Tolland And America's 250th: The Homefront Observation Post

TOLLAND, CT — In anticipation of America's 250th anniversary, the Tolland Historical Society is sharing images from its archives that have historical significance.

The latest depicts action on the Homefront as WWII raged in Europe and in the Pacific.

The Tolland Observation Post was located along the stone wall on the North Tolland Green, about where the St. Matthew Church parking lot now sits.

During the war, the area was an open field, ideal for spotting potential "enemy" aircraft.

Local historians described the operation as such:

"During WW II it became evident that plans had been made by the opposition forces to bomb important points along the eastern seaboard. The U.S. Air Force developed a plan for an Air Warning Observation Post to be located in many towns. The local set-up had a chief observer and volunteer assistant observers. All people who served as volunteer observers had to be photographed, fingerprinted and were considered Air Force volunteers with official arm bands and pins. During the 2 hour shifts the heavens had to be scanned for aircraft with a report to headquarters by telephone of all that were spotted, the direction from which the planes came, and where it was headed also were reported and recorded in a log book."

The type of aircraft was desired and could be referenced on a round scale in hand.

The Observation Post was manned 24 hours a day over an extended period during the war.