Norfolk Then . . .
The auction is about to begin, as potential buyers browse among an assortment of furniture in front of George W. Scoville’s store on Greenwoods Road near the corner of the Green. Scoville was a dealer in furniture and upholstery as well as town undertaker and funeral director. The store no longer stands, but Scoville’s house, […]
Norfolk Then . . .
When the railroad was constructed in Norfolk, it was necessary to build several crossings, such as the bridge over Litchfield Road seen in the background of this photograph. The house in the foreground, still standing opposite the entrance to Mountain Road, was the home of postmaster Leo Curtiss and called Twin Willows. The railroad route […]
Norfolk Then…
Freight trains lumbered through Norfolk on a daily basis in the early 20th century, transporting anthracite coal from Pennsylvania. The trains could be more than 20 cars long and usually required a second engine or pusher to get the heavy load up the hills to Norfolk. The freight station, pictured on the right, was […]
Norfolk Then . . .
One of the earliest photographs of Norfolk was taken in 1878 from the location of the present post office. It shows a barren village center. Visible in the background are familiar Norfolk landmarks: the Congregational Church and Whitehouse. Buildings such as the Royal Arcanum that now line Station Place had yet to be built, and […]
Norfolk Then . . .
This 1917 photograph is a timely reminder of the long struggle fought by many dedicated women for basic civil liberties, including the right to own property, hold public office, sit on juries, participate in public assemblies and vote. The group of 25 suffragists—20 women and five men—gathered on the porch following their meeting with Congressman […]
Norfolk Then . . .
The precursor to the Honor Roll Monument on the village green was this rustic log structure designed by architect Alfredo Taylor in 1946 to commemorate those who served in World War II. Four Norfolk men were killed following our country’s entrance into that war after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, 75 years ago. Three of […]
Norfolk Then . . .
Before centralization, the Norfolk district school system included eleven grammar schools, each managed by a local school committee. Schoolhouses were simple one-room structures with a wood stove providing heat. The North Middle School pictured here still stands at the corner of Ashpohtag and Bald Mountain Roads. The district schools served a varying number of children, […]
Norfolk Then . . .
Planning a road trip to take in the fall foliage? In the early 1900’s, renting a touring car from A. P. Curtiss may have been an attractive option. When automobiles appeared on the streets of Norfolk, Augustus P. Curtiss converted the stable housing his horse and carriage livery business to a garage stocked with cars […]
Norfolk Then . . .
In 1900, the Collar Brothers store stood west of the intersection of Greenwoods Road and Maple Avenue adjacent to the Norfolk Library. The old store had been built in 1843 and occupied by a series of merchants. The Collar Brothers advertised boots, shoes and groceries, as well as dry goods and notions (sewing accessories such […]
Norfolk Then
One of Marie Kendall’s most beloved photographs shows a group of Norfolk men working out at the Eldridge Gymnasium (now Town Hall) in 1896. Some have been identified, such as John DePeu, bearded pastor of the Church of Christ, balancing on the parallel bars. Perhaps these men were inspired by the first modern Olympic Games, […]
