Picture Enfield - Then And Now

ENFIELD, CT — Today's installment of this weekly Enfield history series brings us back to a fabulous book of renowned local photographer Ed Malley's pictures, compiled by his son Jim, entitled "Images of America: Enfield 1950-1980." The book was published in 2003, and copies may be obtained here.

On page 65 is a clear reflection of Enfield's past: a 1950s view of the Burgess Farm at the junction of Routes 5 and 190. Much of the town consisted of rural farmland until the housing boom of the 1950s, a decade in which the population doubled from 15,464 in 1950 to 31,464 in 1960.

Jim Burgess operated the farm, and a tower of the Connecticut Water Company was also present at the site. In 1958, the land was acquired for construction of the Hartford-Springfield Expressway (later named Interstate 91), the barns were demolished, and a second water tower was added.

Here is a recent aerial image of the property, with I-91 in the upper part of the photo, courtesy of Google Maps.

Last week's trivia answer:
Last week's trivia question was, "What connection does Enfield have to the 1999 hit film "The Blair Witch Project?" The answer: executive producer Kevin J. Foxe, along with his twin brother Keith, graduated from Enfield High School in 1982. The yearbook photo below is courtesy of the Enfield Historical Society.

This week's trivia question:
Who was the last Democratic first selectman in Enfield, prior to the town's conversion to the current council-manager form of government? Without blatantly Googling the answer, then copying and pasting it verbatim, post the answer in the comments section below under your real name (we'll see who follows directions).

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