With all the ugly new construction around Hartford — the kind that looks like a stiff breeze might topple the plastic structures — it’s refreshing to see an historic development remaining in use and decent shape.
The ten buildings between Van Block, Huyshope, Sequassen, and Weehasset were built in 1856 as “armorers’ tenements,” with the Colt Armory nearby. According to a nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places, dated 1975, these had been occupied until the mid-1970s, but were then vacant and owned by the City of Hartford’s redevelopment agency. Since, they have gone back into use as condos.
A few of the buildings and yards are not as kept as others, but when people talk about hidden gems (a misnomer, as these are out in the open…not something one finds only after hiking through five miles of woods) these buildings should be included. The yards are modest, but in existence. That’s not something that can be said for the many other identical buildings that had been in this area. Ten of them, constructed one block south, like so many other historic structures, were torn down to accommodate a parking lot. City of Hartford, go stand in the corner and think about what you did!
