Everything you’ll understand if you’re from Hartford, WI

That’s right – Hartford, Wisconsin NOT Connecticut


A city with a population of just under 15,000 people that by many either gets pushed under the rug or confused with HartLAND, WI.  Despite the fact that it has a small town vibe, it is actually the “big” city compared to surrounding towns such as Neosho and Rubicon, which have basically nothing but houses and farm fields.

Living in Hartford has it’s good days and bad days just like everywhere else. For those of us who have ever called this little place home, these are things we know all too well.

Only being remembered by points-of-interest

Ohhh, is that by the Mineshaft?” is a phrase that we hear all too often. For those not from Hartford, the Mineshaft is an exciting destination full of games, food and a bar. To us, it’s just another spot to grab dinner.

It’s not the healthiest city

Apart from the Mineshaft, there aren’t many dining out options period – much less anything healthy. Most of the spots in Hartford are all fast-food chains: McDonald’s, Taco Bell, George Webbs and of course the Wisconsin staple: Culver’s. On the upside, we do have an awesome throwback ice cream shop called Scoop DeVille. Ice cream is healthy right?

Coffee addicts have it rough

Making coffee becomes not even a choice since the options for coffee are a shop called Perc Place, which is pricey, or Dunkin Donuts (which I love but come on can we get a Starbucks? Colectivo? Anything??).

Choir and theatre rule the town like sports do elsewhere

Luckily for me, I was a member of the performing crowd in high school. Not that sports aren’t popular as well, it’s just usually teams are not good enough to gain a huge momentous following. Around town, you’d be more likely to hear people talking about the musical coming up at the Schauer Center, not the football game on Friday.

However, with an insanely impressive program, this following did not come out of nowhere. Talent runs in the water and we’ve even had students go on to have professional careers in the field. Below is a picture from my choir’s medley performance of the Lion King (we got kind of into it).

You didn’t even know the Hartford movie theatre existed for years (or you just chose to make the driving haul instead)

Prior to renovations, it wasn’t that nice but now, I’m a fan of this little movie theatre. Fewer lines, cheaper prices and not having to drive far? Count me in!

Friday, I’m (NOT) in Love

There’s not much going on around town as far as entertainment. If you want to do any serious shopping, go to a concert or really anything besides bowling and a movie you’re going to have to drive.

Woodlawn vs. Willowbrook

The two biggest parks in Hartford and usually you preferred one over the other. Or if you’re me you still continue to mix up which is which.

Woodlawn

Willowbrook

There’s something really picturesque and quaint about it

Apart from these complaints, I really loved getting to hang out around Hartford and when you did want to escape you could get the Milwaukee area in around 40 minutes (much better than our friends in other areas of the state). The lack of things to do require more creativity, but the payoff was well worth it and it made those trips to the city more special. Maybe it’s just because I’ve been away at college for the most part, but I love getting to see Hartford with fresh eyes each time that I go back. With such few things in this world to count on, it’s nice to know that Hartford will stay the same.