Misplaced Pages

Middletown Nature Gardens

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
#702297

68-530: 41°31′44″N 72°40′01″W  /  41.529°N 72.667°W  / 41.529; -72.667 The Middletown Nature Gardens is located off Randolph Road in Middletown, Connecticut . In 1995, the city of Middletown, CT purchased the 18 acres (73,000 m) of land and dedicated it open space. This piece of land serves as a natural habitat to many plants and animals. There are many trails to walk about surrounded by an array of diverse trees and shrubs. Some of

136-702: A city distinct from the town. Both were included within newly formed Middlesex County in May 1785. In 1923, the City of Middletown was consolidated with the Town, making the city limits extensive. Originally developed as a sailing port and then an industrial center on the Connecticut River, it is now largely residential. Its downtown, based on Main Street, serves as a popular retail, dining, and bar district near Wesleyan University . Middletown

204-452: A coalition of community groups in 2000, is a pioneering attempt to attract residents and businesses to the neighborhood by promoting arts education and outreach. For decades, the famous O'Rourke's Diner has done much to bring some stability to the North End. A fire on August 31, 2006, gutted much of the historic structure. The Middletown community held many fundraising events to raise money for

272-469: A female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.93. In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

340-490: A household in the CDP was $ 44,680, and the median income for a family was $ 51,685. Males had a median income of $ 42,958 versus $ 30,880 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $ 27,261. About 3.9% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over. The towns of Deep River, Chester , and Essex make up Regional School District #4. Deep River

408-574: A large explosion occurred at a power plant under construction in Middletown. There are numerous houses, buildings and historic districts in Middletown listed on the National Register of Historic Places , and two are further designated as National Historic Landmarks . The Samuel Wadsworth Russell House on High Street, built in 1827, was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2001. The Alsop House , also located on High Street, and built in 1840,

476-687: A median income of $ 49,846 versus $ 37,412 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 39,845. 12.3% of the population below the poverty line . The headquarters of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection , previously the Connecticut Department of Public Safety, is located in Middletown. The United States Postal Service operates the Middletown Post Office. Benjamin Florsheim has been

544-485: A politically progressive city, and is home to one of the largest pride events in all of Connecticut. The land on the western bank of the Connecticut River where Middletown now lies was home to a village of the Wangunk , a tribe of Algongquian -speaking Native Americans . The village was named Mattabesset (also spelled Mattabesett, Mattabesec, Mattabeseck, and Mattabesek ); the area they inhabited—now Middletown and

612-566: A private military academy in Middletown. The popular Civil War marching song " Marching Through Georgia " was written by Henry Clay Work , a Middletown resident. Some residents were active in the abolitionism movement, and the city was a hub along the underground railway . In the latter half of the 19th century, manufacturing was the mainstay of the city's economy, especially finely made metal parts, such as marine hardware (Wilcox, Crittendon & Co.) and typewriters (Royal Typewriters). There were also several machine tool & die manufacturers in

680-617: A railroad suspension bridge in the White Rock, Middletown to Bodkin Rock, Portland vicinity, which was seen as an unpractical solution. Middletonians played an active role in the American Civil War. General Joseph K. Mansfield was a Union general at the Battle of Antietam , where he died in action in 1862. Another casualty at Antietam was Brigadier General George Taylor , who had been educated at

748-401: A record eight years (four terms) as mayor. The city attracted a 12-screen movie theater and numerous restaurants and other businesses to the downtown area, the city provided free Wi-Fi service along Main Street and the historic Inn at Middletown a luxury four and half star boutique hotel transformed the former vacant National Guard Armory. On November 8, 2005, Republican Sebastian Giuliano won

SECTION 10

#1732859260703

816-612: A small group of Cambodian refugees to Middletown, who were exiled following the US involvement in Southeast Asia in the Vietnam War . They developed a thriving Cambodian community, as have later migrants from Tibet . Middletown also attracted Hindu immigrants from India and other parts of Southeast Asia, who established the first Hindu temple in Connecticut in Middletown. Over the decades

