‘Memories of  West Hartford’ was submitted by former West Hartford resident Ann Marie (McEnany) Stenhouse, now a resident of Englewood, FL.

Submitted by Ann Marie Stenhouse

In 1938, my parents moved from Norwich, CT, to a newly-built community of small homes called “Woodside Village” across from Rockledge Golf Course, in West Hartford. This became my hometown for 60 years.

Down South Main Street, was a farm bordering New Britain Avenue and the Beech Estate, where Route 84 now runs through. The estate was a marvelous collection of large, wealthy, private homes with its perimeters encasing a solid stone wall. During wartime, residents in the immediate area would take “watches” on the topmost hillside to look for enemy planes. My family looked on this as a way to serve our country.

When the war was over, the pasture returned to normal, with little or no activity, outside of the cows and an occasional bull occupying its space. To children, cutting through this piece of land became a thrilling adventure: Was the bull tied up? Was he loose in the pasture? Would he run after us?

Walking down Mayflower Street to Elmwood Elementary School, I was witness to a changing world. There was a small corner store owned by the Rosenberg family. They sold penny candy in glass jars. I imagine many of the children’s’ lunch money (including mine) went for that candy numerous times.

Then, there was the danger of cutting through Beachland Woods coming home from school. You walked the pine-needled dirt paths, looking for any movement that would signal the strange man your parents always warned you about. Fortunately, no one ever saw him.

Webster Hill School: I was in the first sixth grade class when the school opened, and my daughter attended kindergarten there many years later.

Talcott Junior High: waiting outside in the line for the bell to ring signaling us to come in. I remember the old gymnasium located in the basement with the wired area for spectators watching the basketball games.

Hall High School: with stone stairs that were worn down in the middle from all the students steps over the years.

The town of Elmwood, with its tree lined streets – before the dreaded Elm disease. The large tree nursery on New Britain Avenue. On the corner, there was a road divider that held an old house. The house was last used to display “We Like Ike” posters, before it was physically moved to another location.

The building of Elmwood Plaza and its movie theater with a gold fabric curtain. My mother won a television set that was presented to her on the theater stage in 1952 for writing a jingle on “Why I Like to Shop in Elmwood.”

Dougherty Drug Store, and its wonderful ice cream soda bar with the high stools, and cherry cokes after school. The original Elmwood Library with its high steps, the original St. Bridget’s Church (how Father Brewer terrified us kids). Rusty’ s Gas Station in 1953 – and all the kids working on their first cars.

I lived in West Hartford, CT, for 60 years. When I retired from CIGNA Corporation in 1998, I moved to Florida. I found the small town of Englewood on the west coast that reminded me of home, with its cow pastures, tree lined streets, small businesses and quiet neighborhoods. I imagine, in time, this too will change. It’s starting already.

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