Bristol, Connecticut: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|City in Connecticut, United States}} |
{{Short description|City in Connecticut, United States}}{{Distinguish|Bristol (disambiguation){{!}}Bristol}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} |
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{{Infobox settlement |
{{Infobox settlement |
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| name |
| name = Bristol, Connecticut |
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| settlement_type = [[City]] |
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| image_skyline = St Joseph Church, Bristol CT.jpg |
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| settlement_type = [[City]] |
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| image_caption = St Joseph Church, Bristol CT. |
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| image_flag = BristolCTflag.png |
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| image_flag = BristolCTflag.png |
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| ⚫ | | image_map = {{switcher|[[File:Hartford County Connecticut Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Bristol Highlighted.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Bristol's location within Hartford County and Connecticut]]| [[Hartford County, Connecticut|Hartford County]] and Connecticut|[[File:Naugatuck Valley incorporated and unincorporated areas Bristol highlighted.svg|250px|frameless|alt=Bristol's location within the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region and the state of Connecticut]]| [[Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Naugatuck Valley Planning Region]] and Connecticut|default=1}} |
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| ⚫ | | image_map1 = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=280|frame-height=200|frame-coord=SWITCH:{{coord|qid=Q755149}}###{{coord|qid=Q779}}###{{coord|41|40|52|N|72|56|26|W}}|zoom=SWITCH:10;6;3|type=SWITCH:shape-inverse;point;point|marker=city|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|id2=SWITCH:Q755149;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=Bristol;Connecticut;the United States}} |
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| ⚫ | | image_map1 |
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| subdivision_type2 = [[County (United States)|County]] |
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| subdivision_name2 = [[Hartford County, Connecticut|Hartford]] |
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| subdivision_type3 = [[Councils of governments in Connecticut|Region]] |
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| subdivision_name3 = [[Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Naugatuck Valley]] |
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| parts_type = Neighborhoods |
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| subdivision_name3 = [[Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Naugatuck Valley]] |
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| parts = {{Plainlist| |
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| parts = {{Plainlist| |
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* Cedar Lake |
* Cedar Lake |
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* Chippens Hill |
* Chippens Hill |
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* West End |
* West End |
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}} |
}} |
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| established_title |
| established_title = Incorporated (town) |
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| established_date |
| established_date = {{Start date and age|1785}} |
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| leader_title = [[Mayor]] |
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| unit_pref = Imperial |
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| area_total_km2 = 69.44 |
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| area_land_km2 = 68.39 |
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| area_water_km2 = 1.05 |
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| area_water_percent = |
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| area_land_km2 = 68.39 |
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| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |
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| area_water_km2 = 1.05 |
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| elevation_ft = 420 |
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| population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2020"/> |
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| population_total = 61844 |
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| elevation_ft = 420 |
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| population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2020"/> |
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| timezone = [[North American Eastern Standard Time|EST]] |
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| utc_offset = −5 |
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| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]] |
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| utc_offset_DST = −4 |
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| postal_code_type = ZIP Codes |
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| timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]] |
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| postal_code = 06010–06011 |
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| area_codes = [[Area codes 860 and 959|860/959]] |
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| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |
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| postal_code = 06010–06011 |
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| area_code = [[Area codes 860 and 959|860/959]] |
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| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |
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| blank2_name = Major highways |
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| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |
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| website = {{URL|www.bristolct.gov/}} |
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| pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|date=May 24, 2020|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref> |
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| website = {{URL|www.ci.bristol.ct.us}} |
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| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_09.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 2, 2020}}</ref> |
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| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_09.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 2, 2020}}</ref> |
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| established_date1 = {{Start date and age|1911}} |
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'''Bristol''' is a suburban city located in [[Hartford County, Connecticut]], |
'''Bristol''' is a suburban city located in [[Hartford County, Connecticut]], United States, {{convert|20|mi|km}} southwest-west of [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]. The city is also 120 miles southwest from [[Boston]], and approximately 100 miles northeast of [[New York City]]. The city is part of the [[Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, Connecticut|Naugatuck Valley Planning Region]]. As of the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 61,844.<ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US0908420|title=Census - Geography Profile: Bristol city, Connecticut| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]| access-date=November 26, 2021}}</ref> |
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Bristol is the location of the general studios of [[ESPN]], |
Bristol is the location of the general studios of [[ESPN]], the location of [[Lake Compounce]], the United States's oldest continuously operating theme park, and is facing approval in 2024 to become home to one of the largest [[biomedical waste]] [[incineration]] operations in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fox61.com/article/news/local/hartford-county/bristol/plan-to-incinerate-infectious-biomedical-waste-in-bristol-faces-pushback/520-90772407-565d-49e0-88db-6e0e3778b0e6| publisher=[[Fox61]]|access-date=July 29, 2024| title=Plan to incinerate biomedical waste faces pushback}}</ref> |
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Bristol was known as a clock-making city in the 19th century, and is the location of [[American Clock & Watch Museum]]. Bristol is also the site of the former American Silver Company and its predecessor companies.<ref>Hogan, Edmund P. (1980). ''The elegance of old silver plate and some personalities''. Exton, PA: Schiffer Publishing Limited. Retrieved September 8, 2018. p. 98.</ref> |
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| ⚫ | Bristol's nickname is the "Mum City", because it was once a leader in [[chrysanthemum]] production and still holds an annual [[Bristol Mum Festival]].<ref name=ctecondig>{{cite web| title = Connecticut Economic Digest: Labor Market Information| publisher = Connecticut Department of Labor| date = October 2001| access-date = |
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| ⚫ | Bristol's nickname is the "Mum City", because it was once a leader in [[chrysanthemum]] production and still holds an annual [[Bristol Mum Festival]].<ref name=ctecondig>{{cite web| title = Connecticut Economic Digest: Labor Market Information| publisher = Connecticut Department of Labor| date = October 2001| access-date = July 10, 2007| url = http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/lmi/misc/cedoct01.htm#bristol| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060925041505/http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/lmi/misc/cedoct01.htm#bristol| archive-date = September 25, 2006| url-status = dead}}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The area that includes present-day Bristol was originally inhabited by the [[Tunxis]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] tribe, one of the [[Eastern Algonquian languages|Eastern Algonquian-speaking peoples]] that shared the lower [[Connecticut River Valley]].<ref>De Forest, John W. ''History of the Indians of Connecticut from the Earliest Known Period to 1850''. Hartford: Wm. J. Hamersley, 1852.</ref> |
The area that includes present-day Bristol was originally inhabited by the [[Tunxis]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] tribe, one of the [[Eastern Algonquian languages|Eastern Algonquian-speaking peoples]] that shared the lower [[Connecticut River Valley]].<ref>De Forest, John W. ''History of the Indians of Connecticut from the Earliest Known Period to 1850''. Hartford: Wm. J. Hamersley, 1852.</ref> |
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Originally, Bristol was within the boundaries of [[Farmington, Connecticut]], which was incorporated in 1645. This deed was confirmed by another deed in 1650.<ref>Bickford, C. P. and Farmington Historical Society. ''Farmington in Connecticut''. Canaan, NH: Phoenix Pub., 1982.</ref> The first actual settler of Bristol was Daniel Brownson, who built a house near West Street, but did not stay in the area very long. The first permanent settler was Ebenezer Barnes, who the next year built a home on King Street. Also in 1728, Nehemiah Manross arrived from [[Lebanon, Connecticut |
Originally, Bristol was within the boundaries of [[Farmington, Connecticut]], which was incorporated in the [[Connecticut Colony]] in 1645. This deed was confirmed by another deed in 1650.<ref>Bickford, C. P. and Farmington Historical Society. ''Farmington in Connecticut''. Canaan, NH: Phoenix Pub., 1982.</ref> The first actual settler of Bristol was Daniel Brownson, who built a house near West Street, but did not stay in the area very long. The first permanent settler was Ebenezer Barnes, who the next year built a home on King Street. Also in 1728, Nehemiah Manross arrived from [[Lebanon, Connecticut]], and built a house north of Barnes Street, on the west side of King Street. The following year the first settlement arrived in what became East Bristol when Nathaniel Messenger of [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]] and Benjamin Buck of [[Southington, Connecticut|Southington]] bought land and built houses along King Street. |
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Other houses were soon built around present-day Bristol wherever land was available for farming. This included the slope of Fall Mountain, |
Other houses were soon built around present-day Bristol wherever land was available for farming. This included the slope of Fall Mountain, along today's Wolcott Street, and on Chippens Hill. By 1742, the families inhabiting the area petitioned the Connecticut Colony General Court for permission to create their own [[Congregational Society]], citing the difficulties traveling to Farmington during winter. The Court approved their petition for the winter months only, and in 1744, agreed that area residents could set up their own ecclesiastical society. It was called New Cambridge. With their own congregation, area settlers began forming their own local government. However, since homes were so widely scattered, the General Court formed a committee to locate the geographic center of the settlement. The area now known as Federal Hill was deemed the center, and the first Congregationalist church was built there.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Leach |first1=Gail |last2=Vastola |first2=Steven |title=Bristol |date=2001 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |location=Charleston, SC |isbn=0-7385-0874-8 |pages=7–12 }}</ref> |