884-485: A thousand people. Middletown is also host to the Kidcity Children's Museum located in a renovated and recently expanded former home of Judge Elmer, which was moved 400 feet (120 m) down Washington Street to its current location. Kidcity is a hands-on playspace where children ages 1 through 8 come with parents and other significant adults to learn through play. The Downtown Business District continues to revitalize

952-454: A town under its original Native American name, Mattabeseck , after the local Wangunk village of the same name. They were among many tribes along the Atlantic coast who spoke Algonquian languages . The colonists renamed the settlement in 1653. When Hartford County was organized on May 10, 1666, Middletown was included within its boundaries. In 1784, the central settlement was incorporated as

1020-633: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Middletown, Connecticut Middletown is a city in Middlesex County, Connecticut , United States. Located along the Connecticut River , in the central part of the state, it is 16 miles (26 kilometers) south of Hartford . Middletown is the largest city in the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region . In 1650, it was incorporated by English settlers as

1088-402: Is a town in Middlesex County , Connecticut . The town is part of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region . The population was 4,415 at the 2020 census . The town center is designated by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place (CDP). Deep River is part of what the locals call the "Tri-town Area", made up of the towns of Deep River, Chester, and Essex. According to

1156-485: Is home to Deep River Elementary School, serving grades K–6. John Winthrop Middle School and Valley Regional High School , serve students for grades 7–8 and 9–12, and are located on Warsaw Street and Kelsey Hill Road, respectively. Additionally, the Connecticut Transition Academy at Mount Saint John which serves students for grades from elementary to high school which is located on Kirtland Street and across

1224-919: The Middletown Mansfields of the National Association . In the late 19th and early 20th century, the city underwent a demographic transformation, after having been settled primarily by Protestant people from the British Isles. First the Irish, in response to the Great Famine , and then large numbers of Italian immigrants arrived to work in Middletown's factories and farms. Many of the Italians were immigrants from Melilli , Sicily . Both groups were primarily Roman Catholic. Polish and German arrivals followed, and many of these immigrants were also Catholic. By 1910

1292-654: The Middletown Nature Gardens , Wadsworth Falls State Park and Smith Park , and 100 acres (0.40 km ) of open property at the Guida Farm Conservation Area for families to enjoy. Harbor Park is a 2.6-acre (11,000 m ) recreation area on the Connecticut River, featuring a boardwalk, restaurant/nightclub, fishing, seasonal boat excursions, and the Middletown High School and Wesleyan University crew boathouses. July 4 festivities, as well as

1360-477: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 42.3 square miles (109.6 km ), of which 40.9 square miles (105.9 km ) is land and 1.4 square miles (3.7 km ) is water. The total area is 3.36% water. Middletown shares borders with the neighboring towns of Cromwell , Portland , East Hampton , Haddam , Durham , Middlefield , Berlin , and Meriden . Of all

1428-405: The United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 14.2 square miles (37 km ), of which 13.6 square miles (35 km ) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km ) (4.30%) is water. The CDP has a total area of 2.7 square miles (7.0 km ), of which 4.38% is water. Saybrook Colony formally joined Connecticut in 1644. The portion of the original colony east of the Connecticut River

SECTION 20

#1732859260703

1496-431: The census of 2020, there were 47,717 people, and 20,089 households residing in the city, with an average household size of 2.14. The population density was 1,163.26 inhabitants per square mile (449.14/km ). There were 21,549 housing units at an average density of 508.59 per square mile (196.37/km ) and a vacancy rate of 7%. Owner occupied housing made up 54% of the units and the average value of owner occupied housing units

1564-466: The poverty line , including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over. As of the census of 2000, there were 2,470 people, 1,023 households, and 652 families living in the Deep River Center CDP. The population density was 943.2 inhabitants per square mile (364.2/km ). There were 1,077 housing units at an average density of 411.3 per square mile (158.8/km ). The racial makeup of

