Waterbury is a city of neighborhoods. Their distinctive character, shaped by the history and geography of the city, has led residents to form an unusual loyalty to their neighborhood.
Vibrant ethnic communities distinguished the city neighborhoods. Clusters of shops at the street corners offered neighborhood residents everything they could desire, creating villages within the city. For many people, home, work and community life was contained within their neighborhood.
In the 19th century, the city grew with the success of the local brass industry. From a population of 5,000 in 1850, Waterbury grew to more than 100,000 residents in 1920. By the end of the 19th century, the neighborhoods of Waterbury had scaled the hills, with new homes rising higher on the ridgeline each decade.
In the 19th century, the city grew with the success of the local brass industry. From a population of 5,000 in 1850, Waterbury grew to more than 100,000 residents in 1920. By the end of the 19th century, the neighborhoods of Waterbury had scaled the hills, with new homes rising higher on the ridgeline each decade.
In an era before the automobile, residents walked to work, church and shopping, so the neighborhoods were compact. The population density in Waterbury was nearly 3,200 people per square mile in 1920, when many families occupied triple deckers and multi-family “blocks”. Many of the new residents were immigrants attracted to jobs in the expanding brass mills. They brought distinctive traditions to the shops, churches and clubs that clustered in the lively neighborhoods of Waterbury.
Some Waterbury neighborhood names: Bucks Hill, Bunker Hill, Gilmartin, Hillside, Hopeville, The North End, Out East, Town Plot, Washington Hill
Click on COMMENTS below to post your memories of your Waterbury neighborhood in the ‘50s, ‘60s, or ‘70s, and include your e-mail address at the end if you would like to connect with other former Waterburians who may stop by. Select the Comment as: Name/URL option to post your comments.
Use the Comment as: Name/URL option to post your memories of your Waterbury neighborhood in the ‘50s, ‘60s, or ‘70s here.
ReplyDeleteI lived at 53 Fuller St. It was a six family block with Coyle's Tavern on the first floor, left side of the building. It was like "Cheers" where everybody knows your name. Emerald St. was a right turn nearby. Danny the ice man would deliver ice to the bar using a horse drawn cart.
DeleteJust thinking about the old Fran and Jack's that was in waterville, they made the best grinders!!!
DeleteI was born in Waterbury and lived, until 1954, at 97 Fuller st . In a 3 story, 6 family brown building. My name is Ralph. I was a frequent customer and general nuisance at Rizzos store. I haven’t lived in Ct. since that time. Went to college, went into the army and then to career in Fed. Gov. Living all those years in Virginia. I look at Waterbury now and remember the old days and people who lived there when I did.. Times have sure changed.
DeletePS. I remember Coyles
DeleteWashington Hill Neighborhood Memories:
ReplyDeleteWashington Hill was a blue collar middle class family neighborhood in the '40 & '50s. Most of the men worked at one of the brass mills that gave Waterbury its "Brass City" nickname, or at the nearby Waterbury Button Co. on South Main Street, and lived with their families in a two or three family house. The children went to school at either the Washington School or St. Francis Xavier School, and walked to the Cameo Theater on Baldwin Street to see Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Gene Autry, and Roy Rogers on Saturday afternoons. They played on the swings, see-saws, monkey bars and the World War I German Krups cannon at the playground and cooled off in the wading pool in Washington Park on Sylvan Avenue in the summer. Many Washington Hill boys played football and stickball in the Mulcahy schoolyard on Fairmount Street in the ‘50s, when the building was used as a schoolbook storage warehouse. The women dried the laundry on backyard clotheslines and phoned in their grocery orders for delivery to the house from one of the neighborhood markets on Baldwin Street.
Baldwin Street was Washington Hill's "Main Street" for decades. Some neighborhood businesses on Baldwin Street in the 1950s: Cameo/Win Theater, Harmon's Tavern, DeRosa Furniture, (George) Corey's Market, Dunphy's Pharmacy, Brophy's Market, Kelly Funeral Home, Hogan's Restaurant, (Marshall) Matney's Market, Washington Hill Pharmacy (Bernie Litsky & Emil Bria), Simpson's Market, Patsy's Barber Shop (Patsy Iacovino), a Fulton Market, McGrath's Tavern, (Ray) Cruess's Market, (George) Hatch's Radio & TV Repair, a First National Store (became Gracie's Superette), (Sam) Pisani's Tailor Shop, Cadet Liquor Shoppe, Lou's Market (Lou Ciarlone), (Richard) Derouin's Flower Shop, Pay-Less Laundromat, (Paul) Lord’s Sunoco Service Station, Haddad's Corner Market, and the (Leon & Michael) Dervis Brothers' Market.
I live at 156 baldwin st
DeleteWe Waterburians are blessed to have individuals to take the time to write vivid detailed memories. To know the first names of the business owners 50+ years beforehand, is remarkable.
DeleteI lived for 14 years in the intellectual part of Waterbury, Washington Hill -- an area where men were men and so were half the women. It was a hotbed of Irish influence in the 1950s. Almost all of us went to St. Francis Xavier School on Baldwin Street. I was one of the heathens in the Washington public school, however. I went to religious instructions on Thursday afternoons, Saturday mornings and Sunday, after Mass. This is principally why I’m such a sterling fellow today.
ReplyDeleteThere were and still are nicknames on “the Hill“: Bibber, Mudder, Gizzo, Bobbo, Buster, Happy, Neddy, Cabbage Head, Dogface, Horse, Packy, Tocko, Joe-Joe the Louse and other colorful sobriquets.
