Downtown in Hartford in Hartford County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Park History

Elm Street

— Bushnell Park Est 1854 —

Park History Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones, August 4, 2023

1. Park History Marker

Inscription.
Jacob Weidenmann's design of Bushnell Park included a location for a statue of Reverend Horace Bushnell. Bushnell, however, did not want a statue of himself in what he viewed as Hartford's park, not his. On October 19, 1871, the First Company Governor's Foot Guard planted the Scion of the Charter Oak in the very location reserved for Bushnell's statue.

In 1874, when asked where he would like his memorial to be located, Reverend Bushnell replied, "Down under the bridge yonder!" To this day, his wish is respected and there is no statue in the Park memorializing Reverend Horace Bushnell.

Erected by Hartford Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is October 19, 1871.

Location. 41° 45.833′ N, 72° 40.754′ W. Marker is in Hartford, Connecticut, in Hartford County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of Elm Street and Clinton Street, on the right when traveling west on Elm Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 91 Elm St, Hartford CT 06106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Scion of the Charter Oak (a few steps from this marker); Chapman-Taft House (within shouting distance of this marker);

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Spanish War Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Spirit of Victory (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Park History (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Park History (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Park History (about 500 feet away); Horace Wells (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hartford.

Additional keywords. landscape architecture

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones, August 4, 2023

2. Park History Marker

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones, August 4, 2023

3. Park History Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 50 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 10, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.