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In 1785, New Cambridge was incorporated as the town of Bristol, named after [[Bristol, England]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qoEyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA331|year=1903|publisher=Connecticut Magazine Company|page=331}}</ref> By 1790, the industry for which the town later became famous was established by the pioneer of [[clockmaker|clock making]] Gideon Roberts. Roberts began making wooden moment clocks and peddled them by horseback through Connecticut, [[New York (state)|New York]] and [[Pennsylvania]]. As Roberts' sons grew up and began helping with the business, Gideon increased production and Bristol clocks were soon sold all over the country. By the early 19th century, nearly all of the capital and skill in town was involved in the clock industry in some form or fashion. The clock business gave way to related industries, which included brass, springs, bearings, and hardware. As Bristol began to grow, many ethnic groups arrived to work in the industries. |
In 1785, New Cambridge was incorporated as the town of Bristol, named after [[Bristol, England]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qoEyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA331|year=1903|publisher=Connecticut Magazine Company|page=331}}</ref> By 1790, the industry for which the town later became famous was established by the pioneer of [[clockmaker|clock making]] Gideon Roberts. Roberts began making wooden moment clocks and peddled them by horseback through Connecticut, [[New York (state)|New York]] and [[Pennsylvania]]. As Roberts' sons grew up and began helping with the business, Gideon increased production and Bristol clocks were soon sold all over the country. By the early 19th century, nearly all of the capital and skill in town was involved in the clock industry in some form or fashion. The clock business gave way to related industries, which included brass, springs, bearings, and hardware. As Bristol began to grow, many ethnic groups arrived to work in the industries. |
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It was incorporated as a city in 1911. Today, Bristol is mostly residential and best known as the home of [[ESPN]] (which arrived in 1979), the [[American Clock & Watch Museum]] (since 1952), and [[Lake Compounce]], America's oldest operating theme park—opened in 1846.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bristol |url=https://connecticuthistory.org/towns-page/bristol/ |website=connecticuthistory.org |date= |
It was incorporated as a city in 1911. Today, Bristol is mostly residential and best known as the home of [[ESPN]] (which arrived in 1979), the [[American Clock & Watch Museum]] (since 1952), and [[Lake Compounce]], America's oldest operating theme park—opened in 1846.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bristol |url=https://connecticuthistory.org/towns-page/bristol/ |website=connecticuthistory.org |date=September 21, 2011 |access-date=September 14, 2019}}</ref> |
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===Blight Committee=== |
===Blight Committee=== |
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In the 1990s, the Blight Committee was formed to enforce appearance laws, and even demolish<ref>{{cite web| title = Titus Roberts House Justice| publisher = Ken Karl| date = November 2007| access-date = |
In the 1990s, the Blight Committee was formed to enforce appearance laws, and even demolish<ref>{{cite web| title = Titus Roberts House Justice| publisher = Ken Karl| date = November 2007| access-date = April 14, 2008| url = http://www.titusrobertshousejustice.org/| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090806013617/http://www.titusrobertshousejustice.org/| archive-date = August 6, 2009}}</ref> properties which it deems are unsightly and unkempt. This committee is tasked with ensuring that properties are not abandoned and that all properties are reasonably maintained. |
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In 2008, the Bristol Blight Committee was disbanded in order to make way for a new committee, the Bristol Code Enforcement Committee. This new committee has even greater powers and can now deal with both appearances and structural integrity issues of buildings in Bristol. The purpose of the committee is to streamline the process of enforcing the issues the former Blight Committee was tasked with. The law requires all structures to be free of "abandoned vehicles, nuisances, refuse, pollution and filth ... broken glass, loose shingles, holes, cracked or damaged siding, crumbling brick and other conditions 'reflective of deterioration or inadequate maintenance.'"<ref>{{cite web|title = Bristol Blog: Blight Committee Bites the Dust| publisher = Ken Karl|date=November 2007 |access-date = |
In 2008, the Bristol Blight Committee was disbanded in order to make way for a new committee, the Bristol Code Enforcement Committee. This new committee has even greater powers and can now deal with both appearances and structural integrity issues of buildings in Bristol. The purpose of the committee is to streamline the process of enforcing the issues the former Blight Committee was tasked with. The law requires all structures to be free of "abandoned vehicles, nuisances, refuse, pollution and filth ... broken glass, loose shingles, holes, cracked or damaged siding, crumbling brick and other conditions 'reflective of deterioration or inadequate maintenance.'"<ref>{{cite web|title = Bristol Blog: Blight Committee Bites the Dust| publisher = Ken Karl|date=November 2007 |access-date = April 14, 2008 | url = http://bristolnews.blogspot.com/2008/04/blight-committee-bites-dust.html}}</ref> |
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===Downtown revitalization=== |
===Downtown revitalization=== |
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Since 2008, Bristol has begun another renovation of the downtown area. The Bristol Downtown Development Corporation was formed to manage the downtown renovation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42560605/new_urbanism_drives_firms_plan_for_old/|title='New Urbanism' Drives Firms' Plans For Old Mall Site|last=Stacom|first=Don|date=January 1, 2010|work=Hartford Courant|publisher=Hartford Courant Company|issue=1|location=Hartford, Connecticut|volume=CLXXIV|page=B3|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> This has included a complete overhaul of a park in the center of the city. In addition, the outdated and underused Bristol Centre Mall from the mid-1960s was purchased by the city, then demolished in 2008, yielding a 17-acre site suitable for development, christened Depot Square by the city.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news|url= |
Since 2008, Bristol has begun another renovation of the downtown area. The Bristol Downtown Development Corporation was formed to manage the downtown renovation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42560605/new_urbanism_drives_firms_plan_for_old/|title='New Urbanism' Drives Firms' Plans For Old Mall Site|last=Stacom|first=Don|date=January 1, 2010|work=Hartford Courant|publisher=Hartford Courant Company|issue=1|location=Hartford, Connecticut|volume=CLXXIV|page=B3|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> This has included a complete overhaul of a park in the center of the city. In addition, the outdated and underused Bristol Centre Mall from the mid-1960s was purchased by the city, then demolished in 2008, yielding a 17-acre site suitable for development, christened Depot Square by the city.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.courant.com/2008/03/19/demolition-progresses-at-former-bristol-centre-mall/|title=Demolition Progresses at Former Bristol Centre Mall|last=Stacom|first=Don|date=March 19, 2008|work=Hartford Courant|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</ref> Also, North Main Street was improved in 2008 by adding islands in the road, elegant street lighting and a brick median when the road was repaved.<ref>[http://www.centralctcommunications.com/bristolpress/news/article_00e5fdc3-7ca0-542b-b0e7-b2e38289f37f.html] {{Dead link|date=July 2020|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Bristol has a total area of {{convert|69.5|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|68.4|sqkm|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|1.0|sqkm|order=flip}}, or 1.51%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{Cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0908420| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212180750/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0908420| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Bristol city, Connecticut| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=November 20, 2012}}</ref> Bristol contains several distinct sections, including Cedar Lake in the southwestern quarter, '''Chippens Hill''' in the northwestern quarter, '''Edgewood''' in the northeastern quarter, '''Forestville''' in the southeastern quarter and the city in the approximate middle of Bristol. The majority of Bristol's area is residential in character, though since 2008 there has been a push for commercial development in the city.<ref>{{cite web | title = City of Bristol, CT - Development Plans | publisher = City of Bristol, Zoning Board | access-date = |
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Bristol has a total area of {{convert|69.5|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|68.4|sqkm|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|1.0|sqkm|order=flip}}, or 1.51%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{Cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0908420| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212180750/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0908420| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Bristol city, Connecticut| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=November 20, 2012}}</ref> Bristol contains several distinct sections, including Cedar Lake in the southwestern quarter, '''Chippens Hill''' in the northwestern quarter, '''Edgewood''' in the northeastern quarter, '''Forestville''' in the southeastern quarter and the city in the approximate middle of Bristol. The majority of Bristol's area is residential in character, though since 2008 there has been a push for commercial development in the city.<ref>{{cite web | title = City of Bristol, CT - Development Plans | publisher = City of Bristol, Zoning Board | access-date = April 14, 2008 | url = http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/content/3478/3490.aspx | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090807162732/http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/content/3478/3490.aspx | archive-date = August 7, 2009 }}</ref> The city is part of the Naugatuck Valley Regional Planning Organization following the closure of the Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency, the [[metropolitan planning organization]] for Bristol, [[New Britain, Connecticut|New Britain]], and surrounding towns for decades.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ccrpa.org/ |title=Welcome |publisher=CCRPA |access-date=November 5, 2011}}</ref> |
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Forestville was the hunting grounds of the [[Tunxis]] tribe until the 19th century.<ref>Bristol, Connecticut: "in the Olden Time New Cambridge" page 543</ref> The village was established in 1833 and named Forestville for its wooded surroundings. Forestville today has grown into a mini-metropolis of suburban neighborhoods and local businesses. The boundaries of Forestville go from the Plainville town line, south to the Southington town line, west up to the industrial development along Middle street and crosses King Street, including properties on Kingswood Drive and Bernside Drive, north up to Bristol Eastern High School, then north up to the south edge of properties on Louisiana Avenue, then to the west of properties on the west side of Brook Street and from there, goes up to commercial development along Farmington Avenue. Within the Forestville area, there are two subsections known as East Bristol and the Stafford District. Forestville village has a library branch (Manross), post office, meeting hall, community group (Forestville Village Association), fire station, cemetery, funeral home, two urban parks (Quinlan Veterans Park and Clock Tower Park), Pequabuck Duck Race, Memorial Day Parade, Summer Concert Night, Pumpkin Festival, and a railroad station (no longer in use). At one time all of Forestville had its own zip code.<ref>Street Map Bristol, Burlington 1855</ref><ref>1939 Bristol, Plainville, Terryville, Forestville Volume 51 Price and Lee City Directories.</ref> |