1632-492: The 18th century, Middletown became the largest and most prosperous settlement in Connecticut. By the time of the American Revolution , Middletown was a thriving port, where one-third of its residents were involved in merchant and maritime activities. Some settlers held enslaved Africans as workers in the early economy of Middletown; they worked as domestic servants, laborers, and in shipping. African slaves were imported by

1700-406: The 1950s, as the prevalence of the automobile increased, government officials approved the construction of a highway that effectively separated Middletown from the Connecticut River, which had long supported its development. Highway construction demolished historic neighborhoods, including many buildings from the 18th century. New suburban developments were built outside older neighborhoods, attracting

1768-480: The 1960s, Pratt & Whitney opened a large aircraft engine plant in the Maromas section of Middletown. Concurrently, developers bought much of the city's remaining farms, including most of Oak Grove Dairy, to redevelop as residential suburbs for local workers and commuters to surrounding cities. During the 1970s, Oddfellows Playhouse was established. The theater attracts hundreds of young people every year from around

1836-549: The CDP was 92.19% White, 3.72% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.94% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.81% of the population. There were 1,023 households, out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who

1904-561: The English in 1661 from Barbados in the Caribbean. By 1756 Middletown had the third-largest African slave population in the state of Connecticut—218 slaves to 5,446 whites. Middletown merchant traders pushed for the clearance of the Saybrook Bar at the mouth of the Connecticut River, and later sought the creation of Middlesex County in 1785. The name 'Middlesex' was chosen because the intention

1972-576: The General Court of Connecticut established the town of "Mattabesett". A couple of years later in November 1653, the settlement was renamed as Middletown. This name was chosen because the site was approximately halfway between Windsor and Saybrook on the Great River. Life was not easy for these early colonial Puritans ; clearing the land and building houses, and tending farms in the rocky soil of New England

2040-644: The Mohegan as "destroyers of men." Sowheag hoped that the colonists would intervene. They did not. Smallpox epidemics caused high mortality, reducing their ability to resist and disrupting their cohesion as a tribe. Records show that, over time, Sowheag was forced to sell off most of Mattabesett to the local colonists; by 1676 the Puritans owned all but 300 acres (1.2 km ) of the former territory. Native Americans suffered similar fates of illness and dispossession at other colonial sites in 17th-century New England . During

2108-416: The U.S. was the world's biggest buyer of ivory and most of that ivory went to Deep River. Phineas Pratt developed an ivory lathe and eventually Deep River became known as "the queen of the valley" due to wealth from the ivory industry. The rival Comstock, Cheney & Company was established in nearby Ivoryton in the 1860s. These sites in town are on the National Register of Historic Places: Every year on

Middletown Nature Gardens - Misplaced Pages Continue

2176-527: The city's North End, an area that has been plagued by poverty and crime in recent decades. In November 2012, voters approved a $ 37 (~$ 48.6 million in 2023) Million initiative to move Middletown's wastewater to the Mattabassett Sewer District treatment plant in nearby Cromwell . Previously, the city had operated its own sewage treatment plant on the banks of the Connecticut River . The city has made plans to tear down this older plant and develop

2244-480: The city. In 1841, Middletown established the state's first public high school, which at first enrolled all students from age nine through age sixteen who had previously attended district schools. During the mid-19th century, manufacturing replaced trade as Middletown's economic mainstay. But industrial growth was limited after railroad operators bypassed Middletown in their construction of a railway between Hartford and New Haven. There had been an ambitious plan to build

2312-485: The city. Middletown was the site of a major unit of Goodyear . In addition, there was the pioneer automobile manufacturer Eisenhuth Horseless Vehicle Company . Other manufacturers included in national expositions and now museum collections include the Middletown Plate Company (silver), Middletown Silver Co. and I. E. Palmer (hammocks). Middletown also briefly was the home of a major-league baseball team,