I remember those days at Washington park, went to Washington school and used to hang out at Washington park community house and the basketball courts and baseball fields and the cannon! Ice skating in the winter at the park , Bibber Goggins used to run the community house.Graduated Washington school 1965 Wilby 1969 then joined the Navy….Thanks for the memories!!!!
DeleteIn 1951 the ultimate Waterburian, Sugar Ray Behr, was born into this city at St. Mary’s Hospital. I lived on River Street for five years, attended St. Francis Xavier Church on Baldwin Street, and played in my yard near Pope’s Garage and the Mad River. Across the street Grandma Bonacassio lived; her house smelled like an Italian restaurant, sauce simmering on the pot belly stove, sausage, meatballs, mushrooms, pork sautéing, the aroma of garlic and spices made my eyes water.
ReplyDeleteIn 1957 I moved to the Bucks Hill section of Waterbury, a project named Broadview Acres. What a place to live! In my court alone, there had to be fifty kids to hang with and just imagine… there had to be 100 of these courts: a lot of friends and a wonderland of adventures. These projects were located near farms with woods that went as far as the Waterville section of Waterbury. We climbed and caught snakes on Grey Stone Mountain. We rode in a raft on a nearby pond, imagining that we were Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. We built forts, traveled on sleds down the hills that seem to never end, and rode three on a bike down North Main Street or Boyden Street, with no fear or apprehension. We played football, baseball, and/or basketball everyday; there was never a shortage of kids who wanted to compete.
At age fourteen, I left the projects and moved to our new home on South Elm Street. It was located a few yards from Catholic High and St. Anne’s School, where my sisters and brothers attended. I had to walk the farthest to Wilby High on Grove Street. It seemed my life always brought me back to the South End section of Waterbury.
I went to Bucks Hill school at around the same time! Do you remember Mr Muraska - 7th grade? I had him - took me years of therapy to get past that. But I remember Grey Stone Mt and receiving 1st Holy Communion at St Michael's when it was still in Waterville! And, oh Lord, yes! The Projects. Are they still there? Do you remember the grinders at Kressge's for .29? And the sundaes they had? Waterbury shopping Plaza? I remember eating a Hubie's long before there was a McDonald's and special dinners at Larson's on Friday nights. The $2.99 baked stuffed lobster? I have never recovered. I only lived in Waterbury for 11 years, but they formed so much of my life after that.
DeleteThank you, exwaterburian, for giving me back my childhood!
Mr Muraska "stop the nonsense!" And "whats a metaphor? To keep the cows in" he was crazy i had him for seventh grade 1981 at west side middle
DeleteMr Muraska
Delete“LINE PLUS 10 SENTENCES” or
“SOUND PLUS 10 SENTENCES” !!!
That bastard ripped the shirt off my chest because, while I was at the chalk board I couldn’t write some math formula, so he jacked me up! He made the girls go down to the home economics room for some thread and needles for them to sew my buttons back on and repair the tears in my shirt! My parents didn’t even bring charges against him.
Other than that jerk, BUCK’S HILL and the Broadview Acres project was the best place to be a child.
I was born in Waterbury in 1951. I lived with my parents on Stiles Street in the Hopeville neighborhood in the South End.
ReplyDeleteAs a kid, I explored my neighborhood on bicycle and on foot. I thought I had a pretty good handle on Hopeville, at least the part that was in the immediate vicinity of my home. So, I was very surprised to discover an old postcard on eBay that had a picture of the first Diamond Bottling Corp. office that was made of ginger ale bottles and claimed that the “Althea Spring“ was the source of the water they used to make Diamond Ginger Ale (click on my name to see the card).
Diamond Bottling was located on South Main Street at the bottom of the hill on which I lived. My first memory of Diamond Bottling was standing next to their plant with my Dad on the afternoon of August 19, 1955 as the waters of the Naugatuck River, which was across the street from the Diamond Bottling plant, receded after flooding and devastating the valley that day.
In later years, while I was exploring the neighborhood, I occasionally revisited the Diamond plant and on some of my visits, a kindly Diamond worker offered me a bottle of my favorite beverage, Pal soda, which was an non-carbonated orange drink.
In all my explorations, I never encountered the spring or building depicted in the postcard. After doing some research, I was reminded that the block-long Althea Street was located right behind the bottling plant and that circa 1900, Althea Park occupied about a quarter-mile square section of Hopeville that has long been occupied by homes. That is all I know Althea-wise.
Was there an old ice cream shop, or candy store etc where Top O The Mornin is now? Current address is 2740 S. Main. My 5 year old son said as we pulled up to grab breakfast, that it use to be an ice cream shop. My wife asked the owner and he said it was. But probably not for 35 40 years. Looking for any information. Thanks
DeleteI grew up on Pearl St. during the 40s & 50s,what golden times those were. Every Saturday morning the New York Bakery would slowly come up the street and sell freshly baked pastries to all the many families on the street. I also remember the rag man, the vegetable man, and the milkman. Those were times when kids played outside and didn’t have to be entertained by TV or video games. Fulton Park was our big adventure every day. We roamed the park, played baseball, fished, and just hung around that beautiful place with its ponds, flowers, and playgrounds. Many regulars were there - Billie Reardon, Bobby Prillig, Skeets, and those great Marinaro Bros.
ReplyDeleteHey good memories, grew up on Hawkins street in the 1950’s and went to Bishop school and hung out at Fulton park. Thanks for the memories!!
DeleteI went to grammar school in Town Plot at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School. That’s where the Italian kids went to school then, which was kind of silly seeing that the St. Joseph parochial school was about 6 houses from my house in Brooklyn. I did go bowling at St. Joe's though. The best chocolate covered doughnuts came from the Brooklyn Bakery and the best grinders from Rocco’s, which was directly across the street from my house. You could get a grinder, a bag of chips and a Coke for a buck. Those were the days!!!