Forestville was the hunting grounds of the [[Tunxis]] tribe until the 19th century.<ref>Bristol, Connecticut: "in the Olden Time New Cambridge" page 543</ref> The village was established in 1833 and named Forestville for its wooded surroundings. Forestville today has grown into a mini-metropolis of suburban neighborhoods and local businesses. The boundaries of Forestville go from the Plainville town line, south to the Southington town line, west up to the industrial development along Middle street and crosses King Street, including properties on Kingswood Drive and Bernside Drive, north up to Bristol Eastern High School, then north up to the south edge of properties on Louisiana Avenue, then to the west of properties on the west side of Brook Street and from there, goes up to commercial development along Farmington Avenue. Within the Forestville area, there are two subsections known as East Bristol and the Stafford District. Forestville village has a library branch (Manross), post office, meeting hall, community group (Forestville Village Association), fire station, cemetery, funeral home, two urban parks (Quinlan Veterans Park and Clock Tower Park), Pequabuck Duck Race, Memorial Day Parade, Summer Concert Night, Pumpkin Festival, and a railroad station (no longer in use). At one time all of Forestville had its own zip code.<ref>Street Map Bristol, Burlington 1855</ref><ref>1939 Bristol, Plainville, Terryville, Forestville Volume 51 Price and Lee City Directories.</ref> |
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==Economy== |
==Economy== |
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===Notable companies=== |
===Notable companies=== |
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The companies below are some of the most notable in Bristol. These, in addition to Bristol Hospital, are the largest private employers in the area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/content/3478/3639/3641/default.aspx |title=City of Bristol, CT - History |publisher=Ci.bristol.ct.us |access-date=2011 |
The companies below are some of the most notable in Bristol. These, in addition to Bristol Hospital, are the largest private employers in the area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/content/3478/3639/3641/default.aspx |title=City of Bristol, CT - History |publisher=Ci.bristol.ct.us |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927051126/http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/content/3478/3639/3641/default.aspx |archive-date=September 27, 2011 }}</ref> |
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====Associated Spring==== |
====Associated Spring==== |
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====ESPN==== |
====ESPN==== |
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[[ESPN]] houses its broadcast studios in Bristol on Middle Street. ESPN is the largest taxpayer to the City of Bristol.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/content/3478/3549/3555/default.aspx |title=City of Bristol, CT - top ten |publisher=Ci.bristol.ct.us |access-date=2011 |
[[ESPN]] houses its broadcast studios in Bristol on Middle Street. ESPN is the largest taxpayer to the City of Bristol.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/content/3478/3549/3555/default.aspx |title=City of Bristol, CT - top ten |publisher=Ci.bristol.ct.us |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927051119/http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/content/3478/3549/3555/default.aspx |archive-date=September 27, 2011 }}</ref> |
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ESPN's former parent, [[Capital Cities Communications]], once owned the local [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate [[WTNH]], but sold it after acquiring ABC (which owned ESPN), and later merged with [[The Walt Disney Company]]. |
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====Otis Elevator company==== |
====Otis Elevator company==== |
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Though its beginnings were in [[Yonkers, New York]], [[Otis Elevator Company]] possesses the tallest elevator test tower in the United States in Bristol. Located near ESPN and Lake Compounce, the {{convert|383|ft|m|adj=on}}-high tower is easily visible from the surrounding roads.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.otis.com/cp/details/1,2240,CLI1_RES1,00.html |title= Our Company|website=www.otis.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306234439/http://www.otis.com/cp/details/1%2C2240%2CCLI1_RES1%2C00.html |archive-date=March 6, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tips/getAttraction.php?tip_AttractionNo==8718 |title=Bristol, CT - North America's Tallest Elevator Test Tower |publisher=Roadsideamerica.com |access-date=2011 |
Though its beginnings were in [[Yonkers, New York]], [[Otis Elevator Company]] possesses the tallest elevator test tower in the United States in Bristol. Located near ESPN and Lake Compounce, the {{convert|383|ft|m|adj=on}}-high tower is easily visible from the surrounding roads.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.otis.com/cp/details/1,2240,CLI1_RES1,00.html |title= Our Company|website=www.otis.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306234439/http://www.otis.com/cp/details/1%2C2240%2CCLI1_RES1%2C00.html |archive-date=March 6, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tips/getAttraction.php?tip_AttractionNo==8718 |title=Bristol, CT - North America's Tallest Elevator Test Tower |publisher=Roadsideamerica.com |access-date=November 5, 2011}}</ref> |
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===Top employers=== |
===Top employers=== |
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According to Bristol's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/DocumentCenter/View/24766/June-30-2019-CAFR?bidId=|title=City of Bristol, Connecticut Comprehensive Annual Financial Report FY 2019|date= |
According to Bristol's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/DocumentCenter/View/24766/June-30-2019-CAFR?bidId=|title=City of Bristol, Connecticut Comprehensive Annual Financial Report FY 2019|date=December 19, 2019|access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref> the top employers in the city were: |
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{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
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[[Muzzy Field]] is one of the oldest ballparks in the United States. In 2012 and 2013, the City of Bristol approved funding for a significant renovation project of the historic ballpark. |
[[Muzzy Field]] is one of the oldest ballparks in the United States. In 2012 and 2013, the City of Bristol approved funding for a significant renovation project of the historic ballpark. |
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Bristol hosts the [[Little League]] New England and Mid-Atlantic Regional playoffs every August at the A. Bartlett Giamatti Little League Center.<ref>{{cite web |title = Little League Baseball |publisher = Little League Baseball Incorporated |year = 2005 |access-date = |
Bristol hosts the [[Little League]] New England and Mid-Atlantic Regional playoffs every August at the A. Bartlett Giamatti Little League Center.<ref>{{cite web |title = Little League Baseball |publisher = Little League Baseball Incorporated |year = 2005 |access-date = April 14, 2008 |url = http://www.littleleague.org/series/2005divisions/llbb/index.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080513134325/http://www.littleleague.org/series/2005divisions/llbb/index.htm |archive-date = May 13, 2008 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = Little League Baseball |publisher = Little League Baseball Incorporated |year = 2006 |access-date = April 14, 2008 |url = http://www.littleleague.org/series/2006divisions/llbb/index.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080101012205/http://www.littleleague.org/series/2006divisions/llbb/index.htm |archive-date = January 1, 2008 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = Little League Baseball |publisher = Little League Baseball Incorporated |year = 2007 |access-date = April 14, 2008 |url = http://www.littleleague.org/series/2007divisions/llbb/index.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080511180312/http://www.littleleague.org/series/2007divisions/llbb/index.htm |archive-date = May 11, 2008 |url-status = dead }}</ref> |
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==Parks and recreation== |
==Parks and recreation== |
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Parks in Bristol include Peck, Page, Rockwell, Bracket, Barnes Nature Center, Indian Rock, and Forestville Memorial.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/content/3416/3474/default.aspx |title=City of Bristol, CT - Parks & Facilities |publisher=Ci.bristol.ct.us |access-date=2011 |
Parks in Bristol include Peck, Page, Rockwell, Bracket, Barnes Nature Center, Indian Rock, and Forestville Memorial.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/content/3416/3474/default.aspx |title=City of Bristol, CT - Parks & Facilities |publisher=Ci.bristol.ct.us |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927051607/http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/content/3416/3474/default.aspx |archive-date=September 27, 2011 }}</ref> The city is also home to [[Lake Compounce]] (1846), the oldest continuously operated amusement park in North America, and to the New England Carousel Museum. |
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==Government== |
==Government== |
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{| class=wikitable |
{| class=wikitable |
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! colspan = 6 | Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 29, 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SOTS/ElectionServices/Registration_and_Enrollment_Stats/Nov19RE.pdf?la=en|title=Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 29, 2019|publisher=Connecticut Secretary of State|format=PDF|access-date= |
! colspan = 6 | Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 29, 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SOTS/ElectionServices/Registration_and_Enrollment_Stats/Nov19RE.pdf?la=en|title=Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 29, 2019|publisher=Connecticut Secretary of State|format=PDF|access-date=February 19, 2020}}</ref> |
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|- |
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! colspan = 2 | Party |
! colspan = 2 | Party |
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The city is governed under a Mayor-council form of government. Both the mayor and councilpersons are elected every two years. The city's Treasurer, Board of Assessment Appeals, and Board of Education are also elected every two years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/285/Charter-and-Code-of-Ordinances|title=Code of Ordinances {{!}} Bristol, CT - Official Website|website=www.ci.bristol.ct.us|language=en|access-date= |
The city is governed under a Mayor-council form of government. Both the mayor and councilpersons are elected every two years. The city's Treasurer, Board of Assessment Appeals, and Board of Education are also elected every two years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/285/Charter-and-Code-of-Ordinances|title=Code of Ordinances {{!}} Bristol, CT - Official Website|website=www.ci.bristol.ct.us|language=en|access-date=April 17, 2018}}</ref> Jeff Caggiano (R) was elected as mayor on November 2, 2021. Ellen Zoppo-Sassu (D), first elected in the 2017 municipal election and was re-elected in 2019. The last municipal election was held on November 2, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-bristol-municipal-election-20191106-nzxf6s4xojfadfasxumalozslm-story.html|title=Incumbent Ellen Zoppo-Sassu reelected as Bristol mayor, defeating Republican newcomer Dante Tagariello|date=November 6, 2019 }}</ref> |
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The City Council is made up of six members, elected every two years from three two member districts. As of the 2021 municipal elections, the members of the city council are: |
The City Council is made up of six members, elected every two years from three two member districts. As of the 2021 municipal elections, the members of the city council are: |
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==Education== |
==Education== |
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Education in Bristol is conducted using seven elementary schools (grades kindergarten through five), two middle schools (grades six, seven and eight), and two high schools. In addition to these public schools, there are three private [[Catholic Schools]], and one [[Lutheran School]] available. These add an additional three pre-kindergarten through grade 8 schools and one additional high school.<ref>{{cite web|title = Bristol Public Schools: Our Schools|publisher = City of Bristol, Public Schools|year = 2008|access-date = |
Education in Bristol is conducted using seven elementary schools (grades kindergarten through five), two middle schools (grades six, seven and eight), and two high schools. In addition to these public schools, there are three private [[Catholic Schools]], and one [[Lutheran School]] available. These add an additional three pre-kindergarten through grade 8 schools and one additional high school.<ref>{{cite web|title = Bristol Public Schools: Our Schools|publisher = City of Bristol, Public Schools|year = 2008|access-date = April 14, 2008|url = http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=2|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080416053338/http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=2|archive-date = April 16, 2008}}</ref> |
