Timeline of Hartford, Connecticut facts for kids
Hartford, Connecticut, has a long and interesting history! This timeline will take you on a journey through the most important events that shaped the city, from its early days as a Dutch trading post to the modern city it is today. You'll learn about how it grew, the important buildings that were built, and some of the people who made a difference.
Early Days: Before the 1800s
- 1623 – The Dutch West India Company built a trading post called Fort Hoop.
- 1635 – English settlers arrived in the area.
- 1636 – A group from the First Church in New Town, Massachusetts, moved to what was then called "Newtown," Connecticut.
- 1637
- The settlement was officially renamed Hartford.
- The main town square was planned and laid out.
- 1638 – A Latin school was started, which was an early form of high school.
- 1640 – The Ancient Burying Ground was established.
- 1647 – Alse Young was executed for witchcraft. This was a very early and sad event in the colony's history.
- 1662 – Hartford began serving as the capital of the Connecticut Colony.
- 1670 – A treaty was signed with local Native American tribes.
- 1701 – Hartford and New Haven were both named joint capitals of the Connecticut Colony.
- 1764 – The Connecticut Courant newspaper started being published. It's one of the oldest newspapers in the U.S.!
- 1774 – The Library Company was formed, creating a place for books.
- 1775 – The 4th Connecticut Regiment was organized, ready for the American Revolution.
- 1783 – The town of East Hartford became a separate town from Hartford.
- 1784
- Hartford officially became a chartered city.
- The American Mercury newspaper began publication.
- 1788 – A woollen mill started operating in the city.
- 1790 – The population of Hartford was 2,683 people.
- 1792 – Hartford Bank was officially created.
- 1796
- The famous cookbook American Cookery was published.
- The State House building was constructed.
- 1797 – Joseph Steward opened his museum.
Growing Up: The 1800s
- 1810 – The Hartford Fire Insurance Company was officially started.
- 1812 – Chauncey Goodrich was elected as the mayor.
- 1814
- The Hartford Convention took place, a meeting of New England Federalists.
- Phoenix Bank was officially created.
- 1818
- A bridge was built over the Connecticut River.
- The American Asylum for Deaf-mutes was started. This was the first permanent school for the deaf in the United States.
- 1819 – Aetna Insurance Company and Society for Savings were officially started.
- 1820 – The population grew to 4,726 people.
- 1823
- Washington College was founded.
- The Hartford Female Seminary was established for girls' education.
- 1824 – Nathaniel Terry became the new mayor.
- 1825 – The Connecticut Historical Society was established to preserve history.
- 1826 – The Hartford Times newspaper began publication.
- 1827 – Christ Church Cathedral was built.
- 1830 – The population reached 7,074 people.
- 1838 – The Hartford Young Men's Institute was formed.
- 1840 – The population grew to 9,468 people.
- 1844
- The Hartford and New Haven Railroad and Hartford and Springfield Railroad began operating, connecting Hartford to other cities.
- The Wadsworth Atheneum opened, becoming one of the oldest public art museums in the U.S.
- 1848 – Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company was founded by Samuel Colt.
- 1850 – The population was 13,555 people.
- 1853 – Aetna Life Insurance Company was officially created.
- 1854
- Henry C. Deming became mayor.
- West Hartford separated and became its own town.
- The Connecticut State Library and Hartford Hospital were established.
- 1856
- The city was rechartered with new rules.
- The famous Charter Oak tree fell during a storm.
- 1860
- The Boys' Club was founded.
- The population reached 26,917 people.
- The police department was established.
- 1864 – Travelers Insurance Company was founded.
- 1868
- Bushnell Park was laid out, creating a beautiful green space.
- Cedar Hill Cemetery was consecrated.
- 1874 – Mark Twain's house was built on Farmington Avenue.
- 1878
- George G. Sumner was elected mayor.
- The impressive State Capitol building was constructed.
- Pope Manufacturing Company started making Columbia Bicycles.
- 1880 – Morgan Bulkeley became mayor.
- 1886 – The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch was dedicated.
- 1889 – Union Station was built, a major train station.
- 1890 – The population grew to 53,230 people.
- 1892 – The Hartford Public Library opened its doors.
- 1896 – The city was consolidated.
- 1897 – Elizabeth Park was laid out.
- 1898 – Pope Park was also laid out.
The 20th Century: Modern Hartford
- 1901 – The Underwood Typewriter Company factory began operating.
- 1908
- The Bridge over the Connecticut River was rebuilt.
- The Royal Typewriter Company factory started operating.
- 1909 – A significant flood occurred.
- 1910
- The Connecticut State Library and Supreme Court Building were constructed.
- The population reached 98,915 people.
- 1919 – The Travelers Tower was built, a prominent skyscraper.
- 1920 – The Hartt School was founded, focusing on music and performing arts.
- 1921 – The University of Connecticut School of Law was established.
- 1925 – WTIC (AM) radio began broadcasting.
- 1930 – The Horace Bushnell Memorial Hall opened.
- 1934 – The Symphony Society of Greater Hartford was formed.
- 1935 – Thomas J. Spellacy was elected mayor.
- 1938 – A major hurricane hit the area.
- 1944
- Parts of Interstate 84 were constructed.
- The tragic circus fire occurred.
- 1945 – The State governor's residence moved to Prospect Avenue in Hartford.
- 1947 – Bradley International Airport was established.
- 1950 – The population reached 177,397 people.
- 1957 – The University of Hartford was officially chartered.
- 1962 – The Cathedral of St. Joseph was rebuilt.
- 1963 – Hartford Stage was founded.
- 1964 – Constitution Plaza was built.
- 1967 – Greater Hartford Community College was established.
- 1968 – The Harriet Beecher Stowe House museum opened.
- 1974 – The Mark Twain House museum opened.
- 1975
- The Hartford Civic Center opened.
- Real Art Ways was established, supporting contemporary art.
- 1979 – The Hartford Whalers hockey team became active in the city.
- 1980
- The population was 136,392 people.
- City Place I was built.
- 1987 – Carrie Saxon Perry was elected mayor.
- 1992 – Capital Community College was established.
- 1999 – Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy was established.
The 21st Century: Today's Hartford
- 2001 – Eddie Perez was elected mayor.
- 2004 – University High School of Science and Engineering was established.
- 2005 – The Connecticut Convention Center opened.
- 2009 – The Connecticut Science Center opened, offering interactive exhibits.
- 2010
- The population was 124,775 people.
- Pedro Segarra became mayor.
- 2011 – Hurricane Irene affected the area.
- 2016 – The Hartford Connecticut Temple of The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints was dedicated in nearby Farmington, Connecticut.
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Timeline of Hartford, Connecticut Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.