Willimantic - A Good Place by Pete Zizka 10-15-2022

For over twenty years I have been doing research into and writing about Willimantic/ Windham history and for the last three years have written a weekly article for the Chronicle. I’ve always tried to stick to the facts and have stayed away from expressing my own opinions. But, for a couple years now, I’ve read some of the comments on Willimantic-related social media sites and have been disturbed by them. Several, no…many people seem to enjoy “knocking” Willimantic and focusing on any negative aspect they can find. Especially annoying are the people who have moved away and snidely remark how much better off they are. I moved out of the area a little over five years ago but still miss it every day. Was the area ever “perfect”? I don’t believe so. Was the downtown area ever “picturesque”? Probably not so much. From my own perspective, being born in the late 1940s, I’d say Willimantic’s finest period was probably the 1950s decade. But even then, there were problems, there were local disagreements, there were some streets or parts of town that, if possible, we tried to avoid. I’ve looked at literally thousands of photos of Willimantic from its earliest days and I have to admit that some parts of downtown were simply unattractive from the time the buildings were erected. The “Temple of Fashion” building and the Bassett Block (today’s photo)  were good examples of several facades that just didn’t  ever look good and yet were in prominent positions. I don’t think Willimantic is at all “worse off” today than at any other time or period. And speaking of that, what do you think would the “worst period” in Willimantic’s life? In my opinion, having done extensive research into the events playing out during that time, I’d say it was the years from 1883 – 1900 (with 1895-1900 being the low point), hands down. What was happening then? At town meetings, decisions had to be made regarding building a public water works, a high school, a Normal School and a Town Hall and about incorporating Willimantic as a city. These meetings (especially the many concerning the Town Hall) often turned bitterly contentious and, at first, greatly divided the community. Then, when funding for the Town Hall was crucial, a scandal of epic proportions gripped the city and led to two bank failures, the temporary freezing of funds for many businesses and depositors, the closure of an important manufacturer and shaky financial ground for several other businesses. To add to that, several well-known and respected residents were caught up in the scandal.  But what made Willimantic great, then, as now, was the fact that resilient, hard-working residents overcame hardship and division and worked together to remove obstacles and make good things happen. That’s the Willimantic of early 1900, the Willimantic I remember and Willimantic as it is today. A month ago I wrote about the Thread City Cyclers and I received a note from Larry Waksman in response.  I share that note today because TCC is just one of many great, caring, civic-minded groups and people that make Willimantic the wonderful place it has been and continues to be. Larry wrote, “A current version of TCC is very active today, and has been for about 21 years. Our membership is currently around 135 or so, and we host rides every Saturday from April through October--most often riding the beautiful and quiet roads (and trails) radiating from our usual starting points of North Windham School or Garrison Park. We've also held many social events during that time.  But beyond cycling, TCC has a long history of contributing to our local communities through several events and activities: --In August,2022, we once again were honored to be a Pillar of the Tour sponsor for the Steeple Chase Tour event--which raises thousands of dollars for local Windham area charities and non-profits. --In collaboration with Bike Walk Bolton, we've participated in "Bike Rodeos" -- to coach and encourage youngsters to ride smartly and safely.--We always have a big showing at the Tour de Mansfield, in honor of a former TCC leader, John Jackman. --And we share half the proceeds from our annual "TCC Century" with local cycling advocacy groups. In addition to all the above, TCC and its members participate in other local cycling advocacy efforts, such as Bike Mansfield, Bike Walk Bolton, The Hop River Trail Alliance, and Friends of Mansfield Hollow.” Willimantic is still, as always, a great place to be.

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