This is the third story in “06880”‘s series highlighting Westport’s roads.
Quintard Place is a small dead-end street, off South Maple Avenue not far from the Post Road. It’s near the northern edge of Greens Farms.
Quintard Place (red balloon) is a quiet street — but not far from the Post Road.
It’s easy to miss. That’s fine, according to the people who live there. Today — as in the 1950s and ’60s — kids of various ages play together. It’s a true neighborhood.
Melanie Heiser, her husband and young child moved there in 2014. Since then, they’ve added 3 more kids to the neighborhood.
“It’s an amazing street, with wonderful people,” she says. “We have block parties, as long as someone is willing to host.”
Quintard Place (Photo courtesy of Google Street View)
Two of Westport’s most beloved men were longtime Quintard Place residents.
Art Marciano taught elementary school for many years. He died 2 years ago this month. His wife Suse still lives in the house where they raised 2 boys.
George “Nooky” Powers lived there too. A star athlete at Staples in the 1930s, and a World War II veteran, he was a mail carrier whose route was nearby.
Those were the days when many more teachers and postal workers — and police officers, firefighters, Public Works employees and other men and women vital to our town — lived and raised families here. They were part of the fabric. They did not leave when their shift was done.
Nancy Powers with her dad, George.
Nooky’s daughter Nancy Powers Conklin remembers her childhood well. She writes:
When I grew up, there were just 8 homes on the street. Still, quite a few kids lived in those homes. Most of the time we all played together.
It was a private road, so there was very little traffic. We rode our bikes up and down, and cars knew to look out for us.
Nancy Powers learned to ride a 2-wheeler in the middle of Quintard Place. Some of the hedges still remain.
We played with twin boys –Brian and Kenny Grant — and their older brother Bobby. Whether it was baseball, football, running bases or Mother May I, we all had fun. When there was no one around to play with, I climbed trees and played in the woods at the end of the street.
A circle at the end of the street had trees in it. Cars drove down the street and went around the circle when they realized there was no outlet. The “circle” became a meeting place to decide what we were going to do. Sometimes it became a make-believe cabin where we played house.
On the other side of the street, we played football and baseball in a big field. I learned how to hit a baseball in my back yard with my father as my instructor. Once I learned, the boys let me play with them.
Nancy Powers and her sister Diana in their front yard on Easter Sunday, 1957.
Neighborhood kids met in the Souppas’ yard to decide what game we would play. Giant Steps and Red Rovers were favorites. They were lots of fun.
Growing up on Quintard Place was great. I have no complaints. It was my childhood, and I was with my friends. What more could a kid want?
So where did Quintard Place get its name? The Quintard family made its mark in Stamford. There are streets named for them there, and in Norwalk, Old Greenwich and Rye. If you know of the Quintards’ Westport connections, click “Comments” below.
If you’d like your street featured on “06880,” email dwoog@optonline.net,
Isaac Quintard was born in Stamford in 1781.
Ralph Soupa and I think Ed Carlson lived on the street in the 1950s and 1960s. Ralph was my age, so he’d be 72 this year. I remember we’d play baseball somewhere there.
Arthur Marciano was a kind, gentle and supremely gifted teacher and human being. I attended Kings Highway Elementary and it is not unfair to say that I had many “problems”. As an adult I’ve fairly recently been diagnosed with ADHD and mild bipolar depression. I’m sure these “issues” go back to my early youth. Anyway, being fortunate enough to attend Me. Marciano’s 6th grade class was like entering heaven. He could only see the positive in stark contrast to every teacher I’d had previously. His gifts were not only given to me, but to every classmate as well. He prepared me well for leaving my troubled past behind and for a positive school experience where I was able to connect and learn from my teachers. I well remember the day his 1st child, Tristan was born in 1964. I will never forget the joy he shared with us I think of Mr. Marciano every time I indulge in a moment of love and pride at my own two sons. Dan, how wonderful it is that you have shared and evoked memories of this wonderful person. I also remember Nookie Powers because he, like most other policemen of his time were classmates of My mother’s. I confined my misdeeds to the classroom because I knew from experience that Nookie, George Ward and George Marks would get to her before I did. I was raised by these men and that has kept me out of trouble.
Nancy, I love your vintage pics.
I did some history on 5 Quintard Place and found that in 1938 a John H. Quintard sold lot number 3 to Charles and Velma Frybarger. I have not checked the other lots on the Place yet but if anyone is interested I can.
Thanks, Bob. Was it called Quintard Place then?
The land was originally owned by the Jennings family and sold to Mr Quintard @ 1939. He subdivided into 8 lots. All of them sold for $1,000 My father bought lot #5 in ‘49 from Nellie Galaske for $1,000 after turning down her offer to sell both #5 and #6 for the princely sum of $1,500. When John H Quintard died I believe he was residing in Norwalk. The northerly 800 foot length of the road was owned by Peter and Alice Oleinik. They had fruit trees and vegetable gardens but they kept half of their property open fields for all of us kids to enjoy. Mr Oleinik would cut the field with his tractor and our “rent” for the use of his field was to rake up the hay. Very much enjoyed Nancy’s recollections. Her mother Virginia “Jinx” Powers was a lovely person and accomplished athlete too.
Was Diana Powers in the Staples class of 1967? That was my class and I think I remember her. What class was Nancy?
All I know is.. this is fabulous. For us history freaks, this is like food..no.. it’s like dessert!! To hear from people like Nancy Powers and Bob Grant, who grew up here and can give this kind of color for generations to come is absolutely priceless. I’ve thanked Dan several times for this great blog and he says “we should all be thanked”.. I think he is right.. thanks, everybody.. this is precious information!!
Bonnie, my sister Diana, graduated in 1967 with you, I believe. I was in the class of ’69, two years later. I think I played basketball with you, Bonnie with Miss Farriss coaching, in ’66-67. I was on the JV team.
Thank you Nancy. I knew both names sounded familiar. Thanks for clearing up my foggy mind lol.
Thank you for capturing such a great snap shot of the sense of the neighborhood feel that is a throw back to the days I think we all crave but still exists on Quintard Place! Did you know you could also live on this street you are reading about! Check out 5 Quintard Place. The original splendor still exists!
https://compass.com/listing/253727054174918369/view?agent_id=5bede5cc9474a841ee884d8d
My kids grew up on Quintard Place, we lived there for 20 years. It was such a wonderful place to raise a family. Even though we moved off the street in 2006, we remain close friends, still enjoying yearly traditions together.
I don’t know if this is the exact street or another coming off of S. Maple Avenue, but when I was in 5th grade in 1958, my sister and I took piano lessons with a Miss Cerullo, who lived with her parents and taught piano lessons in the living room. She also taught a music theory class in the basement, which was finished and had a blackboard. Once or twice a year her students and their parents would pack the living room to show off their accomplishments.
its a very nice street with nice families.
Kathy Ross’ comment reminds me that by 1984 Quintard (with the exception of the teenagers Lori & Debbie Christ) was getting pretty long in the tooth. Then, we enjoyed a renaissance of children led by the Yearwoods, Stackhouses, Sutkas, Cohens and Cliff and Kathy Ross. They created their own memories every bit as special as mine and Nancy’s . And, Lori Christ Siegel has also returned and is raising her family from her original Quintard home