2380-511: The diner's rebuilding. Reconstruction began in September 2007, and O'Rourke's Diner re-opened in February 2008. Mayor Daniel Drew (2011–2019) supported citizen-oriented efforts to revitalize the North End, such as the local nonprofit NEAT (North End Action Team). In 2012, the City of Middletown and NEAT partnered to form the "I Heart the North End" initiative, which plans to raise public awareness of

2448-548: The downtown area. Pratt and Whitney , Aetna, Middlesex Hospital, Connecticut Valley Hospital, Liberty Bank , and Wesleyan University are major employers. Located on the western border of the city, in an area known as Westlake, is an 84 house community known as The Farms . This architectural award-winning community was developed in 1969 by George Achenbach, and was one of the first communities in Connecticut designed for cluster living , with open areas designated as common land . There are also many parks and nature trails including

2516-478: The early 19th century during the period of strained American-British relations and resulting trade restrictions, which led to the War of 1812 . The port never recovered from the restrictions of the war. The city's men distinguished themselves in the war effort, as Middletown's Commodore Thomas Macdonough led American forces to the victory on Lake Champlain in 1814 which ended British hopes for an invasion of New York. After

2584-457: The economic and cultural opportunities available in the area. Middletown is the only location of a well-known youth theater group, Oddfellows Playhouse , which is located on Washington Street and pulls in children of all ages from all over the state to learn theater skills. Oddfellows also runs the Children's Circus of Middletown where children learn circus skills and put on a free show for close to

2652-500: The former county court. Other county functions were either centralized to the state or transferred to the towns. The former county building has been removed, but there are other state agency buildings elsewhere in the city, such as the Dept. of Social Services on Main Street Ext. Middletown's Probate Court district includes the towns of Cromwell, Portland, Middlefield and Haddam. The city is also

2720-542: The head of the Connecticut Regatta event in October are conducted from Harbor Park. Middlesex Hospital a major employer in Middletown and throughout Middlesex County, is spending $ 31 million to build a new emergency department. The new emergency department opened on March 24, 2008. Along with the new department, a helipad will be added along with 70 new parking spaces for patients. At 11:17 a.m. on February 7, 2010,

2788-454: The mayor of Middletown since 2019. Top employers in Middletown according to the town's 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Middletown operates public schools, including Middletown High School . The city has one Roman Catholic elementary school, Saint John Paul II Regional Catholic School, and two Roman Catholic high schools, Xavier High School for boys and Mercy High School for girls. Saybrook, Connecticut Deep River

Middletown Nature Gardens - Misplaced Pages Continue

2856-492: The mayor's office, replacing Thornton, whom he criticized for raising taxes and for the awarding of a contract for the construction of a new high school to Tomasso Brothers, Inc. , a firm that had been the target of a federal corruption probe. During Giuliano's three terms in office, Middletown's Main Street became a hub for small businesses, and the city began investing heavily in the arts. Democrat Daniel T. Drew defeated Giuliano in 2011. Drew has pushed for increased development in

2924-592: The neighboring towns, Portland and East Hampton are the only ones that do not have any land boundaries, as they are located on the eastern side of the Connecticut River. The west side of Middletown is flanked by the Metacomet Ridge —a mountainous trap rock ridgeline that stretches from Long Island Sound to nearly the Vermont border. Notable mountains of the Metacomet Ridge in Middletown include Higby Mountain and

2992-412: The new immigrants stimulated the rise of a range of cuisines offered by restaurants. This has become one of the most well-known aspects of the city. Middletown was hit by floods in 1927 and 1936, and by The Great New England Hurricane in 1938. The Arrigoni Bridge was completed over the Connecticut River in 1938. It replaced an earlier bridge to connect Middletown to Portland and points east. During

3060-573: The north side of Lamentation Mountain . The 50-mile (80 km) Mattabesett Trail traverses the ridge. The Nature Conservancy manages the summit and ledges of Higby Mountain. Major bodies of water include the Connecticut River along the towns eastern boundary, the Mattabesset River along its northern boundary, Crystal Lake in the southern end of town, and Pameacha Pond along South Main Street. The Mount Higby and Adder reservoirs also fall along its western boundary with Middlefield. As of

