Test your knowledge of West Hartford history with this ‘Thursday Throwback,’ courtesy of the Noah Webster House and West Hartford Historical Society.
By Ronni Newton
It’s Throwback Thursday (#tbt), and time to take a look back into West Hartford’s past to either stir up some memories, reflect on how much things have changed, or both. And if you have no idea, we love the photo captions, too!
Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society
Last week’s photo (at right and in larger size below) was very appropriate as a throwback for the day that it was posted. We asked readers to tell us why the photo was appropriate, and when it was taken.
Liz Gillette was the first to comment: “I’m just guessing that this was the holiday season just after Blue Back opened when they sponsored the trolley to ‘tie together’ the Center with Blue Back. Japanalia was still there (loved that store!) but Chicos doesn’t seem to be. So that puts it about ten years ago, I think.”
I’m not sure where the horses were from (and I had to look up the word “Percheron”) but Dianne Rechel got the event and date exactly right: “I am going to guess that it was the Holiday Stroll from the late 90’s. (Some car aficionado will probably tell us). On that afternoon. members of the Chamber of Commerce used to travel around by trolley singing Christmas carols. I would guess the Percherons are from Flamig Farm and had to tolerate a lot of horn-honking.”
Elizabeth McGloin Browne added her comment on Facebook: “It’s Farmington avenue near LaSalle Road probably late 80’s/early 90’s judging by the cars but I don’t remember any occasion that called for a horse and carriage!”
Rue Ferreira added, I”‘d say Holiday Stroll but likely before the event started for the evening since it’s still daylight. I’m going with mid-90s,” and Brandon Fitzgerald wrote, “Judging by that Audi mid 90’s holiday time.”
Others who commented on Facebook correctly identified the location and the event. Some thought this was the 1980s, and others guessed the 1990s. “Looking west on Farmington avenue, going to guess this was taken in 1996,” guessed Zachary Hillborn.
All who guessed the Holiday Stroll were absolutely correct, and this was posted on the day of this year’s Stroll, last Thursday. I’m not sure when Stroll changed and became a Thursday night event, but the event used to be held for the full weekend, Saturday and Sunday afternoon, in early December. That’s why it was daylight in the photo.
According to the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society, the photo was taken in 1998.
Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society
We’ve got a seasonally-appropriate photo for this week (at right and in larger size below).
Who knows where this was taken?
Who knows when this was taken?
What is located in the space once occupied by this business?
Please share your memories below.
Thank you to the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society for providing us with the images. They are always looking for new images to add to the collection. Visit their website at www.noahwebsterhouse.org for more information about membership and programs.
Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford!
Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society
Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society
Was that Turnham’s on South Main Street or the drug store that was on the corner of South Main and Farmington, where Bruegger’s Bagels is now?
Was that Turnham’s that used to be on South Main Street or the drug store that was once on the corner of South Main Street and Farmington Avenue where Bruegger’s Bagels is now?
BURNHAM”S that is…
Is this Hammerland’s Drug Store on South Main, where Taste of India etc are now???
I think it’s Bennett’s Card and Candy Shop. Maybe I’m cheating- did we have this one before a few years ago?
Central Delicatessin, Farmington Ave.,West Hartford Center
I’ll follow Giovanni with Burnham’s. The wall is covered with cans and the corner of the wooden counter looks old. It looks to me to be a meat case at the back. I believe it was an “old time” store and you went (or later, phoned)in with your order that they would get for you as opposed to wandering aisles, often delivering to your home. For the time, I would guess the 40’s (not war years) or later 30’s.