Ledyard, Connecticut

Ledyard /ˈlɛdʒərd/ is a Town in New London County, Connecticut, United States, located along the Thames River. The town is named after Colonel William Ledyard, a Revolutionary War officer who was killed at the Battle of Groton Heights.[3] The town is part of the Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region. The population was 15,413 at the 2020 census.[2] The Foxwoods Resort Casino, owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, is located in the northeastern section of Ledyard, on the reservation owned by the tribe.

Ledyard, Connecticut
Town
Town of Ledyard
Bill Library and the Ledyard Congregational Church in Ledyard Center
Bill Library and the Ledyard Congregational Church in Ledyard Center
Official seal of Ledyard, Connecticut
Seal
Ledyard's location within New London County and Connecticut
Coordinates: 41°26′23″N 72°00′54″W
Country United States
U.S. state Connecticut
CountyNew London
RegionSoutheastern CT
Incorporated1836
Named forWilliam Ledyard
Government
 • TypeMayor-council
 • MayorFred Allyn III[1]
Area
 • Total40.0 sq mi (103.6 km2)
 • Land38.1 sq mi (98.8 km2)
 • Water1.9 sq mi (4.8 km2)
Elevation
295 ft (90 m)
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • Total15,413
 • Density390/sq mi (150/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP Codes
06335, 06338, 06339
Area code(s)860/959
FIPS code09-42600
GNIS feature ID0213450
Websitewww.ledyardct.org

Ledyard's zip code is 06339. Within the southwestern area of Ledyard is the district known as Gales Ferry, which has the postal code 06335. In the northeast is Mashantucket, with the postal code 06338.

History

Named for Colonel William Ledyard, slain commander of Colonial forces in the Battle of Groton Heights in September 1781, the Town was set off from Groton in 1836 by an act of the Connecticut Legislature.[4] The western section, on the east bank of the Thames River, had been settled in the mid-seventeenth century by Thomas Bayley, John Gager, Robert Allyn, and Robert Stoddard. The settlers were farmers and the river, their transportation.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 40.0 square miles (104 km2), of which 38.1 square miles (99 km2) is land and 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2), or 4.62%, is water. Ledyard is situated north of Groton, and borders the east bank of the Thames River in southeastern Connecticut. The northern half of the Naval Submarine Base New London is located in the southwest corner of the town.

Ledyard is among the areas of the United States that was covered by a continental ice sheet during the last ice age. Therefore, Ledyard has its share of interesting glacial geology. The glaciers that covered Ledyard carried the many large boulders that are scattered around the town. The town has set aside land designated as a "Glacial Park", which consists of a section of end moraine and outwash deposits (containing kettles). This area encompasses a segment of the "Ledyard Moraine"—a clast-supported boulder deposit that is anomalous in nature. Examples of glacial erratics in Ledyard:

The principal communities of Ledyard are Ledyard Center (also known as Ledyard Village) and the Gales Ferry section (including Christy Hill Estates, Devonshire Estates, Ferry View Heights, Glenwoods, Birdland, Sherwood Forest, and Woodridge Estates). Other minor communities and geographic areas are Aljen Heights, Barrett Park, Colonial Manor, Cranwood Homestead, Highlands, Lakeside, Lantern Hill, Long Pond, Parsonage Hill Manor, Presidential Estates, Quaker Town, and Stonehenge. The town also contains the Mashantucket Pequot Reservation, in the northeastern corner of the town.

Notable people

Demographics
See also: List of Connecticut locations by per capita income
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18401,871—
18501,558−16.7%
18601,6153.7%
18701,392−13.8%
18801,373−1.4%
18901,183−13.8%
19001,2364.5%
19101,079−12.7%
19201,1617.6%
19301,144−1.5%
19401,42624.7%
19501,74922.7%
19605,395208.5%
197014,837175.0%
198013,735−7.4%
199014,9138.6%
200014,687−1.5%
201015,0512.5%
202015,4132.4%
Population 1840 - 2000[6]
Population 2010[7]

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 14,687 people, 5,286 households, and 4,101 families residing in the town. The population density was 385.1 inhabitants per square mile (148.7/km2). There were 5,486 housing units at an average density of 143.8 per square mile (55.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was:

There were 5,286 households, out of which 39.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.2% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.4% were non-families. 16.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.12.