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A recent press release shows good scores on the [[Connecticut Academic Performance Test]], a standardized test which students take statewide in tenth grade. The report states that more than 87% of Bristol students scored at or above the proficient level in each of the content areas assessed.<ref>{{cite web|title = Bristol Public Schools|publisher = City of Bristol, Public Schools|year = 2008|access-date = |
A recent press release shows good scores on the [[Connecticut Academic Performance Test]], a standardized test which students take statewide in tenth grade. The report states that more than 87% of Bristol students scored at or above the proficient level in each of the content areas assessed.<ref>{{cite web|title = Bristol Public Schools|publisher = City of Bristol, Public Schools|year = 2008|access-date = April 14, 2008|url = http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/uploaded/pdf/Press_Releases/BPS_CAPT_Scores-Press_Release_8-07.pdf|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080911171931/http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/uploaded/pdf/Press_Releases/BPS_CAPT_Scores-Press_Release_8-07.pdf|archive-date = September 11, 2008|url-status = dead}}</ref> |
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! Elementary schools !! Middle schools !! K-through-8 schools !! High schools |
! Elementary schools !! Middle schools !! K-through-8 schools !! High schools |
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|Bingham School<br /> (closed June 2010) <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=233 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Bingham School |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |access-date=2011 |
|Bingham School<br /> (closed June 2010) <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=233 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Bingham School |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928181928/http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=233 |archive-date=September 28, 2011 }}</ref> || Chippens Hill Middle School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=424 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Chippens Hill MS |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020054527/http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=424 |archive-date=October 20, 2011 }}</ref> || Saint Anthony School<br />(Closed June 2016)<ref>{{cite web|author=Murchison-Gallagher, Taylor|url=http://bristolobserver.com/local-news/archdiocese-will-close-st-anthony-school/|title=Archdiocese will close St. Anthony School|newspaper=[[bristol Observer]]|date=December 19, 2015|access-date=May 8, 2020}}</ref> || [[Bristol Central High School]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=98 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Bristol Central HOME Page |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021165058/http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=98 |archive-date=October 21, 2011 }}</ref> |
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|Edgewood School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=341 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Edgewood School Homepage |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |date= |
|Edgewood School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=341 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Edgewood School Homepage |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |date=October 19, 2011 |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023001646/http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=341 |archive-date=October 23, 2011 }}</ref> || Memorial Boulevard Middle School<br />(Closed June 2012)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=425 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Memorial Boulevard HOME PAGE |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020054532/http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=425 |archive-date=October 20, 2011 }}</ref> || Saint Matthew School [http://www.stmatthewrcc.com/]|| [[Bristol Eastern High School]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=235 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Bristol Eastern HS |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107074407/http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=235 |archive-date=November 7, 2011 }}</ref> |
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|Greene-Hills School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=416 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Greene-Hills School |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |date= |
|Greene-Hills School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=416 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Greene-Hills School |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |date=October 28, 2011 |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107074412/http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=416 |archive-date=November 7, 2011 }}</ref> || Northeast Middle School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=426 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Northeast Middle School |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |date=September 12, 2011 |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928181452/http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=426 |archive-date=September 28, 2011 }}</ref> || Saint Joseph School <ref>{{cite web | url=http://school.stjosephbristol.org/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417014443/http://school.stjosephbristol.org/ | archive-date=April 17, 2008 | title=Welcome to St. Joseph School }}</ref>|| [[St. Paul Catholic High School]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://spchs.com/|title=Home|website=[[St. Paul Catholic High School]]|accessdate=June 28, 2023}}</ref> |
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|Hubbell School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=790 |title=Bristol Public Schools: E. P. Hubbell School |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |access-date=2011 |
|Hubbell School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=790 |title=Bristol Public Schools: E. P. Hubbell School |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111031100528/http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=790 |archive-date=October 31, 2011 }}</ref> || || Immanuel Lutheran School <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilcs.org/|title=Immanuel Lutheran Church & School |website=www.ilcs.org|accessdate=June 28, 2023}}</ref>|| |
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|Ivy Drive School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=1070 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Ivy |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |access-date=2011 |
|Ivy Drive School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=1070 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Ivy |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020054506/http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=1070 |archive-date=October 20, 2011 }}</ref> || || || |
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|Jennings School<br />(closed June 2012)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=815 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Jennings School |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |date=2011 |
|Jennings School<br />(closed June 2012)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=815 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Jennings School |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |date=October 4, 2011 |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123101324/http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=815 |archive-date=November 23, 2011 }}</ref> || || || |
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|Mountain View School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=923 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Mountain View School |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |access-date=2011 |
|Mountain View School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=923 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Mountain View School |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020054615/http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=923 |archive-date=October 20, 2011 }}</ref> || || || |
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|O'Connell School<br />(closed June 2012)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=1071 |title=Bristol Public Schools: O'Connell School |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |date= |
|O'Connell School<br />(closed June 2012)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=1071 |title=Bristol Public Schools: O'Connell School |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |date=October 26, 2011 |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118094425/http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=1071 |archive-date=November 18, 2011 }}</ref> || || || |
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|South Side School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=963 |title=Bristol Public Schools: South Side School |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |date=2011 |
|South Side School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=963 |title=Bristol Public Schools: South Side School |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |date=September 7, 2011 |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020054625/http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=963 |archive-date=October 20, 2011 }}</ref> || || || |
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|Stafford School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=1048 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Stafford School |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |access-date=2011 |
|Stafford School<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=1048 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Stafford School |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107040754/http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=1048 |archive-date=November 7, 2011 }}</ref> || || || |
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|West Bristol School<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wbs.bristol.k12.ct.us/ |title=Bristol Public Schools: West Bristol School |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |access-date=2022 |
|West Bristol School<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wbs.bristol.k12.ct.us/ |title=Bristol Public Schools: West Bristol School |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |access-date=February 8, 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208192230/https://wbs.bristol.k12.ct.us/ }}</ref> || || || |
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Recently,{{when|date=May 2020}} it has been proposed that the educational system of the city be redesigned. Because some of the schools are in historic buildings, new schools are being sought by the city. In addition, it has been proposed that the entire education system of the city be redesigned, eliminating the middle school category. In other words, all schools would be kindergarten through eighth grade or high school. The Bristol Board of Education's<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=5 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Board of Education |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |access-date=2011 |
Recently,{{when|date=May 2020}} it has been proposed that the educational system of the city be redesigned. Because some of the schools are in historic buildings, new schools are being sought by the city. In addition, it has been proposed that the entire education system of the city be redesigned, eliminating the middle school category. In other words, all schools would be kindergarten through eighth grade or high school. The Bristol Board of Education's<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=5 |title=Bristol Public Schools: Board of Education |publisher=Bristol.k12.ct.us |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107022757/http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=5 |archive-date=November 7, 2011 }}</ref> appeals for support for this project have been met with mixed emotions.<ref>{{cite web|title = City of Bristol, Public Schools: School Brochure|publisher = Bristol Board of Education|year = 2007|access-date = April 14, 2008|url = http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/uploaded/pdf/NSP/School_brochure.pdf|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080911171932/http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/uploaded/pdf/NSP/School_brochure.pdf|archive-date = September 11, 2008|url-status = dead}}</ref> |
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==Media== |
==Media== |
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===Public safety=== |
===Public safety=== |
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====EMS==== |
====EMS==== |
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Bristol's emergency medical services program has been provided by Bristol Hospital since 1977. It was designed to assume the responsibility previously carried by the Bristol Police Department. The Bristol Hospital's EMS are carried out using |
