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| American Legion, Broad St |
Walking the major parcel before redevelopment, Part 7
First I will start with Union Street where the only building still standing is the Babtist Church. After that is the Columbia Cleaners, two families, Losen's Tailor Shop, Goodwill Industries, six families,Willimantic Glass Co, Morris Hardware and nine famlies, Central Building and El Barrio. Next came Walter Gottlich and four families. Next came the Library Service Center and Laperle Memorials.Mademoiselle Beauty Palor, Lindy;s Resturant owned by Rose Hadded and five families. Hickey's Drug Store and LaEsquina Records were at the end of Union St. at Jackson St.
Going north on Jackson St from Main St.was the Friendly Variety Store, Frenchy's Tavern, four families, Wonder Bar and two families. McGraw and Durand Barber Shop, seven families, Lenny's Package Store and one family. Haddad Furnished Rooms. Sussman Oil Company, Subkist Donut Shop and one family. The American Legion John J Shea Post #19 Then came Dukes Restaurant. a single family house, The Knights of Columbus Hall. a two family house and Mrs Blair's candy store. (Her daughter Phyllis went to St Joseph's School) then a three family house.
Coming up next and turning right at the corner building was Jackson Place. At one time it was called Cork Alley because many Irish immigrants that worked at the thread mills lived there Going east on Jackson Place there was thirteen families living on the right and eleven families on the left. The street ended with a fence at the tracks on Milk St..We use to sneak through the fence as a shortcut and walk the tracks to Ash St where we lived at "Down Sodom."
Back on Jackson St was Klowowski and Son, Tailors and then a six family. Then came our favorite place for hanging out at night and dancing to the jukebox, Bill Orange's Coffee Shop and later George Bourey's Collage Shop. It was a great place to hang out with swell young people having fun. Next was a two family house and then Kinczyks Tailors followed by a four family house. Osso's Candy Store was on the left corner of Jackson St where children for many, many years went to buy candy and toys because it was in a great location amounst three grammar schools: St Josephs, St Marys and Natchaug School . There was alway a nice police officer, Pinky White who would carry small children across the street, including yours truly and my sister included.
Returning back toward Main, turning left on Valley ST Extension there there was eleven families on both the left and right sides of the street.The street ended on Milk St. At one time there was a fruit and vegetable warehouse at the end of the street because in those days produce was carried into Willimantic by train so many businesses had there back doors facing the track.
From Jackson St we turn west and enter Valley St. There was a three faily on the south side and St Joseph's Parochial School to the North. A two fanily on the north side of which the Shey family lived, John J, Shey was the first young man to die, from Willimantic, in the First World War His house was a very small cottafe on the corner of Broad and Valley.. A member of his family was a god parent to my father when he was baptized. There were fourteen families living on Broad St, (that ran from Valley to Union St.) At one time The Strand Theatre was there and we spent may happy Saturdays watching serials of cowboy movies and sometimes taking home a free plate that was given away. Valley St from Broad St. going west has St Mary;s Parochial School on the north side and Willimantic Plumbing Supply on the south. There were four families living there. Valley St from Broad St. to Center: St Mary's French Roman Catholic Church and two families across the street.Electronic Radio and Television was located next to the dwellings.
Twenty four families lived on Center St., from Union to Valley St The Franco American Club (French Club) was located half way between Union and Valley Steets. It was in an old factory building and was used for many parties. My cousin, Helen McShay and John Smith had their wedding reception their and I was called on to help serve the dinners, I also gave my mother, her seventy fifth birthday party there. Ray's Electric Co was on the street as was The Center St Garage. My cousin, Twiddle Lucy like to tell what was a joke but was actually true. Some one asked him where the Center St. Garage was. (On Center St. of course) Riquier Vending Machines was also on the street.
Temple Street which ran North from Union to Valley housed The Willimantic Institute of Hairdressing and Cosmetology. There were twelve families living on the street. My friends Faye, Benny and David Semel lived on the street and I visited often.
On Valley Street between Temple and Church was The A&P and a liquor store. Only the liquior store remains. Today the facade has been remodeled and the A&p space is now occupied by the Food Co-op
So I say again as in the song
Where have all the people gone?
Threadcity.com Has been kind to share 3 galleries of Willimantic Redevelopment Pictures.Thank you Threadcity
http://www.threadcity.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=18&page=1
http://www.threadcity.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=18&page=2
http://www.threadcity.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=18&page=3
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