Bolton, Connecticut

Originally part of the town of Hartford, the area was referred to as Hartford Mountains or Hanover, until incorporation in October 1720. The northern half of Bolton was set aside in 1808 to form the town of Vernon. Quarries played a significant role in the area's developing economy, and Bolton Notch became the location of the small community of Quarryville. Prior to the railroad, granite was taken by oxcart to the Connecticut River where it was then shipped to major cities on the East Coast.

On November 11, 1723, Jonathan Edwards was installed as the pastor of Bolton.[3]

The Bolton historical society has been actively purchasing sites throughout the town in their effort to preserve the town's history and rural character. Most recently of which was Rose's Farm, a several hundred acre site where the Comte de Rochambeau camped with his troops.

Bolton has always been a rural area and passed several ordinances to ensure it never becomes built-up or densely populated. Including a limit on the types and number of businesses. As well as a requirement that all new residential lots be no smaller than 1 acre. There are also numerous parks, open spaces and trails.[4]

Encampment site with Rose's Farm in background

Bolton Green

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 14.7 square miles (38 km²), of which, 14.4 square miles (37 km²) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km²) (1.91%) is water. This includes the Bolton Green Historic District and may include land owned or leased by the State of Connecticut and the federal government. Bolton doesn't have any unincorporated land.

As of the census of 2010, there were 4,980 people, 1,915 households, and 1,438 families residing in the town.[11] The town consists primarily of middle-class families with some working-class families/individuals and small businesses. There are also a few larger commercial entities, notably the Simoniz corporation, specializing in automotive and car wash cleaning supplies.

The population density in 2010 was 346 people per square mile (133.5/km²). There were 2,015 housing units in the town, of which 100, or 5.0%, were vacant. 86.7% of the occupied units are owned and 13.3% are rented.[11]

The racial makeup of the town was 95.7% White, 1.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.2% some other race, and 1.5% two or more races. 3.00% of the population identified as Latino or Hispanic of any race (the US Census Bureau does not consider Latino a race).[11]

The median age in 2010 was 45.4. 49.4% of the population were male and 50.6% female.[11]

For the period 2012-16, the estimated median household income was $91,087, and the median family income was $118,958. About 3.2% of the population are living below the poverty line.[12]

• Aloysius Ahearn, teacher and member of the Connecticut House of Representatives (1975–1977, 1979–1981)[14]
• Ralph Earl, artist and portrait painter; died in Bolton in 1801
• Ron Hainsey, NHL defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Stanley Cup champion
• Simeon Olcott, US Senator from New Hampshire; born in Bolton in 1735
• Julius L. Strong (1828-1872), U.S. Congressman
• George G. Sumner, politician; Connecticut House of Representative for Bolton; Mayor of Hartford; Lieutenant Governor and Governor of Connecticut; a native of Bolton
• William Williams, born in Bolton on September 6, 1815

• Town website
• Bolton Public Schools
• Bolton Historical Society