A Trip Down Main Street - Um, Main Streets - In Northern Connecticut

NORTHERN CT — The term "Main Street" is most often associated with the primary commercial roadway through a town or small city, and in many communities, it is formally titled Main Street. Mom-and-pop shops abound, small business is king, and most commemorative parades are based or centered there.

Renowned novelist Sinclair Lewis wrote a best-seller in 1920 entitled "Main Street," a critique of small-town life. Main Street USA, depicting early 20th century small towns, is found just inside the entrances at Disneyland and Disney World. An iconic 1967 painting of his adopted hometown in the Berkshire Mountains by the great Norman Rockwell is called "Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas (Home for Christmas)," and soulful rocker Bob Seger drew upon his recollections of growing up in Ann Arbor, Michigan in his 1977 hit song, "Mainstreet."

I figured every community in America has a road called Main Street, but a quick check of some maps of northern Connecticut towns showed that to not necessarily be the case. Here is a look at Main Streets in some of the area municipalities visited Wednesday.

EAST WINDSOR

There are actually two Main Streets within the town borders. One is in the Warehouse Point section, running from Route 140 to Route 5 and containing mainly residences, and the other traverses the village of Broad Brook, a mostly commercial area. North Main runs from the Maine Fish Market to the Enfield border, and South Main is the alternate name for Route 5 from A New England Auto Service to the South Windsor line.

ELLINGTON

Main Street is relatively short in Ellington, beginning at the junction of Route 83 by Kloter Farms and extending to a 4-way intersection at Pinney Street, Frog Hollow Road and Tomoka Avenue. Landmark sites include the Nellie McKnight Museum, Ellington Town Hall, Arbor Park and the Hall Memorial Library.

ENFIELD

Unlike most communities, Main Street is one of the shortest roads in Enfield, containing the Thompsonville Community Garden, Bigelow Commons Apartments, a closed bait and tackle shop, the burned remains of the Grey's Club and a single home just before the Connecticut River. There is also North Main Street, running from Route 5 to Pearl Street, which houses some small businesses, a medical office, the Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen, the Thompsonville fire Department and a rear entrance to Enfield Town Hall.

SOMERS

The entire east-west segment of Route 190 through Somers is called Main Street, beginning at Hazard Avenue in Enfield and ending at Chestnut Hill Road in Stafford. It has a solid mix of vintage and newer homes and small businesses.

SOUTH WINDSOR

Contrary to many people's opinions, Route 5 is NOT Main Street in South Windsor ... but Main Street does run parallel to the state highway, from East Windsor Hill to East Hartford. Many historic landmarks are on Main Street, including the nation's oldest continuously-operated post office and the birthplace of prominent fire and brimstone preacher Jonathan Edwards.

SUFFIELD

Technically, there is no official Main Street in Suffield, but the portion of Route 75 through town, from Windsor Locks to Agawam, is designated locally as North Main and South Main streets (or more technically, N Main and S Main). Prominent landmarks include Suffield Academy and Suffield Country Club.

WINDSOR LOCKS

The commercial segment of Route 159 through Windsor Locks is known as Main Street, featuring the under-construction transportation center, the Windsor Locks Library and Dexter Plaza. It becomes North Main at the fork by Vinnie's Little Acre, and South Main at the junction of Elm Street.

Photos: Tim Jensen/Patch