ReplyDeleteI plan on doing a history of the East End. Everyone seems to talk about the North, South, and West ends, and Downtown, leaving the East End, IMO, as the forgotten part of Waterbury. I grew up in the Fairlawn section of the East End and it was a great experience!!! My family emigrated from Co. Kerry to the East End in the early 1850s and my grandfather started Corden's Mkt. in 1904 on the corner of East Main and Wolcott Streets across from Sacred Heart Church.
ReplyDeleteDid you ever write this history? I would be interested in reading it. My family lived in the East End but we left for California when I was 9 years old.
DeleteJust came across this page. Would love to read more about out east and of our family. Peace
DeleteI grew up on Alexander ave in the east end of waterbury. Off of meriden Road. Pik quik was the supermarket there. Lived at Townsend Park (IE Sloping acres) during summers playing all day. Went to grammar school (k-8) at East Farms School and then 2 years at the old crosby high school downtown and then two years at the one on piedmont road. I left waterbury many years ago but have fond memories of all the neighborhood kids and all of playing we used to do
DeleteDid you happen to ever jump off a cliff for an orange, or ride on the hood of a car as it sped down the street? I won't even ask about "davignent". Ha HAAAAA
DeleteI was Waterbury born and bred and spent 50 years of my life living and working there. I grew up in the Fairmount and Waterville section of town and still have great memories of those places. Ice skating in Waterville park in the winter, movies at the Ville on Sunday afternoons, swimming at Slade’s Pond on hot summer days. Waterville back in the 50's and 60's was it's own little world, Babe’s grinders, Fran and Jack’s, Fabian’s Pizza, Joe’s barber shop, Kramer’s, Mickey’s, Haggerty’s drug store, Waterville Park, the Post Office, The Ville, the Firehouse, The Trio, St. Mike’s, Sprague School and so much more.
ReplyDeleteAwesome-What memories it evoked: Parents George and Mildred Curley-So Main St till 54 then Fairmont in Waterville. SFX-(55) Srs Louisa, Ladislaw, Stanislaus, Genevieve! Saturdays at the Win double features, Washington Park, Catholic High (59) Ambrosians with Mother St Reine, awful gym outfits/uniforms, great education, St. Michael’s CYO! St. Mary's School of Nursing (62), Life lessons in compassion and caring for one's fellow man, great Docs- the Audets, Moore, Lebreque, Warren, Standard. Other touchstones Mulligan’s (owned by an uncle), The Green-especially at Christmas. Have been in No VA since 71 but Wtby will always be "home" kaynicholas@verizon.net
ReplyDeleteI remember Freddie’s Joke Shop in the North Square. We used to go there before we went to the Carroll Theater and buy sneezing powder and stinky stuff and throw it around the theater while the movie was playing. Roger Mahan, the owner of the Carroll, would go crazy trying to find out who was throwing the stuff around.
ReplyDeleteI also remember the Fulton Park Drugstore run by John Jalcow. They had a great soda fountain and he made the best cherry and vanilla cokes and other great drinks. I still remember him behind the counter with a cigar in his mouth.
I grew up at 14 Bishop St, a three story walkup right next door to the Carroll theater and across the street from Phil Becker's restaurant. Spent many a Saturday, all day for 25 cents at the theater. I remember Mr Flynn (Mgr) and Mr Mahan. In the summer they left the rear stage door ajar for air and it was was pretty easy to sneak in and watch the movies for free. Had almost forgotten about Freddies Joke shop until you mentioned it. Brandolini's was my drug store of choice, on the corner of Bishop and Hawkins St. They made a awesome hot fudge sundae and vanilla coke. Nothing is left of my old neighborhood except what was the Baptist Church across the alley..it's now a Moose Lodge I believe? The entire corner of Bishop and North Main was torn down and turned into a park, including Goldman's junk yard where half the neighborhood kids played when they were closed. Good times, never forgotten.
DeleteJB grew up on Central Ave in the 40's and 50's. Daily walks up to St. Margaret's School on Willow, back home for lunch, then the return afternoon trip. Neighborhood kids all played in Hayden Park and put on shows in the summer. Proceeds went to buy CARE packages. Frequent trips to the museum (old site) and the Girls Club. We were all poor--didn't know it though. We made our own fun. Sometimes we even walked up North Main and went to Lakewood to swim. No car, phone, yet we were happy.
ReplyDeleteMy parents, Dick Kruse and Betty Gonya, married in 1942, met at Hayden Park when they both in grammar school(1930's).
DeleteI was born at St. Mary's Hospital in July, 1958. In the first few years, my parents lived at 53 South View Street, which was then in the heart of the Irish neighborhood. My mother and grandmother used totake me downtown on the city bus, to go shopping at stores like Woolworths, Howland Huges and Worths. Does anyone recall some of the small businesses that occupied a little plaza on lower Meriden Road, across from Hamilton Park?
ReplyDeleteAs a kid in the '60s, my mother always too me to Joel's Shoe Box, for back to school shoes. I remember that Joel's was partially below ground level, and you had to walk down some stairs at the main entrance.
Later I remember Fred Locke Stereo in the same plaza. There was also a start-up grinder franchise called "Full of Baloney" located there in the late 70s. "Full of Baloney" was started by local investors as a way to compete with the newly launched Subway grinder chain. Apprently it didn't catch on, but some of my friends from high school worked there on weekends.
I also remember the Two Guys Department Store on Wolcott Road (great electronics department!)and the Pine Drive-In across the street well before the Pine Twin Drive-In.
