Milford (Connecticut)
| Milford | |||
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| Nickname : A Small City with a Big Heart | |||
 Milford: Center (center right), Marina and Charles Island |
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| Location in Connecticut | |||
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| Basic data | |||
| Foundation : | 1639 | ||
| State : | United States | ||
| State : | Connecticut | ||
| County : | New Haven County | ||
| Coordinates : | 41 ° 13 ′ N , 73 ° 4 ′ W | ||
| Time zone : | Eastern ( UTC − 5 / −4 ) | ||
| Residents : | 53,672 (as of 2020) | ||
| Population density : | 917.5 inhabitants per km 2 | ||
| Area : | 67.9 km 2 (approx. 26 mi 2 ) of which 58.5 km 2 (approx. 23 mi 2 ) are land |
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| Height : | 8 m | ||
| Postcodes : | 06460, 06461 | ||
| Area code : | +1 203 | ||
| FIPS : | 09-47515 | ||
| GNIS ID : | 208882 | ||
| Website : | www.ci.milford.ct.us | ||
| Mayor : | Benjamin G. Blake | ||
Milford is a town in New Haven County in the south of the US -amerikanischen State of Connecticut with 53,672 inhabitants (2020). The town lies at the mouth of the Housatonic River in the Long Iceland sound . The urban area has a size of 61.5 km².
history
The city can trace its history back to 1639 when a group of 200 Puritans, led by Rev. Peter Prudden, from nearby New Haven settled at the mouth of the Housatonic River. Milford is one of the oldest cities in Connecticut. The settlers had previously bought the area known as "Wepawaug" from the chief of the Paugusset tribe and built a flour mill on the river bank. This is probably where the name of the city comes from. Agriculture was the earliest employment, but weavers, blacksmiths and tailors were already active among the first settlers.
The geographical location predestined Milford as a port and trading city as well as a location for a small shipbuilding industry at the end of the 17th century.
During the American War of Independence at the end of the 18th century, Fort Trumbull was built at the mouth of the river to defend the port, an earthwork with 6 cannons and a crew of 20 soldiers.
The completion of the railway line from New Haven to New York City in 1848, which passed through Milford, brought economic growth. The local economy in the 19th century relied mainly on the port, shipbuilding and oyster farming . At the beginning of the 20th century, the leather industry with the production of boots, shoes and hats as well as the textile and furniture industry were added.
The First World War led to the settlement of several metalworking companies, the armaments factories and thus to an increase in the population. Another increase in population occurred during World War II , when defense workers in the nearby towns of New Haven, Stratford and Bridgeport settled in Milford.
Major employers today are tourism and the Connecticut Post Mall, a large shopping center of national importance on Interstate 95. The headquarters of the BIC Group (pens) and the subway fast food chain are in Milford. However, many residents work in New York City, which is just an hour away by train.
A historical anecdote that has not lost its fascination to this day has to do with the activities of the infamous pirate William Kidd in the waters around New York. Allegedly, Kidd is said to have buried a chest with gold on Charles Island , off Gulf Beach in Milford and within walking distance at low tide. The treasure hunt by numerous soldiers of fortune has so far been without result. Any further search is prohibited as the island is now under nature protection. The fact is that historical records show the multiple presence of William Kidd in Milford.
Tourist information
- Milford is located directly on Long Island Sound and has five fine sandy beaches that attract many visitors in the summer. The attractive marina offers space for numerous sailing yachts.
- In the city center there are numerous, well-maintained historic houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, which are accessible via the Milford Scenic Walk .
- Directly at the mouth of the Housatonic River on a peninsula is the Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center , an extensive nature and bird sanctuary with a small information center.
- The Milford Oyster Festival has been held every third Saturday in August since 1975 , a well-known public summer festival with music events, childcare, a canoe and sailing regatta and a vintage car parade.
Population development
- 1756-1.633
- 1800 - 2,417
- 1900 - 3,783
- 1920-10,193
- 1940 - 16,439
- 1960 - 41,662
- 1990 - 49,938
- 2000 - 52,305
sons and daughters of the town
- Robert Treat (1622–1710), founded the city of Newark (New Jersey) with other Milford citizens
- Peter Pond (1740–1807), soldier and trader, explored and mapped numerous lakes and rivers in central Canada
- Frank Julian Sprague (1857–1934), naval officer and inventor
- Simon Lake (1866–1945), engineer, inventor, and designer of the first submarines for the United States Navy . Simon Lake's research submarine Explorer is the port of Milford.
- John Malone (* 1941), media entrepreneur
- Dylan Bruno (born 1972), actor
- Ellen Muth (* 1981), actress
- Christy Carlson Romano (* 1984), actress and singer
- Jonathan Quick (* 1986), ice hockey goalkeeper
- Mark Arcobello (* 1988), ice hockey player
Others
- Some scenes from famous Hollywood films were shot in Milford, such as: Gone with the Wind , Daylight , The Ballad of Jack and Rose , Short Trial - Righteous Kill .
