Archived Topics
Old Willimantic antique place
Posted By: William Brainard <p020188b@pb.seflin.org>
Date: Thursday, 30 August 2001, at 9:43 a.m.
It was on the Willimantic/Columbia line where the John Deere place used to be. I remember my parents talking about it. Think they said it was Haskill's. Anyway think the man was a cabinet maker of the old trade. Anyone remember this? It had to have been before 1950 before Pakulis built their farm supply place.
Posted By: Scorpio <Scorpio@ThreadCity.com>
Date: Saturday, 1 September 2001, at 1:06 a.m.
In Response To: Old Willimantic antique place (William Brainard)
This one is really a challenge for me. I can see the pictures in my mind of the long row of mail boxes in front of the old house on the corner of Old Willimantic Road (that ran up to Card's Mill Road) in Columbia and Route 6. The building was just east of where the Willimantic River crosses under Route 6, on the south side of the road, and many items were stored across the road (Rte 6)adjacent to what appeared to be a rundown trailer park. There was a little road pass through from Rte 6 to the frontage road by the house. The little island that it created was home to many more mail boxes that were often sent careening by an errant, fast-moving automobile. The people who lived on the country roads in the area had to come to this island to retrieve their mail. The old man who operated the business was a fine cabinetmaker and a prolific collector of rusty stuff that he displayed for sale on his front lawn. He was keeper of the gate keys to the sand and gravel banks that backdropped his treasures.
Posted By: William Brainard <p020188b@pb.seflin.org>
Date: Tuesday, 4 September 2001, at 12:47 p.m.
In Response To: Re: Old Willimantic antique place (Scorpio)
I can remember going to Pakulis as a little kid when we had to get parts for the farm. Mrs. Claire Pakulis ran the office and it was a treat to go into her office as it was air-conditioned, something unusual for the late 1950s, early '60s. Once in awhile she would treat my younger brother and me to a coke from the coca cola machine; think it was 10 cents. The last time I saw Charlie and Claire Pakulis was at the Yantic River Inn about 20 years ago. I understand Pakulis was finally sold after their retirement. Speaking of special people, at the Willimantic Agway, probably 35 years ago when it was Eastern States Farmers Exchange the lady in the office was very kind to us young children. Think her name was Tina and she lived in Lebanon. Does anyone remember her and is she still living?
Posted By: Jules Corn <pjcorn@capecod.net>
Date: Friday, 14 September 2001, at 6:58 p.m.
In Response To: Re: Old Willimantic antique place (William Brainard)
The Agway was run by the Mackey's. He died and she is still living. I saw her at a recent anniversary party of someone who worked for them. Her first name doesn't come to mind but I will work on that and let you know. I don't think it was Tina.