HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT

After being here for 2 months, and only 30 miles from Hartford, the State capital of Connecticut, we finally made a visit. Our first stop was Bushnell park to see one of the oldest hand carved carousels remaining in the country.

Lead Horses

The carousel was built back in 1914, and today continues to be operated for a simple $1 a ride. Something we learned about carousels was each one has a ‘lead’ horse. All other horses supposedly follow it. We wandered around, looking at each one and our old eyes could not determine the difference.  We asked and were given a clue, and when we finally found her, discovered she indeed did have one decorative item, a ribbon, that none other had.

Sailors and Soldiers
Memorial Arch

State Capital Building

Besides the carousel, Bushnell Park is home to the Connecticut State Capital. As you enter the park, you travel through the Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Arch, built in 1886 and dedicated to the men and women who served in the Civil war.

The Capital building was impressive and very ornate.  Until 1873, Connecticut had two state capitals, New Haven and Hartford. In 1873 the citizens of Connecticut voted to make Hartford the only Capital of the state.




Nicknamed the "Insurance Capital of the World", Hartford is almost 400 years old, and is among the oldest cities in the United States. Following the American Civil War, Hartford was the wealthiest city in the United States for several decades. In 1868, Mark Twain wrote before he died, "Of all the beautiful towns it has been my fortune to see this is the chief."  

 

Mark Twain's House

 

Mark Twain was born Samuel Clemens, as Haley’s Comet burned across the night sky in 1835. His nom de plume comes from a steamboat term that means “safe passage”.   A rope with a weight attached to the end is dropped overboard and the term Mark Twain indicated enough water below the keel to allow the boat to proceed.

 

After a life of adventure on the Mississippi River and in Nevada

Twain House

and California, Clemens settled in Hartford CT with his wife Livy. They had an elaborate 25 room home built for about $45,000. They lived in the home for 17 happy years and had 4 children.

Due to bad investments and resulting financial problems, they left the home for Europe. Years later, with his finances in better shape, Clemens returned to America and public adulation.

In 1910, with the return of Haley’s Comet, Mark Twain passed away. We visited his home as part of a day trip to Hartford. The city was, in Clemens time, the most affluent city in America. Today, it is no longer in that classification.

 

 

Everyone has a favorite Mark Twain quote, even if they don’t know it. One of our favorites is “Travel is Fatal to Prejudice”. So we travel on!

Mark Twain made from
Lego's

 

Deane as Twain