Picture Enfield - Then And Now

ENFIELD, CT — Today's look back into Enfield history transports us to nearly a century ago, courtesy of the generosity of the family of Stanley Dynia, a renowned local historian whose photo collection is, to say the least, extensive. This scene captures the July 1, 1923 opening of the Polish National Home, at the corner of Alden Avenue and Church Street in Thompsonville.

The building was financed by the sale of shares in the club, at $5 per share, with buyers becoming voting members. The building, featuring huge arch windows, chandeliers and a real opera stage, was used for many events, particularly live music from polka bands.

The dress and decor is unlike anything that would be seen today. The words "Wawel 1923" are visible on the top of the building facing Church Street. Those words remain today; in fact, the upstairs Grand Ballroom is named Wawel Hall. Also of interest is the word "Fireworks" appearing in two spots on the Alden Ave. side.

Three businesses occupy the premises today: Old Country Banquets, with the 300-person capacity Grand Ballroom and a 100-person capacity Gathering Hall on the first floor; Smoke BBQ, a cafe-deli right on the corner at ground level; and Pierogi Queen, a specialized bakery which makes two products – 26 different kinds of traditional Polish pierogi, and Nalesniki – Crepes, or French-style pancakes.

Here are some photos of the businesses as they appear today, courtesy of owner Sasha Skerla.

Last week's trivia answer:
Last week's trivia question was, "The Presidential section of Enfield, off Abbe Rd., contains 15 streets named after U.S. presidents. How many different Presidential surnames may be found on town streets outside of the Presidential area? Do not count duplicates; for example, Grant Ave. and Grant St. count as one name, and Roosevelt Boulevard counts as one name despite having two different presidents with that name." The answer: 13, which are shown below, along with facts about each president. The first person to correctly figure out the answer was Sharon Mucci.

George Washington, 1st President, 1789-1797
(also George Washington Rd. and South George Washington Rd.)

John Adams, 2nd President, 1797-1801
John Quincy Adams, 6th President, 1825-1829

Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President, 1801-1809

James Madison, 4th President, 1809-1817

Andrew Jackson, 7th President, 1829-1837

William Henry Harrison, 9th President, 1841
Benjamin Harrison, 23rd President, 1889-1893

Zachary Taylor, 12th President, 1849-1850
(also Taylor Court)

Franklin Pierce, 14th President, 1853-1857

Abraham Lincoln, 16th President, 1861-1865

Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President, 1869-1877
(also Grant Rd.)

James Garfield, 20th President, 1881

Chester Arthur, 21st President, 1881-1885

Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President, 1901-1909
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd President, 1933-1945
(Photos: Tim Jensen/Patch)

This week's trivia question:
In a similar vein, how many Enfield streets bear the ACTUAL first names (not nicknames) of U.S. first ladies? Hint: Eleanor Rd. does not count because Eleanor Roosevelt's real first name was Anna. Betty and Bess roads are also eliminated (nicknames). Post the answer in the comments section below, or on the Enfield Patch Facebook page.

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