December 28, 1849
Gilbert F. Heublein is born in Suhl in the German state of Bavaria to Andrew and Elena Heublein
1856
Heublein family immigrates to the United States, settles in Connecticut
1856
Heublein family immigrates to the United States, settles in Connecticut
1862
Andrew Heublein opens a restaurant in New Haven

1875
Gilbert Heublein and his fiancรฉ, Louise M. Gundlach, are hiking on Talcott Mountain when Gilbert promises to one day build her a castle on the mountain.


December 2, 1876
Gilbert and Louise are married and move into a house on Prospect Avenue in West Hartford
October 20, 1877
A daughter, Alice, is born. She later moves to England and marries Percy Martin.
September 18, 1879
A son, Arthur, is born. Arthur later becomes a doctor and works at Hartford Hospital, where he pioneers the use of X-rays and radium treatments for cancer patients. He is also the patron of a nursing school attached to Hartford Hospital.

1891
Heublein Hotel opens in Hartford, Connecticut

1895
Heublein family begins manufacturing A-1 Steak Sauce in the United States
1906
John G. Martin is born
1911
Phase I begins
Construction begins on Phase I of Heublein Tower
1914
Phase I ends
Phase I of the Towerโs construction is complete. It was designed by the Smith & Bassette architectural firm and ย built by T.R. Fox & Son


1915
Gilbert expands the family business to ready-made cocktails and liquor distribution
1919
Phase II Begins
Phase II of the Towerโs construction begins, adding the dining room, kitchen, servantsโ bedrooms, and Gilbertโs ย sleeping porch. Phase II was designed by the architect Carl Malmfeldt.
1927
John G. Martin, son of Alice Heublein Martin, graduates ย from Cambridge in England
1928
John G. Martin emigrates to the United States, giving up his dual (British/American) citizenship for only American citizenship, and becomes an A-1 Steak Sauce salesman in his grandfatherโs company.

1929
Phase III
Phase III of the Towerโs construction is complete, adding the servantsโ dining room/modern day boardroom and ย more servantsโ bedrooms. Like Phase II, Phase III was ย designed by Carl Malmfeldt. With the completion ofPhase III, construction ends at the Tower.
1932
John G. Martin becomes a vice president in G.F. Heublein & Bro.

1920-1933
Prohibition is in effect, and G.F. Heublein & Bro. is reduced to selling only A-1 Steak Sauce
July 13, 1935
Louise Gundlach Heublein dies and is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford
March 21, 1937
Gilbert F. Heublein dies and is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford. His grandson, John G. Martin, takes over the family business.
1941
John G. Martin serves on the War Production Board
1942-1946
John G. Martin serves in the U.S. Army, receiving the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, and Franceโs Croix de Guerre. He rises to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before resigning his commission.
1943
Heublein Tower is sold to the Hartford Times newspaper after John G. Martin discovers that $70,000 in back taxes is owed on the Tower. The Times intends to use the Tower as a broadcasting location and as a place to entertain important guests.


1950
Dwight D. Eisenhower, famous WWII general and then- president of Columbia University, visits the Tower to celebrate the naming of a terminal at Bradley Airport after Francis Murphy, editor of the Hartford Times. During his visit, Eisenhower is asked to run in the next presidential election by Murphy and a group of prominent local Republicans, including businessman Prescott Bush, the father and grandfather of the Presidents Bush.

1952

1962
The Hartford Times sells the Tower to a group of three real estate developers. The โSave Talcott Mountainโ Association is formed to fight the development plans and convince the State of Connecticut to make the Tower part of a state park
August 16, 1966
The State of Connecticut purchases the Tower and 557 acres for $500,000
1973
The State begins restoring the Tower, which has suffered extensive vandalism while it was standing empty.

1974
The Tower opens to the public
1983
The Tower is placed on the National Register of Historic ย Places
1985
The โFriends of Heublein Towerโ group is formed.

1986
John G. Martin dies
2006
The original 70-foot tall flagpole is discovered on the grounds
2007
Friends of Heublein Tower replace the rotted non-original porch window with original building correct doors, side-lites and round-top configuration
2008
Removal of the non-original vinyl asbestos floor and installation of oak parquet floor to match the original
2009
Friends of Heublein Tower fabricate and install 4 copper capped light fixtures on the stone piers
2010
Restoration of Gilbert’s bedroom leaded windows
2011
Restoration of the sunroom and Gilbert’s bedroom to their original colors
2013
Relocation of the Corporate Room to the third floor
2014
First annual Hike to the Mic music & arts happening
2014
100-Year Heublein Tower Centennial Gala
2015
Local Boy Scout Troops fabricate and install two trail kiosks
2016
Friends of Heublein Tower renovate and purchase and install three large round topped storm windows to protect Louise’s bedroom.