Cornwall, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Cornwall is a town
in Litchfield County
, Connecticut
, United States
. The population was 1,434 at the 2000 census.
In 1939 poet Mark Van Doren
wrote "The Hills of Little Cornwall", a short poem in which the beauties of the countryside were portrayed as seductive:
The town was also home to the Foreign Mission School
.
, the town has a total area of 46.3 square miles (119.9 km²), of which, 46 square miles (119.1 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (0.54%) is water. The town is located on the east bank of the Housatonic River
and also contains a major portion of the Mohawk State Forest
.
of 2000, there were 1,434 people, 615 households, and 389 families residing in the town. The population density
was 31.2 people per square mile (12.0/km²). There were 873 housing units at an average density of 19.0 per square mile (7.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.49% White, 0.21% African American, 0.70% Asian, 0.21% from other races
, and 1.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.46% of the population.
There were 615 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples
living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $54,886, and the median income for a family was $64,750. Males had a median income of $46,875 versus $30,536 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $42,484. About 1.0% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 1.6% of those age 65 or over.
Cornwall is a beautiful portion of Connecticut. Some of its main features include the Cream Hill Lake, the Covered Bridge, Mohawk Ski Mountain and the town which contains a library and tennis courts. It is a very enjoyable place for young children who enjoy activity.
The town is served by Route 4, US 7
, Route 43
, and Route 128
.
The covered bridge in West Cornwall is also one of only three covered bridges in Litchfield
County. It has been in continuous service since 1864. The span is 242 feet and it crosses
the Housatonic River.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in Litchfield County
Litchfield County, Connecticut
Litchfield County is a county located in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. Litchfield County has the lowest population density of any county in Connecticut but is geographically the state's largest county. As of 2010 the population was 189,927...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,434 at the 2000 census.
In 1939 poet Mark Van Doren
Mark Van Doren
Mark Van Doren was an American poet, writer and a critic, apart from being a scholar and a professor of English at Columbia University for nearly 40 years, where he inspired a generation of influential writers and thinkers including Thomas Merton, Robert Lax, John Berryman, and Beat Generation...
wrote "The Hills of Little Cornwall", a short poem in which the beauties of the countryside were portrayed as seductive:
- The mind, eager for caresses,
- Lies down at its own risk in Cornwall;
The town was also home to the Foreign Mission School
Foreign Mission School
The Foreign Mission School was an educational institution which existed between 1817 and 1826 in Cornwall, Connecticut. It was established by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions to bring Christianity and Western culture to non-caucasian people by educating missionaries of...
.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 46.3 square miles (119.9 km²), of which, 46 square miles (119.1 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (0.54%) is water. The town is located on the east bank of the Housatonic River
Housatonic River
The Housatonic River is a river, approximately long, in western Massachusetts and western Connecticut in the United States. It flows south to southeast, and drains about of southwestern New England into Long Island Sound...
and also contains a major portion of the Mohawk State Forest
Mohawk State Forest
Mohawk State Forest is the sixth oldest forest in the Connecticut state forest system. It is located in the southern Berkshires of Litchfield County, in the towns of Cornwall, Goshen, and Litchfield. Beginning in 1921, of land was donated by the White Memorial Trust. Today, the park encompasses...
.
Principal communities
- Cornwall Bridge (has its own post office)
- Cornwall Village (has its own post office)
- Cornwall Hollow
- East Cornwall
- West Cornwall (has its own post office)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,434 people, 615 households, and 389 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 31.2 people per square mile (12.0/km²). There were 873 housing units at an average density of 19.0 per square mile (7.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.49% White, 0.21% African American, 0.70% Asian, 0.21% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.46% of the population.
There were 615 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $54,886, and the median income for a family was $64,750. Males had a median income of $46,875 versus $30,536 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $42,484. About 1.0% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 1.6% of those age 65 or over.
Cornwall is a beautiful portion of Connecticut. Some of its main features include the Cream Hill Lake, the Covered Bridge, Mohawk Ski Mountain and the town which contains a library and tennis courts. It is a very enjoyable place for young children who enjoy activity.
| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Active Voters | Inactive Voters | Total Voters | Percentage |
Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
330 | 6 | 336 | 31.97% |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
246 | 4 | 250 | 23.79% |
Unaffiliated | 447 | 8 | 455 | 43.29% |
Minor Parties | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0.95% | |
| Total | 1,033 | 18 | 1,051 | 100% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Transportation
U.S. Route 7 in Connecticut
In the state of Connecticut, U.S. Route 7 runs from Canaan to Norwalk.-Route description:U.S. 7 in Connecticut is mostly a surface road but has two short expressway sections in the Norwalk and Danbury areas. US 7 begins in Norwalk with a expressway to nearly the Wilton town line...
, Route 43
Connecticut Route 43
Route 43 is a Connecticut state highway. It is long and runs north–south within the town of Cornwall. It connects the town center with the village of Cornwall Hollow near the Canaan town line.- Route description:...