3128-405: The park. There are also vernal pools, which are habitats for salamanders and wood frogs in the southeast corner of the park. There is even a 200-year-old sugar maple , which is called the “bee tree,” in which a large colony of bees has made it their home. Lapin, Beth (December 2004). Middletown Trail Guide . Middletown Conservation Commission. This Connecticut state location article

3196-595: The people with money to buy new. In the mid-20th century, Middletown and similar towns lost heavy industry and manufacturing jobs that moved offshore, resulting in a general decline in population. An alternate economy began to develop by the 1990s. During this period, the city tore down many older buildings in the name of ' urban renewal ', but sometimes new development was delayed for years. Downtown area had large flat parking lots, or buildings were abandoned and left empty. With high unemployment and limited opportunities, and increasing problems with drugs, crime increased. During

3264-535: The population had swelled to nearly 21,000. Meanwhile, the number of African Americans dwindled to 53 persons. Employers chose to hire white immigrants. Later in the century, more African Americans from the South migrated to the area for its industrial jobs and better social conditions. They were part of the Great Migration during the 20th century, up to 1970. In the early 1980s, two Wesleyan professors arranged to bring

3332-515: The revival of downtown Middletown. Crime decreased, and new restaurants and shops opened. In recent decades, Middletown has focused on balancing the needs and comforts of its residents with the commercial development required to help fund services. These efforts date at least from 1931, when the city was one of the first in America to establish a planning board. Progress continued under the leadership of Democratic mayor, Domenique S. Thornton, who served

3400-462: The riverfront property on which it sits. Middletown continues to support manufacturing and small business. Middletown has remained an important government administrative center. From the creation of Middlesex County in 1798 until the elimination of county government in 1965 Middletown was the county seat. Middletown today retains Middlesex Superior Court, and the Judicial District remains that of

3468-472: The site of the controversial State Juvenile Training Center. Culturally and politically, Middletown is in the midst of an effort to revitalize its historically disadvantaged North End. Economic development projects recently completed in the North End include Wharfside Commons, a 96-unit mixed income apartment block, and the new Community Health Center (completed in 2012 at the corner of Main and Grand Streets ). The Green Street Arts Center, founded by Wesleyan and

SECTION 50

#1732859260703

3536-518: The state to perform in plays and other performances. The playhouse is one of the few youth theaters in the state of Connecticut . It is located on 128 Washington Street, around the corner from Middletown's Main Street. During the 1990s, a partnership between the city, the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce, and Wesleyan University invested substantially in Middletown's Main Street, improving urban design and supporting new businesses. Their actions helped

3604-415: The stream that can be seen on Route 154, near Winter Avenue, empty onto the cove that connects to The Connecticut River. Saybrook Colony, along the mouth of the Connecticut River , was one of the early settlements in the area. Several towns broke off and incorporated separately over the course of time. The towns which were created from parts of Saybrook Colony are listed below. From 1840 to around 1940,

3672-572: The surrounding area—was named after it. When the primarily-English European settlers arrived in the region the Mattabesset were a part of the Wangunk, a large tribe in the Connecticut Valley, at the time under a sachem named Sowheag . Plans for the colonial settlement were drawn up by the General Court in 1646; the first migrants came from nearby Connecticut colonies in 1650. On September 11, 1651,

3740-623: The third Saturday in July, Deep River hosts the Deep River Ancient Muster , the largest one day gathering of fife and drum corps in the United States. As of the census of 2000, there were 4,610 people, 1,824 households, and 1,262 families living in the town. The population density was 340.1 inhabitants per square mile (131.3/km ). There were 1,910 housing units at an average density of 140.9 per square mile (54.4/km ). The racial makeup of

3808-449: The town of Saybrook changed its name to "Deep River", matching the name of the town center village. The name "Deep River" was taken from the river/stream that once powered mills and factories that runs through it and not from the Connecticut River that is its eastern border. The actual Deep River stream begins at the border of its neighboring Town of Chester, in the western Winthrop section of town, on Cedar Swamp Road and flows through town to

