 The small community grew to a population of 250 by 1850 , and it took 30 more years to get close to a population of 1 @,@ 500 . Early during that period , " Hartford " became known as " Hartford City " because another Hartford existed elsewhere in the state . In 1887 , Hartford City Gas and Oil Company drilled Hartford City 's first natural gas well , and Hartford City 's participation in the Indiana Gas Boom began . The area experienced a period of economic growth and prosperity as manufacturers moved to the region to utilize the low @-@ cost energy . 
