A large, grassy lot now sits adjacent to Windsor Avenue across from Allen and E. Wolcott Streets in Windsor. But at one time, it was one of the most popular areas in the Wilson neighborhood.
This detailed section from a Sanborn insurance map, produced in 1927 and updated in 1947, shows our block—five yellow buildings and one pink building along the east side of Windsor Ave., south of where Drake Street used to intersect. Among the stores here over the years were the Wilson Beauty Parlor, The Great A&P Tea Company, First National, and Bloom’s Grocery and Package stores. Deckers Brook flows behind the buildings and under the roads.
WHS collections 2018.48.1. Gift of MaryLou Peters.
Constable Maurice Kennedy views the scene sometime in the 1920s-early 1930s. We’re looking north towards where Deerfield Road curves off to the right. The Brewer Chevrolet dealership lies where Windsor Ave. will be extended and straightened in 1941. | WHS collections 1954.2.4.195, photo by William S. Leek.
1952. Onlookers gawk at a car accident that had just occurred in front of PX Restaurant. In the center of the photo stands the Polish National Home, established in 1945 as “a community and cultural center for the more than 1,000 Windsor residents of Polish heritage,” according to the Hartford Courant. | WHS collections 2000.30.224, detail. Photo courtesy of Julius Rusavage.
1964. The Sinick family opened the Wilson General Department Store at 436 Windsor Avenue in 1933. The store originally sold chicken feed and other agricultural products, but soon carried hardware, toys, clothes, and anything else you could think of. Sid Sinick, the son of the original owner, ran the store through the 1970s. He enjoyed talking to passersby as he swept the sidewalk outside his store. | WHS collections 2000.30.255. Photo courtesy of Julius Rusavage.
1979. Looking southeast. In 1978, the town bought the buildings in this block and demolished them as part of a large improvement project to alleviate persistent flooding from the nearby Deckers Brook. | WHS collections 1998.12.1.479. Photo by Adelbert Coe.
By Michelle Tom, librarian/archivist, 2018
Looking at these photos of Wilson Rt 159 Main Street Welded tears in my eyes. As a Young Boy who lived on Skitchewaug St from 4 years of age to my 50′ I went to The OLD ROGER WOLCOTT School both Buildings from Kindergarten through 6th Grade went to St Gertrudes Church the Old Church on Main Street Next to Faneuil St. There was a Protestant Church directly across that was later removed and put in place was LP Wilson Library. What was unique about Wilson it was a Village onto itself Let me tell you from a childs point of View . Wilson My Home Town was so unique .We wanted for nothing because we had every store available all in walking distance , you really didn’t even need a car. And of Course we had the Go to Store for Everything SIDS Hardware Store From us Kids stopping in the morning to buy waxed teeth to every novelty available to bring to school, We had the GREATEST Volunteer Fire Dept . Lets look back I remember our Great Halloween Parades marching up Windsor Aveune with Fire Trucks Lights Blazing Horns Blaring From Roger Wolcott up to the Firehouse were awaited for us Children Hotdogs Soda potato chips and Cartoons Played outdoors against the Firehouse Building and Christmas was just as wonderful with them Placing SANTA and his Reindeer on Top of the Firehouse with Rudolph with his Lighted RED NOSE Decorated Through our Town Christmas Tree ornaments and then the Parade with Santa on a Fire Truck going down Windsor ave from Roger Wolcott to the Firehouse were Santa awaited us to sit on his knee and tell him what we wanted then also was Hotdogs Candy Canes and Popcorn Balls the Smell of Pine Trees emulating from everywhere because we had several Christmas tree Spots to buy Real Christmas Trees People decorating their Homes. The Obviance was intoxicating. What ever happened to People Community It saddens my Heart That it know longer is,. But my heart Leaps with joy even of the memory I was so privy too .How LUCKY I AM or We all were to lived during that time. As for the Brook being Widened Well I disgust that in another article right now I’m Celebrating my Town Wilson The Greatest place on Earth to grow up in.
I really enjoy the different stories of old Windsor Thank you
Wilson General…..the only place for Chuck Taylor Cons: $10.95. EVERYONE had ’em.
Also remember biking down there to trade coins at the Stamp & Coin Store.
Never forget the gatherings after Window High home varsity football and basketball games at the then-new McDonald’s, now Windsor Pizza Palace.
Best of all was the Wilson Fire Dept Fireman’s Annual Carnival every year. It was like half an acre, but was bigger than Disneyland to us!