Montville, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Montville is a town
in New London County, Connecticut
, United States. The population was 18,546 at the 2000 census and 19,571 at the 2010 census.
The villages of Chesterfield, Mohegan, Oakdale, and Uncasville are also part of the Town of Montville; the latter two have their own ZIP code
s. Residents of the town often identify with these villages more than the Town of Montville as a whole. The actual center of Oakdale is very small, consisting only of a few private residences and the post office. Likewise, the Mohegan Sun casino resort is also often referred to as being in "Uncasville" although Uncasville itself is actually three miles to the south.
settlers arrived in Connecticut, southeastern Connecticut was the scene of rivalry between the Pequot
, the dominant Native American
group in the New London area, and their rivals the Mohegan
s, who were friendly to the English. For defense against the Pequot, the Mohegan sachem
Uncas
established a fortified village on a promontory above the Thames River
within what is now the town of Montville. The Mohegan village, now known as Fort Shantok, was protected on the inland side by palisades first built in about 1636, at the time of the Pequot War
, rebuilt during wars with the Narragansett people circa 1653–1657, and rebuilt again at the time of King Philip's War
(1675–1676). When the boundaries of New London
(then called "Pequot") were first defined in 1646, the Oxoboxo River
formed the northern boundary. Parts of the modern town of Montville lying south of the river were included in New London, while the area north of the river was treated as Mohegan land. Over time the settlers assumed control of Mohegan lands. In 1703 the area between the Oxoboxo River and Norwich
(now part of the town of Montville) was annexed by New London.
Montville was separated from New London and incorporated as the town of Montville in 1786. Before incorporation, it was known as the North Parish of New London. In 1819 the adjacent town of Salem
was formed from parts of the towns of Montville, Lyme
, and Colchester
.
:
, the town has a total area of 44.1 square miles (114.2 km²), of which, 42 square miles (108.8 km²) of it is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) of it (4.78%) is water.
of 2000, there were 18,546 people, 6,426 households, and 4,678 families residing in the town. The population density
was 441.4 people per square mile (170.4/km²). There were 6,805 housing units at an average density of 162.0 per square mile (62.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 86.03% White, 5.49% African American, 1.46% Native American, 1.89% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.23% from other races
, and 2.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.45% of the population.
There were 6,426 households out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 34.2% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 117.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 119.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $55,086, and the median income for a family was $61,643. Males had a median income of $40,922 versus $30,206 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $22,357. About 3.1% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.
Part of Montville is also treated by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place
called Oxoboxo River.
Native American Tribal Nation has been a presence in this area of Connecticut
since the 16th to 17th century. Their 700 acres (2.8 km²) reservation is located north of the village of Uncasville. Although the reservation sits within the borders of the town of Montville, the tribe is considered to be a sovereign nation not subject to local or state laws. In addition to operating the Mohegan Sun
, a casino resort that opened in 1996, the tribal nation also provides educational programs about their nation's heritage and history.
Public schools in Montville are overseen by the town's board of education, which includes nine elected members and two high school student representatives. The school system operates a regular high school
, an alternative high school
, a middle school
, and three elementary school
s.
is one of the largest casinos in the world. The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut created the casino in 1996. With over 250000 square feet (23,225.8 m²), the Mohegan Sun complex now features a luxury hotel, entertainment theater, and more than 20 restaurants and stores. Mohegan Sun is one of Montville's primary economic locations. It has provided a significant increase in job opportunities and attracted a population influx.
Mohegan Sun is also home to the Mohegan Sun Arena
, the site of concerts and live sporting events for Uncasville. It is the home of the WNBA
Connecticut Sun
.
Inc., based in La Jolla, California, operates an oil and natural gas-powered electricity generating plant in Montville, labeled by environmentalists as one of the "Sooty Six", the dirtiest power plants in the state. The plant was required to install pollution controls to comply with the state's 2002 power plant pollution law. In June 2006 the company proposed building a new type of coal-powered plant on the site for $1.6 billion.
