History of Hartford, Connecticut, USA

Journey back in time to Hartford, Connecticut, USA

• 1614 - Dutch trader, Adriaen Block, sailed up Connecticut River, landed near Hartford
  
  
  
• 1633 - The Dutch erect a fort, the House of (Good) Hope, on the future site of Hartford.
  The Dutch buy a parcel of land from the Indians, on what is the present site of Hartford, and build a fort/ trading post known as The House of Good Hop...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1635 - The English establish a permanent settlement at Hartford under the direction of John Steel.
  
  
  Early Settlers of Connecticut www.ctstatelibrary.org/ subjectguides/ early-settlers-connecticut
  
  
• 1636 - Thomas Hooker and company journey from Newtown (Cambridge), Massachusetts to found Hartford.
  Other "Founders" of Hartford arrive, including the Rev. Thomas Hooker, Rev. Samuel Stone, and most of the congregation of the First Church of Christ o...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1639 - January 14 - 1st Connecticut constitution (Fundamental Orders) adopted in Hartford, published by Rodger Ludlow
  
  historyorb.com
  
  
• 1647 - May 26 - Alse Young becomes the first person executed as a witch in the American colonies, when she is hanged in Hartford,
  
  historyorb.com
  
  
• 1662 - Connecticut Colony is established in Hartford by royal charter of Charles II, taking its name from the Indian name of the Connecticut River: Quonektacat, meaning long river.
  
  www.bethany-ct.com/ historicalSociety/ bhs-facts.htm
  
  
• 1687 – King James II sends armed men to Hartford to seize the 1662 Charter of Connecticut, which is hidden in the Charter Oak; government under the old charter is restored two years later.
  
  www.bethany-ct.com/ historicalSociety/ bhs-facts.htm
  
  
• 1764 - Connecticut Courant
  Connecticut Courant, the oldest American newspaper in continuous existence to the present, launched at Hartford by Thomas Green.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
  
• January 29, 1780 - The temperature dipped to 20 degrees below zero at Hartford CT.
  
  The Weather Channel
  
  
• 1784 - Incorporated
  Earliest Connecticut cities incorporated - Hartford, Middletown, New Haven, New London and Norwich.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
  
• 1788 - Federal Constitution Approved
  Convention at Hartford approves Federal Constitution by 128-40 vote.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
  
• 1792 - Hartford Bank Established
  In 1792, Hartford Bank was established with capital of $930,000.
  
  The Edinburgh Encyclopaedia, Volume 3
  Author Sir David Brewster
  Publisher J. & E...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1793-96 - State House erected
  Old State House, Hartford, erected; designed by Charles Bulfinch.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
  
• 1796 - First cookbook written by an American was published in Hartford. The book was American Cookery by Amelia Simmons.
  Not much is known about Amelia Simmons herself. All that is known is what can be surmised from her cookbook. The cover and titles pages list her as “A...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1810 - Hartford Fire Insurance Company
  Hartford Fire Insurance Company incorporated.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
  
• 1815 - Voyage up the Connecticut River
  First steamboat voyage up the Connecticut River to Hartford.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
  
• 1817 - School for the Deaf
  Thomas Gallaudet found school for the deaf in Hartford.
  
  Hartford Times founded by Frederick D. Bolles and John M. Niles.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
  
• 1818 - Constitution Adopted
  New Constitution adopted by convention in Hartford and approved by voters; ends system of established church.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
  
• 1819 - Hartford
  Hartford, the seat of justice for the county and semi-capital of the State, is located on the west side of Connecticut river, fifty miles northwesterl...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1823 - College founded
  Washington College (now Trinity) founded in Hartford.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
  
• 1831 - Mutual Insurance Company
  Mutual Insurance Company of Hartford founded.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
  
• 1839 - December 28 - The third storm in two weeks hit the northeastern U.S. It brought two more feet of snow to Hartford, CT, and Worcester, MA. Whole gales swept the coast causing many wrecks.
  
  WeatherForYou.com
  
  
• 1839 - Hartford
  Hartford, Connecticut
  The first English settlement in Hartford was commenced in 1635, by Mr. John Steel and his associates from Newtown, (now Cambrid...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1839 - Railroad completed between New Haven and Hartford.
  The Hartford and New Haven Railroad, New Haven's first railroad was opened in New Haven to North Haven in November, 1838. An old newspaper gives an ac...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1842 - Art Museum
  Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, first public art museum, established.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
  
• 1844 - anesthesia
  Dr. Horace Wells uses anesthesia at Hartford.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
  
• 1853 - Aetna Life Insurance Company
  Aetna Life Insurance Company started in Hartford.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
  
• 1854 - Hartford
  Hartford, a city, seat of justice of Hart ford county, and semi-capital of Connecticut, is situated on the right bank of the Connecticut river, at the...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Residence of Mrs. Harriett Beecher Stowe
  77 Forest Street
  Postcard
  
