Prospect Avenue Historic District

Prospect Avenue Historic District is a residential neighborhood spanning former farmland between Albany Avenue and Fern Street with approximately 240 buildings featuring brick and wood construction. The district displays a mix of Georgian, Tudor, and French Norman style homes designed by prominent architects of the period.

The area began developing in the late 1800s as Hartford's wealthy residents sought to establish grand homes on converted farmland. Most construction occurred between 1880 and 1930, transforming rural territory into an exclusive residential neighborhood for the city's prominent families.

The neighborhood was built as a residential retreat for Hartford's prosperous families who wanted to establish themselves away from the city center. The variety of styles chosen for each home reflected personal taste and social standing among the community's elite.

The district is best explored on foot, with Prospect Avenue serving as the main spine and side streets revealing many examples of different architectural styles. The Governor's Residence on Prospect Avenue is visible from outside but functions as an active government building and is not open to the public.

The neighborhood contains more than 80 Georgian Revival structures, making it one of the most concentrated collections of this style in the region. This high density reflects the Hartford elite's preference for traditional architecture over newer design trends of the era.

Location: West Hartford

Location: Hartford

Architectural style: Georgian architecture

Elevation above the sea: 58 m

GPS coordinates: 41.77861,-72.71056

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:07