My latest Substack post is about a factory complex in Hartford that grew from 1916 until it was finally demolished in 1997. Originally built by a Swedish company to make ball bearings, it was later greatly expanded by G. F. Heublein & Bro., the famous liquor and food company that brought Smirnoff Vodka and A.1. Steak Sauce to America. A cineplex built on the site recently closed and the property is again slated for redevelopment.
My latest Substack post is about a house that was built in the early 1820s by Henry L, Ellsworth (son of Founding Father Oliver Ellsworth). It stood on Prospect Street and from 1872 to 1907 was the headquarters of Travelers Insurance. It was torn down in 1931 to make way for the art deco Hartford Steam Boiler building. The image above contrasts the house before and after it was vastly enlarged by Travelers.
https://open.substack.com/pub/oldhartford/p/from-historic-home-to-insurance-hq?r=4j8x6h&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Now available on YouTube: I participated in an America 250 panel that focused on the development of West Hartford. I presented a slide show focused on connections between Hartford and West Hartford. There is much content in this video about historic buildings and also the effects of restrictive zoning. https://youtu.be/OfvDdnXWjNg?si=NuPJf91HYwcH9pDx
My latest LIVE in-person presentation is about the Heublein Family, their Hartford liquor and food business that became known around the country, their downtown hotel and, of course, their famous Tower! It’s at the South Windsor Senior Center on Thursday, April 23 at 10:00 AM!
Please come to my next IN PERSON presentation about the Cheney Mansions of Manchester, Connecticut at the South Windsor CT Senior Center, 1:00 PM, Friday, March 27!
If you had visited Hartford’s Old State House during the days leading up to July 4, 1863 (the same period when the Battle of Gettysburg and Grant’s siege of Vicksburg were underway), you would have found two partially filled large balloons, awaiting the moment for their grand ascensions as part of the city’s Independence Day celebrations. One would be operated by Edwin C. Bassett, Hartford’s daring barber who was also a skilled hypnotist. Read my latest Substack to learn more about this and his other ballooning adventures! https://open.substack.com/pub/oldhartford/p/balloons-over-hartford-during-the?r=4j8x6h&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Pictured above is Hartford’s Eagle Hotel in an image from 1855. On the bottom right was the entrance to Edwin C. Bassett’s barber shop. In addition to cutting hair, Bassett gave lectures in which he demonstrated his amazing hypnotic powers! Read my latest Substack post to learn more!
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