, and Route 128
Connecticut Route 128
Route 128 is a minor state highway in northwestern Connecticut, running from U.S. Route 7 in Sharon to Route 4 in Cornwall.-Route description:Route 128 begins at an intersection with US 7 on the west bank of the Housatonic River within the town of Sharon...
.
The covered bridge in West Cornwall is also one of only three covered bridges in Litchfield
County. It has been in continuous service since 1864. The span is 242 feet and it crosses
the Housatonic River.
Notable locations
- Cathedral PinesCathedral PinesCathedral Pines is a nature preserve owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy in Cornwall, Connecticut. It is an old-growth white pine and hemlock forest which had been donated in 1967 by the Calhoun family who had purchased it in 1883 to prevent logging...
- a 42 acre nature conservatory and old growth forest. - Cornwall BridgeCornwall BridgeThe Cornwall Bridge is a two-lane, concrete arch bridge carrying U.S. Route 7 and Route 4 over the Housatonic River and the Housatonic Railroad in Northwestern Connecticut. It was built in 1930 by C.W...
- built in 1930 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. - Cornwall Bridge Railroad StationCornwall Bridge Railroad StationThe Cornwall Bridge Railroad Station is located in Cornwall, Connecticut. The station was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 26, 1972....
- added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. - House VIHouse VIHouse VI, or the Frank Residence, is a significant building designed by Peter Eisenman, completed in 1975. His second built work, the getaway house, located on Great Hollow Road near Bird's Eye Brook in Cornwall, Connecticut has become famous for both its revolutionary definition of a house as...
("the Frank residence") - an example of Deconstructivist architecture. - Mohawk Mountain Ski AreaMohawk Mountain Ski AreaMohawk Mountain is a small ski area located in Cornwall, Connecticut. The ski area was built on the northeast slope of Mohawk Mountain by Walt Schoenknecht in 1947. It is a popular destination for both day and night skiers and snowboarders in the Connecticut area...
- a ski resort. - West Cornwall Covered BridgeWest Cornwall Covered BridgeThe West Cornwall Covered Bridge is a wooden lattice truss bridge built over the Housatonic River in the town of Cornwall, Connecticut. It is estimated to have been built around 1864.-Details:...
- listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975
Notable residents
- Ira AllenIra AllenIra Allen was one of the founders of Vermont, and leaders of the Green Mountain Boys; and was the brother of Ethan Allen.-Biography:...
, born in Cornwall, was one of the founders of VermontVermontVermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England... - John SedgwickJohn SedgwickJohn Sedgwick was a teacher, a career military officer, and a Union Army general in the American Civil War. He was the highest ranking Union casualty in the Civil War, killed by a sniper at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House.-Early life:Sedgwick was born in the Litchfield Hills town of...
, born in Cornwall, Civil War General in the Union Army - Abraham A. RibicoffAbraham A. RibicoffAbraham Alexander Ribicoff was an American Democratic Party politician. He served in the United States Congress, as the 80th Governor of Connecticut and as President John F. Kennedy's Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare...
, Connecticut Governor and U.S. Senator - Sam WaterstonSam WaterstonSamuel Atkinson "Sam" Waterston is an American actor and occasional producer and director. Among other roles, he is noted for his Academy Award-nominated portrayal of Sydney Schanberg in 1984's The Killing Fields, and his Golden Globe- and Screen Actors Guild Award-winning portrayal of Jack McCoy...
, lives in West Cornwall, actor - Tom JonesTom Jones (writer)Tom Jones is a lyricist of musical theatre. His best known work is The Fantasticks, which ran off-Broadway from 1960 until 2002, and the hit song from the same, Try to Remember. Other songs from "The Fantasticks" include "Soon It's Gonna Rain", "Much More" and "I Can See It"...
, composer, The Fantastiks - Oliver PlattOliver PlattOliver James Platt is a Canadian-American actor. He is currently starring in the Showtime original series, The Big C with Laura Linney.-Early life:...
, actor - Mark Van DorenMark Van DorenMark Van Doren was an American poet, writer and a critic, apart from being a scholar and a professor of English at Columbia University for nearly 40 years, where he inspired a generation of influential writers and thinkers including Thomas Merton, Robert Lax, John Berryman, and Beat Generation...
, poet and teacher - Charles Van DorenCharles Van DorenCharles Lincoln Van Doren is an American intellectual, writer, and editor who was involved in a television quiz show scandal in the 1950s...
, historian, former quiz show contestant, lives in Cornwall
External links
- Non-official web site sponsored by the Cornwall Association
- Cornwall Consolidated School
- Cornwall libraries
- The Lakeville Journal
- Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village
- Cornwall Historical Society
- Northwest Connecticut Arts Council
- Northwest Connecticut Convention and Visitors Bureau