As a kid, I loved the Hardees Restaurant on Chase Avenue, where the strip club is now located. I think there was a Burger Chef drive up restaurant on North Main Street, near the intersection of Lakewood Road, before any Burger Kings, and only one McDonalds, the original one at Thomaston Avenue.
Pete Miller
millrad@aol.com
Many a shoe from Joel's Shoe Box. Don't forget skating at Hamilton Park, when they flooded the baseball field.
DeleteThese projects were located near farms with woods that went as far as the Waterville section of Waterbury.
ReplyDelete___________________
Julie
Apply now Nation wide cash
Born in Wtby May 1943, lived in the East end until the year of the flood, 1955, I attended Hendricken K-8th, Sacred Heart parish, and my mom shoped at Cordon's market across from the church, we went to the movies at Hamilton Theater every Wed night, so my mom could make a complete dinnerwear set. Hung in Hamilton park, pool in summer, roller skated in the winter. We moved to townplot in aug of 55, I attended Kaynor Tech, and then Wilby High, I worked at Grants both in the Waterbury Plaza and later in the East Main st store downtown. They held my job for me while I was in the Army, Stationed in Germany for 2 years. I no longer live in Waterbury, I moved to West Haven in 1979, but I continued to work in Waterbury until about 1994 at Bimedical Lab on Meriden Rd. I then went into the West Haven school system in Special Education until my retirement last year. I love this site and check it out everyday.
ReplyDeleteBorn in Waterbury October 10th 1939.
ReplyDeleteLeft in Febuary 1957 to join the USAF
Returned February 1961 to a totally different atmosphere.
Love the History.
Bob Timms
Wilmington, NC
I was born in Waterbury hospital on 10/29/1951. We actually lived in Thomaston at the time (no hospital there) but shortly after moved to Waterville...we were there for both the flood and the tornado.I remember them both vividly.... Growing up there was a privilege...a lower middle class area with great neighbors who always were available to help their neighbors and did.We moved to Townplot around 1965 and eventually (my wife of 30 years, now) moved to Ca. where we've been for nearly 23 years.
ReplyDeleteMy wife is a Waterbury gal 5 years my junior, and on a recent visit we were shocked at the deteriorization of a once wonderful place to live. Of course, the "soul" of the city remains (we both felt it), but the founding fathers of what was once a vital milltown with something for everyone has fallen on hard times and it's obvious because the "heart" of Waterbury seemed to be on life support with little longer to live. Everywhere we went we saw things that exited us and brought back memories and in an instant witnessed what I would call "messes" that could have and should have been cleaned up a decade earlier.
We LOVE Waterbury, every major "first" in our lives happened there, but the "powers that be" politically in recent decades have let it slip into a city of disrepair and unfortunately for many despair...it's simply a shame...We remembered a sign on route 84 West near the Waterbury Republican Building that we alwasy thought was pretty cool as teenagers...it said simply...."WATERBURY....IT'S THE PLACE TO BE"....I wonder who was responsible for it's removal ?? and when and why?
You mentioned deteriorization? I see you were sad about it, but really in life, what hasnt deteriorated. With all the advances in the electronic world we now have people, many people trying to scam everyone, we have nuts out there trying to kill everyone, and just drive south in the direction of New York on I-95 and see how people drive now. It's every man for himself. If the speed limit is 55 and you are going 65, then my friend you are going too slow for most of the people on the road. When is the last time you saw someone use a signal light.
DeleteI was born at Waterbury Hospital July 14, 1950. We lived at 17 Neil St., a tiny dead-end street with five houses on it. It was off Meriden Rd., between Frost Rd. and Capitol Ave. My parents, Richard Kruse and Betty(formerly Gonya), were Waterbury natives. My father went to Driggs School, my mother to several grammar schools. They both went to Wilby-my father finished in 1940, my mother 1941. I went to Chase School, or H.S. Chase School, located on the corner of Meriden and Woodtick Rds. Some of my memories of my years there include: having to wear ties to public school every day; my teachers: Miss Darling, Miss Flaherty, Miss Foley, and Mrs. Sprecker; walking home for lunch and back to Chase every school day; older kids at Chase walking across the ice on the frozen Mad River during the winter. Some of the last names of families I remember: Crane, LaChance, LeBlanc, Whibey, Haddad,Walsh, Deegan, Amatruda, LaVallee, Barbieri, Maxwell, Dugay, Sexton, Descoteau, Pronovost, Oliver, McKnight. Mrs. McNight, who lived at the corner of Neil St. and Meriden Rd, was Rosalind Russell's aunt. She used to make cookies for eveyone on Neil St. during Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI remember going to the dentist and having work done on my teeth with no novocaine-awful. The dentist had an office above the drugstore near Chase School. He would give you a coupon to redeem for a free ice cream cone at the drug store downstairs.
I remember going to visit my aunt and uncle(Clayt and Loretta Winters) who lived on Bunker Hill Ave, and having to hold our noses as we went over the polluted Naugatuck River. Other memories: the carnivals held at the A&P parking lot; the sound of church bells all over Waterbury on Sundays; the flood of 1955 and having to use our neighbor's well(the Crane family)to get drinking water; having to get a typhoid shot at Anderson School during the flood; attending St. John's Lutheran Church on Cooke St.; saying the Lord's Prayer to start off everyday at Chase School; it seemed like everybody but me at Chase School went to St. Peter and Paul's RC Church; my father playing basketball on Friday nights with his buddies at Kingsbury School; Bill Goldstein-my father's friend who owned Ideal Jewelers; wandering downtown with my neighbor Joanne Crane at age 3, unbeknownst to our mothers, resulting in our picture making the front page of the Waterbury Republican.
