Welcome to Hartford, Kentucky — A Small Town with a Big Heart
Nestled in the heart of Ohio County, Hartford is a charming home rule-class city with a proud past and a bright future. As the county seat and home to just over 2,600 residents, Hartford embraces small-town life with a warm sense of humor—our town motto says it all:
“Home of 2,000 happy people and a few soreheads.”
Don’t worry—the “soreheads” are just folks who care deeply about making our community the best it can be!
Rooted in History
Hartford’s story stretches back to the 1700s, when it was part of a 4,000-acre Virginia land grant. Settlers built a fort along the Rough River in the early 1780s, laying the groundwork for what would become one of the earliest permanent settlements in the Green River Valley. Officially incorporated in 1808, Hartford has played a key role in Kentucky’s history—from frontier outpost to Civil War site to a vital stop on the Louisville & Nashville railroad by 1909.
A Downtown That Tells a Story
Our beautiful Downtown Historic District is a treasure trove of architectural charm, featuring nearly 20 buildings dating from the late 1800s through the 1940s. These include everything from wood-frame storefronts and cast iron façades to public works projects from the Depression era. Though some storefronts have evolved over time, many upper-level details and iconic structures—like the courthouse, jail, and city hall—remain wonderfully preserved, giving our downtown its distinctive historic feel.