The Colt Dome and the Rampant Colt

Hartford, CT - If you have driven through Hartford, CT on I-91 then you have seen the Colt dome. I have been trying to find out how to photograph the dome for a few years. The perfect place would be right on the highway but for safety reasons, that was not going to happen. So I went in back of the building and got these photos, not as good as the highway but much safer.


There are a few stories on how the dome came to being, one story is that it was shipped to Samuel Colt from a Turkish Sultan who was grateful for guns shipped to him during the Crimean War. Another was he was inspired by Byzantine churches he saw in Russia.*


On top of the dome is the Rampant Colt. The Rampant Colt is the symbol of Colt Firearms. The "Rampant Colt" is an ancient symbol of a Stallion carring a broken spear continuing the battle after his rider has fallen.* The Colt and Dome have been replaced over the years.


The front of the Colt Building.

* Info from New York Times

CHARTER OAK PLAQUE

Hartford, CT - This plaque discribes how the Charter of the Colony of Connecticut was preserved; the plaque best describes what happened. The plaque says the charter was hidden in an oak. Hence, that is why Connecticut's state tree is an oak. See on top of the plaque.

This plaque is located on the Travelers Tower, home of Travelers Insurance, now St.Paul Travelers.

HARTFORD HARLETTES

Now for something totally different. I was looking through some of my old photos and came upon some photos I took about five years ago with my 1.3 mega pixel camera so the quality is not as good. But since New Years is a festive time I will post some of a drag show with the Hartford Harlettes. We know one of the Harlettes and I will tell you we had a great time, a very enjoyable show. I'm not sure if they are still around but if they still are, go see them.

HARTFORD ROCK ART

Hartford, CT - In 1977, artist Carl Andre was hired to create artwork in Hartford. What he did was place 36 rocks in 8 rows. As I remember it created quite the controversy. Most people did not think that rows of rocks were art. You decide.

THE SAFE ARRIVAL

Hartford, CT - This statue by Frances Wadsworth depicts the people lead by Thomas Hooker and Samuel Stone to Hartford, CT.

REV THOMAS HOOKER AND REV SAMUEL STONE - CO-FOUNDERS OF HARTFORD CT

Rev Thomas Hooker



Rev Samuel Stone


Hartford, CT - These are two statues of the co-founders of Hartford CT. Unfortunately, Thomas Hooker gets all the credit, he even has a parade in his honor, "The Hooker Day Parade". Well, I am here to right a wrong; Samuel Stone is the co-founder of Hartford. In 1636 they led their congregation from Newtowne (Cambridge) MA to the area now known as Hartford. Originally they called the town Saukiog after the Indians that lived there but then renamed the town Hartford after Stone's home town of Hertford England.

The statue of Stone appears to be a copy of one in Hertford.

See, this proves it, Samuel Stone is pointing to where they settlement should be, "Over There". He is the founder of Hartford, CT.

FLAG POLE STATUES

Hartford, CT - Around the Old State House in Hartford are flag poles. On each of these flag poles is a gold statue. I did not find any information on these but they appear to be a part of Connecticut history. I'm not sure if many people even notice them but I think they look cool. Enjoy

AFRICAN AMERICAN ANCIENT GRAVES

Hartford, CT – Ancient Burying Ground – I was walking through the burying ground and came upon this gravestone. Even though it has a death head on it I think that it is a recent stone. I don’t think the term “African Americans” was used in the 18th century. What caught my eye was “Five Black Governors”. I Googled the term and found out that African American slaves in New England elected their own Governor or King. These Governors were local leaders in their community and were often slaves of influential people in white society. The first black governor was London, a slave of Captain Thomas Seymour. He was elected in Hartford in 1755. The last black governor in Connecticut was Wilson Weston who served as governor in the town of Seymour in 1856.

It was thought that Connecticut supported the elections because it was a way to make sure that the African American population conformed to the colonies rules and regulations. If a black governor was responsible for carrying out punishment on his fellow citizens, the threat to the colonies authority was minimized.

Info from: Connecticut State Library