Hartford, the capital of Connecticut, is located in the central part of the state. It is the second largest city in Connecticut. Recently, Hartford has begun to attract new residents, businesses, and commercial ventures. Its downtown area has seen, over the recent years, the addition of a new convention center, hotel, and various new residential buildings. Harford also offers the fine arts—Hartford is home to Wadsworth Athenaeum, the nation's oldest public art museum, and Bushnell Park, the oldest public park. Its arts scene and recent developments have combined to make Hartford movers of many.
Hartford is a center of manufacturing, trade, and business. The most commonly manufactured products include computers, firearms, and various electrical and transportation equipment. Hartford is also a major insurance center-- at one point, over 35 companies were headquartered in the city, Though the number has declined in recent years, there are still major companies headquartered in the city, including Colt Firearms, United Technologies, and The Hartford.
History
Dutch fur traders first inhabited the area in 1623. Some buildings were added in the coming years, but by 1654, the site was abandoned. English settlers established a settlement in 1636. The name Hartford was given in honor of the English city Hertford. In 1814, the Hartford Convention was held to discuss the secession of New England states from the United States.
In the early 19th century, Hartford was a major point of abolitionist ideas. The most notable family was the Beecher family, whose many members were heavily involved in the movement. In 1944, Hartford was subject to one of the worst fires in U.S. history. It occurred at a circus performance and is known as the Hartford Circus Fire. The city experienced a large influx of Puerto Ricans after World War II. There is a still a large percentage of Puerto Ricans living in Hartford today.
Tourism
Bradley International Airport is twelve miles from the city of Hartford. Landmarks in the city include the old statehouse, the capitol building, and the Travelers Insurance Tower. Famous houses in the city include the Mark Twain House and the Harriet Beecher Stowe House. Other attractions include the Connecticut State Library, Elizabeth Park, and Colt Park.
Harford also boasts the nation's oldest public art museum (Wadsworth Athenaeum), the oldest public park (Bushnell Park), and the second-oldest secondary school (Hartford Public).