Picture Enfield - Then and Now

ENFIELD, CT — Today's look back at Enfield history takes us once again to a great book of photographs from the 1880s through 1950s, entitled Images of America: Enfield Connecticut. The book was compiled in 1998 by Michael Miller for the Enfield Historical Society.

On page 97, we find the Scitico School at 2 Broad Brook Rd. Built in 1854 (town land records say 1850), the 2,187 square-foot structure originally hosted classes on the first floor and religious services on the second. Later, grades 1 through 6 were taught there, with the three older grades on the second floor.

After being taken out of service as a school, the building was turned over to Enfield Grange 151 in 1965. It served as the organization's meeting hall for 45 years until the group disbanded in 2010. The building's ownership reverted back to the town at that time, and it was put on the market several times in the following decade with no success.

Last July, American Rehab LLC bought the boarded-up property for $49,850, after signing an "as is" rider. Owner Tom Foy also signed a declaration of restrictive covenants, a document which indicates the historic integrity of the exterior of the building must remain intact.

For the first time in its 170-year history, the building is being converted to a private residence. Foy told Patch the project is about halfway completed, and he submitted the photo below, showing the work in progress.

Last week's trivia answer:
Last week's trivia question was, "What team won seven championships in the Enfield Flag Football League?" The correct answer is the Digger's/HazardVilla Dawgs, which won several titles as Digger's Dawgs, and others as the HazardVilla Dawgs after Digger's was raide ... ummmm, I mean ... when Digger's closed down. League sponsors included Somers Rug, Thompsonville Electric, South End Package Store, Jiggy's, 190 East Lounge and Eddie's Sporting Goods, owned by "The Mayor of Brainerd Park," league commissioner Eddie Lapponese. Some people had partial correct answers, but Jack Clarkin was the first one with the exact correct response. Thanks to Carl Sarno for providing this program from the 1985 All-Star Game and Super Bowl III, featuring several players and officials who are unfortunately no longer with us.

This week's trivia question:
The bell atop the Scitico School currently is located at what town school? Post the answer in the comments section below, or on the Enfield Patch Facebook page, or on the You're Probably From Enfield If Facebook page, or by emailing me directly at tim.jensen@patch.com. The first person to correctly answer the question without blatantly Googling, copying and pasting the answer, as well as gives their actual name, will be acknowledged the following week.

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