As Connecticut�s state capitol, Hartford experienced its greatest period of growth between 1900 and 1920, seeing its population increase by nearly 75 percent. Bushnell Park, in the heart of the city, was the first park in the nation to be approved and paid for by popular vote when it was established in the mid-19th century. It ensured an open, public green space for residents to enjoy, and served as a focal point around which the city continued to expand.