3876-401: The town was 94.56% White , 2.41% African American , 0.04% Native American , 0.80% Asian , 0.07% Pacific Islander , 1.04% from other races , and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.95% of the population. There were 1,824 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 9.1% had

3944-411: The types of trees and shrubs include red cedar , flowering dogwood , highbush blueberries, white pine , and speckled alder. The main trail is a 0.5-mile (0.80 km) loop. Mulched side trails, which branch off the main trail, add another 0.5 miles (0.80 km) to walk. Community volunteers maintain the park. They have erected many bluebird boxes and bat houses to house some of the natural wildlife of

4012-729: The war, migration of New England families continued west to New York and, later, to the Midwest around the Great Lakes, where more land was available. In the 19th century, Middletown became a major center for firearms manufacturing. Numerous gun manufacturers in the area supplied the majority of pistols to the United States government during the War of 1812. After that war, however, the center of this business shifted to Springfield , Massachusetts; and Hartford , and New Haven , Connecticut. (See also History of Connecticut industry .) In 1831 Wesleyan College

4080-420: Was $ 240,700. The racial makeup of the city was 66.2% White only, not Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Black or African American , 10.9% Hispanic or Latino , and 5.7% Asian . The foreign born population made up 11.9% of residents. 15.5% of residents were under the age of 18, and 16.2% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.5 years. The median income for a household in the city was $ 62,022. Males had

4148-406: Was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males. The median income for a household in the town was $ 51,677, and the median income for a family was $ 62,260. Males had a median income of $ 46,268 versus $ 32,454 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 32,604. About 3.9% of families and 5.1% of the population were below

SECTION 60

#1732859260703

4216-448: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.84. In the CDP the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.9 males. The median income for

4284-530: Was a labor-intensive ordeal. They had a strict society; offenses legally punishable by death in the Connecticut colonies included "witchcraft, blasphemy, cursing or smiting of parents, and incorrigible stubbornness of children." The Pequot Mohegan , at that time traditional allies of the English colonists and enemies of the Wangunk, arrived in the Middletown area in the latter half of the 17th century; conflict between them and local Native American tribes ensued. The inhabitants of Mattabesett and others referred to

4352-471: Was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2009. Both buildings are part of the Wesleyan campus. The saltbox Samuel Harris House , built in 1686 and not listed on the National Register, may be the oldest surviving house in Middletown. Middletown sits on the west bank of the Connecticut River, in the south-central portion of the state. Running alongside the river, Route 9 bisects the city. According to

4420-442: Was established. It became one of the United States' leading liberal arts universities . The college replaced an earlier educational institution on the same site, Partridge's American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy. It had moved to Norwich, Vermont and later developed as Norwich University . The two main buildings of the original campus were built by the people of Middletown in order to attract an academic institution to

4488-404: Was set off as a separate town in 1665. The site of the present village of Deep River was said to have been owned by John, Nathaniel, and Philip Kirtland in 1723. The village of Winthrop was said to have been settled by Baptists as early as 1729. In the early to mid-19th century, various portions of Saybrook broke off as separate towns, starting from Chester in 1836 to Old Saybrook in 1854. In 1947,

4556-501: Was the county seat of Middlesex County from its creation in 1785 until the elimination of county government in 1960. As of the 2020 census , the city had a total population of 47,717. Middletown, Connecticut is considered the southernmost city in the Hartford-Springfield Knowledge Corridor Metropolitan Region, which features a combined metro population of 1.9 million. Middletown is largely

4624-691: Was to make Middletown the head of a long river port, much as London was at the head of its long river port on the Thames in Middlesex County, England. The same persons also established the Middlesex Turnpike (now Route 154 ) to link all the settlements on the western side of the Connecticut, again with the intent of creating one long port. After the American Revolution, Connecticut and most northern states abolished slavery. The port's decline began in

#702297