Our Friday series has flashed back once or twice to the construction of Parker Harding Plaza.
But with the much-disliked-but-also-much-used parking lot (not really a “plaza”) back in the news, it’s time to take another look back.
Parker Harding — named for Emerson Parker and Evan Harding, civic leaders who had a hand in its creation — was built on landfill, in the postwar years when Westport was growing like lanternflies.
From the beginning of Main Street in the 1700s through the 1950s, the Saugatuck River lapped up against the backs of buildings on its west side — first homes, then businesses.
It may have been picturesque. But the sewage pipes that emptied directly into the river were definitely not.
Here is what construction of the then-modern, much-needed parking area looked like:
(Photo courtesy of Christopher Maroc)
John and Mary Kowalsky, watching Kowalsky Brothers equipment create Parker Harding Plaza. (Photo courtesy of Christopher Maroc)
(Photo courtesy of Jim Ezzes)
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I remember the Kowalsky and their excellent reputation for work done with dedication to taking care to do things right. Great memory.
Evan Harding was a local legend in the landscaping world.
That definitely looks like Mary Kowalsky, who lived across the street from us on South Morningside Drive for 25 + years, but her husband was named Paul. She was a fantastic bowler too!
It was actually 30 years.
It must have been wonderful back in the days before there were 30 layers of approval needed to do anything. I’m guessing that the majority of Westporters today would be against such a disruption of the natural habitat.
Hey Bill, when you know better you do better, right?