Test your knowledge of West Hartford history with this ‘Thursday Throwback,’ courtesy ofthe 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 a tough one to identify, and there were lots of different guesses about where these businesses were located. None of the businesses seems to exist today (I tried googling them), so no helpful hints there.

Some of the guesses included:

• I’m going to guess that this is the building just West of AC Peterson on the same side. There is a new facade, but it’s a close match. It looks like the present day street number is 257. (Rick Liftig)
• I haven’t been here nearly long enough to take a valid guess, but from the looks I’m going to guess maybe Main and Park across from the CVS? (Leah Colton)
• New Britain Avenue (Amy Frey)
• Where Corner Pug is (Diana Sales)
• North side of Park Road near Quaker Lane. Near where 3 Ladies Antiques is located now? (Lisa Petersen)
• My guess…Elmwood near Corner Pug! (Barbara Clemens)

John Ramezzana, who guessed “Park Rd. Between Oakwood Rd and Whiting Lane,” and John Prendergast who said, “Corner of Park Road and Oakwood Avenue,” were very close.

However, those in the “You know you grew up in West Hartford …” Facebook group who commented did have some firsthand memories of these businesses and knew where they were. Sally Corver said “Park Rd.?” and that was confirmed by Jo-Ann French who said, “Capitol Radio was my Uncle Ted’s store….on Park Rd.”

No way to confirm this, but Lynn Josie added, “I remember that , next door to the old Burger King.” And Sandy DeMarco added, “Billy Nardi [likely one of the owners of Nardi’s Barber Shop] was one of my fellow pilgrims from Florence E. Smith School just before The Beatles invaded America. He was a peach, and a great athlete. I think he later played for a minor league baseball team?”

There were a few clues in the photo, with the no. 185 visible on the door to Nardi’s, and the name “Park Rd. Shoe Service” on the sign next door.

These storefronts no longer seem to exist, and were on the south side of Park Road, right in between where ChengDu (179 Park Rd.) and the Mr. Sparkle Car Wash (191 Park Rd.) are today.

Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society

Here’s what is likely an easier image for this week (at right and in larger size below).

Thoughts, memories, recollections, captions …

hank you to the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society for providing us with the images. For more information about the organization, visit www.noahwebsterhouse.org.

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Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society

185 Park Rd. Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society