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.