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Waterford, CT

Waterford, Connecticut
Town
A house in Quaker Hill.
A house in Quaker Hill.
Official seal of Waterford, Connecticut
Seal
Location in New London County, Connecticut
Location in New London County, Connecticut
Coordinates: 41°20′59″N 72°08′49″W / 41.34972°N 72.14694°W / 41.34972; -72.14694Coordinates: 41°20′59″N 72°08′49″W / 41.34972°N 72.14694°W / 41.34972; -72.14694
Country United States
State Connecticut
NECTA Norwich-New London
Region Southeastern Connecticut
Incorporated 1801
Government
 • Type Representative town meeting
 • First selectman Daniel M. Steward (R)
 • Selectman Robert J. Brule (R)
 • Selectman Peter Davis (D)
 • Town meeting moderator Thomas J. Dembek
Area
 • Total 44.6 sq mi (115.4 km2)
 • Land 32.8 sq mi (84.9 km2)
 • Water 11.8 sq mi (30.5 km2)
Elevation 46 ft (14 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 19,517
 • Density 440/sq mi (170/km2)
Time zone Eastern (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code 06375, 06385
Area code(s) 860
FIPS code 09-80280
GNIS feature ID 0213526
Website www.waterfordct.org

Waterford is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. It is named after Waterford, Ireland. The population was 19,517 at the 2010 census. The town center is listed as a census-designated place (CDP) and had a population of 2,887 at the 2010 census.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 44.6 square miles (115.4 km2), of which 32.8 square miles (84.9 km2) is land and 11.8 square miles (30.5 km2), or 26.43%, is water. The town center CDP has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2), all land. Waterford is bordered on the west by the Niantic River.

Other minor communities and geographic features are Dufree Hill, East Neck, Fog Plain, Gilead, Goshen, Great Neck, Harrisons, Lake's Pond, Logger Hill, Mago Point, Magonk, Mullen Hill, Oswegatchie, Pepperbox Road, Pleasure Beach, Ridgewood Park, Riverside Beach, Spithead, Strand, West Neck.

The first people emigrated from England in 1637, and came to the New London and Waterford area (at the time, this land was called West Farms). One of the first people who set sail for this area was John Winthrop, Jr. Waterford got its name for its proximity to being in between two rivers. The residents of Waterford resided in wigwams until they dug up plots for 38 houses near the Great Neck area. John Winthrop was given several hundred acres of land, including Millstone Point and Alewife Cove. Various dams, mills, and ponds were constructed in these area. The only expansion of people in the Waterford-New London area were the growth of families and children. Later on, more people immigrated to Waterford, including the Welsh, Italian, Russian, Irish, and Scottish.

Waterford finally disbanded from New London on October 8, 1801. This happened after several farmers decided to hold a petition to separate them. The first town meeting was held in November, 1801 to appoint town officials; tax collectors, town surveyors, Fence Viewers, and First Selectman. Only the first selectman got paid at the time.


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Wikipedia

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