It seemed like no one ever moved from our neighborhood or into our neighborhood when I was a child. Things always stayed the same, so it was a big event when my family left Waterbury for Montclair, CA. in June 1959. richardkruse@sbcglobal.net
My email is now richardwkruse714@yahoo.com
Deletei was born in waterville section and moved to shallotte north carolina. i enjoy the flash backs would like to see more pictures and stories of waterville area.
ReplyDeleteI always get a kick when I tell someone I'm from Waterbury, Ct. I love Waterbury!
ReplyDeleteI grew up on Fuller Street and Pine Hill was my back yard for 13 years. I loved the area and the neighbors were super. It was like living in the country while actually living in the city. Skateing on Ducks Pond, riding our sleds from the cross, down Slocum Street onto Fuller and trying to see who could go the farthest down Fuller Street on their sled before actually coming to a halt. Just walking around Pine Hill was a treat back then. Sitting atop a huge white boulder gave you a fantastic view of the south end of Waterbury and beyond. Great for day-dreaming. Walking on Tar Road to get to Merriman School, shopping downtown every saturday, Miller and Pecks, Kresges, Woolworths. I remember the fun and the amazement of the block dances. You sure don't see that anymore. Oh, the memories! Living on the top floor of a three family house at the top of the street gave such a view of the sunsets. I used to look out the front room window almost every night just to see those beautiful summer sunsets. Picking blueberries on Pine Hill was a treat too. Everyone in the neighborhood used to be there early in the morning before it got too hot. Later on there would be many pies, cakes, and cupcakes made with those blueberries. Listening to the hum of the machines from Scovill's used to be a comforting sound and you knew it was seven o'clock on a sunday morning when all the machines were shut down and it was quiet. A favorite enjoyment of mine was having a soda at the Baldwin Pharmacy and then going across the street to visit my friend. Most neighborhood stores had penny candy (some candy was 2 or 3 peices for a penny)and what a treat that was. You really got a deal for 5 cents. Now I know why my dad always said "those were good times" We just didn't know enough to appreciate it back then but we sure do miss it now. If only we could go back in time!
ReplyDeleteI lived on Fuller St from about 1939-until we had to move due to the Rt. 84. Lived at bottom of hill across from old playground.Didn't go to Merriman, but played with many who did. I shared many of your memories of what to me and obviously to you was a great childhood. I still haven't found a great milk shake like the one at the Baldwin Pharmacy.
Deletei also grew up on pleasant st and share all the same memories as you, such great times.and yes the best milkshakes every baldwin st drug store
DeleteI lived at 53 Fuller St near Emerald St. On the corner of Emerald St. was a small store called Rizzo's and at the the end of Fuller was a store owned by Ray Graves. He had a nickel glued to his counter to see how many people would try to pick it up. He had the biggest display of candy in a glass case. Diagonaly across the street was a yellow housewith a large front porch. Every afternoon Mr. Joe Riley sat up on his porch waiting for all the kids to come from scool to show him their papers. we'd climb the stairs to show him our stickers, and our good marks. He in turn would give us a piece of candy. We had to have a good grade on our work or no candy. My brother and I used to walk up Emerald st. right on Pleasant St. and left on Ridge St. to Merriman School. Some of the Teachers were Miss Berry Miss Fitzgerald, Miss Gorman, Miss Delaney and Miss shields. The principal was Miss Flarherty. When we returned to school in the fall the hardwood floors were polished and varnished throuout the school. I can still remember that aroma. One day the school called my mother to tell her my brother never made it to school. My mother frantically searched the neighborhood and finally found him sitting just below the edge of the bank in our back yard watching the steam shovels below digging out what later would become Interstate 84. The house we lived in at 53 Fuller was a six family. The bottom left of the building was occupied by a bar owned by Bernie and Dell Coyle. It was like Cheers in many respects. I remember watching the block dance in front of the Tavern from our second floor porch. Friday's were big at the tavern as that was clam chowder day. some of the names I remember were the D'Amelio's. They moved in next door and I became friends with Gina and Anna. None of us could speak each other's language, We learned quickly and it was my first taste of Italian food. I've been addicted ever since. Christmas time at Holy Land USA was special as the crèche and cave where the Holy family was placed was lighted and I remember hearing "Silent Night" being played. Nighttime at Christmas up there was special. There was one spot in Holy land that had an imprint of a man's bare foot. The sign said it was Jesus' footprint as he ascended to Heaven. Scared the hell out of us kids!!!! Some of the names I remember were Johnson, Downey, Napomeceno, Parkinson, Griffin, Santaguida, Miller ,Fontaine, Henebry, Buczyk, Mascia, Lampron, Stack, Rizzo, Douglas, Graves, D'Amelio. We finally had to move as Fuller Street was being taken for Rte. 84
DeleteBeverly: we lived on slocum&fuller st. went to merriman class of 1959 had the same teachers as you. I remember ray graves and his wife helen also remember the nickel& the penny candy.i remember most of the names you wrote down. GOOD TIMES
Deletewe lived on ayers st
DeleteI enjoyed reading your Fuller Street comments...my mom and dad lived on Fuller Street...59 Fuller Street (dad) and my mom and her family eventually moved to Westwood Avenue in 1945 (Bunker Hill area)..,,what was the neighborhood like? it's ethniciity? rich? poor? My dad was Polish and my mom is of Irish descent..thank you
ReplyDeleteI grew up on Bunker Hill, went to BH School & Kaynor Tech, began my broadcasting career in 1959 at WWCO. I left for the USAF in 1964, but returned briefly in 1968 when I joined the news staff of WTIC. We lived in Canton for many years and since retirement we travel the US in a 32 foot 5th wheel RV. We spent this summer in Thomaston and will return to our winter home near Tucson. It is great to read about the 40s, 50s and 60s in Waterbury on your web site and even to find my name among those I worked with at WWCO. Keep up the good work. I've been looking for names I know on the blog.
