Picture Ellington - Then And Now

ELLINGTON, CT — Today we return to a fascinating picture book entitled Images of America: Ellington. The book, compiled by Lynn Kloter Fahy for the Ellington Historical Society, was first published in 2005, and contains 128 pages of amazing photos and stories of the small town formerly known as "the Great Marsh." It may be purchased from the Nellie McKnight Museum store here.

On page 75 is a 1913 view of Congregation Knesseth Israel, which at the time was located on the southeast corner of Abbott and Middle roads. European immigrants obtained loans from the Jewish Agricultural Society, enabling them to buy farmland in Ellington. Farmers met for Sabbath services in several private homes prior to construction of the synagogue.

In 1954, the synagogue moved to its present site at 236 Pinney Street. It was also renovated at that time.

Here is a contemporary view of the building on Pinney Street, as well as the vacant land at 80 Middle Road on which it formerly resided. Both are courtesy of Google Maps.

Do you have a photo of an old Ellington business which no longer exists, to which you own the copyright and which we could feature in this column? Email tim.jensen@patch.com.

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