The oldest historic site in Hartford is the Ancient Burying Ground, adjacent to Center Church, founded by Rev. Thomas Hooker and built in 1636. As the city’s first cemetery, all who died at the time were interred here. The earliest surviving gravestone dates from 1648.
As was the custom in those times, burials were randomly placed regardless of family relationship. Gravediggers would use metal rods to locate a vacant spot, when necessary. When available space began to be an issue, bodies were stacked atop one another. In the process, grave markers became misplaced or destroyed. The burying ground became a crowded site of decay, with over 6,000 corpses in the cemetery.
Nearby
Sites
| Name | Since | Distance | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discovering Historic Main Street, Hartford en | 0.4km | site_izi | |||
| Historic Butler McCook Garden en | 0.5km | site_izi | |||
| Statue of Jack the Pardoned Turkey | 2020 | 2.3km | site_ao | ||
| A Portrait of the Charter Oak in a Frame Made from the Charter Oak | 2018 | 0.2km | site_ao | ||
| Abandoned Comet Diner in Hartford | 2017 | 1.9km | site_ao | ||
| A Tiny Monument to a Massive Flood | 2017 | 0.6km | site_ao | ||
| Remembering the First Public Payphone | 2017 | 0.1km | site_ao | ||
| Statue of Rover | 2017 | 1.3km | site_ao |
About the source: Atlas Obscura
Atlas Obscura aims 'to inspire wonder and curiosity about the incredible world we all share'. You can contribute to their collection on their website.