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
Courtesy of Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society.
“Throwback Thursday” (#tbt) has become a popular feature on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media sites. It’s so much fun to see the images of our friends back in their elementary school days, photos of babies who are now in college, unfortunate fashion choices from the ’80s, and much more.
We-Ha.com takes its own historical look back at the town with “Thursday Throwback.” We will feature images of people, places, and events in West Hartford, and we’d love to have your feedback.
Loyal history buff Rick Liftig did his best to disect last week’s photo which he called “five star.” Here’s what he thought about the image: “Here’s what I see: a pristine, but modest office with shelves of neat file boxes; A medium size safe to the back left is open, so likely not dealing with large sums of $$$; 1920/30’s style phones, hair and dress. There is a list of items, possibly with prices, on the wall between the two windows and a small adding machine on the shelf. So I’ll start the discussion by guessing that this group of ladies are taking orders for something over the telephone. And they all have flowers on their desks (must be a nice boss)!”
Unfortunately no one piped in with any more feedback in the comment section, but we did get a contribution on Facebook from retired Director of Community Services Rob Rowlson: “Second floor of building on Farmington Avenue which, for years, served as an ‘answering service office’… pre cell phones … just about over where Kimberly Boutique is today.”
The answer: The women in the photo were the operators taking orders at Burnham’s Grocery Store on South Main Street. The grocery store was in business from 1898-1959.
Today’s image is probably easier to identify, but we’d love to hear your memories of some of the businesses that formerly lined this street!
Please add your comments below about the featured photo, and we will publish the answers along with next Thursday’s image.
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.
Courtesy of Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society.
Operators at Burnham’s Grocery Store. Courtesy of Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society.
So many great little family businesses have come and gone. My favorite? Hilliard’s Chocolate! There is still a Hilliard’s store in Easton MA (Stonehill College) if you ever get the craving for buttercrunch.
Had a hard time with last weeks entry but this weeks a lil easier!..Farmington Ave looking east,just west of Dale St.Will guess by the cars it’s late 40’s,early 50’s
Farmington Avenue looking east. Establishments I remember: Youth Centre (worked there during high school/college) and from there walking to Krohner’s bakery for a snack. Hilliard’s Candy store, Sam’s Army Navy (the place to get jeans in the 1970s), Women’s Exchange (for great hand made gifts), Casual Corner (with mom in the 1960s where the music store is now), Society for Savings (West Hartford school kids had accounts there through school I think – 1960s), Prague shoes (for my daughter’s stride-rites – mid 1990s), Sage-Allen (shop and pay your utility bills in cash at the cashier’s window), Lincoln Dairy.
I live in throw-back Thursday. I love nostalgia. Things were better then, I just know they were!