December 28, 1849

Gilbert F. Heublein is born in Suhl in the German state of Bavaria to Andrew and Elena Heublein

December 28, 1849

1856

Heublein family immigrates to the United States, settles in Connecticut

1856

1862

Andrew Heublein opens a restaurant in New Haven
Andrew Heublein
1862

1875

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

Gilbert F Heublein
Louise M Gundlach Heublein
1875

December 2, 1876

Gilbert and Louise are married and move into a house on Prospect Avenue in West Hartford

December 2, 1876

October 20, 1877

A daughter, Alice, is born. She later moves to England and marries Percy Martin.

October 20, 1877

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.

Hartford Hospital, early 1900s
September 18, 1879

1891

Heublein Hotel opens in Hartford, Connecticut

Heublein Hotel
1891

1895

Heublein family begins manufacturing A-1 Steak Sauce in the United States

1895

1906

John G. Martin is born

1906

1911

Phase I begins

Construction begins on Phase I of Heublein Tower

1911

1914

Phase I ends

Phase I of the Tower’s construction is complete. It was designed by the Smith & Bassette architectural firm and  built by T.R. Fox & Son

Tower Construction
Tower Construction
1914

1915

Gilbert expands the family business to ready-made cocktails and liquor distribution

1915

1919

Phase II Begins

Phase II of the Tower’s construction begins, adding the dining room, kitchen, servants’ bedrooms, and Gilbert’s  sleeping porch. Phase II was designed by the architect Carl Malmfeldt.

1919

1927

John G. Martin, son of Alice Heublein Martin, graduates  from Cambridge in England

1927

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 grandfather’s company.

John G. Martin
1928

1929

Phase III

Phase III of the Tower’s construction is complete, adding the servants’ dining room/modern day boardroom and  more servants’ bedrooms. Like Phase II, Phase III was  designed by Carl Malmfeldt. With the completion ofPhase III, construction ends at the Tower.

1929

1932

John G. Martin becomes a vice president in G.F. Heublein & Bro.

G.F. Heublein & Bro.
1932

1920-1933

Prohibition is in effect, and G.F. Heublein & Bro. is reduced to selling only A-1 Steak Sauce

1920-1933

July 13, 1935

Louise Gundlach Heublein dies and is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford

July 13, 1935

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.

March 21, 1937

1941

John G. Martin serves on the War Production Board

1941

1942-1946

John G. Martin serves in the U.S. Army, receiving the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, and France’s Croix de Guerre. He rises to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before resigning his commission.

1942-1946

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.

Social Gatherings at the Tower when owned by The Hartford Times
Social Gatherings at the Tower when owned by The Hartford Times
1943

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.

Social gathering at the Tower with Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower
1950

1952

Former President Ronald Reagan visits the Tower
1952

1962

The Hartford Times sells the Tower to a group of three real estate developers. The ‘Save Talcott Mountain’ Association is formed to fight the development plans and convince the State of Connecticut to make the Tower part of a state park

1962

August 16, 1966

The State of Connecticut purchases the Tower and 557 acres for $500,000

August 16, 1966

1973

The State begins restoring the Tower, which has suffered extensive vandalism while it was standing empty.

Vandalism done to the Tower during its vacancy
1973

1974

The Tower opens to the public

1974

1983

The Tower is placed on the National Register of Historic  Places

1983

1985

The ‘Friends of Heublein Tower’ group is formed.

Friends of Heublein Tower
1985

1986

John G. Martin dies

1986

2006

The original 70-foot tall flagpole is discovered on the grounds

2006

2007

Friends of Heublein Tower replace the rotted non-original porch window with original building correct doors, side-lites and round-top configuration

2007

2008

Removal of the non-original vinyl asbestos floor and installation of oak parquet floor to match the original

2008

2009

Friends of Heublein Tower fabricate and install 4 copper capped light fixtures on the stone piers

2009

2010

Restoration of Gilbert’s bedroom leaded windows

2010

2011

Restoration of the sunroom and Gilbert’s bedroom to their original colors

2011

2013

Relocation of the Corporate Room to the third floor

2013

2014

First annual Hike to the Mic music & arts happening

2014

2014

100-Year Heublein Tower Centennial Gala

2014

2015

Local Boy Scout Troops fabricate and install two trail kiosks

2015

2016

Friends of Heublein Tower renovate and purchase and install three large round topped storm windows to protect Louise’s bedroom.

2016
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