ReplyDeleteI, too, lived on Fuller St (1939?- 1954) until the 84 came. It was a great childhood for me-the playground, Rizzo's; some great guys like Dickie,Sib Leo,Gus( who thought it was so great he came often from another part of the city),Tommy C. and the rest of the Dixie Jrs. Our neighborhood-the whole street-was mainly Irish/Italian w/ Polish, Albanian, Lith., and others that I can't decipher fr. my 1947 list. I also loved to play up on Pine Hill, picking blueberries,scaling rocks across the so-called DUCK POND. It used to fill up with water during the spring thaw. Some years ago I took my wife (who comes from a distant corner of NE CT.) to view a closed and deteriorating Holy Land and I figured out that what they identified as the RED SEA was in fact our old Duck POnd. I don't live in Ct. but only return upon getting bad news. And to say the least, it is depressing.
ReplyDeleteRef. anom. on Fuller St. You mentioned the white boulder- I tried to remember if that was me writing as I used to sit on that same boulder- it would have been just about near the front of the cross and gave a sweeping panorama of Waterbury. Of course the tree line around the city was the limit of one's view. And so as a young lad I used to dream of some day going beyond the trees and seeing the rest of the world- and I did.
ReplyDeleteNothing better than freshly sliced cheese at my grandfathers market..
ReplyDeleteNoree Cruess
Does anyone remember Mary Abbott School on Hill St. In Waterbury!?? I remember ice skating at Fulton Park, the "Kitchen" downtown, and of course Howland Hughes! Lived in WTBY all my life. St Thomas Church, Clarks store, Arlens, The Waterbury Plaza, Bradlees, Hubies, Burger Chef, Mikes Meat Market, Larson's, when Hill St was 2 way....The factory whistles, I can go on & on....:0)
ReplyDeleteI don't remember Mary Abbott School, but I know my aung, Loretta (Kruse) Winters, graduated from Mary Abbott in 1920. I have a picture of the graduating class from that year. There was a total of 12 students in that graduating class.
DeleteI went to Mary Abbott from 58 to 65 hung around the corner store and played pinball. Lenny's,Jim's and then chick's.
DeleteGo to the Mary Abbott Group page on facebook and sign up!
DeleteI see alot of anonymous comments regarding Fuller Street. It would be interesting to see who we're talking to. My maiden name was Hudobenko. My dad was Steve Hudobenko, the bowler from Lakewood Lanes.
ReplyDeleteMazuroski Family - Helen, Sophie, francis, Ed, Stan(died WW2 Okinawa - USS Butler 1945), frank, Anthony and Patricia...
DeleteGarrity Family - Harvey and Ruth and their daughters Dolores, Margie, Patricia and Ruth (twins) and Janice.
I grew up in Platts Mills early 1950s. We took a city bus to Barnard Grammer School. The school would let us out early one afternoon each week and we would run to St. Patrick's Church for religious instruction. Waterbury was a great place to grow up. My parents met when they both worked at Howland Hughes in 1934.
ReplyDeleteI was born in 1951 at St. Mary's Hospital. I grew up in Waterville. I had an awesome childhood and wonderful
ReplyDeletememories. My parents belonged to the Waterville Community Club, VFW, Sprague School PTA and also
St. Michael's Church. I belonged to the Brownies, Girl Scouts, Girls Club and YWCA. We walked everywhere.
Went ice skating in Waterville Park.Sledding on the Park Hill. The movies at the Ville Theatre. I love my memories of Waterbury! Riding the bus, riding bikes, my awesome family.....brothers, sisters, Mom, Dad.
Friends for a lifetime! I know things have changed alot, but in my mind it will always be a special place!
Hi- I also lived in Waterville above Babes Grocery Store at 1581 Thomaston Ave. I only lived there for 2 years 4th & 5th grade. Do you remember Whitey's Garage. It was a Gulf station on the corner of Boyden St and Thomaston Ave. How about the little swimming hole we had in the park. It was called Ginny's and further up the river was a bigger swimming hole known as the Dam which had a homemade diving board. As best I can remember it was around 1959/60 and a marvelous time in my life. CJ
DeleteWhenever I saw China Inn mention, memories flooded back! It was the one and only Chinese restaurant in Waterbury and as quoted, It was "located down a flight of stairs off a raffish side street called Harrison Alley" and was right next to the Comfort stations. It was the wonderful place that my mother and Grandmother took my brother and I when we wanted to celebrate. Maybe once a year we would end up at this great ethnic restaurant when my mother could spare a few dollars to splurge on us. The memories! You don't find Chinese restaurants this good anymore.
ReplyDeleteI also remember this wonderful Chinese restaurant especially whenever I go to the many others I've gone to over the years....it's still number one!
DeleteI remember it well, especially the stairs and the "comfort stations." After 60 years, I still see the image of the entryway into this restaurant in my mind, but I remember nothing of the interior, nor of the food. Are those stairs and public restrooms (at least the buildings) still there?
DeleteMy mom lived in Waterbury until she got married & movedto Avon,Ct. She worked @ Scovills. She was a secretary. I went to St. Mary's Nursing School '78. My grandmother lived on Orange St. We lived on the
ReplyDeleteEast end ...white old lane . We shopped in Miller & Peck, Woolworths, had cokes @ WTGrants.,etc. I lived on the east end ,then the north end , then to Watertown,Ct & after that Massachusetts. 25 years later I hope to move back. My mom just passed this January.I always loved the city & all the towns around. Great memories for me.
