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) is clearly of West Hartford Center, but the exact perspective seemed to stump a few people.

Robert Farr posted the first comment directly on the article, and names some of the former businesses on the north side of Farmington Avenue. He also correctly identifies some of the current and former businesses in the strip of Farmington Avenue shown in the photo: “Looking SW from N side of Farmington…oh, don’t know what’s over there these days, Cosi, Reigning Cats and Dogs, Central Movie Theater, looking over towards LaSalle Rd. to the left of the white building (Plimpton’s), seems like there was a guitar shop there at some point. And to the left of LaSalle there’s Grant’s and who knows what else, there was a stationery store … memory foggy.”

Liz Gillette knew exactly which section of Farmington Avenue was pictures, and seems to be missing a certain candy store: “I just want to mention the MOST important store in the picture – Hilliard’s! The new Kitchen store is where Sage Allen starts and the end of the block where Bennet’s was is now Blue Mercury. The next block west had LaSalle Music in their second iteration and had also be Casual Corner and Lehmann Paint. I may be wrong but the far white house is where Lincoln Dairy was built and S.K. Lavery still is. Was it taken from the roof of the Central?” [Editor’s note: No idea where the photographer was standing, but the roof of the Central would seem to be a good guess!]

Some of our readers commented on Facebook including Lisa Petersen who knew exactly where this was: “Farmington Ave – that’s where the entrance to the parking lot is located on the south side of the street. Just out of camera range on the left is Toy Chest. Sage Allen was in this location for many years but most recently was 2 stories before it closed. The cross street at the back of the picture is LaSalle Road.”

Pat Johnson Mancinelli correctly identified Grants Restaurant as one of the current businesses to occupy this location.

“1956, the new kitchen shop, grant’s, olive oil, j Mclaughlins,” commented Donna Dionne Brasley on another Facebook page. Neil Spencer thought 1955, and both are good guesses. We don’t have the actual year.

Kathleen Stalk has some more details: “Farmington Avenue east of LaSalle Road – Sage Allen was built up by 1 – 2 stories. The corner with LaSalle has had a lot of retail traffic change over the last few years but the athletic clothing story was the penultimate vendor. But we had Chritiensen’s Bakery and Hilliards as some of the occupants next to Sage Allen. I am guessing early 50s.”

Shana Miller Kates named some other former occupants: “Was rugged bear, splash, hilliards candy store, record express strip for a while on Farmington ave.”

“This is just past where the Toy Chest and the entrance to the parking lot is now, and before Grant’s,” wrote Suzi Craig.

“Music & Arts, Future home of Zohara, Frame Dimensions, Shiny Nail & Spa,” commented Kristen Fritz about the row of businesses at the far right of the photo.

Janice Frank Weinstein didn’t know when or exactly where this photo was taken, but I totally agree with the second part of her comment: “Not sure, but, the traffic is what surprises me!!”

Here’s a bonus photo, and this happened completely by accident and was pointed out to me by We-Ha.com Creative Director Joy Taylor when she saw the photos I took Sunday at the Center Streets event. This is the exact same strip as appeared in the historical photo, and from just about the same perspective!

Center Streets, Aug. 28, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society

This week’s photo (at right and in larger size below) throws it way back.

Any guesses as to when this was taken?

What is this vehicle?

What are the women in the photo doing?

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

South side of Farmington Avenue. Cookshop Plus currently occupies the Sage-Allen space. Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford HIstorical Society