In return for building the plant, the company demanded that the state guarantee NRG long-term contracts for buying the electricity it generates and pick NRG's proposal over other plans for building new power plants in the state. At the time of NRG's proposal, only 18 plants in the world and two in North America used the Integrated Gasification Combined-Cycle technology which the company suggested.
Contracts were to be awarded by the DPUC in early 2007. The company said the new plant could open in 2012.
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 New London County, Connecticut
New London County, Connecticut
New London County is a county located in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. As of 2010 the population was 274,055. The total area of the county is , including inland and coastal waters....
, United States. The population was 18,546 at the 2000 census and 19,571 at the 2010 census.
The villages of Chesterfield, Mohegan, Oakdale, and Uncasville are also part of the Town of Montville; the latter two have their own ZIP code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
s. Residents of the town often identify with these villages more than the Town of Montville as a whole. The actual center of Oakdale is very small, consisting only of a few private residences and the post office. Likewise, the Mohegan Sun casino resort is also often referred to as being in "Uncasville" although Uncasville itself is actually three miles to the south.
History
In the 17th century, when EnglishEnglish people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
settlers arrived in Connecticut, southeastern Connecticut was the scene of rivalry between the Pequot
Pequot
Pequot people are a tribe of Native Americans who, in the 17th century, inhabited much of what is now Connecticut. They were of the Algonquian language family. The Pequot War and Mystic massacre reduced the Pequot's sociopolitical influence in southern New England...
, the dominant Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
group in the New London area, and their rivals the Mohegan
Mohegan
The Mohegan tribe is an Algonquian-speaking tribe that lives in the eastern upper Thames River valley of Connecticut. Mohegan translates to "People of the Wolf". At the time of European contact, the Mohegan and Pequot were one people, historically living in the lower Connecticut region...
s, who were friendly to the English. For defense against the Pequot, the Mohegan sachem
Sachem
A sachem[p] or sagamore is a paramount chief among the Algonquians or other northeast American tribes. The two words are anglicizations of cognate terms from different Eastern Algonquian languages...
Uncas
Uncas
Uncas was a sachem of the Mohegan who through his alliance with the English colonists in New England against other Indian tribes made the Mohegan the leading regional Indian tribe in lower Connecticut.-Early life and family:...
established a fortified village on a promontory above the Thames River
Thames River (Connecticut)
The Thames River is a short river and tidal estuary in the U.S. state of Connecticut. It flows south for through eastern Connecticut from the junction of the Yantic and Shetucket rivers at Norwich, to New London and Groton, which flank its mouth at the Long Island Sound.Differing from its...
within what is now the town of Montville. The Mohegan village, now known as Fort Shantok, was protected on the inland side by palisades first built in about 1636, at the time of the Pequot War
Pequot War
The Pequot War was an armed conflict between 1634–1638 between the Pequot tribe against an alliance of the Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, and Saybrook colonies who were aided by their Native American allies . Hundreds were killed; hundreds more were captured and sold into slavery to the West Indies. ...
, rebuilt during wars with the Narragansett people circa 1653–1657, and rebuilt again at the time of King Philip's War
King Philip's War
King Philip's War, sometimes called Metacom's War, Metacomet's War, or Metacom's Rebellion, was an armed conflict between Native American inhabitants of present-day southern New England and English colonists and their Native American allies in 1675–76. The war is named after the main leader of the...
(1675–1676). When the boundaries of New London
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
(then called "Pequot") were first defined in 1646, the Oxoboxo River
Oxoboxo River
Oxoboxo River is a census-designated place in the town of Montville in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 2,938 at the 2000 census and 3,165 at the 2010 census. The statistical area encompasses the town center of Montville, as well as the adjacent villages of...
formed the northern boundary. Parts of the modern town of Montville lying south of the river were included in New London, while the area north of the river was treated as Mohegan land. Over time the settlers assumed control of Mohegan lands. In 1703 the area between the Oxoboxo River and Norwich
Norwich, Connecticut
Regular steamship service between New York and Boston helped Norwich to prosper as a shipping center through the early part of the 20th century. During the Civil War, Norwich once again rallied and saw the growth of its textile, armaments, and specialty item manufacturing...