Anyone have a picture of Hendricken school before it burned down in 1971?
ReplyDeleteI went there from 1955 to 1963 remember me I lived on Niagara st
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember what I used to call the Glass House across from Fulton Park? That was the house that had a wall around it embedded with broken pieces of glass like a mosaic? I LOVED that house as a child!
ReplyDeleteIf you have any inkling of what I am talking about, please post!
It was on Cooke St. next to or near Dave's Pharmacy. I used to walk by it going from Kingsbury Elementary School to Hebrew School at Beth El. Besides the wall, I think there was a peacock of sorts. Looked like a labor of love.
DeleteThank you, BatyaO! I wonder if it is still there? I remember the peacock of sorts, too. My friend, Billie used to go to Hebrew School at Beth El. We always thought that was the most magical house and yes, it looked most definitely like a labor of love!
DeleteThere was also a similar wall on greenwood ave
DeleteFunny - You can still see the house on Cooke street if you google street view. Is just past the 7-11 going toward downtown. It's a bit worster given time. House on Greenwood avenue is still there. I grew up on Houston street in the 70's. Funt timess
DeleteI lived on Como Ave in Town Plot from 1955-till I was married in 1980. What wonderful memories -from Como's Bakrey when Frank Germinaro made his famous -crunchy outside & as light as a cloud inside bread. As kids on a snow day we were asked to help cut to dough into one piece pounds, Frank would shape the bread and bake it in the wood fired oven. The reward? One hot loaf and a pound cube of butter to slather all over it. Frank's Lunchonette across from Tinker School were I spent countless hours to master pinball which I still love..Cipriano's on Fairfield for pizza,Marcelina's on the corner of Wesley & Bradley Avenue for penny candy. Brunelli's on Highland for pizza and soda, after playing hard at Rosemount Park. Iava's Bakrey on Congress Avenue for hot "foot long crunchy french sticks on Sunday evenings. Brooklyn Bakrey where I swear "everything" my Dad would order from John was a buck n half! The best jelly & choclate frosted donuts,bizmarks to die for! Royal Lunch on Congress for Borscht - my Aunt Eva;'s mother in law owned this establisment. Howland Hughes HAD anything one could ever need. From Santa & lunch on the lower level, to a beauitful on the top floor. Worths, Musler Liebskind, Campus Corner, Miller & Peck, Rose Shop-Ruskins! Exchange Place --The Carmel Korn Shop OMG the best carmel corn ever. Who ever allowed these "other" people into this wonderful city, please invite them to leave. I remain in CT but Waterbury will always be my home!
ReplyDeleteWhat WAS on the top floor of Howland's? I do remember taking the elevator, one of the few downtown. How about The Kitchen (at the Green)?
DeleteKresgese's Department, the record shop on Bank with an outdoor speaker system, Genlock's Pool Hall, Minicucci's, and many others on Bank St and South Main.
Claire, who are these "other people" you refer to? Why'd you leave? BTW: bakery.
Hi Claire, you may not have patronized these places by the sound of it,but, I worked in a bar owned by a Grace Guerette at the bottom of Congress ave. We were on one side of a little gas station on that cornerand another bar on the other side of it. There was also another bar across the st that met congress ave. I was there from 1976-1981. Not only can I not recall the name of the bar I worked in but also the other 2 bars. This is the 1st time the name of my bar is alluding me. If you or anyone you know may know the names, would please email me. Thank you.
DeleteDiana Carini (Petro)
Top floor of Howland Huges was mostly offices where you could pay electric, water and gas bills. Also included the Layaway Dept and the financial office where I would go to get my weekly pay, in cash, every Friday the summer I worked there in the Wig Dept. circa 1968
DeleteBorn in Waterbury Apr 2, 1944, looking for a picture of the original cross on the hill off of the interstate.
ReplyDelete2nd picture from the top, I grew up across the street from it on Fourth Street in the Brooklyn section. The notorious "Mad Bomber" lived there before my time, but his sister continued to live there throughout my childhood. She was strange and kept to herself, lived only on 1 floor and NEVER rented out the other 2 floors. Kids being kids, we referred to her as the "witch" as she was mean to everyone.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why it didn't post my name, my maiden name is Bruno.
Deletethe "mad bomber" was named George Matessky....something like that. At the time of the latest bombings in NYC he lived in a now gone house on Riverside Street (destroyed by the 1955 flood)looking out onto the Naugatuck river. My father, who grew up in Brooklyn, knew of the family.
DeleteLooking for Arlene Griffin she graduated from St. MARY'S school of Nursing classes of 1962. My sister in law Joanne M. is looking to find her old friend
ReplyDeleteLooking for Arlene Griffin she graduated from St. MARY'S school of Nursing classes of 1962. My sister in law Joanne M. is looking to find her old friend
ReplyDeleteMy Fuller St. memories are part of the Abigador neighborhood
ReplyDeleteI was from the Robinwood area. Kerry's store, Ricky's Texaco station, Louie's Robinwood market and of course, the Robinwood restaurant. And by the way folks, the comfort stations downtown on Harrison Avenue were called the "pi-- house", right? Near Dan's Anchor Grill and the Chinese place down in the cellar called Chinese Inn. I have fond memories of the Tower theatre before the flood of 1955, Russell School, and Tracy's pond. Oh yeah, and steak sandwiches from the Blue Bell bar on South Main street, and the old Army & Navy store at the corner of Bank & Grand Streets was fun too. Downtown Waterbury in the 1950's & 1960's was a great place before all the plaza's and the crime & grime. Remember the Mall where the Pine Drive-In used to be. (Bonus question: Anyone remember 50 cent Charlie?)
