Construction of the Colt Armory Complex
The Colt Armory Complex is a historical landmark and iconic part of the Hartford skyline. The building, known for its blue onion dome topped with a gold colt, acts as a lighthouse to those entering the city of Hartford. The building was constructed in 1855, with its staple feature built atop white pillars over the East Armory. The complex was constructed after Samuel Colt’s Colt Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Company’s (later renamed Colt Manufacturing Company) success from the Mexican-American War.
The Colt Armory Complex was built as an all encompassing work town to attract laborers to the company. Colt built homes, gardens, entertainment and social halls, as well as community schools, libraries, and a church all within the complex. The factory complex consists of three armory buildings and attendant foundries, Buildings 8 and 10, that form a double-H. The East Armory, the first of the buildings to be complete, forms the arm parallel and adjacent to the Connecticut River. The design of the building was highly influenced by Samuel Colt’s trip to Russia in 1864. This influence is visible in the onion dome, a typical feature of Russian architecture at the time which is still notable today.
Although inexperienced in architecture, Colt outlined many of the innovative design features of the factory buildings. Octavius Jordan was hired as the architect for the Armory Complex construction and Colt’s own nephew, Henry A. G. Pomery was a supervising engineer. The prodigious building received international attention for its unique innovations and machine based manufacturing.
The factory was built out of brownstone brick and resembles many of the old factories and mills that are scattered around Connecticut from the Industrial Revolution. Many aspects of the complex contrasted this theme, most notably Potsdam Village. In 1859, Samuel Colt had two-family homes built to resemble the Swiss Chalet style of homes in Potsdam, Germany. This piece of the Armory’s history shows both the business prowess and benevolence of Samuel Colt. These homes were built to entice the skilled Germans in Potsdam to work at the Colt Willow Ware Factory, also constructed in 1859. Potsdam Village and the Willow Ware Factory were conceived to protect the Colt Armory Complex from flooding.
Remaining Potsdam Village cottages in 2019
Historic engraving of Potsdam Village and Willow Ware Factory
The factory complex was strategically placed along the Connecticut River on the outskirts of the central city and port. The area was perfect for business, but was known for historic flooding that caused unimaginable damage to Hartford. To make the factory area usable, Colt created two miles of dykes around his 250 acres of land. Willow trees were also planted on the banks to help slow land erosion. Colt was determined to utilize the willow in handcrafted furniture, as willow furniture was in fashion at the time. In Potsdam, Germany, Colt found a group of skilled willow furniture makers who immigrated to Hartford to work in the Willow Works Factory. In addition to replicating the German workers' homes, Colt encouraged the German immigrants to maintain their traditional lifestyle and ethnic heritage. An area for gardening and livestock was opened and a beer hall and vineyard were built adjacent to the village.
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