• 1875 - Capital
  Hartford made sole capital city.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
  
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  Deming & Gundlach, Jewelers and Opticians, 20 State Street, Hartford, Conn.
  Advertisement
  
• 1879 - Capitol building
  New Capitol building in Hartford completed; Richard Upjohn, architect.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
  
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  Residence of Samuel L Clemens (Mark Twain)
  
  "The Mark Twain House & Museum has restored the author’s Hartford, Connecticut, home, where the author and his family lived from 1874 to 1891." marktwainhouse.org
  Postcard
  
•  1882 - HARTFORD HIGH SCHOOL BURNED. ONLY THE WALLS LEFT STANDING - A LOSS OF $200,000.
  Hartford, Conn., Jan. 24. - The public High School was destroyed by fire early this morning, the walls only being left standing. The fire started, it ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1884 - A SHOCK OF EARTHQUAKE Felt Over a Large Region – A Vibratory Motion from Washington to Maine
  ...Probably Hartford, Conn., was the most shaken of any point heard from. At twenty-one minutes to three o’clock p. m., three long and convulsive shoc...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  1888 Colt's Lightning Magazine Rifles
  Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co., Hartford, Connecticut
  
  Found at The Way It Was Museum, Virginia City, Nevada
  Advertisement
  
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  Riverside Park
  Postcard
  
•  1892 - FACTORY EXPLOSION.
  Hartford, Conn., May 23. - At 4:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon the factory of the AEtna Pyrotechnic company, in Mechanic street, blew up with a tremend...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1894 - CHILDREN ASPHYXIATED. IMPRISONED IN A FREIGHT CABOOSE BY A SPRING LOCK AT HARTFORD, CONN.
  Hartford, Conn., July 30. - RAYMOND, aged 9; LEROY, aged 7; and FREDDIE, aged 4, the children of James W. Ganlon, a locomotive engineer on the New Yor...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1895 - Hartford
  Hartford, a noted city, the capital of Connecticut, and seat of justice of Hartford co., was permanently settled in 1636 by a colony of one hundred pe...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1896 - "UNCLE TOM" - Its Famous Author Dies At Hartford, Conn.
  Harriet Beecher Stowe and Her Career.
  Was a Sister of Henry Ward Beecher.
  Wrote Much - Her First Book Was Famous.
  
  Almost exactly at high noon, We...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1897 - Pope Manufacturing Company
  Manufacture of automobiles begun by Pope Manufacturing Company of Hartford.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
  
•  1898 - FIRE STOPS MASQUERADE BALL. Eight Persons Severely Burned at Germania Hall, Hartford, Conn.
  HARTFORD, Conn., March 8. - At a fire in Germania Hall, corner of Main and Morgan Streets, last night, while the tableux were being prepared to open t...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1898 - Hartford - The Birthplace of Democracy by Mary K. Talcott
  Among the historic cities of New England, Hartford claims a foremost place. Not only was its settlement of great consequence at the time, but for hist...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Wm. H. Wiley & Son, Hartford, Conn.
  
  The Ladies' Home Journal
  March 1898
  Advertisement
  
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  The Hartford Rubber Works Co., Hartford, Conn.
  
  The Ladies' Home Journal
  March 1898
  
  The Hartford Rubber Works Co. was established by John W. Gray, a Hartford rubber goods merchant, in 1881. The company’s initial plant was built on the south... Read MORE...
  
  Advertisement
  
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  5% Nickel Steel Tubing is found only in Columbia Bicycles
  Pope Mfg. Co, Hartford, Conn.
  
  The Ladies' Home Journal
  April 1898
  
  Pope Manufacturing Company was founded by Albert Augustus Pope around 1876 in Boston, Massachusetts, US and... Read MORE...
  
  Advertisement
  
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  Old Center Burying-Ground, 1898
  
  Historic Towns of New England. (1898). United Kingdom: G. P. Putnam's sons.
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  The Capitol, 1898
  
  Historic Towns of New England. (1898). United Kingdom: G. P. Putnam's sons.
  Photograph
  
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  Main Street, 1898
  
  Historic Towns of New England. (1898). United Kingdom: G. P. Putnam's sons.
  Photograph
  
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  Statue of Israel Putnam, 1898
  
  Historic Towns of New England. (1898). United Kingdom: G. P. Putnam's sons.
  Photograph
  
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  Old State House, Now City Hall, 1898
  
  Historic Towns of New England. (1898). United Kingdom: G. P. Putnam's sons.
  Photograph
  
•  1899 - EXPLOSION AT STATE CAPITOL. Watchmen Were Investigating Gas Leak with Lighted Lantern - One Man Injured.
  Hartford, Aug. 14. - Escaping gas at the state capitol caused Night Watchman James Keefe of this city and Assistant Night Watchman George H. Cooper of...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Looking across Connecticut River towards Travelers Building, Hartford, Conn.
  Postcard
  
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  Main Street, looking North from Asylum Street, Hartford, Conn.
  Postcard
  
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  Hotel Bond, Hartford, Conn.
  