Bristol's emergency medical services program has been provided by Bristol Hospital since 1977. It was designed to assume the responsibility previously carried by the Bristol Police Department. The Bristol Hospital's EMS are carried out using six emergency ambulances (including spares), two paramedic intercept vehicles and four wheelchair vans.<ref>{{cite web |title = Bristol Hospital EMS |publisher = Bristol Hospital EMS |access-date = April 14, 2008 |url = http://www.bhems.com/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080916072647/http://bhems.com/ |archive-date = September 16, 2008 |url-status = dead }}</ref> |
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====Fire department==== |
====Fire department==== |
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The [[Bristol, Connecticut Fire Department]] is a full-service fire department with five engine companies (or stations) and one tower ladder company. The Bristol Board of Fire Commissioners consists of five members appointed by the Mayor who establish the primary policies of the fire department.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/content/3184/3232/default.aspx |title=City of Bristol, CT - Fire Department |publisher=Ci.bristol.ct.us |access-date=2011 |
The [[Bristol, Connecticut Fire Department]] is a full-service fire department with five engine companies (or stations) and one tower ladder company. The Bristol Board of Fire Commissioners consists of five members appointed by the Mayor who establish the primary policies of the fire department.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/content/3184/3232/default.aspx |title=City of Bristol, CT - Fire Department |publisher=Ci.bristol.ct.us |access-date=November 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103234856/http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/content/3184/3232/default.aspx |archive-date=November 3, 2011 }}</ref> |
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====Police department==== |
====Police department==== |
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The Bristol Police Department is a full-service police department with approximately 125 sworn officers. The Bristol Board of Police Commissioners consists of five members appointed by the Mayor who establish the primary policies of the police department. In addition to a vehicular patrol division, downtown Bristol is also policed by a bicycle division. During any shift, there may be as many as 12 officers on duty, not including detectives and officers from other divisions.<ref>{{cite web|title = City of Bristol, CT - Patrol Division|publisher = City of Bristol|year = 2004|access-date = |
The Bristol Police Department is a full-service police department with approximately 125 sworn officers. The Bristol Board of Police Commissioners consists of five members appointed by the Mayor who establish the primary policies of the police department. In addition to a vehicular patrol division, downtown Bristol is also policed by a bicycle division. During any shift, there may be as many as 12 officers on duty, not including detectives and officers from other divisions.<ref>{{cite web|title = City of Bristol, CT - Patrol Division|publisher = City of Bristol|year = 2004|access-date = April 14, 2008|url = http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/content/3184/3186/3216/default.aspx|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080423011116/http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/content/3184/3186/3216/default.aspx|archive-date = April 23, 2008}}</ref> |
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==Notable people== |
==Notable people== |
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| Line 437: | Line 437: | ||
* [[John R. Broderick]] (born 1957), President of [[Old Dominion University]] in [[Norfolk, Virginia]], was born in Bristol |
* [[John R. Broderick]] (born 1957), President of [[Old Dominion University]] in [[Norfolk, Virginia]], was born in Bristol |
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* [[Gary Burghoff]] (born 1943), actor who played the character [[Corporal]] [[Radar O'Reilly|Walter "Radar" O'Reilly]] in both the [[film]] and [[television]] series ''[[M*A*S*H (TV series)|M*A*S*H]]'', was born in Bristol |
* [[Gary Burghoff]] (born 1943), actor who played the character [[Corporal]] [[Radar O'Reilly|Walter "Radar" O'Reilly]] in both the [[film]] and [[television]] series ''[[M*A*S*H (TV series)|M*A*S*H]]'', was born in Bristol |
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* [[Donovan Clingan]] (born 2004), professional basketball player for the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) |
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* [[Bob Crane]] (1928–1978), actor who played the title role in the [[television]] series ''[[Hogan's Heroes]]'', worked for WBIS radio station in Bristol early in his career |
* [[Bob Crane]] (1928–1978), actor who played the title role in the [[television]] series ''[[Hogan's Heroes]]'', worked for WBIS radio station in Bristol early in his career |
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* [[Chris Denorfia]], former [[Major League Baseball]] outfielder, was born in Bristol |
* [[Chris Denorfia]], former [[Major League Baseball]] outfielder, was born in Bristol |
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* [[Frank Filipetti]], music producer, was born in Bristol |
* [[Frank Filipetti]], music producer, was born in Bristol |
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* [[Amethyst (drag queen)]], grew up in Bristol |
* [[Amethyst (drag queen)|Amethyst]], drag queen; grew up in Bristol |
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* [[Michelle Guerette]] (born 1980), Olympic athlete, graduated from Bristol Central High School |
* [[Michelle Guerette]] (born 1980), Olympic athlete, graduated from Bristol Central High School |
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* [[Aaron Hernandez]] (1989–2017), [[NFL]] former tight end for the [[New England Patriots]] and convicted [[Murder of Odin Lloyd|murderer]] |
* [[Aaron Hernandez]] (1989–2017), [[NFL]] former tight end for the [[New England Patriots]] and convicted [[Murder of Odin Lloyd|murderer]] |
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* [[Gordon J. Humphrey]] (born 1940), U.S. Senator from New Hampshire (1979–1991) was born in Bristol |
* [[Gordon J. Humphrey]] (born 1940), U.S. Senator from New Hampshire (1979–1991) was born in Bristol |
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* [[Cliff Johnson (game designer)|Cliff Johnson]], author of ''[[The Fool's Errand]]'', was born in Bristol |
* [[Cliff Johnson (game designer)|Cliff Johnson]], author of ''[[The Fool's Errand]]'', was born in Bristol |
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* [[Karen Josephson]] (born 1964) and [[Sarah Josephson]] (born 1964), twin sisters who won the silver medal in [[synchronized swimming]] at the [[1988 Summer Olympics]] in [[Seoul]], |
* [[Karen Josephson]] (born 1964) and [[Sarah Josephson]] (born 1964), twin sisters who won the silver medal in [[synchronized swimming]] at the [[1988 Summer Olympics]] in [[Seoul]], South Korea and the gold medal at the [[1992 Summer Olympics]] in [[Barcelona]], Spain, were born in Bristol |
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* [[Jocelin Donahue]] (born 1981), actress most famous for her role in [[Ti West]]'s critically acclaimed horror film ''[[The House of the Devil]]'', born and raised in Bristol |
* [[Jocelin Donahue]] (born 1981), actress most famous for her role in [[Ti West]]'s critically acclaimed horror film ''[[The House of the Devil]]'', born and raised in Bristol |
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* [[Fred Lynn]], debuted in his professional baseball career playing for the Bristol Red Sox at [[Muzzy Field]], an early twentieth-century ballpark in Bristol. Baseball Hall of Famer [[Jim Rice]], who debuted with Williamsport in the New York-Penn League and then played for Winter Haven of the Florida State League, also played part of his minor league career for the Bristol Red Sox |
* [[Fred Lynn]], debuted in his professional baseball career playing for the Bristol Red Sox at [[Muzzy Field]], an early twentieth-century ballpark in Bristol. Baseball Hall of Famer [[Jim Rice]], who debuted with Williamsport in the New York-Penn League and then played for Winter Haven of the Florida State League, also played part of his minor league career for the Bristol Red Sox |
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* [[Mike Reiss]] (born 1959), longtime writer for ''[[The Simpsons]]'', is a Bristol native |
* [[Mike Reiss]] (born 1959), longtime writer for ''[[The Simpsons]]'', is a Bristol native |
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* [[Albert Rockwell]] (1862–1925) [[inventor]], [[manufacturer]], [[industrialist]], and [[philanthropist]] who moved to Bristol in the 1880s. He designed and manufactured [[doorbells]] and other kinds of bells (hence the name Bell City), [[bicycle brake]]s, [[ball bearings]], and [[automobiles]] |
* [[Albert Rockwell]] (1862–1925) [[inventor]], [[manufacturer]], [[industrialist]], and [[philanthropist]] who moved to Bristol in the 1880s. He designed and manufactured [[doorbells]] and other kinds of bells (hence the name Bell City), [[bicycle brake]]s, [[ball bearings]], and [[automobiles]] |
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* [[Katharine Shepard]] (1905–1986), archaeologist, art historian |
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* [[Michelle Theriault]] (born 1986), [[stock car racing]] driver, was born in Bristol |
* [[Michelle Theriault]] (born 1986), [[stock car racing]] driver, was born in Bristol |
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* [[Adrian Wojnarowski]], ''New York Times'' best-selling author and NBA Columnist for Yahoo! Sports, Fox Sports One, and now ESPN was raised in Bristol and attended Bristol Central High School |
* [[Adrian Wojnarowski]], ''New York Times'' best-selling author and NBA Columnist for Yahoo! Sports, Fox Sports One, and now ESPN was raised in Bristol and attended Bristol Central High School |
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==Sister cities== |
==Sister cities== |
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* [[Kozani]], |
* [[Kozani]], Greece<ref>{{cite news |last1=Springer |first1=John |title=Bristol, Greece Strengthen Ties |url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1998-08-03-9808030230-story.html |access-date=September 23, 2019 |publisher=Hartford Courant |date=August 3, 1998}}</ref> |
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==Gallery== |
==Gallery== |
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Latest revision as of 15:43, 18 October 2024
Bristol, Connecticut | |
|---|---|
 St Joseph Church, Bristol CT. | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Nicknames: Mum City, Home of ESPN, Bell City | |
  | |
   | |
| Coordinates: 41°40′52″N 72°56′26″W / 41.68111°N 72.94056°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Connecticut |
| County | Hartford |
| Region | Naugatuck Valley |
| Incorporated (town) | 1785 |
| Incorporated (city) | 1911 |
| Neighborhoods |
|
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-council |
| • Mayor | Jeff Caggiano (R) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 26.81 sq mi (69.44 km2) |
| • Land | 26.41 sq mi (68.39 km2) |
| • Water | 0.40 sq mi (1.05 km2) |
| Elevation | 420 ft (130 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 61,844 |
| • Density | 2,270.20/sq mi (889.5/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 06010–06011 |
| Area codes | 860/959 |
| FIPS code | 09-08420 |
| GNIS feature ID | 02378270[2] |
| Major highways |   |
| Website | www |
Bristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States, 20 miles (32 km) southwest-west of Hartford. The city is also 120 miles southwest from Boston, and approximately 100 miles northeast of New York City. The city is part of the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 61,844.[3]
Bristol is the location of the general studios of ESPN, the location of Lake Compounce, the United States's oldest continuously operating theme park, and is facing approval in 2024 to become home to one of the largest biomedical waste incineration operations in the United States.[5]
Bristol was known as a clock-making city in the 19th century, and is the location of American Clock & Watch Museum. Bristol is also the site of the former American Silver Company and its predecessor companies.[6]
Bristol's nickname is the "Mum City", because it was once a leader in chrysanthemum production and still holds an annual Bristol Mum Festival.[7]
History
[edit]The area that includes present-day Bristol was originally inhabited by the Tunxis Native American tribe, one of the Eastern Algonquian-speaking peoples that shared the lower Connecticut River Valley.[8]
Originally, Bristol was within the boundaries of Farmington, Connecticut, which was incorporated in the Connecticut Colony in 1645. This deed was confirmed by another deed in 1650.[9] The first actual settler of Bristol was Daniel Brownson, who built a house near West Street, but did not stay in the area very long. The first permanent settler was Ebenezer Barnes, who the next year built a home on King Street. Also in 1728, Nehemiah Manross arrived from Lebanon, Connecticut, and built a house north of Barnes Street, on the west side of King Street. The following year the first settlement arrived in what became East Bristol when Nathaniel Messenger of Hartford and Benjamin Buck of Southington bought land and built houses along King Street.
