Here’s a great image of the Post Road — then called State Street — from the 1940s.
(Photo/Peter Barlow)
The far left shows the area where Capuli restaurant and Pastificio are today. Further east is the 2-story building that houses Field Trip jerky. Beyond that was a gas station; now it’s Finalmente and Jeera Thai.
Peter Barlow was a teenager when he took the shot. He stood where Connecticut National Bank — which eventually morphed into Bank of America — would later be built. Back then, it was trees and grass.
Peter explains: “I took this picture with my drugstore camera, hastily because I wanted to catch that station wagon which was already obsolete.
“It was probably a Ford. But I never knew, because the 2 x 3 inch photo was soon lost — only to be discovered recently when it could be enlarged in my computer.
“What I see now is some vintage architecture on the other side of the street. I have always been curious about that building with the main part and entrance set back with two sides jutting forward to make a triangular patio. This concept is still there, but modified.
“At the time of the picture, this was J. Vaast Cadillac & Olds. The triangular patio may have been for parking cars, since there is a car there in the picture (a rather elegant sedan, with an encased spare tire in the fender well. But it’s a Chrysler, not a Cadillac.)
“Immediately down the road we see a jewelry store, a Western Auto store (with the 9-shaped sign), a restaurant and gas station.
“Not long after the photo was taken, the Cadillac & Olds dealer moved up the Post Road where they would be for 60 more years (in the spot where Terrain is now).
“Western Auto also moved up the Post Road near Rayfield Place, and became a favorite ‘guy store.'” (Concidentally, today it is 5 Guys.)
“The building with the triangular patio became home to 2 photographic shops, an Army Navy store, S & M Pizza (!) and many others.”
(Most “06880” readers’ memories are not as long as Peter’s; he’s in his 90s. But if you recall that stretch of the Post Road — from any era — click “Comments” below.)
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