Where Was this Photograph Taken?

If you think you know the answer or have a special memory related to the photo, respond in the "Leave a comment" box below this article. We'll run the answer next Monday, along with a new historical photo. The image has been provided by the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society. For more information on the museum's collection and programs, visit www.noahwebsterhouse.org.

Last week's questions was "What Organization Fixed These Road?" and it seemed like it was going to be one of the more difficult ones to answer.

Lew Block's comment, "Obviously there was NO organization that fixed roads!" was probably what most people thought. It was not even obvious that this was a road.

On Monday evening, Jeff Murray commented, "I knew the name at one time before, but the name has slipped from my mind. The only piece of information I can provide is irrelevant, and it's that this is a picture of Newington Road, before it was what we consider a "road," probably before the 1890-1900s, when roads were macadamized." Jeff, you are absolutely right that this photo was taken on Newington Road.

It was Tracey Wilson who had the correct answer about the organization. On Thursday she wrote, "I believe it is the Village Improvement Society, though I picture them fixing Farmington Avenue and making sidewalks there in the 1890s and the early 1900s. I would defer to Jeff on this being Newington Road."

According to the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society, the correct answer is: "In response to terrible road conditions like those seen in this image taken on Newington Road, the Village Improvement Society was formed in 1878. This volunteer effort raised funds and began efforts to pave streets and sidewalks."