Back in the early 19th century, Albany Avenue was a turnpike, connected Hartford to Albany, New York. Fast-forward a couple of centuries and voila, you've got the Upupper Albany Historic District, a lush residential neighborhood that spreads out on either side of Albany Avenue. Two Hartford business cats, James Goodwin and James Goodwin Batterson, played a significant role in the district's development in the 19th century, owning swanky country estates in the area.
The place really started hopping in the 1890s, once the Hartford streetcar system expanded onto Albany Avenue, making it a piece of cake for development to take off like a giddy teenager at a rock concert. Most buildings in the district were built between 1900 and 1920, featuring repeat architectural details and creating a cohesive visual character that makes you go 'ha! Today, roughly a third of the 668 contributing buildings have been given a modern makeover with materials like asphalt, aluminum, and vinyl.
One more thing the Upupper Albany Historic District is known for is its location next to Keney Park, a 553-acre public park designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm in 1898, featuring meadows, woods, a pond, and winding paths that add to the area's charm.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Friendly Jane
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