Winsted, Connecticut
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Winsted is a census-designated place and an incorporated city in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is part of the town of Winchester, Connecticut.The population was 7,321 at the 2000 census.
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[edit] History
The City of Winsted was formed at the junction of the Mad River and Still River, and was one of the first Mill Towns in Connecticut. Manufactured products started with scythes at the Winsted Manufacturing Company in 1792. The city is within the town of Winchester, and its name derives from the fact that it is the buisness center for the towns of Winchester and Barkhamsted.
Winsted, along with New Haven, Connecticut, was a center for the production of mechanical clocks in the 1900s. The Gilbert Clock Company, located along the Still River north of town, was founded in 1807 and became one of the largest clock companies in the world at turn of the century.
The Gilbert School is an endowed high school and although technically private, it is the high school for all residents.
In 1955, Hurricane Connie and Hurricane Diane passed over Connecticut within one week, flooding the Mad River and Still River through downtown. Mad River, which parallels the South side of Main Street, caused flooding up to 10 feet deep through the center of town. This damaged the buildings between Main Street and the river such that all buildings on that side of Main Street through the center of town were subsequently removed and Main Street widened to 4 lanes. The buildings on the North side of Main Street for the most part survived and were repaired. Further downstream, Still River flowed between the buildings of the Gilbert Clock Company. The flooding caused extensive damage to their buildings, and this was the final blow to a company which was already in poor financial condition.
The Northwestern Connecticut Community College was founded in 1965 by Winsted residents. NCCC was one of the first three community colleges in Connecticut, and is accredited by both the Connecticut Board of Governors for Higher Education and by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.. The Northwestern Community College Foundation was incorporated in 1981 to support the mission of Northwestern Connecticut Community College to provide higher education to students pursuing post-secondary study. NCCF generates private funds for the purpose of benefiting the students attending NCCC and the community of Winsted, CT.
Today, Winsted is a city with a much lower median household income than neighbors to the east. The town of Winchester has made efforts to remodel Main Steet by renovating building façades, replacing sidewalks, and other small-scale beautification attempts. There is limited employment in the town, and many residents work in surrounding towns, with some travelling as far as Hartford.
Ralph Nader was born in Winsted.
[edit] Historical Companies
- Carter and Hakes Machine Company
- Empire Knife Company
- Franklin Moore Company
- George Dudley and Son Tanneries
- William L Gilbert Clock Company
- Goodwin and Knitz Company
- Morgan Silver Plate Company
- New England Pin Company
- T.C. Richards Hardware Company
- J.W. Roe Piano Stool Manufactory
- Strong Manufacturing Company
- Winsted Edge Tool Company
- Winsted Hosiery Company
- Winsted Manufacturing Company
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 12.5 km² (4.8 mi²). 12.1 km² (4.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (3.31%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 7,321 people, 3,072 households, and 1,889 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 604.0/km² (1,563.6/mi²). There were 3,370 housing units at an average density of 278.0/km² (719.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.28% White, 1.53% African American, 0.23% Native American, 1.12% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.20% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.02% of the population.
There are 3,072 households of which 27.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $40,202, and the median income for a family was $51,044. Males had a median income of $37,837 versus $25,990 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,804. 7.3% of the population and 4.3% of families were below the poverty line. Of the total population, 9.2% of those under the age of 18 and 7.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
