Editing Cromwell, Connecticut

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Cromwell, Connecticut
| official_name      = Town of Cromwell
| settlement_type    = [[New England town|Town]]
| image_skyline      = Main Street, Cromwell CT.jpg
| image_caption      = Main Street
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = CromwellCTseal.gif
| image_map          = {{switcher|[[File:Cromwell CT lg.PNG|230px|frameless|alt=Cromwell's location within Middlesex County and Connecticut]]|&nbsp;[[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex County]] and Connecticut|[[File:Lower Connecticut River Valley incorporated and unincorporated areas Cromwell highlighted.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Cromwell's location within the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region and the state of Connecticut]]|&nbsp;[[Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region]] and Connecticut|default=1}}
| image_map1         = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=280|frame-height=200|frame-coord=SWITCH:{{coord|qid=Q402839}}###{{coord|qid=Q779}}###{{coord|41|36|35|N|72|39|47|W}}|zoom=SWITCH:11;6;3|type=SWITCH:shape-inverse;point;point|marker=city|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|id2=SWITCH:Q402839;Q779;Q30|type2=shape|fill2=#ffffff|fill-opacity2=SWITCH:0;0.1;0.1|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080|stroke-opacity2=SWITCH:0;1;1|switch=Cromwell;Connecticut;the United States}}
| coordinates        = {{coord|41|36|35|N|72|39|47|W|region:US-CT|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{US}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Connecticut}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[Councils of governments in Connecticut|Region]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Lower CT River Valley]]
| established_title  = Incorporated
| established_date   = June 18, 1851<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cromwellhistory.org/Cromwell_History.html|title=Cromwell History}}</ref>
| government_type    = [[Council-manager government|Council-Manager]]
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = James Demetriades ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
| leader_title1      = Town council
| leader_name1       = {{Plainlist|
*Jennifer Donahue (R) (Deputy Mayor)
*Paula G. Luna (R)
*Jack Henehan (R)
*Steve Fortenbach(R)
*Al Waters (D)}}
| leader_title2      = Town Manager
| leader_name2       = VACANT
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_total_km2     = 35.0
| area_total_sq_mi   = 13.5
| area_land_km2      = 32.1
| area_land_sq_mi    = 12.4
| area_water_km2     = 1.3
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.5
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 128
| population_total   = 14302
| population_as_of   = 2021
| population_density_km2 = 445.5
| population_density_sq_mi = 1059.4
| population_metro   = 
| population_note    = 
| timezone           = [[North American Eastern Standard Time|EST]]
| utc_offset         = -5
| timezone_DST       = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = -4
| postal_code_type   = ZIP code
| postal_code        = 06416
| area_code          = [[Area codes 860 and 959|860/959]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 09-18080
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 0213414<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|213414}}</ref>
| blank3_name        = Interstates
| blank3_info        = [[File:I-91.svg|25px|link=Interstate 91 in Connecticut]]
| blank4_name        = U.S. Highways
| blank4_info        = [[File:Connecticut Highway 3.svg|25px|link=Connecticut Route 3]] [[File:Connecticut Highway 9.svg|25px|link=Connecticut Route 9]] [[File:Connecticut Highway 99.svg|25px|link=Connecticut Route 99]]
| website            = {{URL|http://www.cromwellct.com/}}
| nickname           = Crossroads of Connecticut, or the Rose City
}}
'''Cromwell''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|r|ɑː|m|w|ɛ|l}} {{respell|CRAHM|wel}}) is a town in [[Middlesex County, Connecticut]], United States, located within the [[Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region]]. The population was 14,225 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0600000US0900718080|title=Census - Geography Profile: Cromwell town, Middlesex County, Connecticut|access-date=November 27, 2021}}</ref>

==History==
The land where Cromwell is now located, was once named for the [[Mattabesset]], a region and settlement that was once home to [[Eastern Algonquian languages|Eastern Algonquian]] language-speaking Native Americans. This may have included the [[Tunxis]], [[Quinnipiac]], [[Wangunk]], and the [[Wappinger]]. In 1651, the Mattabesset settlement was incorporated as a town by English settlers. By 1653, the colonists had renamed the settlement [[Middletown, Connecticut|Middletown]]. 
 
