Hartford History Facts and Timeline

(Hartford, Connecticut - CT, USA)

The history of modern-day Hartford really starts at the beginning of the 17th century, when explorers arrived here from New Amsterdam to survey the area.

Hartford was chosen as a suitable site for a trading post, due to its proximity to the Connecticut River and its subsequent transportation connections by sailing vessels. Dutch traders arrived the following decade and began to establish a small community that they called 'Fort Goede Hoop'.

The new locals began trading fur, using the Connecticut River to export their wares. In the early 1630s, a small fortress was added, complete with military forces, so that the area was protected against the very real threat of attack. The fort was abandoned roughly 20 years later, with this part of the city now being referred to as Dutch Point.

Settlement and Expansion

The latter part of the 1630s was an extremely important period in Hartford history. First, more than 100 English settlers arrived from Newtown (today named Cambridge, MA), bringing with them plenty of supplies and a small herd of cattle. They chose to base themselves just a short distance from the fort and in the year 1637, the settlement was officially named Hertford, after the English county town of Hertfordshire, later becoming Hartford.

Puritan colonial leader Thomas Hooker took it upon himself to establish some rules and laws and in 1638, he famously wrote the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. These were adopted by the members of the growing colony and are remembered as being of great historical significance. In fact, many historians believe that this document helped to shape the United States Constitution of today.

Steady Growth, the Hartford Convention and Slavery

The town grew at a gradual pace over the following century, with locals establishing farms, blacksmiths and small businesses. In the 1750s, the population of Hartford stood at approximately 3,000 people, being incorporated as a city in 1784 and almost doubling in size by 1814, the year of the Hartford Convention. At this meeting, New England Federalists were invited to discuss the continuing War of 1812 (actually 1812 to 1815) and various government issues.

The town of Hartford was beginning to develop a gridwork of roads and an organized infrastructure, with attractive housing and green spaces. Many people chose to settle here in the middle of the 19th century and by 1860, the population had soared to around 30,000 people.

At this time, there was a notable movement to end slavery, which resulted in much heated discussion, campaigning and continued disagreements, with US President Abraham Lincoln visiting the town to show his opposition to slavery. He was met with colourful celebrations, including processions, concerts and fireworks.

The 20th Century

By the time that the 20th century arrived, history shows that Hartford's population had risen to roughly 80,000 people. In 1944, in excess of 160,000 people were living in the city, witnessing one of Hartford's worst and most devastating fires, which is remembered as starting at the visiting Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Following the end of the Second World War, a noticeable influx of Puerto Ricans chose to settle in Hartford and their descendants still make up a sizeable proportion of the community today. Soon after, the surrounding suburbs were revitalized by the opening of a large insurance company (Connecticut General) and the trend for out-of-town shopping malls, such as the WestFarms Mall between Farmington, New Britain, Newington and West Hartford.

Today, in the 20th Century

The past few decades in history have seen the population of Hartford fall and rise once more, with around 130,000 people currently living in the state capital.

An assortment of successful regeneration projects have been either completed or suggested, including a network of trails alongside the river banks and the creation of the Connecticut Science Center on the Columbus Boulevard, which opened as recently as 2009.