Other houses were soon built around present-day Bristol wherever land was available for farming. This included the slope of Fall Mountain, along today's Wolcott Street, and on Chippens Hill. By 1742, the families inhabiting the area petitioned the Connecticut Colony General Court for permission to create their own Congregational Society, citing the difficulties traveling to Farmington during winter. The Court approved their petition for the winter months only, and in 1744, agreed that area residents could set up their own ecclesiastical society. It was called New Cambridge. With their own congregation, area settlers began forming their own local government. However, since homes were so widely scattered, the General Court formed a committee to locate the geographic center of the settlement. The area now known as Federal Hill was deemed the center, and the first Congregationalist church was built there.[10]
In 1785, New Cambridge was incorporated as the town of Bristol, named after Bristol, England.[11] By 1790, the industry for which the town later became famous was established by the pioneer of clock making Gideon Roberts. Roberts began making wooden moment clocks and peddled them by horseback through Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania. As Roberts' sons grew up and began helping with the business, Gideon increased production and Bristol clocks were soon sold all over the country. By the early 19th century, nearly all of the capital and skill in town was involved in the clock industry in some form or fashion. The clock business gave way to related industries, which included brass, springs, bearings, and hardware. As Bristol began to grow, many ethnic groups arrived to work in the industries.
It was incorporated as a city in 1911. Today, Bristol is mostly residential and best known as the home of ESPN (which arrived in 1979), the American Clock & Watch Museum (since 1952), and Lake Compounce, America's oldest operating theme park—opened in 1846.[12]
Blight Committee
[edit]In the 1990s, the Blight Committee was formed to enforce appearance laws, and even demolish[13] properties which it deems are unsightly and unkempt. This committee is tasked with ensuring that properties are not abandoned and that all properties are reasonably maintained.
In 2008, the Bristol Blight Committee was disbanded in order to make way for a new committee, the Bristol Code Enforcement Committee. This new committee has even greater powers and can now deal with both appearances and structural integrity issues of buildings in Bristol. The purpose of the committee is to streamline the process of enforcing the issues the former Blight Committee was tasked with. The law requires all structures to be free of "abandoned vehicles, nuisances, refuse, pollution and filth ... broken glass, loose shingles, holes, cracked or damaged siding, crumbling brick and other conditions 'reflective of deterioration or inadequate maintenance.'"[14]
Downtown revitalization
[edit]Since 2008, Bristol has begun another renovation of the downtown area. The Bristol Downtown Development Corporation was formed to manage the downtown renovation.[15] This has included a complete overhaul of a park in the center of the city. In addition, the outdated and underused Bristol Centre Mall from the mid-1960s was purchased by the city, then demolished in 2008, yielding a 17-acre site suitable for development, christened Depot Square by the city.[15][16] Also, North Main Street was improved in 2008 by adding islands in the road, elegant street lighting and a brick median when the road was repaved.[17]
Geography
[edit]According to the United States Census Bureau, Bristol has a total area of 26.8 square miles (69.5 km2), of which 26.4 square miles (68.4 km2) is land and 0.39 square miles (1.0 km2), or 1.51%, is water.[18] Bristol contains several distinct sections, including Cedar Lake in the southwestern quarter, Chippens Hill in the northwestern quarter, Edgewood in the northeastern quarter, Forestville in the southeastern quarter and the city in the approximate middle of Bristol. The majority of Bristol's area is residential in character, though since 2008 there has been a push for commercial development in the city.[19] The city is part of the Naugatuck Valley Regional Planning Organization following the closure of the Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency, the metropolitan planning organization for Bristol, New Britain, and surrounding towns for decades.[20]
Forestville was the hunting grounds of the Tunxis tribe until the 19th century.[21] The village was established in 1833 and named Forestville for its wooded surroundings. Forestville today has grown into a mini-metropolis of suburban neighborhoods and local businesses. The boundaries of Forestville go from the Plainville town line, south to the Southington town line, west up to the industrial development along Middle street and crosses King Street, including properties on Kingswood Drive and Bernside Drive, north up to Bristol Eastern High School, then north up to the south edge of properties on Louisiana Avenue, then to the west of properties on the west side of Brook Street and from there, goes up to commercial development along Farmington Avenue. Within the Forestville area, there are two subsections known as East Bristol and the Stafford District. Forestville village has a library branch (Manross), post office, meeting hall, community group (Forestville Village Association), fire station, cemetery, funeral home, two urban parks (Quinlan Veterans Park and Clock Tower Park), Pequabuck Duck Race, Memorial Day Parade, Summer Concert Night, Pumpkin Festival, and a railroad station (no longer in use). At one time all of Forestville had its own zip code.[22][23]
Demographics
[edit]| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 2,462 | — | |
| 1800 | 2,722 | 10.6% | |
| 1810 | 1,428 | −47.5% | |
| 1820 | 1,362 | −4.6% | |
| 1830 | 1,707 | 25.3% | |
| 1840 | 2,109 | 23.6% | |
| 1850 | 2,884 | 36.7% | |
| 1860 | 3,436 | 19.1% | |
| 1870 | 3,788 | 10.2% | |
| 1880 | 5,347 | 41.2% | |
| 1890 | 7,382 | 38.1% | |
| 1900 | 6,268 | −15.1% | |
| 1910 | 9,527 | 52.0% | |
| 1920 | 20,620 | 116.4% | |
| 1930 | 28,451 | 38.0% | |
| 1940 | 30,167 | 6.0% | |
| 1950 | 35,961 | 19.2% | |
| 1960 | 45,499 | 26.5% | |
| 1970 | 55,487 | 22.0% | |
| 1980 | 57,370 | 3.4% | |
| 1990 | 60,640 | 5.7% | |
| 2000 | 60,062 | −1.0% | |
| 2010 | 60,477 | 0.7% | |
| 2020 | 60,833 | 0.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[24] | |||
As of the 2010 census, there were 60,477 people, 25,189 households, and 16,175 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,265.8 inhabitants per square mile (874.8/km2). There were 26,125 housing units at an average density of 985.6 units per square mile (380.5 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city is 87.74% White, 3.84% African American, 9.64% Hispanic, 0.19% Native American, 1.94% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.72% from other races, and 2.54% from two or more races.
In 2000 there were 24,886 households in Bristol, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. Of all households 28.9% were made up of individuals, and 10.7% consisted of a sole resident who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38, and the average family size was 2.94.
