Picture Enfield - Then and Now

ENFIELD, CT — Today's installment of this weekly Enfield history series, courtesy of the Facebook group Picture Enfield, shows a photo taken in the early 1970s at the western end of Main Street, with Suffield in the background.

The bridge connecting Thompsonville to Suffield was imploded in 1971, following construction of the Route 190 bridge over the Connecticut River. In front of the old Bridge Package Store, a sign clearly indicates "Road Closed." The guardrail and the black and white barrier also are subtle hints that drivers may not want to proceed any further; however, if that wasn't enough, a sign declaring "Stop Ahead" lurks on a nearby utility pole.

I'm not certain of the make and model of the ark on the left edge of the photo, but I guarantee several impalement wounds were suffered by people attempting to pop the trunk.

The abutments which supported the bridge are still in place today. Here is a more recent view of the area, courtesy of Google Maps.

Last week's trivia answer:
Last week's trivia question was, "What was the original name of Interstate 91?" The answer: the Hartford-Springfield Expressway, constructed in the late 1950s during the Eisenhower administration.

This week's trivia question:
What Enfield High School graduate played football at Notre Dame and then professionally for the Detroit Lions? Post the answer in the comments section below, or on the Enfield Patch Facebook page.