter.[18]The principal governing body of Tolland is the elected Town Council, which is responsible for making policy and major decisions about the town's future. The day-to-day operations of the town are handled by a Town Manager, a paid professional appointed by the Council and charged with implementing and executing Council policy and decisions.
The Council consists of seven unpaid members elected in ageneral electionin the town every two years. Currently, the Council consists of threeRepublicansand fourDemocrats,and was elected in November 2021. The council selects its own chairman and vice-chairman, with the chairman traditionally being the highest vote-getter among the four majority-party members and the vice-chairman the highest among the minority party members, though the council is not under obligation to follow this pattern. Except for Executive Sessions (which are held to renegotiate contracts with Town employees, among other reasons) meetings are open to the public and contain a time for citizens to address the Council from the floor. As of November 2017, meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 7:00pm in the 6th floor Council Chambers of the Hicks Municipal Building at 21 Tolland Green.
Education[edit]
- Birch Grove Primary School,Pre-kindergarten,Grade 2
- Tolland Intermediate School,Grades 3–5
- Tolland Middle School,Grades 6–8
- Tolland High School,Grades 9–12
- Tolland Alternative Learning Center (TALC)
Notable locations[edit]
- TheDaniel Benton Homesteadwas built in 1720 and is the oldest home in Tolland. It is now a museum.[19]
- TheHicks-Stearns Family Museumis a restored Victorian-era house museum built in 1788 and once inhabited byRatcliffe Hicks.[20]
- TheOld Tolland County Jail and Museumis a property including the 1856 jail which operated until 1968 and attached Jailer's home.[21]
On the National Register of Historic Places[edit]
- Tolland County Courthouse– listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1977.
- Tolland Green Historic District– founded in 1706 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
Notable people[edit]
- Edward K. Beale(born 1970), Author,USCGhelicopter pilot duringHurricane Katrina;raised in Tolland and graduated fromTolland High School[citation needed]
- Daniel C. Burbank(born 1961),NASAastronaut; raised in Tolland and graduated fromTolland High Schoolin 1979[22]
- Henry D. Cogswell(1820–1900), dentist and a crusader in thetemperance movement;born in Tolland[23]
- William W. Eaton(1816–1898),US CongressmanandUS Senator;born in Tolland and a resident of Tolland[24]
- Ratcliffe Hicks(1843–1906), state legislator, lawyer, industrialist, and benefactor of theUniversity of Connecticut[25]
- Jonathan Hatch Hubbard(1768–1849),US Congressmanfor Vermont; born in Tolland[26]
- Charles R. Ladd(1822–1903), lawyer, politician andMassachusetts Auditor;born in Tolland[27]
- David Passaro(born 1966),CIAcontractor and formerUS Army Ranger;graduated from Tolland High School[28]
- Shubal Stearns(1706–1771), evangelist, preacher of theSeparate Baptists;resident of Tolland[29]
- James Stevenson(born 1981), actor; raised in Tolland[30]
- Loren P. Waldo(1802–1881), lawyer andUS Congressman;resident of Tolland[31]
- Calvin Willey(1776–1858), American lawyer, politician, andUS Senator(1825–1831); resident of Tolland[32]
- Nancy Wyman(born 1946), Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut and former State Comptroller; resident of Tolland[33]
- Tammy Nuccio,Connecticut State Representative 53rd General Assembly District; resident of Tolland[34]
References[edit]
- ^"Census - Geography Profile: Tolland town, Tolland County, Connecticut".RetrievedDecember 22,2021.
- ^The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly.Connecticut Magazine Company. 1903. p. 335.
- ^"About the Library | Town of Tolland CT".tolland.org.RetrievedJune 1,2020.
- ^Smith, Steve (April 12, 2017)."Tolland Library Reopens After Expansion".Hartford Courant.RetrievedJune 1,2020.
- ^Simpson, Mark D. (September 3, 2006)."New state-of the art Tolland High School opens Tuesday".Journal Inquirer.RetrievedJune 1,2020.
- ^"MONEY Magazine: Best places to live 2005: Tolland, CT snapshot".
- ^ab"Best Places to Live 2009 - Top 100: City details: Tolland, CT - from MONEY Magazine".
- ^"Best Places to Live 2011 - Top 100: Town details: Tolland, CT - from MONEY Magazine".
- ^Time (magazine)
- ^"Craven filming at old Conn. High school".
- ^"Crumbling Foundation Delays First Day of School in Tolland".NBC Connecticut.RetrievedFebruary 13,2020.
- ^Regen, Olivia."Construction of new Birch Grove Primary School to start Jan. 9".Journal Inquirer.RetrievedFebruary 13,2020.
- ^"Construction Starts On Crumbling Tolland School".Tolland, CT Patch.November 15, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 13,2020.
- ^"Monthly Averages for Tolland, CT (06084)".Weather. March 2012.RetrievedMarch 18,2012.
- ^"Census of Population and Housing".Census.gov.RetrievedJune 4,2015.
- ^"New Tolland Census Data Available".Tolland, CT Patch.January 19, 2011.RetrievedNovember 29,2019.
- ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 31,2008.
- ^"Welcome to Tolland, CT".tolland.org.Archived fromthe originalon November 9, 2006.
- ^"danielbentonhomestead - www".tollandhistorical.org.Archived fromthe originalon October 27, 2010.
- ^Walker, Patricia Chambers; Graham, Thomas (2000).Directory of Historic House Museums in the United States.Rowman & Littlefield.ISBN978-0-7425-0344-1.
- ^"Historic Sites from the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution".Archived from the original on July 25, 2011.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^Mars, Kelli (March 10, 2016)."Daniel C. Burbank (Captain, USCG, Ret.) NASA Astronaut".NASA.RetrievedJune 6,2020.
- ^"Cogswell Fountain".Rockville CT.RetrievedOctober 24,2012.
- ^"EATON, William Wallace, (1816 - 1898)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.RetrievedOctober 24,2012.
- ^Benedict, George Grenville; Burton, Richard (1898).Men of Progress: Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Leaders in Business and Professional Life in and of the State of Connecticut.New England magazine.
- ^"HUBBARD, Jonathan Hatch, (1768 - 1849)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.RetrievedOctober 24,2012.
- ^"Obituary: Charles Rensselaer Ladd"(PDF).New York Times.October 28, 1903.RetrievedJune 5,2020.
- ^Dao, James (June 19, 2004)."THE REACH OF WAR: AN ACCUSED; A Man of Violence, or Just '110 Percent' Gung-Ho?".The New York Times.RetrievedOctober 24,2012.
- ^"Shubal Stearns (1706-1771)".North Carolina History Project.RetrievedOctober 24,2012.
- ^"James Stevenson".IMDb.RetrievedOctober 24,2012.
- ^"WALDO, Loren Pinckney, (1802 - 1881)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.RetrievedOctober 24,2012.
- ^"WILLEY, Calvin: 1776 – 1858".Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress.RetrievedJanuary 3,2021.
- ^"LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR NANCY WYMAN".Office of the Lieutenant Governor.RetrievedOctober 24,2012.
- ^"State Representative Tammy Nuccio".cthousegop.RetrievedAugust 11,2022.
External links[edit]
- Tolland Town Government
- Tolland Public Schools
- Ghost of The Benton Homestead
- 2005 CNN best Places to Live
Municipalities and communities ofTolland County, Connecticut,United States | ||
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