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

When I first saw last week’s featured throwback image (at right and in larger size below), I realized that I had to do some research. I was provided with the address of building (142 South Main St.), and realized that it was right in my own neighborhood yet I had never heard of it.

Of course some of our readers already knew that without doing any research. Here are some of their comments:

Rob Rowlson immediately knew where this was: “Thomson’s Flowers on South Main Street just south of the Park Road intersection. Home today of senior apartments, right behind CVS. CVS was formerly Franks Supermarket and prior to that was Popular Supermarket. Across the street was Hamerlin’s (spell?) 5 and dime, Sedgwick Market and the neighborhood pharmacy …” [Editor’s Note: A recent Throwback Thursday column featured that shopping center across the street!]

Ed Dombroskas added even more details: “Rob is exactly right. The picture shows the retail greenhouse that was on South Main Street. The apartments behind CVS were where the growing houses were – and there were a lot of them. Many years ago the Thomson’s owned most of the property that is now Bonny View Road and the surrounding areas. They sold off the property and it was developed into much of the Webster Hill neighborhood.”

Liz Gillette had some information and also a few more questions in her response: “You beat me Rob! And you have the same memories as I do! Ed, do you know if they had fields where they grew flowers or vegetables in the back? I wonder if the Noah Webster house has a very old picture. Without all the trees, you would be able to see Hartford from there. My 1880’s map indicates that a Paul Thompson had a residence on the corner, (the big house on Park?) and across the street where Hammerlin’s (ditto – sp?) was. The surrounding area shows numerous “sheds, stables, or barns.”

Thank you to Dianne Rechel and “Anne” for the spellling of “Hammerlund’s”! Anne added the following: “Hammerlunds 5 and 10 was a great place to go … I still have a door ornament of ‘Rudolf’ that was my mom’s … Thompsons was an amazing place … I got all my flowers from there until they closed. Sometimes I miss my ‘little’ town …”

We got several detailed comments on Facebook as well.

Lisa Petersen, a longtime Webster Hill neighbor wrote: “Thomson’s greenhouses were located at the corner of S. Main and Park Road. They were where the senior living is now (between Taylor and Modeen Funeral Home and CVS). There was a long driveway off of Park Road where the houses were for the family. I remember grandson Steven Jager lived there when he went to Webster Hill with me in the 1960s.”

“Thompson’s greenhouse located next to Popular Market which became Frank’s Market and is now CVS,” added Christina Stabnick.

Some firsthand memories shared on Facebook included one from Harris Custer, who recalled driving Thomson’s delivery van one summer. Debbie King said she worked in the greenhouses from 1968 to 1970.

This photograph was taken in 1966, and according to my research Thomson’s went out of business in 1994. I also learned that W. Pomeroy Thomson, who inherited the family business started by his father Wallace Thomspon in 1899, is credited with developing the miniature carnation.

Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society

This week’s image (at right and in larger size below) should also bring back memories from some longtime residents. Please note that the original image photograph was taken on a slant and we left it that way for authenticity!

Who knows where this is?

Who knows when it was taken?

What is in this space now?

Do you recall ever visiting any of the businesses in the photo?

Please share your memories below!

Thank 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

Thomson’s Flowers, 142 South Main St., West Hartford. Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society