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.
Last week’s photo was pretty easy to identify – Farmington Avenue, looking east – but this one was more about inspiring memories of West Hartford Center.
Rick Liftig said his favorite old time store in the Center was Hilliard’s Chocolates.
Lisa Peterson had many fond memories: “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.”
It’s unlikely that anyone has personal memories from the time the building in this week’s image was taken, but do you know where it was? What is there now? What else do you know about this building?
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.
Farmington Avenue, looking east. Courtesy of Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society.
Rick must be sleeping in today!
This is the former Cornelius Vanderbilt mansion, now occupied by the West Hill Historic District.
Built 1879, razed in 1920.
Mike – I didn’t want to be an answer hog! Congrats on the correct answer! The weird twist is that Vanderbilt built it, yet never lived in it.