  "Hotel Bond is a historic hotel, built in two stages in 1913 and 1921, in downtown Hartford, Connecticut by hotelier Harry S. Bond. It is located near Bushnell Park, and was considered the grandest hotel in Hartford... Read MORE...
  
  Postcard
  
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  View of Main Street from City Hall
  Postcard
  
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  The Old State House
  Postcard
  
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  Underwood Standard Typewriter No. 5 manufactured in Hartford, Ct. by Underwood Typewriter Company headquartered in New York City. Launched in 1900 has been described as "the first truly modern typewriter."
  centralnevadamuseum.com
  
•  1902 - August 22 – Theodore Roosevelt becomes the first American President to ride in an automobile when he rides in a Columbia Electric Victoria through Hartford, Connecticut.
  
  wikipedia.org
  August 22, 1902
  
  
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  City Hall
  Postcard
  
•  1907 - Pope Manufacturing failure
  Receivers for the Pope Manufacturing company and its subsidiary company, the Pope Motor Car company, which are engaged in the manufacture of automobil...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  The Cathedral, 1909
  Postcard
  
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  Keney Tower, 1909
  
  Keney Tower is a memorial tower located in a small public park at Main and Ely Streets north of downtown Hartford, Connecticut. Built in 1898 as a memorial to family members by the locally prominent Keney family, it is a... Read MORE...
  
  Postcard
  
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  Main Street, Looking South, 1909
  Postcard
  
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  Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, 1911
  Postcard
  
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  Hartford, Conn. Hartford Hospital, Main Entrance
  Postcard
  
•  1914 - FLAMES WRECK NEW HAVEN DEPOT AT HARTFORD, CONN.
  Hartford, Conn., Feb. 21. - The Union Station of the New Haven Railroad here was wrecked by fire this afternoon and all train service interrupted. A l...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1916
  Hartford, a city, port of entry, and the capital of Connecticut and seat of justice of Hartford co., is situated upon the W. bank of the Connecticut R...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  New Palace Theatre, 1917
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  Asylum Street, Looking West from Trumbull Street
  Postcard
  
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  Horace Bushnell Memorial
  Postcard
  
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  Hartford Golf Club
  Postcard
  
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  The Morgan Memorial
  
  "Around 1900, J. Pierpont Morgan, a native of Hartford, was encouraged by his cousin, Rev. Francis Goodwin, to acquire land adjacent to the Wadsworth Atheneum for the museum to use in a future expansion. Goodwin was then the... Read MORE...
  
  Postcard
  
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  Municipal Building
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  Trinity College
  Postcard
  
•  1927 - Flood
  ...At Hartford, Conn., 12 families were marooned on the second floors of their homes..
  The Oelwein Daily Register
  Iowa
  November 4, 1927
  
  
• 1929 - April 7 - Record heat prevailed across New England. Hartford CT reported an afternoon high of 90 degrees.
  
  WeatherForYou.com
  
  
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  Hotel Hartford
  Postcard
  
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  Main Street, Looking South
  Postcard
  
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  March 1936 Flood
  Thanks to Jenn Costanzo
  
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  March 1936 Flood
  Thanks to Jenn Costanzo
  
• 1938 - The Great New England Hurricane of 1938
  CAT 3 - September 21, 1938
  The Great New England Hurricane of 1938 was one of the most destructive and powerful storms ever to strike Southern New En...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1939 - First FM radio station, WDRC-FM began broadcasting in Hartford
  
  www.ereferencedesk.com /resources/ state-facts/ connecticut.html
  
  
•  1944 - July 6 - Ringling Brothers Circus tent fire in Hartford took 168 lives.
  1944 - July 6 - World's largest circus tent catches fire at Ringling Brother's - Barnum & Bailey 2nd performance, 168 die (Hartford Conn)
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  July 6, 1944
  
  
•  1949 - Highway Safety Commission Lists 1948 Freak Accidents - Bad Place to Sleep
  ...A Hartford youth, pronounced by police to be under the influence of liquor after he left a tavern at closing time, sprawled out in the middle of th...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1950 - November 25-26 - Wind gusts to 100 mph recorded at Hartford CT
  
  The Weather Channel
  
  
• 1957 - University of Hartford founded.
  
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
  
• 1960 - Front Street redevelopment
  Ground broken for first building in Hartford's Front Street redevelopment area; now known as Constitution plaza.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
  
• 1978 - January 18 - Roof of 3-yr-old Civic Center in Hartford, Ct collapses (no injuries)
  
  historyorb.com