New Britain

Hartford County · dedicated 1971 · location approximate

NEW BRITAIN The Ecclesiastical Society of New Britain was formed 1754 by division of Kensington Society called Great Swamp. New Britain became a town 1850. Charter of incorporation was granted by Connecticut General Assembly 1870 which was accepted January, 1871, by vote of 521 to 520. From small beginnings in blacksmith shops, hardware manufacturing developed rapidly; by end of the 19th century city was widely known as Hardware City of the World. Its most famous son, Elihu Burritt, the learned blacksmith, became ardent advocate of international peace and advancement of education. First Normal School in Connecticut was established here 1850, now Central Connecticut State College.

Text transcribed from the cast town markers erected under Connecticut's town historical marker program in the 1970s and early 1980s. Presented as a historical record.

David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

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Marker text: Connecticut Historical Commission town marker program (1970-1983), text as cast on the markers
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