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather owned Dans anchor grill. Daniel Wilkas was my father. Did you know him by chance? He passed away when i was very young and never got the chance to know him.
Deletethe last picture: Maloney school. right? and the next to last is looking north from south main street; actually, Maloney school would be to the right, just out of view.
ReplyDeleteWashington Hill from 1965 till 1984 Most all of the stories told here have brought back fond memories. Thank you all for sharing your memories and stories. I will share these with my nephew's and niece so they can understand a better version of our once great Brass City.
ReplyDeletestories of our beloved Waterhavprinted
I was born at St Mary's. I lived on Crescent St not far from Fulton Park. My family was M.J. Daly and Sons. Although many of you went for dental work to my uncle Roger Ostrander. My cousin Roy has posted on here but as of yet, I can't find any classmates from St Margaret. I will throw out names in hopes of someone knowing me. Spelling will be off but the good Sisters aren't here to grade anymore. I guess in the 70's the convents emptied?
ReplyDeleteHere goes, Angicola, Dumpshot, Barassa, Hasjar (sorry). We had Sister Anna in 4th grade at St. Margaret. My family moved to the Chicago area where I started 5th grade. Anybody buy penny candy from John (who was blind)? I loved the smell of his cigar. I was with my mom in Martinson's bakery and got in trouble for biting into a pastry. I miss Waterbury it was home, it is where I'm from. I wish we could all gather and talk Waterbury for hours!
Jim Daly
Waterbury was beautiful until certain people moved in and ruined it. Sorry if the truth bothers anyone buy it is what it is.
ReplyDeleteGreat...
ReplyDeletequickbooks payroll error
Ordered this dress after having seen it on a Pinterest board, and looking EVERYWHERE for it. The communication was constant and clear, and even before I realized I'd ordered the wrong size, they offered the option of making a custom sized dress for no extra charge. I declined, but decided to change sizes (forgetting that American bodies and Chinese aren't always the same!) and they made the change without hesitation. I'm so delighted to wear this dress as a bridesmaid, and am more than delighted by the service I received from Moddress
ReplyDeleteI was quite wary to order a dress online because of some of the horror stories I have seen online, but this dress is exactly what I ordered! It’s beautiful, fits me perfectly, and incredibly high quality. So glad I took the risk because it totally paid off!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remembet Fran n Jacks in Watetbille that sold tbe best grinders, we went there as kuds, it was across street from theater i believe, was wondering if family carried on the same store.. FRAN N JACKS..?? PLEASE REPLY..TY VERY MUCH
ReplyDeleteI lived at the top of cooke street and we used to walk to Fran N Jacks often as kids. Down across chase ave up boyden street and cut through. One of my favorites.
DeleteIt was Fran n Jacks grinders in Waterville ct, does anyone know more about it? I wonder if they are still there would live to go back, it was across from a theater i believe and near a Dmv.. please anyone reply to me. Ty so much..
ReplyDeleteThey're. Gone
DeleteWe remember Fran N' Jack's well. We would travel on weekends and would order about six grinders for all of us. They were the best.
ReplyDeletewe lived on Ayers st the Avolettas was a great place growing up
ReplyDeleteMy Uncle Babe had the BEST grinders in Waterville,1969 Ham grinder .50 cents and a Bologna grinder .35 cents,grew up in Waterville my whole life,what a place!!!!!
ReplyDeletefran and jacks no longer there and dmv is now harley davidson dealer dmv in now way down thomaston ave towards thomaston
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI was born in Waterbury Hosp 1960. Grew up in the East end near The Boys Club and Scovilles. I would wave to all the employees leaving work at 3:00. I would shop downtown with the money I saved in my piggy bank. We would get grinders at Mins on East Main Street. Had a blast. Hamilton Park roller skating and ice skating. What a life. I'm so glad to have these oh so special memories. Life was good then!
ReplyDeleteBorn in WTBY in 1968
ReplyDeleteGrew up in Brooklyn. We lived on 3rd St.
Until our house burned down whe I was about 11. We lived on Porter St also on Alder st for a bit and later Bunker hill.
Store I remember were ,Guerellas,Strickluses,Sunrise Sunset,Al's Leather Shop,Arcovio florist.Of course Brooklyn Bakery. Bars allowed us kids to come in and have a soda, Porter St. Cafe the Royal, and the Statler. Brooklyn Youth Organization. Raking leaves for St Patrick's. Us kids didn't have snowball fights we had rock fights. I could go on and on.
Born in Waterbury in 1960, we lived on Huey Str in Town Plot until my Dad built a house in 1964 in Oakville, ended up growing up in Oakville/Watertown but always went into Wtby for the YMCA and tagging along with my Mom and Grandmother when they went shopping at Kresge's , Woolworth's or Howland Hughes and others,....my Mom grew up in the North end and went to Catholic high and my Dad grew up in the Hamilton Heights projects and went to Wilby ,....loved going down to the Green at Christmas as a kid, pretty awesome....my Dad drove tractor trailers for Leader Oil on Walnut street for 33 years, I used to ride shot gun with my Dad in that big rig down to New Haven to pick up fuel oil at the terminals for all homes and schools and factories to heat in Wtby..there's so many things I wish I could go back to as a kid,... I only got a little taste of the great Waterbury, my parents growing up in the 40's and 50's knew the real Wtrby and what a great small city it was. I Iive in Florida now and just retired from 30 years as a professional firefighter...I come back couple times a year to see family and I always take a ride by myself and check out ole' Waterbury ,....nothing good ever stays the same.....
ReplyDeleteThe first black and white photo of the house was maybe 8 houses up from where I lived on Wolcott St
ReplyDelete