Hartford is a mostly rural community on Interstate 94
Hartford is a relatively quiet residential town, surrounded by scenic farmland producing blueberries, cherries and more. “It’s a big area for agriculture,” says Suzy Glomski, a local Realtor at Gale Realty with over 10 years of experience. “Here in Van Buren County, we are in what’s called the fruit belt, so we have all sorts of fruit and vegetable stands with local farmers that sell there.” Though the agriculture industry is the main draw for many, locals are also close to entertainment and employment centers like Four Winds Casino and Hartford Speedway. Bordered by Interstate 94, locals also have easy access to shopping and other amenities in larger towns like Paw Paw.
Tree-lined streets with a wide variety of lot sizes
Housing in Hartford ranges widely in terms of home and lot size. “It’s mostly single-family, with a lot of larger properties on farmland,” Glomski says. Many minimal traditional cottages from the late-19th and early-20th centuries are concentrated near the town center, with more midcentury ranch-style homes around the outskirts. The community's narrow streets are lined with mature pine trees, shading sidewalks and grassy front lawns. For the most part, lot sizes start at around a quarter-acre, with opportunities for multiacre parcels and agricultural properties farther out in the county. Prices typically depend on the age and condition of the property, and range from $40,000 to $350,000.
Lots of recreation, including trails, a raceway and a nearby casino
With spacious grass fields and a central location on Main Street, Ely Park is the main community gathering place, hosting annual events and a free concert series in the summer. Hartford is connected to South Haven via the Van Buren Trail, a 14-mile multiuse trail through blueberry fields and other farmland. The scenic route is mostly gravel, making it optimal for mountain biking, though there is a 2-mile section of paved road on the South Haven side that is suitable for standard bicycles. Other nearby recreation includes the Hartford Speedway, which has a dirt track with racing events throughout the summer and early fall, and the Four Winds Casino, popular for table games and sports betting.
Local restaurants on Main Street and plenty of local farm stands
Hartford has a small downtown district along a few blocks of Main Street, home to a handful of local businesses and a Harding’s Market grocery store. Arrowhead Bar & Grill, a laid-back community gathering spot, serves classic American bar fare with pool tables and dart boards. There are more restaurants near the highway, including fast food chains and the Panel Room Restaurant, a longstanding diner that has served the community since 1959. As folks drive through the surrounding area, they’ll find many roadside farm stands selling produce and fresh-baked goods in the summer.
Students attend Hartford Public Schools
Redwood Elementary and Hartford Middle both earn a C rating from Niche. The B-plus-rated Hartford High offers over 20 career technical education courses. Available pathways include agriculture, manufacturing and cosmetology. Locals often rally around school sports teams with seasonal football, basketball and volleyball programs.
Annual community festivals with parades and agricultural events
The annual Hartford Strawberry Festival takes place at Ely Park in June, featuring a petting zoo, food vendors and a parade down Main Street. Outside town, the Van Buren Youth Fair spans seven days in July with livestock showcases, a tractor pull and other events.
About 15 miles from larger towns and the Lake Michigan shoreline
Interstate 94 borders Hartford on the south side, connecting locals with the larger town of Paw Paw, about 15 miles away. South Haven, on the shores of Lake Michigan, is also about 15 miles away. Corewell Health Watervliet Hospital is about 5 miles away, while South Bend International Airport is less than 50 miles away.
