Hartford is located on a portion of land owned by Colonel Andrew Waggener, who in 1772 was given 4,000 acres (16 km2) by King George III for his services in the French and Indian War.

Salt extraction began in 1856, by capitalists from Connecticut named Morgan Buckley and William Healey, who named the town for Hartford, the state capital of Connecticut.

[9] According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.24 square miles (3.21 km2), all land.

There were 357 housing units at an average density of 287.9 per square mile (111.2/km2).

25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The racial makeup of the town was 98.84% White, 0.58% Native American, 0.19% Pacific Islander, and 0.39% from two or more races.

26.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.