Colt Gateway Restoration

[rfreschner]

Here's a couple of shots I took on the way into work early one morning last week of the restoration at the Colt Firearms factory in Hartford, Connecticut.

http://rfreschner.smugmug.com/photos/59991306-L.jpg

http://rfreschner.smugmug.com/photos/59991293-L.jpg

Since it's not a working factory, it was a bit strange to see this train stopped in front of the armory. While shooting, I noticed the engineer walking up the street with a suitcase. He must have stopped here for a break and to freshen up somewhere in the area.

[superdiver]

Whats with the "onion" in the back ground? Looks like the Russian Orthodox churchs like we have up here ....

[rfreschner]

I've never really been sure why that particular dome was chosen, but I found this excerpt on the Connecticut Heritage Gateway site: (http://www.ctheritage.org/default.htm)

On top of the Armory the Colonel raised an elaborate, onion-shaped blue dome, supported by columns and crowned by a golden sphere on which perched a rampant colt holding a broken spear. The colt itself was made of bronze and cast in the Armory. All over New England it was customary to adorn factories with cupolas and weathervanes, but Colt's dome was such an eccentric, ostentatious landmark that it gave rise to endless speculation and rumor about its origin. One story had the dome shipped to Hartford as the gift of a Turkish sultan grateful for guns be received during the Crimean War. Another, closer to the truth, said Colt was inspired by the Byzantine churches he saw in Russia to imitate their architecture. The real reason seems to be, simply, showmanship. Colt wanted the Armory seen and admired by everyone. What better way to shake up the stagnant traditions which he felt stultified the city and at the same time to attract the attention and wonderment of steamboat passengers on the Connecticut River!

[JustinL]

Thanks for the info, Rick. I've lived here in the Hartford area for 17 years and never knew that!

Try going across the river during sunset for another angle of the armory ;)

[rfreschner]

Thanks for the info, Rick. I've lived here in the Hartford area for 17 years and never knew that!

I've been working and living in the area for over 20 years and actually working in a restored part of the Colt complex for over 1 1/2 years and didn't know it either. :)

Try going across the river during sunset for another angle of the armory ;)

I've been looking for other places to shoot it from, but haven't found anything suitable yet. I was over by the E. Hartford boat launch a week or more ago, but the trees (even without their leaves) that run along the highway are distracting. The best place to get a decent shot is right in the middle of I-91, but I'm not that brave (or stupid)!! :D I may have a shot at it from Huyshope Ave. (the back of the building) now that they cleaned up the area for construction.

I'm not thrilled with these images, they just don't seem to work for me now that I see them on the site. The first one pulls in too much and the second I don't know whether to look at the building or the train. Oh well, there's always tomorrow to try again!!

[Kevin]

Nice shots. Thanks for sharing.

[rfreschner]

Thanks Kev!

[stoneylonesome]

Nice shots of the building, I'm glad to see them saving this, it truly is a landmark of Hartford. I doubt that was a conductor you saw, that being a frieght train, :D Might have been an engineer or other crew member, The may have stopped there waiting to get into the yard or the farmers market area. Lot of train traffic in that area.

[rfreschner]

Nice shots of the building

Thanks Sandy - if you have any tips for improving them, I'm all ears!

I'm glad to see them saving this, it truly is a landmark of Hartford.

The South Armory restoration is in full swing and occupancy for 180 residential units is slated for end of this year. Retail space on the 1st floor set for sometime in 2007. Many other streetscape improvements this year and Colt Park itself is slated for major improvements in 2007. Good to see they're finally back on track after being stalled since we moved in here.


I doubt that was a conductor you saw, that being a frieght train, :D

LOL, I knew what I meant when I said it, just used the wrong word!! :lol: Someone else here at work pointed that out to me yesterday and I was too caught up in meetings, etc. to change it. Then my old age memory kicked in and it was gone!!

[JustinL]

I've been looking for other places to shoot it from, but haven't found anything suitable yet. I was over by the E. Hartford boat launch a week or more ago, but the trees (even without their leaves) that run along the highway are distracting. The best place to get a decent shot is right in the middle of I-91, but I'm not that brave (or stupid)!! :D I may have a shot at it from Huyshope Ave. (the back of the building) now that they cleaned up the area for construction.


On the E Hartford side, there's the boat launch, if you go further down that street towards the Sheraten Hotel. Park at the Hotel, walk under the bridge (Rte 2) and go up the stairs. This gives you another angle of the skyline. From this angle, the sun sets right behind the sky line.

If you're at the boat launch and travel the opposite way down that street towards Rte 2 and 91, there has to be a place to park and walk up the bike trail that goes next to I-91. There's iron fencing on the side, but I have seen a hole in it as I drive on 91. I'd bring someone with me for that journey, because that's a long walk to get up the path on 91.

Hope this helps you Rick! If anything else, let me know!

edited for my crappy spelling

[rfreschner]

Justin - Thanks for the info. I was down there a couple of weeks ago and I really need to do some more exploring. Work is really getting way too much in the way of life!! :mad:

Years ago, when the Bulkley Bridge was closed, I rode on the pathway on the Charter Oak many times on my bicycle, but I've never been on it since they built the new one except in my car. I never noticed the hole in the fence from my car - I'll have to look for it in the morning on my way to work. That would be great view of the city.

[JustinL]

trust me, that angle is beautiful when the sun sets on the skyline. i almost rear-ended someone when i was driving on that bridge looking at the city! hahahha i'd try this weekend, but i think i'm pretty booked with plans. maybe next week if i get out of work early enough.