Seymour, Connecticut

History

Seymour was incorporated as a town in May 1850, and was named for Governor Thomas H. Seymour.

The area that now encompasses the lands of the town was originally part of the town of Derby. The downtown portion of what is now Seymour was eventually called Humphreysville, named after Revolutionary War hero David Humphrey, aide-de-camp to General George Washington. Humphreys had purchased a factory in what is the downtown portion of the town, which produced scythes and other tools as well as wool products from the sheep he had imported.

In 1836, Humphreysville was incorporated as a borough within the town of Derby by the General Assembly. Upon the creation of the town of Seymour in 1850, the borough government was dis-incorporated.

Emergency services

The Town of Seymour, CT has its own police department, 2 fire companies, and an ambulance association.

The Police Chief is Michael Metzler. The Police Department currently operates out of its headquarters located at 11 Franklin Street. The department was previously located at 4 Wakeley Street (located behind the Citizen Engine Co. 2 building).

The chief of the Fire Department is James Smith who is assisted by three assistant chiefs. The department consists of two fire companies each led by one captain and two lieutenants. The fire marshal's office is located at the Town Hall and is staffed by a full-time fire marshal and several deputy marshals.

The Citizens Engine Company No 2 is located on DeForest Street with its primary response area being the downtown and east side of the town. Citizens Engine was organized in 1884 when the town purchased a Button steam powered fire engine. The original fire company, which was organized in 1882, was later disbanded and the present fire company was organized and named in honor of the town's citizens (the company adopted the number 2 since it was the second fire company to exist in town). The current firehouse was erected in the 1890s and a few years later the hose / bell tower was struck by lighting, which severely damaged it; the tower was then dismantled and rebuilt. The current apparatus bay addition was erected in 1976. The Citizens operate two engines, one mini-attack / brush pumper, a heavy rescue, a tower-ladder and a hazmat unit.

The Great Hill Hose Company was organized in 1945 to help improve fire protection to Seymour's rapidly growing Great Hill and Housatonic River area. Since the Citizens Engine Company was located "downtown" it took quite some time for the firefighters and apparatus to reach the west side area. The Company was first located on Great Hill Road near the old Grange building. Since the Great Hill area did not have the luxury of fire hydrants, the company utilized ponds and also tanker trucks that carried water. Since the 1950s the Great Hill area continued to grow with new homes and the present high school and middle school buildings. The Great Hill Hose Company operates two fire engines, a water tanker truck, a heavy rescue truck, a mini attack / brush unit, a rescue boat and a utility vehicle.

Seymour Ambulance Association was organized in 1969 and incorporated as a non-profit entity in 1972. The command structure consists of one chief, one deputy chief, one assistant chief, one captain, one training coordinator, and two lieutenants. The current chief is Scott Andrews. The S.A.A. originally operated its ambulances from various locations and was quartered in the Citizen's firehouse using the easternmost portion of the building for several years. The organization is currently quartered at 4 Wakeley Street, the building formerly housing the Seymour Police Department.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 15.0 square miles (39 km²), of which 14.6 square miles (38 km²) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km²), or 2.67%, is water.

Named localities within Seymour include Bungay, Cedar Ridge District, Clifton, Garden City, Great Hill, Promise Land, Skokorat, and Squantuck.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 16,540 people, 6,654 households, and 4,453 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,060.6 people per square mile (409.5/km²). There were 6,356 housing units at an average density of 436.2 per square mile (168.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.75% White, 1.35% African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.77% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.04% of the population.

There were 6,155 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the town, the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $52,408, and the median income for a family was $65,012. Males had a median income of $46,171 versus $32,186 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,056. About 3.6% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

Museums and other points of interest

On the National Register of Historic Places

Media

The Valley Independent Sentinel, an online-only, non-profit news site, launched in June 2009. It covers five towns in the lower Naugatuck Valley, including Seymour.

The Valley Gazette, a weekly print and online newspaper published since 1991, covers three towns in the lower Naugatuck Valley, including Seymour.

MindShaft Games, LLC, an independent game development studio, launched in June 2013.

Education

There are four public schools in Seymour, Connecticut. They are Seymour High School (9-12), Seymour Middle School (6-8), Chatfield-LoPresti School (pre-K-5), and Bungay School(K-5). Chatfield School and LoPresti School used to be separate, until they united into one school on the grounds of the former Paul E. Chatfield School. The school opened as one on the first day of school on September 5, 2012. The official dedication occurred on Sunday, October 14, 2012.

Seymour Pink

Seymour Pink is a non-profit organization in Seymour. It is an organization that helps fight against breast cancer. It donates to local hospitals such as Yale's Smilow Cancer Institute and Hewitt's Breast Cancer center at Griffin Hospital. One day in the month of October is "Seymour Pink Day" where the whole town unites and wears pink in hopes of raising money. Seymour High School's sports teams also participate in the fight against breast cancer.

Events

They hold many events annually including:

Pumpkin Festival

This is a craft show that has a variety of vendors for the whole family. It has jewelry, ceramics, food concessions, and activities for kids including a costume parade, and a royal court. You can decorate pumpkins, and come and listen to music. It is usually held in late September at French Memorial Park.

Smoke in the Valley

This is a beer and chili festival that takes places in downtown Seymour that benefits local youth sports, Seymour Pink, and emergency services. It is usually held in early October. It has live music all day, chili contests and a lot of food.

Founder's Day

This is a town-wide event that showcases Seymour’s history. It unites the town so that families can enjoy an event. It promotes town businesses, and town non-profit organizations. It also benefits the Seymour Historical Society. This helps celebrate all of the residents of Seymour, Connecticut, all while giving back to other members in the community. It is usually held in the beginning of June.

Memorial Day Parade

The town of Seymour hosts a Traditional holiday parade honoring the contributions of the men and women of the armed forces, past and present. It is held in downtown Seymour by the post office and train station. It is full of great floats and great music and is held on Memorial Day.

Halloween Haunted Trail

The Seymour Land Trust holds this event every Halloween. You walk through dark trails by the swamp at night, and people jump out unexpectedly at you. Anyone can participate. You come and dress up, but there is a $6 admission fee. Refreshments are sold during the event. There is a short segment for special needs and small children before the main event so that they aren't scared too much.

Trunk or Treat

Every year trunk or treat is held at the Seymour Middle School parking lot. Kids from pre-K to 6th grade can come and trick-or-treat from car to car. Parents just bring a decorated car and candy to hand out, and all of the younger kids can go around. It is a safe alternative to normal trick or treating.

Christmas Parade

Every year, the town of Seymour hosts an annual Christmas parade. It is held in downtown Seymour by the post office and train station. It is full of great floats, great music, and a visit from Santa. It is usually held in late November or early December.

Transportation

The Seymour train station provides commuter rail service to Bridgeport, Stamford, and Grand Central Terminal in New York City via the Waterbury Branch on the Metro-North Railroad's New Haven Line. Seymour lies along Connecticut Route 8. Connecticut Transit New Haven Division provides bus service to Seymour on its F West Chapel Street route.

Notable people