Middletown
Connecticut
City Of Middletown
History:
Before Europeans arrived, the territory where Middletown now sits was held by the Wangunks on the east bank and the Mattabesetts on the west bank of the Connecticut River. These two peoples shared a common chief, Sowheag, at the time of the initial European settlement in 1650
The new community became officially a town the following year, adopting the name "Middletown" in 1653, a reference to its distance halfway between the mouth of the Connecticut River and Windsor.
In 1784, having expanded greatly throughout the eighteenth century, Middletown was incorporated as a city. Jabez Hamlin was elected as the first mayor. The following year the first local newspaper, the Middlesex Gazette, was published.
Unfortunately for Middletown, and for all American ports, the great struggle between Europe and Napoleon had serious repercussions on our trade, with both England and France seizing American ships. In an effort to protect its citizens, Jefferson's Embargo Act of 1807 and Madison's Non-Intercourse Act of 1809 resulted in ruining New England commerce. Hardly had these acts expired in 1812 when the nation plunged into war against Great Britain. The war was so unpopular in New England that the state legislatures refused to let their militias serve outside state boundaries.
Middletown might have become a major industrial city without its difficulty over transportation. When the railroads appeared in the 1830s and it was proposed to build a line between Hartford and New Haven, Middletown was divided about the desirability of being on the line. Surveys eventually convinced railroad officials that the Middletown route would be both indirect and expensive in view of the grades and heavy cutting.
The city established a high school in 1840, and the state opened a hospital in 1868. In 1875, the Russell Library was established by Mrs. Frances Ann Russell in memory of her husband Samuel, a prominent Middletown merchant and trader. And for the year of 1872, Middletown actually had a professional baseball team, the Middletown Mansfields, named after General Mansfield of the Civil War.
With the twentieth century have come some changes of profound import, some of them in process before 1900. Middletown in 1800 was largely Protestant, largely Congregationalist, and almost entirely Anglo-Saxon. In the nineteenth century, the Irish were the first new immigrants to arrive in numbers, followed by Germans, Swedes, and a small number of Italian people. During the twentieth century, many more Italian, Polish and German people have arrived.
Middletown continues throughout the end of the twentieth century to evolve, meeting the challenges and responsibilities which come with its substantial growth. In its history spanning more than three centuries, it has adapted in a myriad of ways to variable economic, demographic, and cultural realities, and will continue to shift as we greet the beginning of the new millennium.
Recent News
City Of Middletown: Friday Deadline To Appeal 2022 Property Assessments.
All appeals to the Board of Assessment Appeals must be received by the assessor’s office by the close of business on Friday, February 17, 2023 at 4:30 pm. Appeals received after that date and time will be noted as late. Appeals will be…
Read More »City Of Middletown : Let's go to the museum!
City of Middletown resident families are invited to join the Arts & Culture Coordinator and a resident Artist on a day’s excursion to visit a Connecticut art & cultural museum. Middletown resident households are encouraged to…
Read More »City Of Middletown News - 2022 Grand List, Revaluation Complete
2022 Grand List, revaluation complete The Middletown Assessor has completed the 2022 Grand List. The Grand List is the aggregate valuation of taxable property within a given town, and is used to determine the mill rate for both City and Fire…
Read More »City Of Middletown News : Vita Tax Preparation Assistance Program Available
Vita Program Is Now Open For The New Tax Year!!! VITA prepares tax returns free for households with income under $60,000. VITA preparers are trained to help assure eligible clients receive tax credits such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax…
Read More »City Of Middletown News :Special Election for the 100th State Assembly District
The February, 28th Special Election for the 100th State Assembly District seat will take place from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM and includes the following districts: -District #1 Macdonough School Gym -District #2 Spencer School Gym -District #3…
Read More »City Of Middletown News : Middletown Pal Mascot Competition
The Middletown Police Activity League needs your HELP!!! Please send us your creative artwork and ideas for our new Middletown PAL Mascot. For more information, please visit us www.MiddletownPAL.org or contact [email protected].…
