The Misarski Family at 100 Winthrop Street opposite Front Street…
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Misarski, homeowners who‘d come to New London from their native Poland, helped found the St. Peter and Paul Polish National Catholic Church on upper Main Street in 1921. While the church was later spared demolition, their home and that of many other parishioners, was not.
On September 6, 1963, nearly a year and a half after New London voters approved the redevelopment referendum of April 30, 1963, their sons, Zygmunt and William, witnessed the demolition of their family home as reported in The Day.
Over 500 homes and businesses would follow in the coming years.
This is a section of the Sanborn Fire Insurance map from 1954. Crystal Avenue has retained its original dog leg to the north coming east off of Main Street on the other side of Winthrop Cove. As a frame, or wooden structure, dating from the 1840s, the Misarski home at 100 Winthrop Street is drawn white with a D for dwelling. To the left at 110 Winthrop Street with a D in blue, representing cinder block construction, is the Potter home. Both the Misarski and Potter families are first-time homeowners.
September 6, 1963
A crowd of onlookers and city officials have gathered at the corner of Winthrop and Front Streets. Demolition of 100 Winthrop Street is underway.
With a pile of debris left from the demolition of 100 Winthrop Street in the background, F. Jerome Silverstein of redevelopment, and Mayor Richard Martin, chat with the unidentified bulldozer operator.
In time, the buildings on the hill beyond would meet the same fate, the residents and business owners forced to leave.
All photos courtesy The Day