Threadcity Photo Gallery

Parades
 

Memorial Day 19911
This photo shows the 1911 Memorial Day parade.The drum belonged to Wheeler's American Band which accompanied the Police Department in that parade and behind Wheeler's was the local National Guard Company, Company "L". In back of Company "L" is the French-Canadian paramilitary organization, Garde Florimond. They had already marched up Main St. and were "picking up" the Grand Army of the Republic and Women’s Relief Corps Floral Wagon, The Spanish-American War veterans and a large contingent of children from Natchaug School for the march to Willimantic Cemetery. The parade of 1911 was the first in which a group of schoolchildren was asked to participate.
 
 
Memorial Day, 1911 - first formations of the paradeCompany “L” of the Connecticut National Guard (first group of marchers in the photo) had marched from their Valley Street Armory down to Broad Street. At Broad Street they were joined by the Garde Florimond (second group of marchers) and the Tierney Cadets. They marched down Broad Street to Main and then up Main Street to the Town Hall. There, they were joined by twelve more groups. The parade proceeded to the Willimantic Cemetery where the graves of the veterans were decorated.
 Memorial Day Parade - 1908Chief Edgar.H. Richmond (left) and Lieutenant Daniel Killourey are leading the Willimantic Police (Patrolmen John Manley, Carl Enander, Allan McArthur, Louis Paulhus, Thomas Grady, P.J. Hurley, E.P. Weeks, Edward Leahy, Joseph Cartier and Henry Chamberlin). They are followed by Parade Marshal Luke Flynn and his staff on horseback, Charles Wheeler’s Willimantic Band, Company “L” of the National Guard and Garde Florimond.
 
1928 Memorial Day ParadeOne of the finest floats in every Memorial Day Parade was the one entered by the American Thread Company. It is shown here passing the old Hurley Block in 1928, and is pictured from the roof of the Commercial Block, which was destroyed by fire in 1968. The four businesses in the Hurley Block are the Hurley Grant Company, Martin's photographers, the Rex Restaurant and Rogers Pharmacy.
 World War I - Welcome HomeIn August, 1919, Willimantic held a Welcome Home parade for the veterans of World War I. In the foreground are Reserve Corps Medical Officers. Willimantic's Company "L", Second Infantry, CTARNG follows in platoon formation. Behind them are servicemen of other outfits. Lieutenant James J. Lee was in command.
 
WWI Welcome Home ParadeWillimantic’s August 16, 1919 World War I Welcome Home Parade. It was part of a daylong celebration that included a clambake, sporting contests, a dance at Lincoln Square and a military ball. The photo was taken on Main St. near the YMCA and looking northwest.

 WWI Welcome Home Parade

The parade was part of a daylong celebration that began with a memorial service on the Town Hall lawn and finally ended with dancing at Lincoln Square.

WWI Welcome Home Parade

All photos were labeled as WWI parade. Why some groups are going East and some West is unclear.
 WWI Welcome Home Parade
 WWI Welcome Home Parade
 
WWI Welcome Home Parade

Welcome Home Parade - 1946The "Welcome Home" parade for WWII Veterans. It was held on July 12, 1946. The photo was taken on Main Street, just east of Walnut Street and looking west.  
 
Welcome Home Parade - 1946
 Welcome Home Parade - 1946
 Welcome Home Parade - 1946  Welcome Home Parade - 1946
 Welcome Home Parade - 1946  
Main Street ParadeThis circa 1895 photo was a favorite of the late Chronicle publisher Mrs. Lucy B. Crosbie who said that parades were a prelude to many local activities since a parade called attention to the event. She also liked that photo because she felt that it was a spontaneous idea to take a photo. Since the exposure could have taken as long as two minutes, several people and a wagon moved on before the photo was set and it left the ghostly images that are seen in the photo.
 
 
ATCO Baseball TeamsIt's September 1916, and the teams involved in American Thread's new baseball league march down Main Street to commence the baseball season on Recreation Park.
 
ATCO Baseball Teams

The teams approach Recreation Park.
 
1897 ParadeThis is a photo of a parade supposedly held on Jully 4, 1897 and was taken at the corner of North and Prospect Streets. No information can be found concerning the sign on the wagon which reads, “Normal School Steps. Bids are now open for the season of 97. Secure them early”.
 Community Reunion Week ParadeOn June 17, 1930, a parade was one of many events that celebrated “Community Reunion Week” over a four day period. Eight bands, twenty floats and just about every community organization participated. Following the parade, huge community entertainment venues were set up at the Elks Park and the State Armory
 
Saint Jean Baptiste Day

On June 24, 1905, Willimantic's French Canadian societies joined together for a day long celebration of the patron of Quebec, Saint John the Baptist. The day included a huge multi-division parade. Note the American and the French tri-color flags.
       
       
       
       


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VFW ParadeWe are still looking for information about this parade. The back of the picture says simply, "VFW Parade".

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World War One Victory parade?? (Not sure)

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Community Reunion Week ParadeOn June 17, 1930, a parade was one of many events that celebrated “Community Reunion Week” over a four day period. Eight bands, twenty floats and just about every community organization participated. Following the parade, huge community entertainment venues were set up at the Elks Park and the State Armory. Pic of the Week June 26, 2014
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Welcome Home Parade - 1946The "Welcome Home" parade for WWII Veterans. It was held on July 12, 1946. The photo was taken on Main Street, just east of Walnut Street and looking west. Pic of the Week May 22, 2014
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Main Street ParadeThis circa 1895 photo was a favorite of the late Chronicle publisher Mrs. Lucy B. Crosbie who said that parades were a prelude to many local activities since a parade called attention to the event. She also liked that photo because she felt that it was a spontaneous idea to take a photo. Since the exposure could have taken as long as two minutes, several people and a wagon moved on before the photo was set and it left the ghostly images that are seen in the photo.
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1897 ParadeThis is a photo of a parade supposedly held on Jully 4, 1897 and was taken at the corner of North and Prospect Streets. No information can be found concerning the sign on the wagon which reads, “Normal School Steps. Bids are now open for the season of 97. Secure them early”.
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H.C. Murray's AutoPic of the Week - October 20, 2011
H.C. Murray's auto is decorated for the 1910 4th of July Parade. H.C. Murray was the owner of the Boston Store.
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