The area now known as Cromwell was referred to by many names before separating from Middletown. It was commonly referred to as the [[Middletown Upper Houses Historic District|Upper Houses]] or Upper Middletown.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cromwell - Connecticut History {{!}} A CTHumanities Project |url=https://connecticuthistory.org/towns-page/cromwell/ |website=ConnecticutHistory.org |date=September 12, 2011 |access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref> Upper Middletown is surrounded by natural barriers; such as, the [[Connecticut River]], [[Mattabesset River]] and by ridgelines in the North and West. By 1715, the Upper Houses had 50 households, their own school, church and cemetery. Before the creation of the new cemetery in January 1713, burials took place in Middletown. The earliest burial is that of Martha Gipson, who had died in February of that year. As Middletown began to emerge as one of the busiest ports in New England, the Upper Houses also boasted its own expansion of maritime industries. As industry expanded within the Upper Houses a merchant class grew with it. Some of the village's wealthier families owned slaves.<ref name=Grotheer>{{cite book |last1=Grotheer |first1=Barbara |series=Images of America |title=Cromwell |date=2019 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-1-4671-0270-4 }}</ref> Middletown was then incorporated as a city in 1784.

In the 19th century, the [[War of 1812]] limited maritime trade creating a decline in the Upper Houses. Some continued to pursue maritime industry, the village generally reverted back to its agricultural beginnings. By the mid century, the area was revitalized by the founding of several new industries. John and Elisha Stevens formed the [[J. & E. Stevens|J & E Stevens Company]] in 1843.<ref>{{cite web |title=J. & E. Stevens Co. |url=https://connecticutmills.org/find/details/j.-e.-stevens-co |website=Mills: Making Places of Connecticut |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref> The company had intended to manufacture cast-iron hardware, hammers and a few iron toys. The brothers later shifted their business plan after much success with their iron toys. J & E Stevens Company would grow to become the largest manufacturer of cast-iron toys in the county.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cromwell's Iron Men Made Toys for Boys and Girls |url=https://connecticuthistory.org/cromwells-iron-men-made-toys-for-boys-and-girls/ |website=ConnecticutHistory.org |date=December 6, 2021 |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref> Today, toys produced by this company are a valuable collectible item. In the early 1870s, Andrew N. Pierson emigrated from Sweden and established A.N. Pierson’s Inc.<ref>{{cite web |title=A.N. Pierson Inc. |url=https://connecticutmills.org/find/details/a.n.-pierson-inc |website=Mills: Making Places of Connecticut |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref> The company started as a small floral nursery, and later evolved into the largest commercial rose growing enterprise in the country.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Rose King of America Transformed Cromwell's Landscape |url=https://connecticuthistory.org/the-rose-king-of-america-transformed-cromwells-landscape/ |website=ConnecticutHistory.org |date=June 23, 2021 |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref> These new industries and labor opportunities created further opportunities for those immigrating to the area. Irish, German and Italian immigrants found housing along the river on lower Main Street, in areas that were more prone to flooding.<ref name=Grotheer/>

With the expansion of the Upper Houses, and the geographical barriers around the town it became increasingly difficult to maintain connection with the larger city of Middletown. Initially, the Upper Houses was able to meet the needs of its residents with the creation of its own school and church, but by the mid-19th century, a stronger movement to become independent of Middletown had developed. In 1851, the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut recognized Cromwell as a new town with a population of 1,259.<ref name=Grotheer/>

The exact origin of the town's name is debated, but many acknowledge that it was named for either the 17th-century English leader [[Oliver Cromwell]], or for the privateer [[Oliver Cromwell (ship)|Oliver Cromwell]]. Despite the continuing presence of industry, Cromwell maintained its rural character until the mid-20th century. Post-World War II the town began to change significantly, including growth in population. With the expansion of the highway system in Connecticut during the 1970s, Cromwell became an intersecting point for three major highway systems. The highway system created further retail and population development. By 1980 the population had grown to 10,265, which is over three times the size of 40 years earlier.<ref name=Grotheer/>

