The West End represents one of the final frontiers in the development of Hartford. Much of the area was farmland throughout the 19th century. In 1870, real estate developer Eugene L. Kenyon laid out the beginnings of Kenyon, Whitney, Tremont, Oxford and North Beacon Streets on the farmland north of Farmington Avenue in the hope of attracting new residents to the western edge of the city. He lost many properties through foreclosure.

It wasn't until the turn of the 20th century when upper middle class residential development began to boom. During the 1910's, many two- and three-family homes were constructed. The area north of Fern Street developed between 1905 and 1930 in a more suburban pattern than had the earlier sections near Farmington Avenue.

In 1895, Charles N. Pond donated his large estate to the Hartford Parks Commission. Named in memory of Pond's wife, Elizabeth Park straddles the Hartford-West Hartford border. This is due to the long-standing border dispute between West Hartford and Hartford, which was resolved in the 1870's when Prospect Avenue was set as the dividing line. A playground, softball fields and other recreational facilities are provided on the Hartford side of the park. A sweeping vista of the park with a view downtown Hartford can be seen from an overlook off of Prospect Avenue near Asylum Street.

The West End is also home to the University of Connecticut School of Law and the Hartford Seminary. The Seminary dates to 1834 when the Theological Institute of Connecticut was established in East Windsor to prepare young men for the ministry. The institution moved to Hartford in 1865, and in 1923-29, the Hartford Seminary Foundation constructed a Gothic-style complex on a 30-acre campus, where it remains today.

One of the most architecturally-interesting structures is the former residence of A. Everett "Chick" Austin, who served as the Director of the Wadsworth Atheneum from 1927 to 1944. It was constructed to resemble a stage set, and although it appears to be quite large, is in fact only 18 feet deep the entire width of the home.

Less grand but no less interesting are the single-, two- and three-family homes that comprise much of the neighborhood's residences.

West-Enders feel an enormous sense of pride in their neighborhood. Locally-owned shops and restaurants provide a sense of community, and history abounds.

Five sections of the West End neighborhood are listed on the National Register of Historic Districts. This represents about 70% of the entire neighborhood.