Discover Hartford: History, News, Travel, and Stories

Add History/News/Story

• 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 Hope.
  
  Early Settlers of Connecticut - www.ctstatelibrary.org/ subjectguides/ early-settlers-connecticut
  
• 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
  
  Read more about John STEELE
• 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 of New Towne (now Cambridge, Massachusetts).
  Early Settlers of Connecticut www.ctstatelibrary.org/ subjectguides/ early-settlers-connecticut
  
  Read more about Thomas HOOKER
• 1639 - January 14 - 1st Connecticut constitution (Fundamental Orders) adopted in Hartford, published by Rodger Ludlow
  
  historyorb.com
  
  Read more about Roger LUDLOW
• 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
  
  Read more about Alse (Alice) STOKES (STOAKES)
• 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
  
• History of Hartford, Connecticut
  
  
• 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. Parker, 1832
  Page 229
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
• 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 “Amelia Simmons, an American Orphan.” She was probably a domestic laborer since her preface states that female orphans may be “reduced to the necessity of going into families in the line of domestics.” Because the first edition was printed in Hartford, Connecticut, historians have assumed that Simmons was a New Englander. The book features New England specialties such as Indian pudding and johnny cakes. However her use of some Dutch vocabulary has led to speculation that she may have come from the Hudson Valley region.
  
  The book is historically important not just for being a “first,” but because of the recipes that it includes. American Cookery was the first cookbook to combine English recipes with American products. More specifically, it contains the first known printed recipes which substitute American maize, or cornmeal, for English... 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
  
  Read more about Thomas Hopkins GALLAUDET
• 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 northwesterly from the mouth of the river at Saybrook bar. It is in north latitude 41,44, and west longitude 72,50. Hartford comprises an area of about thirty square miles, making 19,200 acre; being six miles in length upon its west line, five and a half miles upon its east line, and averaging about five miles in breadth. It is bounded west on Farmington, south on Wethersfield, north on Windsor,and east on East-Hartford and East-Windsor; the north line, or boundary, extending about one hundred rods farther north, than the north line of East-Hartford. The town is divided by a small stream called Mill river, with high romantic banks, over which is a bridge connecting the two divisions of the town...
  
  A Gazetteer of the States of Connecticut and Rhode-Island: Written with Care and Impartiality, from Original and Authentic Materials : Consisting of... 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 - 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 account of this first trip, and states that the return trip from North Haven to New Haven was made, in 19 minutes, which was considered good time and as a matter of fact, is 10 or 12 minutes faster between those points than the time made today by the so-called "modern" bus transportation! The road, originally planned to go via Middletown, was opened to Meriden December 3, 1838 and to Hartford in 1839 and reached Springfield in 1844.
  
  catskillarchive.com/ rrextra/ abnere2.Html
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
• 1839 - Hartford
  Hartford, Connecticut
  The first English settlement in Hartford was commenced in 1635, by Mr. John Steel and his associates from Newtown, (now Cambridge) in Massachusetts. The main body of the first settlers, with Mr. Hooker at their head, did not arrive till the following year.
  
  The Indian name of Hartford was Suckiag. A deed appears to have been given by Sunckquasson, the sachem of the place, about 1636, to Samuel Stone and William Goodwin, who appear to have acted in behalf of the first settlers.
  
  The town of Hartford is bounded N. by Windsor and Bloomfield, E. by Connecticut river, S. by Wethersfield, and W. by Farmington and Avon. It is about six miles in length from north to south, and averages about five in breadth. The western part of the town has a soil of red gravelly earth, very rich and productive. That part near the river is covered with a strong clay or a rich black mould. The latter is principally in the valuable tract of meadow adjacent to Connecticut... Read MORE...
  
  
• 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
  
• 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 head of sloop navigation, 60 miles from Long Island sound, 30 miles by railroad N. N. E. from New Haven, 124 miles W. S. W. from Boston, and 112 miles N. E. from New York. Lat. 41° 45' 59" N. ; lon. 72° 40 45" W. It is connected with East Hartford, on the opposite side of the river, by a covered bridge 1000 feet long. The chartered limits of the city extend along the W. bank of the river upwards of a mile, and three-quarters of a mile back, including an area of about 700 acres. The site is considerably elevated, and the surface some what broken. There are upwards of 70 streets and alleys, some of which run parallel with the river, and are intersected at right angles by those passing from E. to W.; while others are very irregular. Main street reaches from the northern to the southern extremity of the city, dividing it into two nearly... Read MORE...
  
  
• 1875 - Capital
  Hartford made sole capital city.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
• 1879 - Capitol building
  New Capitol building in Hartford completed; Richard Upjohn, architect.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
•   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 is supposed, from a stove in the basement, which was used to heat a large ventilating shaft running straight up to the roof. The firemen, when called out, had only just left duty at a large fire at the steamboat wharf, and, as the night was terribly cold, the department labored under many disadvantages. From the start there was no hope of saving any part of the building, as the flames shot rapidly through it. The building was erected in 1870 at a cost of $140,000, and subsequently an addition was put on at an expense of $24,000, including many valuable fixtures. The loss if fully $200,000. There is an insurance of $70,000.
  
