The Gilded Age in Hartford
The Gilded Age spanned from the middle to the late 19th century. During that time, Hartford underwent many reforms and prosperous endeavors. Gas lighting was a major breakthrough for citizens; trolley cars engulfed the city and publishing, arms and insurance were the main industries powering the city. Five railroad lines fed Hartford’s extensive factories, including Colt’s Arms Manufacturing Company, “perhaps the most famous in the country” for its rifles and revolvers during the Civil War. Summed together, these businesses pushed the city’s taxable property value to more than $200 million.
In 1855, Samuel Colt created the Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company in Hartford, Connecticut. Colt bought land beside the Connecticut River to create his first factory. From there, Colt expanded to a larger factory, Colt Armory and a manor, Armsmear and employee housing facilities. Colt gained great success and innovation through the Civil War which allowed him to be a powerhouse in the Arms Industry. His success impacted Hartford, as his success brought jobs and industry to Hartford.
Famous residents such as Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) and Harriet Beecher Stowe took up residence on Farmington Ave, a main street in the city. With extensive libraries and the second oldest high school in the nation, Hartford Public High School surpassed education offered in the nearby areas. In 1844, the Wadsworth Athenaeum was built in downtown Hartford. This art museum stands as the oldest continually operating public art museum in the United States with an expanding campus that is still located in Hartford today. Located not far from the Wadsworth is Hartford Hospital which was founded in 1854 following a boiler explosion and resulting fire at the Fales and Grey Car Works resulting in 19 deaths and 23 people seriously injured. It quickly became a respectable hospital and maintains this status today as it has several advancements that make it stand out from other hospitals in the area. With these along with combined wealth and success for those in the population, Hartford experienced great success as the world inched closer to World War I.
