Home › Connecticut › Hartford

Hartford, Connecticut

Located in Hartford County, Connecticut, Hartford was founded in 1635. The Fundamental Orders of 1639 are considered the first written constitution, giving CT its 'Constitution State' nickname. Mark Twain wrote his most famous works in his Hartford home.

Founded 1635 | Population 120,680 | Peak 120,680 (2024) | County Hartford County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Hartford, Connecticut

undefined

1635Founded by Thomas Hooker: Puritan minister leads settlers from Massachusetts.

undefined

1639Fundamental Orders: First written constitution in history; basis for 'Constitution State.'.

undefined

1764Hartford Courant Founded: Oldest continuously published newspaper in U.S.

undefined

1810Insurance Capital Emerges: Hartford becomes insurance capital of the world.

undefined

1874Mark Twain Moves to Hartford: Twain writes Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn here.

undefined

2017Economic Challenges: GE and Aetna leave; city faces fiscal crisis.

🧠

How Well Do You Know Hartford?

5 questions • 2 minutes

Take the Quiz →

Latest News in Hartford

News articles will appear here as they're published.

Complete Historical Timeline

1635 Culture

Founded by Thomas Hooker

1639 Government

Fundamental Orders

1764 Culture

Hartford Courant Founded

1810 Business

Insurance Capital Emerges

1874 Culture

Mark Twain Moves to Hartford

2017 Business

Economic Challenges

Did You Know?

The Fundamental Orders of 1639 are considered the first written constitution, giving CT its 'Constitution State' nickname.

Mark Twain wrote his most famous works in his Hartford home.

Hartford Courant has published continuously since 1764.

Hartford is located in Hartford County, Connecticut.

Hartford was founded in 1635.

See something that needs correcting?

We take accuracy seriously. Help us keep Hartford's history right.