  The loss is very severely felt in this city, for the building was considered one of the most substantial of its kind in the country, and its equipment was complete. The scientific and philosophical apparatus... 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 shocks were felt throughout the city and vicinity, and particularly felt in houses occupying high ground. Many people were thrown down and in some cases badly bruised. At the second shock bells were rung, houses rocked like cradles and crockery and glassware fell with a resounding crash. For some time the greatest confusion reigned in the lower wards of the city. One man was thrown from his wagon when the second shock was felt, his horses running away madly, and barely missing trampling him underfoot in their flight.
  
  At the county jail which is crowded with prisoners, the greatest terror prevailed, and for some time it was feared that the panic stricken men would try to burst the doors to effect their escape. After the first convulsion their dismal howlings and screams to be let out were heard within three blocks of the building. A... Read MORE...
  
  
•   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 tremendous noise, which shook the city and was heard some miles in the country. The contents of the buildings flew high in the air, and papers drifted off a mile or so from the scene. Four dead bodies were taken from the ruins:
  JOHN L. B. SHIPLEY, a well-known citizen.
  MRS. EMMA TRAGANZA, forewoman of the factory.
  MISS MAGGIE CAPEN, of Cottage Grove, Bloomfield.
  MISS EMMA TARBOX, of this city.
  
  None Was Severely Hurt.
  The injured were not dangerously wounded. Their names are:
  GEORGE F. STEVENS, employed by the company as drummer.
  MISS KITTIE GOLDEN, of this city.
  MISS ROSE HARVEY, of Cottage Grove, Bloomfield.
  MISS MINNIE TAYLOR, of this city.
  
  The other persons in the building at the time, GEORGE SENSOTH, of Cottage Grove is undoubtedly still in the ruins.
  
  The company made red and blue fire, and it was not generally supposed... 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 York, New Haven & Hartford railroad, who have been missing since Thursday evening, when they went to bathe in the Connecticut River, were found dead at 8 o'clock Sunday morning in the closet of a freight caboose standing on a side track near the roundhouse, not 300 feet from their home. After numerous searches for two days Chief of Police Bill ordered the freight cars and railroad property searched, and two policemen were drawn to the caboose by the smell of decomposing flesh. In the closet, shut by a spring lock, they found the three bodies entirely nude and badly decomposed. The inquest by Medical Examiner Fuller disclosed no evidence of foul play and he gave a verdict of accidental death by asphyxiation. The caboose was newly painted and the children went in to play, a pack of cards being found in the closet. It is supposed they closed... 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 persons from Cambridge, Mass., led by John Hooker, was incorporated as a city in 1784, and in 1873 became sole capital of the state, having previously divided that honor with New Haven. It is situated upon the W. bank of the Connecticut River, at the head of navigation, 50 miles from Long Island Sound, and by rail 112 miles N.E. from New York and 117 miles W.S.W. from Boston. Lat. 41° 45'59" N.; Lon. 72°40'45" W. Territorially, it extends, with the river as its E. boundary, about five miles from N. to S. and some two miles back, its area being 10,570 acres (16.5 square miles). Most of the residence portion is considerably elevated above the river level, and the surface is somewhat broken. There are upwards of 300 streets and alleys, some of which run parallel with the river and are intersected at right angles by those passing from E. to... 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, Wednesday Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, the famous authoress, passed away at her residence on Forest Street, Hartford, Conn. At the bedside of the aged and distinguished woman were three members of the family, her sister, Mrs. Harriet Beecher Hooker; the latter's husband, Dr. Hooker, and Harriet Stowe, a daughter of the authoress. Throughout the forenoon the friends of Mrs. Stowe were gather in the room waiting for signs of returning consciousness. None came, however, and as the clocks of the city were striking the hour of 12 Mrs Stowe died. Death came without a struggle, and the end merely appeared to be a final continuance of the unconscious state into which Mrs. Stowe lapsed on Monday.
  
  The arrangements for the funeral have been but partially completed. It is learned, however, that the services in Hartford will be private, and that... Read MORE...
  
  
  Read more about Harriet Elizabeth BEECHER
• 1897 - Pope Manufacturing Company
  Manufacture of automobiles begun by Pope Manufacturing Company of Hartford.
  Timeline of Connecticut History
  
  Read more about Albert Augustus POPE
• 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 historical importance and far reaching results this colony's claims to attention are second only to those of Plymouth and Boston. The foundation of Hartford was a further application and development of the ideas that brought the Puritans to this country, and, to quote the historian, Johnston,-
  
  "Here is the first practical assertion of the right of the people, not only to choose, but to limit the powers of their rulers, an assertion which lies at the foundation of the American system... It is on the banks of the Connecticut, under the mighty preaching of Thomas Hooker, and in the constitution to which he gave life, if not form, that we draw the first breath of that atmosphere which is now so familiar to us. The birthplace of American democracy is Hartford."
  