(now part of the town of Montville) was annexed by New London.
Montville was separated from New London and incorporated as the town of Montville in 1786. Before incorporation, it was known as the North Parish of New London. In 1819 the adjacent town of Salem
Salem, Connecticut
Salem is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 3,858 at the 2000 census.- Pre-incorporation :The area was originally inhabited by Mohegans. The very first settlement of European origin in present-day Salem was deeded in 1664. In the early 18th century, more...
was formed from parts of the towns of Montville, Lyme
Lyme, Connecticut
Lyme is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 2,016 at the 2000 census. Lyme and its neighboring town Old Lyme are the namesake for Lyme disease.-Geography:...
, and Colchester
Colchester, Connecticut
Colchester is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 14,551 at the 2000 census. In 2005 it was ranked 57th on the "100 Best Places to Live" in all of the United States, conducted by CNN...
.
On the National Register of Historic Places
Four properties in town are listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
:
- Bridge No. 1860 on Massapeag Side Rd. (Rt. 433) over Shantok Brook, Fort Shantok SP (added August 29, 1993)
- Fort ShantokFort Shantok Archeological DistrictFort Shantok Archeological District in Montville, Connecticut was the site of the principal Mohegan settlement in the seventeenth century and the sacred ground of Uncas the Mohegan leader. Formerly a state park, the land was transferred to the Mohegans...
(added April 20, 1986) - Raymond-Bradford HomesteadRaymond-Bradford HomesteadThe Raymond-Bradford Homestead is located in Montville, Connecticut. The sawmill was built in 1710 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 16, 1982....
on Raymond Hill Rd. (added May 16, 1982) - Uncasville SchoolUncasville SchoolUncasville School is a historic school at 310 Norwich-New London Turnpike in Montville, Connecticut.It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001....
, which now serves as the Montville Town Hall, at 310 Norwich-New London Turnpike (added March 23, 2001)
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 44.1 square miles (114.2 km²), of which, 42 square miles (108.8 km²) of it is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) of it (4.78%) is water.
Principal communities
- Chesterfield
- Kittemaug
- Massapeag
- Mohegan
- Oakdale
- Palmertown
- Uncasville
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 18,546 people, 6,426 households, and 4,678 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 441.4 people per square mile (170.4/km²). There were 6,805 housing units at an average density of 162.0 per square mile (62.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 86.03% White, 5.49% African American, 1.46% Native American, 1.89% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.23% 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 2.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.45% of the population.
There were 6,426 households out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 34.2% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 117.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 119.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $55,086, and the median income for a family was $61,643. Males had a median income of $40,922 versus $30,206 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 $22,357. About 3.1% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.
Part of Montville is also treated by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
called Oxoboxo River.
Native Americans
The MoheganMohegan
The Mohegan tribe is an Algonquian-speaking tribe that lives in the eastern upper Thames River valley of Connecticut. Mohegan translates to "People of the Wolf". At the time of European contact, the Mohegan and Pequot were one people, historically living in the lower Connecticut region...
Native American Tribal Nation has been a presence in this area of 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...
since the 16th to 17th century. Their 700 acres (2.8 km²) reservation is located north of the village of Uncasville. Although the reservation sits within the borders of the town of Montville, the tribe is considered to be a sovereign nation not subject to local or state laws. In addition to operating the Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, Connecticut, is the second largest casino in the United States with of gaming space. It is located on along the banks of the Thames River. It is at the heart of the scenic foothills of southeastern Connecticut, where 60 percent of the state's tourism is...
, a casino resort that opened in 1996, the tribal nation also provides educational programs about their nation's heritage and history.
Education
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
, an alternative high school
Alternative school
Alternative school is the name used in some parts of the world to describe an institution which provides part of alternative education. It is an educational establishment with a curriculum and methods that are nontraditional...
, a middle school
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
, and three elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
s.