The ages of Ledyard's population were spread out, with:

  • 28.3% under 18
  • 6.3% from 18 to 24
  • 31.0% from 25 to 44
  • 25.4% from 45 to 64
  • 9.0% from 65 years of age or older.

The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $62,647, and the median income for a family was $69,214. Males had a median income of $46,582 versus $32,339 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,953. About 2.9% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005[9]
Party Active Voters Inactive Voters Total Voters Percentage
Republican 2,350 104 2,454 27.07%
Democratic 1,879 85 1,964 21.66%
Unaffiliated 4,404 245 4,649 51.27%
Libertarian 0 0 0 0.0%
Total 8,633 434 9,067 100%

Schools
Ledyard High School in 2014

Ledyard has three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. The superintendent of schools is Jason Hartling. The assistant superintendent of schools is Dr. Jennifer Byars, who previously served as principal and assistant principal of many of the town's schools. The superintendent is appointed by the board of education.

Elementary schools:

  • Gales Ferry School (Grades K through 2)
  • Gallup Hill School (Grades K through 5)
  • Juliet W. Long School (Grades 3 through 5)

Middle school:

  • Ledyard Middle School (Grades 6, 7 & 8)

High school:

  • Ledyard High School (Grades 9 through 12)

Former schools:

  • Ledyard Center School (Closed in 2019)

Government and emergency services

The Town of Ledyard is governed by the mayor–council form of government. The mayor is elected by registered voters and serves as the town's full-time administrator and chief executive; elected mayors serve for a term of 4 years and there are no term-limits. The mayor, with advice from the town council and voters appoints officials to positions such as: Town Clerk, Town Attorney, Director of Finance, Director of Public Works, and many of the other administrative positions. The town council has the power to appoint officials to boards and commissions, as fire marshals and town clerks. Registered voters also elect the members of the board of education.

Police

The Town of Ledyard operates an independent police force, administered by Chief of Police John Rich. The town previously had provided police services through the Resident State Trooper Program. The department employs 22 highly trained personnel, including the chief, an administrative assistant, and one detective.

The Town of Ledyard Police Department is also tasked with operating the Ledyard Animal Control Division and the Ledyard Emergency Communications Center. The LECC has 7 full-time 911 Dispatchers and provides 911 service to both the Town of Ledyard and the Town of Preston.

Fire and EMS service

There are two fire departments in the Town of Ledyard. They are the Ledyard Fire Company and the Gales Ferry Fire Company. Both departments rely on volunteers for staffing, along with paid firefighters that staff both departments Monday thru Friday. EMS service is the responsibility of American Ambulance Service, Inc. American Ambulance took over EMS service on July 1, 2018 following the disbanding of the Ledyard Volunteer Emergency Squad. American Ambulance houses 1 ambulance within the Town of Ledyard, which is staffed 24 hours a day.

Employers

The Naval Submarine Base New London, located immediately south of Ledyard in Groton, is a significant employer of Ledyard residents. Other major employers include Foxwoods Resort Casino, Electric Boat, and Pfizer.

Media

Television

Ledyard was featured on an episode of the MTV show MADE, in which Katherine, a shy, book-loving teenager, is made into Miss Congeniality in her town's beauty pageant for Miss Ledyard Fair.

Points of interest

National Register of Historic Places
Panorama of Ledyard Center, including the fire department, town hall, Ledyard Center School, and Ledyard Congregational Church plus several businesses

See also

References
  1. "2017 Connecticut Municipal Election Results". November 7, 2017.
  2. "Census - Geography Profile: Ledyard town, New London County, Connecticut". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  3. Zug, James (March 6, 2009). American Traveler: The Life and Adventures of John Ledyard, the Man Who Dreamed of Walking the World. Basic Books. p. 272. ISBN 978-0-7867-3941-7.
  4. The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly. Connecticut Magazine Company. 1903. p. 332.
  5. Hammer, Doc (May 16, 2005). "50 Questions (from MySpace)". DeviantArt. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  6. "Section VII-Local Government". Archived from the original on February 16, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2007. Accessed April 21, 2010.
  7. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Ledyard town, New London County, Connecticut". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  8. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  9. "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 25, 2005" (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2006. Retrieved October 2, 2006.
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