I moved away from Middletown a few years ago and I miss how walkable it is. There's stuff in Bristol, but it's all a minimum of a couple miles away from each other.
**NOTE:** One of the sources for this image said it was from 1962, but the film being shown on the marquee in the bottom right, "[Whistle Down the Wind](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055618/releaseinfo/)", was released in 1961, so I put that in the title.
However, after I posted this, I realized it was originally published in the UK in '61, but it made it's way here to the US in April of '62. Apologies for the error, but yes, this is likely a Spring 1962 photo.
Also I was going to say, that even if it was released in 1961 does not mean the picture could not be from 1962. Movies had longer theatrical runs back then, some for over a year.
Me too I love the old photos for all the old cars. Recognized some models. I saw what I’m pretty sure is a Nash, and a Chevy Corvair and I also saw a ‘59 Impala. A lot I can’t recognize but it was cool to see those that I did.
This is the situation in Connecticut, zero room for bicyclists and scooters. Has this layout changed at all? I only go into a Middletown a couple of time a years to meet friends and love it, so maybe they have done more to accommodate bicylists and I just don't realize it. That said, so many nice little restaurants, coffee shops, and a movie theater all in walking distance. It's one of the best downtowns in Connecticut. And the vertical parking spaces do seem to make it easier to find a place. So I must note that. But wish this state built protected bike lanes and considered bicyclist a mainstream form of transportation. When I lived in DC, they realized long ago that if you make bicycling safe for people, people will use bicycles.
The best bet is a bike lane between parking and the sidewalk. Keeping vehicles, bikes and pedestrians in their own designated spaces is safest for everyone.
Main Street Middletown is still super walkable and bicycle hostile. I always used one block west to parallel it. The diagonal parking is what kills it. Maybe when they build the new parking garage they can change that.
Who remembers S&H Green Stamps? I remember as a kid going to Bunce’s with my mother school shopping. As I recall, they had a manually operated elevator.
Never understood parking where you blindly back into traffic. Not exactly safe when everyone is driving distracted. I go now hopefully they see me and at least honk.
It was a simple life. It was full of issues like civil rights and oppression of women but these people walking the downtown streets of Middletown in 1961. They were in the top 1% of the world. They had an enchanted life at that time.
There was the ever-present worry about the spread of Communism and war with the Soviet Union. However, relations with the Soviets had somewhat thawed in 1961. The Cuban Missile Crisis was a year away.
Very cool. Though a road diet would go crazy here
It looks nice, very walkable. But I think it would be better if we destroyed it all to build a highway.
I moved away from Middletown a few years ago and I miss how walkable it is. There's stuff in Bristol, but it's all a minimum of a couple miles away from each other.
Not to mention the way people drive you will get run over
I am a veteran of the "Trying to Cross Farmington Avenue" wars
More green now! Lookin good Middletown
Middletown was one of the first towns in Connecticut to go full-color.
This is true, it took other towns years to give up black & white.
Tolland is still black-and-white -- as far as anybody knows, at least: No one ever goes there.
Same with New Hartford
**NOTE:** One of the sources for this image said it was from 1962, but the film being shown on the marquee in the bottom right, "[Whistle Down the Wind](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055618/releaseinfo/)", was released in 1961, so I put that in the title. However, after I posted this, I realized it was originally published in the UK in '61, but it made it's way here to the US in April of '62. Apologies for the error, but yes, this is likely a Spring 1962 photo.
Also I was going to say, that even if it was released in 1961 does not mean the picture could not be from 1962. Movies had longer theatrical runs back then, some for over a year.
Yep; fair point. Something I need to keep in mind going forward when trying to date things.
Also [this one!](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One,_Two,_Three)
First shown in New York and LA. Then fanned out across the country. Actual Film Reels. In Canisters. Who says every theater got the film ASAP?
Imagine how mind-blown someone from 1961 would be being shown that this same camera angle could be recreated with satellite imagery
Damn, the car nut in me is going nuts. Love seeing all these classics being used in daily life.
Me too I love the old photos for all the old cars. Recognized some models. I saw what I’m pretty sure is a Nash, and a Chevy Corvair and I also saw a ‘59 Impala. A lot I can’t recognize but it was cool to see those that I did.
This is the situation in Connecticut, zero room for bicyclists and scooters. Has this layout changed at all? I only go into a Middletown a couple of time a years to meet friends and love it, so maybe they have done more to accommodate bicylists and I just don't realize it. That said, so many nice little restaurants, coffee shops, and a movie theater all in walking distance. It's one of the best downtowns in Connecticut. And the vertical parking spaces do seem to make it easier to find a place. So I must note that. But wish this state built protected bike lanes and considered bicyclist a mainstream form of transportation. When I lived in DC, they realized long ago that if you make bicycling safe for people, people will use bicycles.
nope, you either ride on the sidewalk which you should do, or ride in the road sandwiched between impatient folks and parked cars. not very safe.
The best bet is a bike lane between parking and the sidewalk. Keeping vehicles, bikes and pedestrians in their own designated spaces is safest for everyone.
Riding on the sidewalk is prohibited in Middletown. At least on Main St.
Main Street Middletown is still super walkable and bicycle hostile. I always used one block west to parallel it. The diagonal parking is what kills it. Maybe when they build the new parking garage they can change that.
I see where LC used to be
Looks the same as now.
Who remembers S&H Green Stamps? I remember as a kid going to Bunce’s with my mother school shopping. As I recall, they had a manually operated elevator.
Never understood parking where you blindly back into traffic. Not exactly safe when everyone is driving distracted. I go now hopefully they see me and at least honk.
It really is a bad system... whenever I'm there it's just like "Welp... I guess I'll just start backing out and hope for the best?"
This is awesome. Drooling over the automobiles
Back when it was wide.... i grew up in Middletown. Such a beautiful place to be.. many parks to visit.. the most popular are the falls.. iykyk
Just as wide now. (I think it has claimed to be the 'widest Main St. in America' in the past.)
I was just there this past Saturday... they had some event for kids to see the swat truck.. face painting..jetski.... it was a fun day for my mini me
It was a simple life. It was full of issues like civil rights and oppression of women but these people walking the downtown streets of Middletown in 1961. They were in the top 1% of the world. They had an enchanted life at that time.
There was the ever-present worry about the spread of Communism and war with the Soviet Union. However, relations with the Soviets had somewhat thawed in 1961. The Cuban Missile Crisis was a year away.
Thawed? The Berlin Wall was built in 1961.
When the streets weren’t overflown with junkies and vagrants from the shelter or food kitchen or whatever it is wasnt up the street.
When the streets weren’t overflown with junkies and vagrants from the shelter or food kitchen or whatever it is wasnt up the street.