News

New Canaan Now & Then: Karl Chevrolet

By |

‘New Canaan Now & Then’ is sponsored by Brown Harris Stevens Realtors Joanne Santulli, Karen Ceraso, Bettina Hegel and Schuyler Morris. As most people know, the Karl family has a long history in New Canaan, which began when John Karl opened his own garage at 10 South Avenue in 1915. 

John was the eldest of the Karl brothers who had lived in Milford, Connecticut, on the family farm before settling in New Canaan. Before striking out on his own, John had been the vice president and manager of the Central Garage. In February 1915, a contest organized by the Colonial Theater was held for the most “popular garage man” and, in December 1915, John Karl was in the lead with 145 votes, followed by Ed Nidd (130), William Simmon (75) and the Johnson Brothers (65). In March 1920, John purchased the grounds of the New Canaan Cab Company on Railroad Avenue and moved his business there.

Homepage Featured

New Canaan Now & Then: The Armory

By |

‘New Canaan Now & Then’ is sponsored by Brown Harris Stevens Realtors Joanne Santulli, Karen Ceraso, Bettina Hegel and Schuyler Morris. The Armory or “Armory Hall” was built by Noah Hoyt, the postmaster, as a two story shirt factory in 1840. 

The factory was used to make uniforms for the Northern Army during the Civil War and, when the war ended, the space was used to store arms and other war materials. The Armory stood at the rear of the post office building on the west side of Main Street opposite East Avenue. A photograph by Syd Greenberg  in the 1930s shows the buildings in the vicinity of the armory, including the iconic Cody Drugstore. In the 1930s James Cody owned the armory hall building.

News

New Canaan Now & Then: The Watts Comstock House

By |

‘New Canaan Now & Then’ is sponsored by Brown Harris Stevens Realtors Joanne Santulli, Karen Ceraso, Bettina Hegel and Schuyler Morris. The house at 66 Seminary Street was built for the first Baptist minister by Watts Comstock, the first president of the New Canaan First National bank and a founder of the First Baptist Society. 

The parcel of land was acquired by Hiram Terrell (a house carpenter) in lieu of a debt. Mr. Terrell sold the land to Watts Comstock and although there is no record to prove that any of the Baptist clergy lived at 66 Seminary, according to historian Mary Louise King that was his intention. Comstock deeded the land, new dwelling and barn with another parcel of land to his son Edwin in November 1875. Seminary Street was designated as a “highway” in the earliest land records and it was later known as “Brooks Street’ because brooks cross under it.

News

New Canaan Now & Then: The ‘Next to New’ Shop

By |

‘New Canaan Now & Then’ is sponsored by Brown Harris Stevens Realtors Joanne Santulli, Karen Ceraso, Bettina Hegel and Schuyler Morris. In 1922 the brick building located at 31 Grove Street housed the laundry business of Mrs. Millie Williams. The business changed hands within the year and was owned by Benjamin Mouzan (known as the B&L Mouson Laundry).  By July 3, 1924, the business had expanded to include housekeeping. In 1935 the business was transferred to his wife, Louise F. Mouzon. 

By the late 1930s, Frances Warren lived at 31 Grove Street. Ms. Warren was born in Boydon, Va. on March 10, 1872 and was the chef of the Ardsley Inn for 27 years.

Footer Featured Widget

New Canaan Now & Then: Marshall L. Walker House

By |

‘New Canaan Now & Then’ is sponsored by Brown Harris Stevens Realtors Joanne Santulli, Karen Ceraso, Bettina Hegel and Schuyler Morris. In honor of Juneteenth, we are highlighting 125 East Avenue which was once owned by Marshall L. Walker, a Navy veteran and the former president of the local NAACP chapter. Mr. Walker and Nannie married in 1939 in the Community Baptist Church.  At first the couple lived in a house on Locust Ave, but it was a “cold water flat,” which meant that all hot water had to be heated on the stove.  When the couple heard that 125 East Avenue was up for sale, they tried to secure a bank loan, but they were denied.  Luckily they were able to secure funding from local resident Alice King, and in 1954 the Walkers bought the house. Mr. Walker started his housekeeping business Walker and Walker in 1946. He was elected president of the NAACP on January 28, 1965.