The East Armory Complex

The Colt Dome gracing the skyline of the City of Hartford.

Photo Credit: Nick Caito

Quick Facts

Location:

Hartford, Connecticut

Significance:

Colt Patent Firearm Manufacturing Company was a leader in the development of the technological innovations of firearms, the mechanization and specialization in precision manufacturing, and the development and impact of paternalistic capitalism. Industrialist, Samuel Colt, and his successors pioneered the development of the revolver which had cultural, historical, and geographic impacts on the City of Hartford.

Designation:

The East Armory Complex is a contributing building to the Coltsville Historic District which is registered as a National Historic Landmark District.

OPEN TO PUBLIC:

No

MANAGED BY:

Colt Gateway LLC

Amenities

3 listed

Cellular Signal, Parking - Auto, Scenic View/Photo Spot

American industrialist and gunsmith, Samuel Colt, would establish a successful business developing and creating firearms in Hartford, Connecticut. 

The East Armory is easily recognizable in the Hartford Skyline by the Blue Onion Dome and Rampant Colt. Samuel, inspired by his trips to Russia, reproduced the Onion Dome style and added his own flair by adorning it with a Rampant Colt. The Colt seen atop the armory is a replica of the original that was destroyed in a fire. Used equally as a marking tool and a call for recognition, the dome and the rampant colt remain a pivotal part of the Colt Legacy. 

Samuel’s first business, Patent Arms Manufacturing Company, built in Paterson, New Jersey would close in September 1842 due to poor sales. Colt refused to give up on his dream of a successful firearm business and in 1851 he began purchasing land in South Meadows. By 1855 the Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company was built and producing firearms. By 1857 it was producing 150 finished weapons a day. 

With his success, Samuel began expanding his factory and created an industrial town encompassing housing for his workers, a gathering hall, Colt Park and another small factory, Colt Willow Ware Manufacturing. 

Samuel would spend most of his time focusing on perfecting precision machinery, designing and producing new arms and ensuring that patents and infringements were aptly dealt with. With the onset of the American Civil War in 1861, Colt’s business was booming. One year into the war, Samuel would pass away unexpectedly and Elizabeth Hart Colt, his wife, would take control of the business. 

On February 4th, 1864, tragedy would once again strike the Colt family. In the middle of the Civil War, when Colt was the nation’s largest producer of munitions, a fire broke out in one of the buildings. Even with people fighting the blaze, the fire quickly spread and within minutes entire floors were ablaze. Shortly after 9am the blue dome would crash to the ground as Elizabeth watched.

Over half of the factory would burn to the ground, but Elizabeth having foresight, had taken out an insurance policy and would rebuild. Since completing the rebuild in 1867, the Blue Dome has graced the Hartford skyline. 

Today, the East Armory is owned by Colt Gateway LLC and is leased out as office space and apartments. Other buildings contain an art academy, the office of a Senator, a cafe, and software development company. 

The East Armory and Dome are not open to the public and the National Park Service is not conducting tours at this time due to safety, liability and accessibility reasons.

While we are unable to conduct tours of the Dome at this time, please check out our 3D Dome Tours that provide a view of the City of Hartford from inside the Dome!