==Points of interest==
* Community and Green Spaces:
** River Highlands State Park<ref>{{cite web |title=River Highlands State Park |url=https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/River-Highlands-State-Park |website=CT.GOV}}</ref>
** Cromwell Meadow Wildlife Management Area <ref>{{cite web |title=Cromwell Meadows WMA |url=https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/wildlife/pdf_files/maps/maps_hunting_area/map110.pdf |website=portal.ct.gov |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
** Cromwell Landings <ref>{{cite web |title=Cromwell Landings |url=https://www.cromwellct.com/recreation/pages/cromwell-landings |website=Town of Cromwell Connecticut Website |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
** Pierson Park - named for Andrew N. Pierson, the Rose King of America and founder of A.N. Pierson, Inc.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pierson Park |url=https://www.cromwellct.com/recreation/pages/pierson-park |website=Town of Cromwell Connecticut Website |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
** Riverport Park at Frisbee Landing <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cromwellct.com/recreation/pages/riverport-park-frisbee-landings |title=Riverport Park at Frisbee Landings |website=Town of Cromwell Connecticut Website |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
** Watrous Park <ref>{{cite web |title=Watrous Park |url=https://www.cromwellct.com/recreation/pages/watrous-park |website=Town of Cromwell Connecticut Website |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
** Patriot's Corner - Main Street and Wall Streets<ref>{{cite web |title=Elizabeth Maselli History Room Walk |url=https://www.cromwellct.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif2976/f/uploads/history_walk_2b.pdf |website=Town of Cromwell Connecticut Website |publisher=Cromwell Belden Public Library |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref> 
** Memorial Town Green - Main Street and West Street
** Valour Memorial Green - Main Street and Fritsch Lane
** Gold Star Green - West Street, across from St. John Church
* On the [[National Register of Historic Places]]:
** [[Main Street Historic District (Cromwell, Connecticut)|Main Street Historic District]] &ndash; roughly bounded by Nooks Hill Rd., Prospect Hill Rd., Wall and West Sts. and New Ln., and Stevens Ln. and Main St.; since October 24, 1985
** [[Middletown Upper Houses Historic District]] &ndash; on [[Connecticut Route 99]]; since July 27, 1979
** [[Sage-Kirby House]] &ndash; 93 Shunpike Road; since April 29, 1982
* Other Historically Significant Places:
** Cromwell Historical Society - Located within the historic home of John Stevens, built in 1853<ref>{{cite web |title=Cromwell Historical Society |url=https://cromwellhistory.org/home-page |website=Cromwell Historical Society |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
** Cromwell Belden Public Library’s Elizabeth Maselli Room<ref>{{cite web |title=Cromwell Belden Public Library |url=https://www.cromwellct.com/library |website=Town of Cromwell Connecticut Website |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
** The Old Burial Ground - Timber Hill Road and Ranney Road
** Hillside Cemetery, East and West - Hillside Road and Shelley Street
** Former Home of [[Emily Pierson]]: Listed on the National Votes for Women Trail - Main Street, across from Valour Memorial Green<ref>{{cite web |title=National Collaborative for Women's History Sites (NCWHS) |url=https://ncwhs.org/votes-for-women-trail/ |website=National Votes for Women Trail |access-date=March 23, 2024}}</ref> 
* Private Industries and Businesses:
** [[TPC River Highlands]] &ndash; location of the [[Travelers Championship]], [[PGA Tour]] event
** Long-time home of hardware manufacturing company Horton Brasses, Inc.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|12.9|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|12.4|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.5|sqmi|km2}} (4.03%) is water.