The age diversity at the 2000 census was 23.2% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city in 2010 was $57,610. The per capita income for the city was $30,573. Of the population 10.5% was living below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.7% of those under the age of 18 and 5.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Economy
[edit]Notable companies
[edit]The companies below are some of the most notable in Bristol. These, in addition to Bristol Hospital, are the largest private employers in the area.[25]
Associated Spring
[edit]Founded in 1857 and headquartered in Bristol, Barnes Group is a diversified international manufacturer of precision metal components and assemblies and a distributor of industrial supplies, serving a wide range of markets and customers. Barnes Group consists of three businesses with 2005 sales of $1.1 billion.[26]
ESPN
[edit]ESPN houses its broadcast studios in Bristol on Middle Street. ESPN is the largest taxpayer to the City of Bristol.[27]
Otis Elevator company
[edit]Though its beginnings were in Yonkers, New York, Otis Elevator Company possesses the tallest elevator test tower in the United States in Bristol. Located near ESPN and Lake Compounce, the 383-foot (117 m)-high tower is easily visible from the surrounding roads.[28][29]
Top employers
[edit]According to Bristol's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[30] the top employers in the city were:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ESPN | 4,200 |
| 2 | City of Bristol & Board of Education | 1,601 |
| 3 | Bristol Health | 1,160 |
| 4 | Faneuil, Inc | 350 |
| 5 | Amazon | 350 |
| 6 | Sheriden Woods Health Care Center | 200 |
| 7 | IDEX Health & Science LLC | 175 |
| 8 | Stop & Shop | 150 |
| 9 | Quality Coils | 125 |
| 10 | The Pines at Bristol | 115 |
Arts and culture
[edit]Bristol holds an annual street festival in September with a car show and a family farms weekend at Minors Farm, Shepherd Meadows and Roberts Orchard.[7]
Mum Festival and parade
[edit]The first Bristol Mum Festival began on July 7, 1962, and included a parade. The members of the Chamber of Commerce and City of Bristol officials met and completed a list of activities to take place over six days. They wanted to focus on the positive things that were occurring in Bristol. When the festival opened it was originally known as the "Fall Festival". In 1963 the chrysanthemum ("Mum") was also added to the festival's name. Prior to 1986 the nurseries in Bristol would produce over 80,000 mum plants.[citation needed] In 2014, city leaders elected to adopt a new "brand" for the city. "All Heart" became the new logo on letterheads and T-shirts and even the "Mum Festival" leaders were "encouraged" to adopt the new image at the festival and parade.
Other attractions
[edit]Located in Bristol are the American Clock & Watch Museum, Imagine Nation, A Museum Early Learning Center,[31] Bristol Military Memorial Museum, Bristol Historical Society Museum, Witch's Dungeon Classic Movie Museum, and the Harry Barnes Memorial Nature Center which is part of the Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut. There is also a Polish-American Dożynki festival every September, at St Stanislaus Church.
Sports
[edit]Bristol has a summer collegiate baseball team called the Bristol Blues who play home games at Muzzy Field.
Muzzy Field is one of the oldest ballparks in the United States. In 2012 and 2013, the City of Bristol approved funding for a significant renovation project of the historic ballpark.
Bristol hosts the Little League New England and Mid-Atlantic Regional playoffs every August at the A. Bartlett Giamatti Little League Center.[32][33][34]
Parks and recreation
[edit]Parks in Bristol include Peck, Page, Rockwell, Bracket, Barnes Nature Center, Indian Rock, and Forestville Memorial.[35] The city is also home to Lake Compounce (1846), the oldest continuously operated amusement park in North America, and to the New England Carousel Museum.
Government
[edit]| Year | Democratic | Republican | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 51.89% 15,463 | 46.42% 13,834 | 1.69% 503 |
| 2016 | 47.25% 12,499 | 48.20% 12,752 | 4.55% 1,204 |
| 2012 | 57.91% 14,146 | 40.95% 10,004 | 1.14% 279 |
| 2008 | 60.10% 15,966 | 38.41% 10,203 | 1.49% 397 |
| 2004 | 56.34% 14,201 | 42.13% 10,619 | 1.53% 386 |
| 2000 | 61.81% 14,665 | 33.50% 7,948 | 4.69% 1,112 |
| 1996 | 57.59% 13,616 | 27.74% 6,560 | 14.67% 3,468 |
| 1992 | 41.99% 11,872 | 29.73% 8,407 | 28.28% 7,995 |
| 1988 | 54.39% 13,462 | 44.58% 11,034 | 1.03% 256 |
| 1984 | 43.53% 10,782 | 56.00% 13,872 | 0.47% 116 |
| 1980 | 46.32% 11,123 | 39.91% 9,583 | 13.77% 3,306 |
| 1976 | 54.07% 13,330 | 45.23% 11,151 | 0.70% 173 |
| 1972 | 46.92% 11,609 | 52.19% 12,913 | 0.89% 219 |
| 1968 | 57.59% 12,316 | 37.66% 8,053 | 4.76% 1,017 |
| 1964 | 76.13% 15,600 | 23.87% 4,892 | 0.00% 0 |
| 1960 | 62.82% 13,365 | 37.18% 7,909 | 0.00% 0 |
| 1956 | 39.28% 7,602 | 60.72% 11,751 | 0.00% 0 |
| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 29, 2019[37] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Active Voters | Inactive Voters | Total Voters | Percentage | |
| Democratic | 12,731 | 652 | 13,383 | 35.58% | |
| Republican | 7,309 | 346 | 7,655 | 20.35% | |
| Unaffiliated | 14,900 | 998 | 15,898 | 42.26% | |
| Minor parties | 627 | 54 | 681 | 1.81% | |
| Total | 35,567 | 2,050 | 37,617 | 100% | |
The city is governed under a Mayor-council form of government. Both the mayor and councilpersons are elected every two years. The city's Treasurer, Board of Assessment Appeals, and Board of Education are also elected every two years.[38] Jeff Caggiano (R) was elected as mayor on November 2, 2021. Ellen Zoppo-Sassu (D), first elected in the 2017 municipal election and was re-elected in 2019. The last municipal election was held on November 2, 2021.[39]
The City Council is made up of six members, elected every two years from three two member districts. As of the 2021 municipal elections, the members of the city council are:
- District 1: Republicans Sebastian Panioto and Jolene Lusitani
- District 2: Republicans Jacqueline Olsen and Susan Tyler
- District 3: Republicans Andrew Howe and Cheryl Thibeault
Bristol is represented in the Connecticut House of Representatives by state representatives Cara Pavalock D’Amato (R-77), Whit Betts (R-78), and Chris Ziogas (D-79). State Senator Henri Martin (R-31) represents Bristol in the Connecticut Senate. At the federal level, Bristol is in Connecticut's 1st congressional district and is currently represented by Democrat John B. Larson.
Education
[edit]Education in Bristol is conducted using seven elementary schools (grades kindergarten through five), two middle schools (grades six, seven and eight), and two high schools. In addition to these public schools, there are three private Catholic Schools, and one Lutheran School available. These add an additional three pre-kindergarten through grade 8 schools and one additional high school.[40]
A recent press release shows good scores on the Connecticut Academic Performance Test, a standardized test which students take statewide in tenth grade. The report states that more than 87% of Bristol students scored at or above the proficient level in each of the content areas assessed.[41]
| Elementary schools | Middle schools | K-through-8 schools | High schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bingham School (closed June 2010) [42] |
Chippens Hill Middle School[43] | Saint Anthony School (Closed June 2016)[44] |
Bristol Central High School[45] |
| Edgewood School[46] | Memorial Boulevard Middle School (Closed June 2012)[47] |
Saint Matthew School [2] | Bristol Eastern High School[48] |
| Greene-Hills School[49] | Northeast Middle School[50] | Saint Joseph School [51] | St. Paul Catholic High School[52] |
| Hubbell School[53] | Immanuel Lutheran School [54] | ||
| Ivy Drive School[55] | |||
| Jennings School (closed June 2012)[56] |
|||
| Mountain View School[57] | |||
| O'Connell School (closed June 2012)[58] |
|||
| South Side School[59] | |||
| Stafford School[60] | |||
| West Bristol School[61] |
Recently,[when?] it has been proposed that the educational system of the city be redesigned. Because some of the schools are in historic buildings, new schools are being sought by the city. In addition, it has been proposed that the entire education system of the city be redesigned, eliminating the middle school category. In other words, all schools would be kindergarten through eighth grade or high school. The Bristol Board of Education's[62] appeals for support for this project have been met with mixed emotions.[63]
Media
[edit]The local daily newspaper is The Bristol Press,[64] and town news is also featured in a small weekly called the Bristol Observer.[65]
Infrastructure
[edit]Transportation
[edit]Bus
[edit]Bristol has a bus service that connects urban centers and hospitals with the rest of the city.[66] It is part of the CTtransit system, which serves the Greater Hartford area.