  This constitution, first promulgated in Hartford, was the first written... Read MORE...
  
  
  Read more about Mary Kingsbury TALCOTT
•   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 the masquerade ball of the Hartford Maennerchor Society, a panic resulted, and eight persons were severely burned. Mrs. August Watersdorf is believed to have sustained fatal injuries.
  
  The fire is thought to have been caused by two electric wires becoming crossed under the stage. There were many thrilling rescues by the Fire Department. The damage to the building is $10,000.
  The New York Times
  New York, New York
  March 9, 1898
  
•   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 New Haven to investigate a leak last night about 9 o'clock. With a lighted lantern they went into a vault under the stone steps on the outside, and upon opening the door a tremendous explosion occurred blowing out several tons of stone steps and moving the steps two feet from their foundation for a distance of 50 feet. Two large lamp posts were also moved from their foundations.
  
  Watchman Keefe was seriously injured and may not recover. Cooper was slightly injured.
  Naugatuck Daily News
  Naugatuck, Connecticut
  August 14, 1899
  
•   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
  
  Read more about Theodore ROOSEVELT
•   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 automobiles and bicycles, with main offices and plant at Hartford, Conn., were appointed in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts. The failure was ascribed to the stringency of the money market.
  The Clinton Mirror
  Clinton, Iowa
  August 24, 1907
  
  Read more about Albert Augustus POPE
•   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 large amount of baggage and express matter was destroyed.
  
  Fire apparatus was delayed in reaching the scene owing to the deep snow in the streets. During a succession of small explosions, probably from gas, fireman WILLIAM KANE was injured. The station was built in 1889.
  
  Two heavy explosions lifted a large section of the roof and the dislodged timbers carried down the waiting room ceiling, which in turn crushed the newspaper stands, ticket and other offices. The loss is placed at $250,000.
  The Indianapolis Star
  Indianapolis, Indiana
  February 22, 1914
  
• 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 River, at the head of navigation for large steamboats, 50 miles from Long Island Sound, and on the New York, New Haven and Hartford and the Central New England Rs., 110 miles NE. of New York. Lat. 41° 45' 59" N. ; Lon. 72° 40' 45" W. Most of the residence portion is considerably elevated above the river-level and the surface is somewhat broken. The principal streets are Main, which extends through the heart of the city and on which are many public buildings and churches ; State Street, largely given over to the wholesale business; and Asylum Street. The city's most attractive feature is Bushnell Park, which, including the former site of Trinity College, embraces a tract of about 50 acres and contains, upon a commanding eminence, the capitol or state-house, built of white marble in the modern Gothic style. This building is 295 feet long,... Read MORE...
  
  
•   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
  
• 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 England. This system developed in the far eastern Atlantic, near the Cape Verde Islands on September 4. It made a twelve day journey across the Atlantic and up the Eastern Seaboard before crashing ashore on September 21 at Suffolk County, Long Island, then into Milford, Connecticut. The eye of the hurricane was observed in New Haven, Connecticut, 10 miles east of Milford. The center made landfall at the time of astronomical high tide, moving north at 60 mph. Unlike most storms, this hurricane did not weaken on its way toward Southern New England, due to its rapid forward speed and its track. This kept the center of the storm over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.
  
  ...Extensive damage occurred to roofs, trees and crops. Widespread power outages occurred, which in some areas lasted several weeks. In Connecticut, downed power lines... 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 the road and remained there after a huge ten-wheel oil tank trailer passed over him. According to the driver, he did not notice the man in the street until he was nearly upon him and, rather than chance a "jack knife" by applying the brakes he decided to straddle the inert youth. Later the youth became abusive when police aroused him and removed him from his "safe" resting place on the pavement...
  Naugatuck News
  Naugatuck, Connecticut
  Wednesday, January 5, 1949
  
• 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
  
• 
  
• History of Hartford
  
  
• 2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Hartford:
  Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art: This is one of the oldest art museums in the United States. It houses an impressive collection of European and American art, including works by renowned artists such as Caravaggio, Salvador Dali, and Georgia O'Keeffe.
  
  Mark Twain House & Museum: Visit the former home of the legendary American author, Mark Twain. You can take a guided tour of the beautifully restored house where Twain penned some of his most famous works.
  
  Connecticut Science Center: Perfect for families and science enthusiasts, this interactive science museum features hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, and even a Butterfly Encounter.
  
  Bushnell Park: This is a beautiful urban park right in the heart of Hartford. It's a great place for a leisurely stroll, a picnic, or even a ride on the vintage carousel.
  
  Connecticut State Capitol: Take a guided tour of the state's stunning Capitol building. It's an architectural gem with a magnificent dome and rich history.
  
  Elizabeth Park... Read MORE...