The riverfront of the area often experiences [[freshet]] during the changing of the seasons. While minor flooding has occurred since Colonial times, occasionally more serious flooding occurs, such as the historic flood of March 1936,<ref>{{cite news |title=It's Spring the River Must be Rising |work=The New York Times |date=May 6, 2001 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/06/nyregion/it-s-spring-the-river-must-be-rising.html |access-date=December 8, 2023 |last1=Woodside |first1=Christine }}</ref> the 1955, Hurricanes Connie and Diane,<ref>{{cite web |title=Historic Flood August 1955 |url=https://www.weather.gov/nerfc/hf_august_1955 |website=National Weather Service |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref> and the most recent serious flood in 1984.

A major north–south highway, Interstate 91, with two Cromwell exits, runs through the Town. The Central Connecticut Expressway (Route 9), opened at the end of 1989, enhances the Town's location as it connects to I-95 in Old Saybrook, I-91 in Cromwell and I-84, the state's major east–west highway in New Britain.<ref>{{cite web|title=Town of Cromwell, Connecticut|url=http://www.cromwellct.com}}</ref>

==Demographics==

{{US Census population
|1870= 1856
|1880= 1640
|1890= 1987
|1900= 2031
|1910= 2188
|1920= 2454
|1930= 2814
|1940= 3281
|1950= 4286
|1960= 6780
|1970= 7400
|1980= 10265
|1990= 12286
|2000= 12871
|2010= 14005
|2020= 14225
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=Census of Population and Housing |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=June 4, 2015 }}</ref>
}}
{{See also|List of Connecticut locations by per capita income}}
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] there were 14,005 people, 5,212 households, and 3,262 families in the town.  The population density was {{convert|1,038.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 5,365 [[housing unit]]s at an average density of {{convert|432.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the town was 93.08% White, 3.13% African American, 0.05% Native American, 1.24% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.03% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.19%.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>

Of the 5,212 households 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 30.3% of households were one person and 11.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.99.

The age distribution was 21.6% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.

The median household income was US$60,662, and the median family income  was $70,505. Males had a median income of $46,223 versus $36,218 for females. The per capita income for the town was $29,786. About 1.6% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.

==Politics==

{| class=wikitable
! colspan = 6 | Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 27, 2020<ref>{{cite web|title=Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 27, 2020 |publisher=Connecticut Secretary of State |access-date=August 15, 2021 |url=https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Statistics-and-Data/Statistics-and-Data}}</ref>
|-
! colspan = 2 | Party
! Active voters
! Inactive voters
! Total voters
! Percentage
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| align = center | 3,511
| align = center | 190
| align = center | 3,701
| align = center | 32.98%
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| align = center | 2,418
| align = center | 98
| align = center | 2,516
| align = center | 22.42%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| [[Independent voter|Unaffiliated]]
| align = center | 4,607
| align = center | 180
| align = center | 4,787
| align = center | 42.66%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| Minor parties
| align = center | 211
| align = center | 7
| align = center | 218
| align = center | 1.94%
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! align = center | 10,747
! align = center | 475
! align = center | 11,222
! align = center | 100%
|}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4" |Presidential Election Results<ref>{{Cite web|title=General Election Statements of Vote, 1922 – Current|url=https://authoring.ct.gov//SOTS/Election-Services/Statement-Of-Vote-PDFs/General-Elections-Statement-of-Vote-1922|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=CT Secretary of State}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Election Night Reporting|url=https://ctemspublic.pcctg.net/#/selectTown|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=CT Secretary of State}}</ref>
|-
!Year
![[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
![[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
![[Third party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2020 United States presidential election|2020]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.5%''' ''4,872''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|42.7% ''3,749''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.8% ''162''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2016 United States presidential election|2016]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''49.5%''' ''3,808''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|45.3% ''3,486''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|5.2% ''400''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2012 United States presidential election|2012]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.3%''' ''4,063''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|43.5% ''3,193''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.2% ''92''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2008 United States presidential election|2008]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''59.4%''' ''4,551''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|39.0% ''2,989''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.6% ''120''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2004 United States presidential election|2004]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.2%''' ''4,126''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|43.2% ''3,226''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.6% ''121''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[2000 United States presidential election|2000]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''58.0%''' ''3,865''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|37.1% ''2,472''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|14.9% ''328''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1996 United States presidential election|1996]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''54.2%''' ''3,389''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|32.1% ''2,007''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|13.7% ''857''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1992 United States presidential election|1992]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''43.0%''' ''3,030''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|32.8% ''2,306''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|24.2% ''1,704''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1988 United States presidential election|1988]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|48.0% ''2,955''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''50.9%''' ''3,135''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.1% ''66''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1984 United States presidential election|1984]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|40.6% ''2,204''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''59.2%''' ''3,213''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.2% ''11''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1980 United States presidential election|1980]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''41.3%''' ''2,185''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|40.9% ''2,168''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|17.8% ''943''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1976 United States presidential election|1976]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''51.0%''' ''2,519''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|48.6% ''2,399''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.4% 23
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1972 United States presidential election|1972]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|45.4% ''1,957''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''53.5%''' ''2,306''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.1% ''47''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1968 United States presidential election|1968]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''53.7%''' ''1,899''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|40.7% ''1,439''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|5.6% ''198''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1964 United States presidential election|1964]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''71.1%''' ''2,461''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|28.9% ''999''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|[[1960 United States presidential election|1960]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''54.4%''' ''1,918''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|45.6% ''1,607''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[1956 United States presidential election|1956]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|34.2% ''993''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''65.8%''' ''1,909''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|0.00% ''0''
|}

