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
Sometimes I think the images in this column are too easy to identify – but maybe that’s because I’m told what they are in advance! That was the case with last week’s photo (at right and in larger size below), but when there were several different guesses I realized it wasn’t so obvious.
“Looks very much like Whitman Grammar School in the backyard of the old Hall High. I went there 2nd and 3rd grade in ’60’s,” commented John O’Hurley.
Several others who commented on Facebook also thought it was Whitman, including Nancy Law who wrote: “Whitman School, Raymond Rd. I think the WHPD is there now.”
Don Reder thought otherwise (he is correct), and added a lot of interesting details about what has occupied the building over the years: “That is Talcott Junior High School which dominated Quaker Lane just before New Britain Avenue. After it closed, it became the headquarters of Coleco Industries, makers of the fabulously successful Cabbage Patch dolls and the not so successful Adam computer. Years after Coleco’s bankruptcy the property was sold and has been successfully developed as Quaker Green residential development.”
Jeanne LaBelle thought Talcott, as did Lorraine Mosehauer, although Lorraine said her husband thought it was Whitman. Luba Preble said the one-story building on the right was Talcott’s gym.
Lisa Petersen also said Talcott. Linda Healey Bopp and Cindy Gauthier both said they went to Talcott. “I was in the last 9th grade class before they closed and changed 9th grade to high school. I loved Talcott,” Cindy said.
I’m not sure where Charlie Hilborn lives, but Rick Liftig commented, “Why that’s Charlie Hilborn’s condo!!!”
Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society
I think we’re going to stump everyone with this week’s photo (at right and in larger size below), but I am hoping I will be surprised by our observant local history buffs!
Who knows what this building is?
Where is/was it located?
When was this photo taken?
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 atwww.noahwebsterhouse.orgfor more information about membership and programs.
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Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society
The former Talcott Junior HIgh School. Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society
Ronni – this is certainly one of the toughest TBTs in a long while. There’s an interesting clue or two, however.
The front yard of this house is practically non-existent – it’s a steep slope. There is a big oak or maple on the far left of the picture that looks like its base 20-30 feet lower than the house.
So here’s my thinking: The slope was caused by flooding and a cave-in of the river bank(which has to be near the Trout Brook) The tree is adjacent to the brook. And the photo was taken from across the brook/ravine. I would guess that this was somewhere in the Elmwood area near Talcott Road/ South Quaker Lane. If so, the house is no longer there. The photo would have been taken prior to the construction of the concrete culvert that contains the brook – so 1940’s. The house is in pretty good shape so I would guess it was built late 19th, early 20th century.
Alternate locations would be further North along the brook, possibly at Park Road or Boulevard where the river bank gets steep.
Oops – the tree is on the right of the picture.
I thought Rick had this one! This is the old creamy at Beachland Park. Used to use the basement level as a warming house during skating season. The difficulty in identifying this is that today, there is a wood deck around the structure. Today the structure is used mostly for storage and the like!
I think the house is much older than that Rick. 12 over 8 windows, center chimney, could be an 18th Century structure.
Past that, I have no help at all.