I was born and raised in the 'Hardware City', New Britain CT. I moved away 15 years ago but I still have some fond memories. I certainly have some hard learned lessons.
At one time New Britain was a manufacturing mecca. They made everything there from beer
Automobiles,
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=w ... automobile)&rct=j&q=corbin+automobiles&ei=az73S6nkL8T6lweRz4niCg&usg=AFQjCNFcYRJ-BqlRYp8b4CLUIbHIfNW27A
scales,
egg beaters and well just about everything. Even geiger counters.
New Britain was home to manufacturing powerhouses like Stanley Tool,
Fafnir Bearing,
Corbin Lock,
and countless others. Trolleys ran through the city and the factories ran night and day. This one ran right down Main Street.
My Mother and her family lived thereall their lives. Heres my Grandfather on Arch Street in 1949.
Heres my Grandmother at the War Memorial at Walnut Hill Park, 1949
and my Mother on Arch Street, 1949.
It was a great place to live right up to the 1960's
In the 1970's the factories started leaving, along with the jobs. It was about that time the city decided that a highway through the city was just what we needed. I've been told by my elders that it was really all about construction project funding and greased palms.
Lots of buildings were torn down and the highway split the cty in two.
Worst of all in my young mind was the fact they ruined the bmx trail area not far from my house. I used to go there everyday.
Such is life I guess. Here are some New Britain landmarks CT residents might recognize.
Here's a place that makes world famous chili dogs. It's said they been offered a million dollars for their chili recipe.
St. Mary's Catholic Church where I was baptized.
Jimmy's Smoke Shop. Aplace to buy cigarettes, bus tickets, newspapers and adult magazines. They've been around forever.
Amato's hobby shop, a place to buy rockets train sets and model cars.
New Britain has a very large Polish community and this place makes the best kielbasa in town. That's saying something.
Here's the projects I used to live in. Kind of a tough neighborhood.
Here's some other vintage pics you guys might enjoy. Thanks!
Last but not least my 6th grade class pic. Guess which one is me.
At one time New Britain was a manufacturing mecca. They made everything there from beer
Automobiles,
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=w ... automobile)&rct=j&q=corbin+automobiles&ei=az73S6nkL8T6lweRz4niCg&usg=AFQjCNFcYRJ-BqlRYp8b4CLUIbHIfNW27A
scales,
egg beaters and well just about everything. Even geiger counters.
New Britain was home to manufacturing powerhouses like Stanley Tool,
Fafnir Bearing,
Corbin Lock,
and countless others. Trolleys ran through the city and the factories ran night and day. This one ran right down Main Street.
My Mother and her family lived thereall their lives. Heres my Grandfather on Arch Street in 1949.
Heres my Grandmother at the War Memorial at Walnut Hill Park, 1949
and my Mother on Arch Street, 1949.
It was a great place to live right up to the 1960's
In the 1970's the factories started leaving, along with the jobs. It was about that time the city decided that a highway through the city was just what we needed. I've been told by my elders that it was really all about construction project funding and greased palms.
Lots of buildings were torn down and the highway split the cty in two.
Worst of all in my young mind was the fact they ruined the bmx trail area not far from my house. I used to go there everyday.
Such is life I guess. Here are some New Britain landmarks CT residents might recognize.
Here's a place that makes world famous chili dogs. It's said they been offered a million dollars for their chili recipe.
St. Mary's Catholic Church where I was baptized.
Jimmy's Smoke Shop. Aplace to buy cigarettes, bus tickets, newspapers and adult magazines. They've been around forever.
Amato's hobby shop, a place to buy rockets train sets and model cars.
New Britain has a very large Polish community and this place makes the best kielbasa in town. That's saying something.
Here's the projects I used to live in. Kind of a tough neighborhood.
Here's some other vintage pics you guys might enjoy. Thanks!
Last but not least my 6th grade class pic. Guess which one is me.