==Cromwell public schools==

There are four public schools in Cromwell: Edna C. Stevens Elementary School (Pre-K–2), Woodside Intermediate School (3–5), Cromwell Middle School (6–8), and [[Cromwell High School]] (9–12).

== Fire Protection ==

Fire Protection for the Town of Cromwell is provided by the Cromwell Fire District via the Cromwell Fire Department. The Cromwell Fire Department is a combination fire department that operates out of three stations. The Fire Department operates on a rotating 24/7 schedule with six Firefighter/EMT's assigned to each shift. The Fire Department also operates ambulances to provided Emergency Medical Care to residents and visitors.

Full time Firefighters are supplemented by Part-time and Volunteer Firefighters.

==Economy==
Top employers in Cromwell according to the town's 2024 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cromwellct.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif2976/f/uploads/town_of_cromwell_ct_-_annual_comprehensive_financial_report_2024r.pdf|title=Town of Cromwell Comprehensive Annual Financial Report For the Fiscal Year July 1, 2023- June 30, 2024|publisher=Town of Cromwell|access-date=April 30, 2025}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of Employees
|-
|1
|Town of Cromwell
|462
|-
|2
|Adelbrook Behavior & Developmental Services 
|356
|-
|3
|[[Walmart]]
|313
|-
|4
|Covenant Village
|274
|-
|5
|GKN Aerospace
|250
|-
|6
|[[Stop & Shop]]
|160
|-
|7
|ShopRite
|138
|-
|8
|[[Lowe's]]
|132
|-
|9
|Autumn Lake Healthcare
|130
|-
|10
|Tournament Players Club 
|126
|}

