The appearance of Hartford changed dramatically in the early 20th century. Hartford's first skycraper, Travelers Tower, erected in 1919, was just one of many building projects that drastically altered the face of the city and its surroundings. Large industrial buildings, such as a huge new factory for the Hartford Rubber Works, were also constructed during this period. Simultaneously, housing projects, some of them on a grand scale, began to appear in outlying areas, as workers moved to the bedroom communities soon to be known as suburbs. Many of Dudley's photographs document construction activity, frequently recording all stages of a project, from groundbreaking to completion.

Small speciality shops were still the norm in 1917, when G. Fox & Co. began construction on Main Street. The sign on the construction site proudly announced that the ENTIRE BUILDING would be occupied by the big new department store.
Ref. # 1995.36.854

The construction of a large new factory on this site reflected confidence in Hartford's future as a manufacturing center and promised prosperity and security to local workers. It was a serious blow to the economy when the company closed in August 1929 as the focus of the rubber industry shifted west to Detroit.
Ref. # 1995.36.606

Dudley's photographs document several large housing projects, including this one on Zion Street in Hartford and others in West Hartford. Note the extensive use of large draft horses for construction purposes.
Ref. # 1995.36.1156