There are tons of things to do in Hartford, CT, but mention our capital city to outsiders (or even Nutmeg State locals!) and you’ll often get a dismissive response, often along the lines of there’s too much traffic, which, we admit, there really is. Another oft-mentioned fact about the city is that it’s “America’s filing cabinet” and the “insurance capital of the world.” As the planet continues to become increasingly global, there aren’t quite as many insurance companies headquartered in Hartford as there once were, but even so, Hartford still reigns supreme as the insurance capital of the world, and has for centuries now. How did it get this distinction, though? Let’s take a peek back in history:

Hartford was founded in 1635 and is one of the United States' oldest cities. It's recognized as a major player in international business thanks largely to its position as the headquarters of many major insurance companies.
Elipongo/Wikimedia Commons
The city's insurance industry has actually existed for centuries. Because it's located right on the Connecticut River and not far from the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound, many merchants frequented the area in colonial times.
Wikimedia Commons
Shipping was an especially dangerous trade at that time. Ships were often lost at sea, and warehouse fires were common. A disaster like a fire in a warehouse could destroy an entire inventory of goods, financially ruining a merchant.
A group of merchants based in the area banded together in 1810 and pooled their resources to form The Hartford Fire Insurance Company.
UBC Library Digitization Centre/Wikimedia Commons
The company made a name for itself by paying out claims after massive disasters like the New York City fires of 1835 and the Chicago fire of 1871.

Related Stories

There Are So Many Historic Buildings In This Connecticut Town

There Are So Many Historic Buildings In This Connecticut Town

 Most People In Connecticut Don’t Know About The Old German POW Camp At Bradley Field

Most People In Connecticut Don’t Know About The Old German POW Camp At Bradley Field

 The Little-Known Story Of The Warner Theatre In Connecticut And How It's Made A Big Comeback

The Little-Known Story Of The Warner Theatre In Connecticut And How It's Made A Big Comeback
The city's very name became synonymous with insurance, and other insurers soon formed or moved to the area.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Aetna was formed in 1853 and was headquartered in Hartford as well. The old Aetna building in downtown Hartford is pictured above.
The sprawling newer Aetna campus is pictured above.
Ron King/Wikimedia Commons
Built in 1931, the new building is the largest colonial-revival building in the world.
Today, there are dozens of insurance companies that remain headquartered in Hartford.
John Phelan/Wikimedia Commons
The Phoenix Companies, pictured above, was formerly based in NYC, but is now housed in Hartford.

What other aspects of Connecticut history would you like us to take a peek at? Share your thoughts in the comments!

If you’re proud of all the great things the Nutmeg State has accomplished and want to show off your heritage everywhere you go, check out the great Connecticut-themed apparel at Wear Your Roots.

 

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Connecticut

Featured Addresses
Hartford, CT, USA