==Notable people==

* [[David Gere]], actor and film producer, Gere was born and raised in Cromwell and attended [[Cromwell High School]], class of 1993<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1020877/|title=David Gere|website=IMDb|access-date=May 1, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401200559/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1020877/|archive-date=April 1, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Donald Honig]], novelist, historian and editor; lived in Cromwell for over 40 years. In September 2020, there was a ceremony at the Cromwell Belden Public Library where Honig was given with a key to the town and presented with a proclamation declaring it "Donald Honig Day." In his honor, there is a special "Donald Honig Collection," where many of his books are on display at the library<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.middletownpress.com/middletown/article/Cromwell-honors-local-writer-89-with-keys-to-15600176.php|title=Cromwell honors local writer, 89, with keys to the town|date=September 28, 2020}}</ref>
* Elizabeth Maselli, Cromwell Town Historian, whose collections are not available at the Cromwell Belden Public Library and the Cromwell Historical Society. Maselli was responsible for restoring and protecting the historic Old Burying Ground <ref>{{cite web |title=ELIZABETH MASELLI DIES AT 97; WAS TOWN HISTORIAN |url=https://www.courant.com/1996/08/06/elizabeth-maselli-dies-at-97-was-town-historian/ |website=Hartford Courant |date=August 6, 1996 |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
* [[Chad Ripperger]], a well known Catholic Priest, theologian, philosopher and exorcist. Ripperger had studied at the [[Holy Apostles College and Seminary]] located in Cromwell, CT.  
* [[Josiah Belden]], born in Upper Houses in 1815, he left the town in 1831. He was a member of the first wagon train taking settlers to California in 1841. There, he became wealthy running a general store during the Gold Rush. In 1888 Belden sent a substantial donation for the new public library in Cromwell.
* Sarah Savage, was a teacher of eighth and ninth grades at the Academy in Cromwell, until becoming the town's first Public Librarian of the Belden Library. The Belden Library was established in 1888 and served until 1919.<ref name=Grotheer/>
* [[Emily Pierson|Dr. Emily Pierson]], a graduate from Vassar College, and received a master’s degree at Columbia University. Dr. Pierson was actively involved in the Connecticut Effort to win the vote for women. After the 19th amendment was ratified, Pierson attended Yale Medical School, graduating in 1924 when she was in her mid-40s. She then practiced medicine in Cromwell for 40 years, while serving as the town director of health and the school physician. 
* [[James T. Pratt|James Timothy Pratt]], a U.S. Representative who was born in Cromwell in 1802.
* Dr. Winthrop Hallock, opened a private sanatorium, Cromwell Hall, in 1877. Dr. Frank Hallock, son of the founder of Cromwell Hall, worked as the director of the asylum. [[Frank K. Hallock|Frank Hallock]] was also a founder of the [[Middlesex Hospital (Connecticut)|Middlesex Hospital]], President and Director of the Cromwell Savings Bank, and President of the Belden Library Association, President of the Cromwell Cemetery Association and member of the school board.<ref>{{cite news |title=DR. FRANK K. HALLOCK; Medical Director of Sanatorium in Cromwell, Conn., Was 76 |work=The New York Times |date=April 30, 1937 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/30/archives/dr-frank-k-hallock-medical-director-of-sanatorium-in-cromwell-conn.html |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
* [[Rufus Sage|Rufus B. Sage]], born in the Upper Houses in 1817, an American writer, journalist and mountain man. After all his adventures, he returned home to Cromwell where he spent the rest of his life.
* Captain Nathan Sage, commanded several ships during the Revolution and, as a privateer, seized many British vessels. Sage was honored on the floor of Congress for his contributions to the war effort.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cromwell Roll of Honor |url=https://cromwellhistory.org/cromwell-veterans |website=Cromwell Historical Society |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>
* Thomas Ranney, one of the first settlers of the Upper Houses. Ranney was a prominent landowner and influential member of the community. Ranney is the only of the original settlers to be buried in the Old Burying Ground in Cromwell, CT.<ref name=Grotheer/>
* Jenn McKinlay, author, had worked at the Cromwell Belden Public Library and mentions them in the novel, Books Can Be Deceiving<ref>{{cite web |title=Author Jenn McKinlay |url=https://jennmckinlay.com/ |access-date=May 22, 2024}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
* A season 6 episode of the [[Discovery Channel]] series ''[[A Haunting]]'', called ''The Well from Hell'', takes place in Cromwell in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ghostsofnewengland.org/press/ranney.html |title= Ghost Hunters Explore Cromwell Home for TV's 'A Haunting' |website=Ghosts of New England |access-date=July 13, 2023}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Connecticut}}
*[http://www.cromwellct.com/ Town government website]
*[https://cromwellhistory.org/ Cromwell Historical Society]

{{Connecticut}}
{{Middlesex County, Connecticut}}
{{Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut}}
{{Greater Hartford}}
{{Connecticut River}}

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[[Category:Cromwell, Connecticut| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Towns in Middlesex County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Connecticut populated places on the Connecticut River]]
[[Category:Greater Hartford]]
[[Category:Towns in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut]]