Picture Enfield - Then And Now

ENFIELD, CT — For today's look back into Enfield's past, we return 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 95 is a picture of the Hazardville house of Dr. Adams. No, not Doc Adams of the long-running western TV series "Gunsmoke," but simply Dr. Adams (the book does not divulge his first name, and minutes of exhaustive research by yours truly came up empty).

Dr. Michael Zapor, a former Enfield resident, contributed this information:

Dr. William L. Adams of Hazardville was the vice president of the Connecticut Eclectic Medical Association (the Connecticut branch of a populist movement that promoted the use of botanicals indigenous to America). He died on 24 September 1899 at age 68 years and is buried in the Old Hazardville Cemetery.

The house, depicted here in 1891, still stands on the corner of what is now Hazard Ave. and Cedar St. As was customary in the days before automobiles, Dr. Adams made his rounds via horse and carriage.

A number of businesses have occupied the house over the years; more recently, an antique shop was located there. I can't recall others, but I'm sure our readers will weigh in.

Here is a more contemporary look at the property, officially at 287 Hazard Ave., taken by me this rainy Thursday afternoon.

Last week's trivia answer:
Last week's trivia question was, "The 1970-71 undefeated Enfield High School girls basketball team will be inducted into the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame this fall. Who is the only team member who has already been inducted as an individual?" The answer: Marian Dippel, who was honored by the Hall of Fame in 2002 for her outstanding career as an athlete at Enfield High School and Central Connecticut State College. She was also the 1998-99 Enfield Teacher of the Year. She is shown below, at left, bringing the ball upcourt during a 1972 game, and at right, in the middle of the Hall of Fame Class of 2002, alongside fellow honorees Jack Salamon, Bill Chaves, Mike Angelica, Bob Mercik, Phil Clarkin and George LaGrange. Kathy Thomson was the first person to provide the correct answer.

This week's trivia question:
After whom was the Little League baseball field behind Kosciuszko Junior High School originally named (first and last name please)? Under your real name, post the answer in the comments section below (we'll see who follows directions). The first correct respondent will win a Patch prize pack worth at least a buck and a half.

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