Picture Enfield - Then And Now

ENFIELD, CT — Today's look back at Enfield history brings us a wonderful old photo submitted by reader John Locario. It shows the Locario Brothers Garage at 907 Enfield Street, a longtime auto repair institution in Thompsonville.

"I grew up spending most of my youth hanging around the garage as we lived in the house right behind it, at 3 Enfield Avenue," Locario wrote. He said the garage donated a vehicle to the town, which became Enfield's first ambulance.

I'm guessing the photo is from the early 1950s, judging by the promotion in the window for a 1952 DeSoto. Other popular brand names visible from a bygone era include Plymouth, Lee tires and Amoco gasoline. One can almost still hear the "ding ding, ding ding" sound emanating from the gas pump as a car owner plunked down anywhere from 27 to 29 cents a gallon to fill up.

"All the brothers have passed away but still have a sister and some cousins still alive," Locario said.

Several automotive businesses have operated at the location since the days of the Locario brothers, most notably a long run as Enfield Chrysler-Plymouth. For the past 10 years, it has been home to Enfield Street Auto Sales, owned by Vinnie Bergamini.

Here is a contemporary look at the site, taken yesterday afternoon by yours truly.

Last week's trivia answer:
Last week's question was, "Who was the first woman to serve as mayor of Enfield?" The answer: Ann Marie Petronella, a 1979 Fermi High School graduate who was elected mayor by her town council peers in 1993. She served one term, then opted to not run for re-election in 1995. She was succeeded as mayor by Mary Lou Strom, who served three terms in that post until 2001; she passed away in Dec. 2006. Pat Droney was the first person to provide the correct answer.

This week's trivia question:
What was the name of the former mansion of Thompsonville Carpet Company founder Orrin Thompson, after which a school was eventually named? Directions: leave your answer in the comments section here on the story, not on a Facebook page, and not via email. Have fun!