A History of Hartford
Early in its existence Hartford made a significant contribution to the
burgeoning society. The Fundamental Orders adopted by the colony in 1639,
was the first document in history to establish a government by the consent
of the people. The pattern was followed by the framers of the United States
Constitution, giving Connecticut its nickname the Constitution State.
Evolving from an early agricultural economy, Hartford grew into an important
trading center on the Connecticut River. Molasses, sp Hartford ices, coffee
and rum were distributed from warehouses in the city's thriving merchant
district. Ships set sail from Hartford to England, the West Indies and
the Far East. Merchants were concerned about risks to this thriving trade,
with fires, pirates, storms and accidents always a threat.
The insurance industry was created when groups of merchants began to
share these risks. The practice was formalized with the creation of the
Hartford Fire Insurance Group in 1810. Our nations oldest insurance company
still operates in the city as the Hartford Insurance Company. Hartford
became the home of many of the nations largest insurance companies, such
as Aetna and Travelers, and is known today as the Insurance Capital of
the World.
Pioneering manufacturers like Samuel Colt also called Hartford home.
Colt's experiments with interchangeable parts created the basis for today's
assembly line manufacturing methods. New techniques employed in his firearms
factory made mass production possible and laid the groundwork for Hartford's
pre-eminence in the area of precision manufacturing.
Shaped by the social and economic forces which gave rise to industrial
growth in America, Hartford grew and prospered as successive waves of
immigrants came to work, build and settle in the community. This ethnic
and cultural diversity continues to be a prominent part of Hartford's
heritage and one of our cities greatest assets.
Hartford also became an important cultural and communications center.
The Hartford Courant, founded in 1764, is the country's oldest continuously
published newspaper. The nations oldest public art museum, the Wadsworth
Athenaeum, was founded in 1844. Supported by prominent benefactors like
J.P. Morgan, the museum grew to become one of the top ten art museums
in the country. Authors like Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stow were
drawn to the area, because, as Twain said "of all the beautiful towns
it has been my fortune to see, this is the chief."
|