Public safety
[edit]EMS
[edit]Bristol's emergency medical services program has been provided by Bristol Hospital since 1977. It was designed to assume the responsibility previously carried by the Bristol Police Department. The Bristol Hospital's EMS are carried out using six emergency ambulances (including spares), two paramedic intercept vehicles and four wheelchair vans.[67]
Fire department
[edit]The Bristol, Connecticut Fire Department is a full-service fire department with five engine companies (or stations) and one tower ladder company. The Bristol Board of Fire Commissioners consists of five members appointed by the Mayor who establish the primary policies of the fire department.[68]
Police department
[edit]The Bristol Police Department is a full-service police department with approximately 125 sworn officers. The Bristol Board of Police Commissioners consists of five members appointed by the Mayor who establish the primary policies of the police department. In addition to a vehicular patrol division, downtown Bristol is also policed by a bicycle division. During any shift, there may be as many as 12 officers on duty, not including detectives and officers from other divisions.[69]
Notable people
[edit]- Amos Bronson Alcott (1799–1888), father of Louisa May Alcott, taught school in Bristol on two different occasions: in 1823 and, after teaching in Cheshire for a time, again in Bristol from 1827 to 1828. Alcott later moved to Concord, Massachusetts, where he became acquainted with many prominent Transcendentalists and literary figures
- John R. Broderick (born 1957), President of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, was born in Bristol
- Gary Burghoff (born 1943), actor who played the character Corporal Walter "Radar" O'Reilly in both the film and television series M*A*S*H, was born in Bristol
- Donovan Clingan (born 2004), professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA)
- Bob Crane (1928–1978), actor who played the title role in the television series Hogan's Heroes, worked for WBIS radio station in Bristol early in his career
- Chris Denorfia, former Major League Baseball outfielder, was born in Bristol
- Frank Filipetti, music producer, was born in Bristol
- Amethyst, drag queen; grew up in Bristol
- Michelle Guerette (born 1980), Olympic athlete, graduated from Bristol Central High School
- Aaron Hernandez (1989–2017), NFL former tight end for the New England Patriots and convicted murderer
- Gordon J. Humphrey (born 1940), U.S. Senator from New Hampshire (1979–1991) was born in Bristol
- Cliff Johnson, author of The Fool's Errand, was born in Bristol
- Karen Josephson (born 1964) and Sarah Josephson (born 1964), twin sisters who won the silver medal in synchronized swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea and the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, were born in Bristol
- Jocelin Donahue (born 1981), actress most famous for her role in Ti West's critically acclaimed horror film The House of the Devil, born and raised in Bristol
- Fred Lynn, debuted in his professional baseball career playing for the Bristol Red Sox at Muzzy Field, an early twentieth-century ballpark in Bristol. Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Rice, who debuted with Williamsport in the New York-Penn League and then played for Winter Haven of the Florida State League, also played part of his minor league career for the Bristol Red Sox
- Scott Perkins (born 1980), American composer, was raised in Bristol and graduated from Bristol Central High School
- Steve Pikiell (born 1967), head basketball coach at Rutgers University; formerly coach at Stony Brook University
- Mike Reiss (born 1959), longtime writer for The Simpsons, is a Bristol native
- Albert Rockwell (1862–1925) inventor, manufacturer, industrialist, and philanthropist who moved to Bristol in the 1880s. He designed and manufactured doorbells and other kinds of bells (hence the name Bell City), bicycle brakes, ball bearings, and automobiles
- Katharine Shepard (1905–1986), archaeologist, art historian
- Michelle Theriault (born 1986), stock car racing driver, was born in Bristol
- Adrian Wojnarowski, New York Times best-selling author and NBA Columnist for Yahoo! Sports, Fox Sports One, and now ESPN was raised in Bristol and attended Bristol Central High School
Sister cities
[edit]Gallery
[edit]-
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Main Library -
Railroad station and Prospect Street, c. 1913 -
Forestville railroad station, c. 1912 -
Manross Library, center of Forestville -
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Mountains, seen from Bristol, near the Burlington border
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Bristol, Connecticut
- ^ a b "Census - Geography Profile: Bristol city, Connecticut". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
- ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Plan to incinerate biomedical waste faces pushback". Fox61. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ Hogan, Edmund P. (1980). The elegance of old silver plate and some personalities. Exton, PA: Schiffer Publishing Limited. Retrieved September 8, 2018. p. 98.
- ^ a b "Connecticut Economic Digest: Labor Market Information". Connecticut Department of Labor. October 2001. Archived from the original on September 25, 2006. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
- ^ De Forest, John W. History of the Indians of Connecticut from the Earliest Known Period to 1850. Hartford: Wm. J. Hamersley, 1852.
- ^ Bickford, C. P. and Farmington Historical Society. Farmington in Connecticut. Canaan, NH: Phoenix Pub., 1982.
- ^ Leach, Gail; Vastola, Steven (2001). Bristol. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. pp. 7–12. ISBN 0-7385-0874-8.
- ^ The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly. Connecticut Magazine Company. 1903. p. 331.
- ^ "Bristol". connecticuthistory.org. September 21, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- ^ "Titus Roberts House Justice". Ken Karl. November 2007. Archived from the original on August 6, 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
- ^ "Bristol Blog: Blight Committee Bites the Dust". Ken Karl. November 2007. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
- ^ a b Stacom, Don (January 1, 2010). "'New Urbanism' Drives Firms' Plans For Old Mall Site". Hartford Courant. Vol. CLXXIV, no. 1. Hartford, Connecticut: Hartford Courant Company. p. B3 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Stacom, Don (March 19, 2008). "Demolition Progresses at Former Bristol Centre Mall". Hartford Courant. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
- ^ [1] [permanent dead link]
- ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Bristol city, Connecticut". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ "City of Bristol, CT - Development Plans". City of Bristol, Zoning Board. Archived from the original on August 7, 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
- ^ "Welcome". CCRPA. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ Bristol, Connecticut: "in the Olden Time New Cambridge" page 543
- ^ Street Map Bristol, Burlington 1855
- ^ 1939 Bristol, Plainville, Terryville, Forestville Volume 51 Price and Lee City Directories.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "City of Bristol, CT - History". Ci.bristol.ct.us. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Custom Industrial Spring Manufacturer - Associated Spring". www.asbg.com.
- ^ "City of Bristol, CT - top ten". Ci.bristol.ct.us. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Our Company". www.otis.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2008.
- ^ "Bristol, CT - North America's Tallest Elevator Test Tower". Roadsideamerica.com. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "City of Bristol, Connecticut Comprehensive Annual Financial Report FY 2019". December 19, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
- ^ "Imagine Nation | Children's Museum and Preschool". www.imaginenation.org. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
- ^ "Little League Baseball". Little League Baseball Incorporated. 2005. Archived from the original on May 13, 2008. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
- ^ "Little League Baseball". Little League Baseball Incorporated. 2006. Archived from the original on January 1, 2008. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
- ^ "Little League Baseball". Little League Baseball Incorporated. 2007. Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
- ^ "City of Bristol, CT - Parks & Facilities". Ci.bristol.ct.us. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "2020 presidential ELECTION | Bristol, CT - Official Website".
- ^ "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 29, 2019" (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
- ^ "Code of Ordinances | Bristol, CT - Official Website". www.ci.bristol.ct.us. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ^ "Incumbent Ellen Zoppo-Sassu reelected as Bristol mayor, defeating Republican newcomer Dante Tagariello". November 6, 2019.
- ^ "Bristol Public Schools: Our Schools". City of Bristol, Public Schools. 2008. Archived from the original on April 16, 2008. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
- ^ "Bristol Public Schools" (PDF). City of Bristol, Public Schools. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 11, 2008. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
- ^ "Bristol Public Schools: Bingham School". Bristol.k12.ct.us. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Bristol Public Schools: Chippens Hill MS". Bristol.k12.ct.us. Archived from the original on October 20, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ Murchison-Gallagher, Taylor (December 19, 2015). "Archdiocese will close St. Anthony School". bristol Observer. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- ^ "Bristol Public Schools: Bristol Central HOME Page". Bristol.k12.ct.us. Archived from the original on October 21, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Bristol Public Schools: Edgewood School Homepage". Bristol.k12.ct.us. October 19, 2011. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Bristol Public Schools: Memorial Boulevard HOME PAGE". Bristol.k12.ct.us. Archived from the original on October 20, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Bristol Public Schools: Bristol Eastern HS". Bristol.k12.ct.us. Archived from the original on November 7, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Bristol Public Schools: Greene-Hills School". Bristol.k12.ct.us. October 28, 2011. Archived from the original on November 7, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Bristol Public Schools: Northeast Middle School". Bristol.k12.ct.us. September 12, 2011. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Welcome to St. Joseph School". Archived from the original on April 17, 2008.
- ^ "Home". St. Paul Catholic High School. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
- ^ "Bristol Public Schools: E. P. Hubbell School". Bristol.k12.ct.us. Archived from the original on October 31, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Immanuel Lutheran Church & School". www.ilcs.org. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
- ^ "Bristol Public Schools: Ivy". Bristol.k12.ct.us. Archived from the original on October 20, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Bristol Public Schools: Jennings School". Bristol.k12.ct.us. October 4, 2011. Archived from the original on November 23, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Bristol Public Schools: Mountain View School". Bristol.k12.ct.us. Archived from the original on October 20, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Bristol Public Schools: O'Connell School". Bristol.k12.ct.us. October 26, 2011. Archived from the original on November 18, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Bristol Public Schools: South Side School". Bristol.k12.ct.us. September 7, 2011. Archived from the original on October 20, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Bristol Public Schools: Stafford School". Bristol.k12.ct.us. Archived from the original on November 7, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "Bristol Public Schools: West Bristol School". Bristol.k12.ct.us. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ "Bristol Public Schools: Board of Education". Bristol.k12.ct.us. Archived from the original on November 7, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "City of Bristol, Public Schools: School Brochure" (PDF). Bristol Board of Education. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 11, 2008. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
- ^ "The Bristol Press". bristolpress.com. Central Connecticut Communications. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
- ^ "Bristol Observer". bristolobserver.com. Stepsaver. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- ^ "Local Service | CTtransit - Connecticut DOT-owned bus service". www.cttransit.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
- ^ "Bristol Hospital EMS". Bristol Hospital EMS. Archived from the original on September 16, 2008. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
- ^ "City of Bristol, CT - Fire Department". Ci.bristol.ct.us. Archived from the original on November 3, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ "City of Bristol, CT - Patrol Division". City of Bristol. 2004. Archived from the original on April 23, 2008. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
- ^ Springer, John (August 3, 1998). "Bristol, Greece Strengthen Ties". Hartford Courant. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Bristol, Connecticut at Wikimedia Commons
Bristol, Connecticut travel guide from Wikivoyage
Municipalities and communities of Hartford County, Connecticut, United States | ||
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