I came across your organization and felt compelled to send this email.
I moved to Thompsonville in 1959 with my family and was 3 years old at the time, so, obviously, my memories from that time are vague, but not nonexistent. Now, we actually moved into a house on Spring Garden Road, across from where the current Asnuntuck Community College sits. I do recall that, at the time, our address was Thompsonville, not Enfield, although that designation changed sometime later. Spring Garden was the next turn off of Elm Street after what was then Smith Dairy, where we kids would ride our bikes for ice cream when we were older, but not much older.
I realize that, at this time, Thompsonville has come to be regarded as the area nearest to the Connecticut River, including the old Bigelow Mills, the Firehouse, and around old North School.
As a matter of fact, I attended North School and have some distinct memories of that time. I recall that there was a bakery not far from the school, on the opposite side of the street. In fact, there was a tragedy that occurred when a young classmate was struck by a car when he darted across traffic. Another distinct memory happened when I was in second grade and the principal came into the classroom and made the announcement that President Kennedy had been killed.
There are other things that I recall from Thompsonville. My mother, briefly, worked in the Bigelow Mills, doing piece work. She stopped when she saw somebody get hurt in an industrial accident. I can recall walking with my father and watching a Cuban rolling cigars in a store window. And, I remember fondly the times when our family would take the adventure of crossing the rickety old bridge that crossed the river. I remember distinctly the bridge swaying and moving as we went over it, holding our collective breaths. Also, there was ice skating on the pond near the firehouse and going for hot chocolate at some of the diners nearby.
My family moved out of the area in 1967, when I was 11. Of course, time fades and distorts the details. And, in recent years, when I visit Connecticut, I have driven into Thompsonville, near the North School and the remains of the Bigelow Mills. Of course, it is not unexpected that, when a major employer leaves the area, that there is a decline.
However, Thompsonville has something that is to be treasured and that is its historical past and promise for the future. Additionally, the town has the geographic connection to the Connecticut River and the proximity to both Route 91 and Massachusetts. To me, I can see that it would be possible to propose a tax free zone for businesses to locate into the area. That is, get some of the state’s politicians together to get some legislation passed that makes the area attractive to businesses. I say that because that is how New Hampshire’s economy has grown. It attracts businesses that do not want to pay Massachusetts taxes. Also, I am sure that there could be some of the money from the stimulus package out of Washington that could go to the revitalization of Thompsonville.
Well, really, you people know what is best. I have been living in southern California for the past 13 years, so I can be of only limited help in your efforts. But thank you for keeping alive the idea of the viability of Thompsonville. I will keep in touch with your website. Let me know if there is anything that I can do.
Best Regards,
Jerry
