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
I thought that perhaps last week’s photo (at right and in larger size below) might stump everyone. At first glance I had absolutely no idea who these people were and what they were holding – but once again West Hartford’s astute history buffs surprised me!
“Looks like a group of workers at a brickyard but I have no idea where such a business existed in West Hartford. Was there a kiln near Brixton?” wrote Don Kauke in the first comment.
Others also thought this photo was taken at a brickyard and added some details: “These seem to be brick makers. Not the wood frames they are holding. Kane Brick was on Prospect near Kane Street and today there is a large modern Church located in one of the depressions made from clay removal. Brixton street was also once a brick yard and Goodwin Pottery was located in Elmwood although I doubt they made bricks,” commented Rob Rowlson.
“Our omnipresent West Hartford clay not only made Goodwin pottery, but also bricks! I have always wondered if the clay was in use by the native American population long before the colonists arrived. (Although I have never heard of anyone discovering potshards in the region),” wrote Rick Liftig.
Kane brick. Courtesy of Liz Gillette
“I guessed brick makers, as well. Rob, how interesting about the Kane brick yard! Of course … Kane Street. I have seen ‘Kane’ bricks but had no idea they were from WH. As a small side note, when the convent came up for zoning approvals, a big issue was water run off/wetlands. It seems Kessler Construction (and the church) are basically in a clay bathtub! Now it makes sense! Thanks!” commented Liz Gillette. She also emailed a photo of a brick stamped with the Kane name.
Many of those who commented on Facebook also figured out what was in this photo and tried to guess where it was.
“Our guess is that those are brick carriers or brick molds,” wrote Brenda Kestenbaum. “Yes, they are brick molds. Possibly somewhere in Elmwood? Did the Goodwin Pottery make bricks (in addition to decorative items)? Are there clay deposits in Elmwood?” responded Susan Wiley.
“Charter Oak Brick Co, founded 1895 by Peter McQuaid of New Haven?” was the guess provided by David Dyson.
Lisa Petersen thought this might have been a brick company in Elmwood. “I think it was on the south side of New Britain Ave where the antique shop is next to Puritan Furniture. They talked about the brick manufacturing in Elmwood while on the Noah Webster House Bus tour … but of course I can’t remember the name.”
I did like Kevin Cowan’s comment on Facebook: “Looks like when the whole squad poses outside McLaddens,” and that could be a good caption for the photo.
The only original detail I had about this photo from the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society was that it was definitely taken at a brickyard on New Park Avenue. Armed with that piece of information, the other details provided by our astute readers, and thanks to Google – we now have the complete answer.
These men were brick makers at the Michael Kane Brick Company, which according to brickcollecting.com was located on New Park Avenue in West Hartford from 1872-1926. A piece of information cited on brickcollecting.com, extracted from “BRICK AND CLAY RECORD, August 8, 1922” seems to confirm that this was the same brick company Rob Rowlson and Liz Gillette mentioned, but the photo was taken before the move to Prospect Avenue: “Michael Kane brick manufacturer No 190, New Park Avenue, Hartford, Conn., contemplates the opening of a new plant on Prospect Avenue, West Hartford where he has an 80 acre tract. The new plant, if opened in the fall, will include modern equipment. Much difficulty is now encountered obtaining labor despite the business depression. The old yard is being worked to capacity and it is hoped to exceed the production of last season when 4,500.000 brick were made.”
The stamped Kane brick shown on brickcollecting.com looks identical to the one in the photo that Liz Gillette submitted.
Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society
This week’s throwback photo (at right and in larger size below) is of a part of town that looks very different today.
Who knows where this photo was taken?
When was this photo taken?
What’s in this space 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 atwww.noahwebsterhouse.orgfor more information about membership and programs.
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Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society
Workers at Michael Kane Brick Company on New Park Avenue. Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society
The photo looks like First Baptist on North Main by Fern Street, but the two surrounding buildings are certainly not there anymore if I’m right.
That’s Farmington Avenue on the left and North Main Street at the right. Probably late 30s to mid 40s by the look of the cars. The building at the far right is all that’s left of this grouping.
I don’t know anything about the two other buildings pictured here, but I’m looking forward to finding out!
This is the intersection of N/S Main Street and Farmington Ave., looking northwest. The building on the left is the Records Building (but it also served as Town Hall) the building in the center is the Town Hall (but was previously a Congregational Church) and the building at far right is the Noah Webster Library. This picture looks like it was probably from the 1930s.
This is the northwest corner of Farmington Ave and North Main Street. Today this is the location of the Veterans Memorial Park. Think former circle green space. The Veteran’s Park was constructed in the mid 2000’s with the help of a dedicated group of veterans who raised movey and worker the design. This is truly a very special place in our community and the site of each Veterans Day service (11/11) since opening.The uses in the photo include the former First Church and former town hall (?) and or social services bldg.
I agree with everyone above. Was the building on the far right the town library, built by the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution)? It’s ‘Fringe’ now. I think the town library before this was built was the library in First Church. How interesting how intertwined the Congregational Church was with Town functions, for so long and not really all that long ago.
This is the intersection of North Main Street and Farmington Ave. The church and school administration buildings are picture where the veteran’s memorial park is on that location today.
Just looked this up in my “History of West Hartford” (by William H. Hall, 1930). The building on the right was the old Town Office Building, the building in the middle was the old Town hall (previously the Congregational Church), built in 1834), and the building on the far right is the old Noah Webster Library built 1917. Sadly only the latter still stands. As posted above, this is the northwest corner of Farmington Avenue and North Main Street. Looks like they really shoe-horned in that old town hall on the left!!
Comment on the Kane brickyard. Elizabeth Kane was my mother’s cousin. She owned 291 New Park Ave. We lived in that house for 13 years 60s into 70s. There was woods all around when we lived there. I used to play on a hill that had a large amount of coal and bricks on it. The truck co took over all that area. Brings back memories
Does anyone have access to a small lot of Kane Bricks in good condition?