Read More »City Of Middletown News : Middletown Health Department Accepting Applications For Public Health Block Grants
Middletown — The Middletown Health Department is accepting grant applications for organizations providing public health services to local residents. Any non-profit, human service or health organization that provides services in Middletown…
Read More »City Of Middletown News - Health Department Accepting Applications For Public Health Block Grants
The Middletown Health Department is accepting grant applications for organizations providing public health services to local residents. Any non-profit, human service or health organization that provides services in Middletown for city residents is…
Read More »City Of Middletown - 2021-2022 Crime Statistics
The Middletown Police Department is reporting the following statistics for the calendar year 2022: Homicides - 0 Assaults - 95 Robberies - 12 Gunshots - 38 Burglaries …
Read More »City Of Middletown News Middletown Citizen's Police Academy
The Middletown Police Department Announces Its 1st Citizen’s Police Academy Every Wednesday 6pm-8:30pm beginning on February 1st The Citizen’s Police Academy is an 8-week course for Middletown residents where they will get an inside…
Read More »City Of Middletown News LGBTQIA And Community Pizza Dinners
The City of Middletown's LGBTQIA+ Commission in partnership with Middletown Pride, Triangle Community Center, and Q+ is hosting two pizza dinners in February. These dinners are intended to provide a space for community building and social…
Read More »Middletown Health Department Offers Free Radon Test Kits During National Radon Action Month
Middletown — January marks National Radon Action Month. The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Middletown Health Department are encouraging residents to test their homes for radon gas, the leading environmental cause of…
Read More »City Of Middletown - Arts Grants, Deadline to Apply January 9, 2023
ARTS GRANTS The Middletown Commission on the Arts welcomes grant applications for programs and/or projects that enrich the lives of Middletown residents through arts & cultural related activities and programs. It shall be the policy of the MCA…
Read More »Middletown Announces Christmas Tree Recycling Program
The City of Middletown's Christmas Tree Collection and Recycling Program will continue, as it has in the past, and commence on Monday, January 9, 2022, weather permitting. This special recycling program is being provided free of charge to City…
Read More »City Of Middletown News Christmas Tree Collection Instructions
City of Middletown Public Works crews will circulate through the City January 9 - 20th collecting Christmas trees from the curb. Trees must be free from plastic bags and ALL decorations, including tinsel. Full details are available here.…
Read More »City Of Middletown News : Middletown PAL Center
We at Middletown PAL are very excited about our upcoming Middletown PAL Center located at 90 Court Street, 3rd floor, Middletown. The Mission of the Police Activity League of Middletown, Inc. is to provide a positive and fun experience through…
Read More »City of Middletown News: Shooting Incident - 175 South Main Street
On December 4, 2022 at approximately 9:18am, the Middletown Police Department responded to the area of 175 South Main Street for the report of gunshots. Responding officers were able to confirm that a shooting incident occurred but all parties left…
Read More »City Of Middletown: New Property Assessments To Be Sent To Middletown Property Owners
City of Middletown OFFICE OF THE MAYOR New Property Assessments To Be Sent To Middletown Property Owners The City of Middletown Assessor’s Office announced today that the City has completed its statutorily mandated property revaluation,…
Read More »City Of Middletown : Narcotics Arrest, December 02, 2022
Click here to View the Information About City Of Middletown : Narcotics Arrest, December 02,…
Read More »City Of Middletown: Leaf Collection Update - November 29, 2022
City crews continue to circulate through the city collecting leaves. Due to truck breakdowns and staff shortages, not all routes have been completed by Nov. 28. However, please note, if you don't compost and need your leaves picked up, they should…
Read More »City Of Middletown News - Free Holiday Parking in City Lots
Free Holiday Parking in City Lots Starting on Saturday, November 26th and running through Christmas Eve, December 24th., Free Holiday Parking will be available on Saturdays in all of our City Parking Lots. City Lots are located off of Melilli Plaza…
Read More »City Of Middletown - Wesu Fall Pledge Drive 2022
WESU Fall Pledge Drive - November 2022 It’s getting chilly out, but WESU Middletown’s fall pledge drive is heating up! Without listener support, it would be impossible to broadcast WESU’s unique blend of music and public affairs…
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