Montville High School
Montville High School serves grades 9 through 12. Enrollment is approximately 800 students. MHS proudly posts its mission statement: "Through intellectual, physical and creative challenges, Montville High School will provide opportunities for students to realize their full potential. In order to achieve this goal, students will acquire skills that foster critical and creative thinking, effective communication and responsible citizenship."Mohegan Sun Casino
Located in Uncasville, Mohegan SunMohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, Connecticut, is the second largest casino in the United States with of gaming space. It is located on along the banks of the Thames River. It is at the heart of the scenic foothills of southeastern Connecticut, where 60 percent of the state's tourism is...
is one of the largest casinos in the world. The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut created the casino in 1996. With over 250000 square feet (23,225.8 m²), the Mohegan Sun complex now features a luxury hotel, entertainment theater, and more than 20 restaurants and stores. Mohegan Sun is one of Montville's primary economic locations. It has provided a significant increase in job opportunities and attracted a population influx.
Mohegan Sun is also home to the Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Uncasville, Connecticut located inside Mohegan Sun. The arena facility features of configurable exhibition space and a clear span...
, the site of concerts and live sporting events for Uncasville. It is the home of the WNBA
Women's National Basketball Association
The Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
Connecticut Sun
Connecticut Sun
The Connecticut Sun is a professional basketball team based in Uncasville, Connecticut, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded in Orlando, Florida before the 1999 season began; the team moved to Connecticut before the 2003 season...
.
Power plant
NRG EnergyNRG Energy
NRG Energy, Inc. is an American energy company headquartered in West Windsor Township, New Jersey, near Princeton.-Electrical Power Generation Operations:...
Inc., based in La Jolla, California, operates an oil and natural gas-powered electricity generating plant in Montville, labeled by environmentalists as one of the "Sooty Six", the dirtiest power plants in the state. The plant was required to install pollution controls to comply with the state's 2002 power plant pollution law. In June 2006 the company proposed building a new type of coal-powered plant on the site for $1.6 billion.
In return for building the plant, the company demanded that the state guarantee NRG long-term contracts for buying the electricity it generates and pick NRG's proposal over other plans for building new power plants in the state. At the time of NRG's proposal, only 18 plants in the world and two in North America used the Integrated Gasification Combined-Cycle technology which the company suggested.
Contracts were to be awarded by the DPUC in early 2007. The company said the new plant could open in 2012.
Notable natives
- George Miller BeardGeorge Miller BeardGeorge Miller Beard was a U.S. neurologist who popularized the term neurasthenia, starting around 1869.-Biography:...
(1839–1883) a neurologist who coined the term "neurasthenia" in 1869. - Sidney E. Frank (1919–2006), billionaire businessman who promoted Grey Goose vodka and JägermeisterJägermeisterJägermeister is a German 70-proof digestif made with 56 different herbs and spices. It is the flagship product of Mast-Jägermeister SE, headquartered in Wolfenbüttel, south of Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, Germany.- History :...
. - Ned Hanlon, member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
- James HillhouseJames HillhouseJames Hillhouse was an American lawyer, real estate developer, and politician from New Haven, Connecticut. He represented Connecticut in both the U.S. House and Senate...
(1754–1832), real estate developer who constructed significant areas of New HavenNew Haven, ConnecticutNew Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
. He was a congressman, U.S. Senator and, for many years, treasurer of Yale University. - Samson OccomSamson OccomThe Reverend Samson Occom was a Native American Presbyterian clergyman and a member of the Mohegan nation near New London, Connecticut...
(1723–1792), Mohegan minister and preacher. - Oliver Hillhouse PrinceOliver H. PrinceOliver Hillhouse Prince was a United States Senator from Georgia.Born in Montville, Connecticut in 1787, he completed preparatory studies, and moved to Georgia in 1796 with his parents, who settled in Washington, Wilkes County. He engaged in newspaper work, and studied law, gaining admission to...
(1787–1837), represented Georgia in the U.S. Senate for less than a year.
Politics
| 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... |
2,613 | 80 | 2,693 | 27.69% |
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... |
1,517 | 70 | 1,587 | 16.32% |
Unaffiliated | 5,142 | 286 | 5,428 | 55.81% |
Minor Parties | 16 | 1 | 17 | 0.17% | |
| Total | 9,288 | 437 | 9,725 | 100% | |||||||||||||||||||||