Hartford History Room

08/20/2025

All 3 Hartford Kissel fire trucks + 1 more lined up in front of the old fire department downtown.
Year unknown
-Shared by Troy F.

08/09/2025

Jim B. shared these photos (dated 1905) that were given to him from the house he use to live at 167 Grand Avenue in Hartford. (Last photo shows what it looks like today). People are not identified unfortunately.
Do you have photos like this? With some digging at the history room you just might be able to find who use to live in your house.

08/08/2025

Here's something you probably didn't think you'd ever see... 👀 Back in 1908, the circus travelled to Hartford, Wisconsin. Here, elephants are parading down Main Street! 🐘🐘🐘

07/30/2025

You never know what you'll find going through old newspapers.
We loved this 1933 Schwartz Brewery ad.

And just how early is that salesman going to call???

Stop in and check out the amazing collection of history (business and family) that we have at the history room.

07/29/2025

The old Hartford train depot
-Thanks for sharing Troy F.

07/18/2025

Could First Ladder Truck Be Coming Home? At Monday evening's Fire & Rescue monthly meeting, a representative from the Vintage Fire Company made a presentation about an antique ladder truck. The Vintage Fire Company is a privately owned museum located in Slinger, WI featuring fire service apparatus, equipment, and memorabilia dating back to the early 1800's. The owner of this collection has found the original motorized ladder truck from Hartford Fire & Rescue - a model year 1920 Kissel ladder truck, labeled Hartford Truck #3, was located in Phoenix, Arizona. He wants to help bring this piece back home to Hartford where it originally came from! Discussions with the Hartford Auto Museum have secured a place in the museum next to the model year 1923 Kissel Hartford Fire Engine #1. Hartford Fire & Rescue would love to have this piece of Hartford history brought back home, and fundraising ideas are being brainstormed to help raise the $15,000 needed to obtain and transport this antique, running and driving ladder truck back into Hartford. Stay tuned for fundraising ideas on this unique opportunity.

07/15/2025

Even Hartford newspapers reported about Jesse James (the outlaw-bank and train robber) in 1882.

06/24/2025

A smorgasbord for $3.50---sign me up!
Ad from February 25, 1982 Times Press

When's the last time you heard the work smorgasbord used?

06/20/2025