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 of the Sedgwick Foods fire. We have shown this strip of stores – which is on the west side of South Main Street at the intersection with Sedgwick Road – in this column in the past, but not the image of the fire.

Rob Rowlson was the first to comment, and thought the fire had occurred around 1982. “Sedgwick Mkt. was a forerunner to the out front green grocery with fresh veggies etc. Dougherty Drug Store (with soda fountain) and [Hammerlunds]  five and dime store were also occupants. Franks Supermarket was just across the street,” he wrote.

“Mom” (aka Pat Newton) shared some firsthand memories of the good store and the other stores in this shopping center: “Sedgwick Market was where my mother did all her shopping, and where I walked to every Friday morning from Castlewood to get salami for our Friday night grinders. Hammerlund’s is where the kids loved to go for toys and school stuff. Bruce(?) Hammerlund took me to the GHO in the early 50’s. Arthur was his brother. Fun memories!”

There were many firsthand memories shared on Facebook as well, including from Don Kauke who fondly remembered the kindness of the Keyser family that owned Sedgwick Foods.

“I worked there during high school (Conard) and got the job because my mother shopped there (only way to get in) AND Marvin liked her. I had a motorcycle and Bobby the produce guy parked his chopper in the back room, I did too and the only way was right through the front door. Always thought a bit odd walking my Suzuki through produce and then dairy by shoppers and their carriages. I remember Jack Gopas telling me on the sly I’d be getting a 5 cent raise to $2.36 and not to tell ANYONE ! I stopped working there in 1978 as I was off to college and sadly it burned down shortly thereafter. Tons of fun memories there with super co-workers. Great first job,” commented Todd Fairchild.

Lisa Petersen, who lives in the neighborhood (as do I, but I didn’t move here until 1998), had the following memories: “This building was on the southwest corner of Sedgwick and S Main. It burned in the winter of 1979. We watched it and it was pretty sad. The Hammarlunds 5&10 was our go to place when we needed to buy little things. Dougherty drug had a soda counter and delivered medication. Sedgwick 7 foods was a small grocery with a worn floor similar to the way Pfau’s floor was worn but it seems to me that it was linoleum. There were also 2 narrow and long stores there. I think one was a Chinese Restaurant and the other a gift shop. With Popular/Frank’s Supermarket across the street there were many neighborhood conveniences.”

Abe and Mary Keyser on their wedding date. Photo posted on We-Ha.com Facebook page

This post, amazingly, also attracted the attention of Marvin Keyser, a member of the family that owned Sedgwick Foods. He added the following on Facebook: “I remember that night vividly. Feb 19, 1979. That was the day that changed not only my life but my entire family and many other families in West Hartford. The store was our lives. We almost lived there. To add another note.. The stores in town did not effect us at all, We were busy all the time.”

Lori Gassner-Warchol, who is related to the Keysers, even added this wedding photo of owners Abe and Mary Keyser.

“A valuable jewel destroyed. Also a great family owned business. Were loved by many,” added Fred Dressler.

I did some research, and found some additional images of the fire, which occurred on Feb. 20, 1979, and was of a suspicious nature. Click here to see them.

Current tenants of the rebuilt shopping center include Taste of India, TD Bank, and Revival Home.

Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society

This week’s throwback photo (at right and in larger size below) is much more light-hearted.

Who knows what this is?

When did this even take place?

Bonus points if you can name any of these cows or let us know where they are today!

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.

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Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society

Sedgwick Foods was locatd at the intersection of South Main and Sedgwick Road. Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society