A monument to Doc Hurley was recently erected in Aaron Fien Square, a piece of land between Ridgefield and Greenfield Streets. From 1944-1955, the site was home to the Northwest Honor Roll — a monument to those who served in World War II. The creation of the Northwest Honor Roll was fraught with political squabbling. By 1955, the monument had deteriorated. At some point, it was removed and never re-installed.
Image is from the Trinity College Bulletin, June 1955
Other spellings of the space have been recorded as “Aaron Fein Square” or “Aaron Fein Memorial Square.” Aaron Fien has been spelled as Aaron Fein and Aaron Fine, but “Fien” is what is reflected in his death announcement, on his gravestone, and in a city directory.
Walter J. ‘Doc’ Hurley moved to Hartford as a toddler. A graduate of Weaver High, he was a beloved coach, teacher, and assistant principal. He founded a scholarship fund. Much has been written about how Hurley was summoned to Weaver High to maintain peace in the days following Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination.
Aaron Fien, born in Hartford, worked for 42 years in the City of Hartford’s Engineering Department, responsible for maintaining land maps and other property records at a time when there was a boom in home construction.
Hurley and Fien lived on Ridgefield Street, in houses that are about three blocks apart. Hurley was near Colebrook Street and Fien near Plainfield Street.
It’s a postage stamp of land, but there is enough space for both men’s contributions to be remembered here.
Look: Doc Hurley in Aaron Fien Square
A monument to Doc Hurley was recently erected in Aaron Fien Square, a piece of land between Ridgefield and Greenfield Streets. From 1944-1955, the site was home to the Northwest Honor Roll — a monument to those who served in World War II. The creation of the Northwest Honor Roll was fraught with political squabbling. By 1955, the monument had deteriorated. At some point, it was removed and never re-installed.
Other spellings of the space have been recorded as “Aaron Fein Square” or “Aaron Fein Memorial Square.” Aaron Fien has been spelled as Aaron Fein and Aaron Fine, but “Fien” is what is reflected in his death announcement, on his gravestone, and in a city directory.
Walter J. ‘Doc’ Hurley moved to Hartford as a toddler. A graduate of Weaver High, he was a beloved coach, teacher, and assistant principal. He founded a scholarship fund. Much has been written about how Hurley was summoned to Weaver High to maintain peace in the days following Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination.
Aaron Fien, born in Hartford, worked for 42 years in the City of Hartford’s Engineering Department, responsible for maintaining land maps and other property records at a time when there was a boom in home construction.
Hurley and Fien lived on Ridgefield Street, in houses that are about three blocks apart. Hurley was near Colebrook Street and Fien near Plainfield Street.
It’s a postage stamp of land, but there is enough space for both men’s contributions to be remembered here.
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