Tuesday’s weather — the first significant snowfall in over 2 years — reminded us that despite climate change, we still can get whacked.
There was a lot more snow in the 1930s, when this photo was taken. It was before 1938 — the year the Merritt Parkway opened, which itself was 20 years prior to I-95 (known then as the Connecticut Turnpike or “Thruway”).
The Post Road was the only way to drive between New York and New Haven (and points beyond, like Hartford and Boston). Traffic — including trucks — was terrible, folks who remember those days say.
Our current woes, in other words, are not new.
Look closely at the vehicles in the image above. They had none of the modern safety features we rely on today. You needed chains on tires. Wipers, heaters and defrosters worked poorly.
It didn’t look the plow guys had been out, either.
So the next time you’re stuck at that terrible Post Road West/Riverside Avenue/ Wilton Road corner, think about those folks in the 1930s.
It was a long way to Boston.
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Every one of my previous comments have centered on the fact that before 1957, when 18 wheel vehicles went through the center of town makes traffic today seem like heaven on earth!
Before the official opening of the Merritt Parkway, it opened one town at a time as it was built. When all the cars got off at Westport that was probably the worst traffic the town has known.
I love when you post the old photos! Thank you
I love the old photos! It looks like some of the architecture hasn’t changed.
Hey Dan, Great photo! One of the newer cars looks to be of early ’30’s vintage. I would love to examine the original image. My Uncle would tell me of the really brutal conditions experienced when working for the town maintenance crew.
Note the passenger vehicle cutting in front of the “Swift” truck. Apparently folks were even using the left hand turn lane to go straight thru back in the 1930s!! lol…..
The “Swift” truck is Swift&Co, a meat packing company out of Boston (and Albany). They sold meat, butter, and other grocery supplies- Peter Pan peanut butter and later Butterball turkey. They are now JBS. Interestingly the name Swift was purchased for use on Swift Transportation (the trucking company that often gets made fun of for their driving; they’re one of the few trucking companies that will hire drivers with very little experience). The poor driver in that truck was probably on the road for many hours by the time he got to Westport!
So, let us remember this photo when the bitching about today’s traffic and bad drivers begins again on 06880.