UPDATE as of June 06, 2020
Cheryl and I drove by the site of the once Circle Dot Drive In to find that it had been torn down.
The abandoned CIRCLE DOT DRIVE IN, 687 Main St., (Rt. 25), Monroe CT. Best I can determine it was built in 1954 and closed in 2001. It was operated by George and Teresa Mich from 1974 – 1999 and was built by George’s father. I’m sure this was a regular hot spot for coffee and hot dogs. Their menu also included breakfast items such as eggs and luncheon items such as hamburgers and fish fillet. You hate to see places like this gone from our fabric as they brought personality to the area and I can only speculate tasty food and many good friends. I believe George and Teresa have since passed away, may they rest in peace.
Photographed with a Sony Nex 7, mirrorless camera and Carl Zeiss 24mm lens.
1/160th, f11, ISO 100, Aperture priority.
Jay,
I admire your work and find your galleries highly interesting and inspiring for me to get out there more often with camera in hand. It’s sad to see the changes in the Circle Dot just in the six years between your photos and mine, the inevitable graffiti and overgrown grass around the cafe perhaps speaking to the final abandonment since the owner passed away in 2016. Link to my photos: https://1drv.ms/u/s!Am6odufvltpRvkShAmJPLlFzQxKR?e=jkPm1p
Keep up the great work.
Hi David,
Your work is stunning. Inspiring to myself as well. Yes time does have a way of marching on. Wishing you the much success in your photography endeavors. Jay
Can anyone find out what happened to the SIGN? I wanted to try and save it but they tore the building down before i could ?
Jay,
I have enjoyed browsing through your galleries since I discovered your site with the shots of the Circle Dot Drive-Inn. Sad how these iconic places drift away. In the six years between your shots and mine from 2013 the inevitable graffiti, fallen front shade and overgrown grass surrounding the cafe are taking their toll. Perhaps this followed on from the passing of the last owner and disinterest of any remaining family. Link to my photos:
(Admin. removed link as we do not post readers links for the safety of our readership in case of viruses or spam)
Keep up your great work.
Hi Jay,
So sad to read your comment that the Circle Dot is gone forever. Thankfully we have our photos to remind us. too bad it couldn’t have been reconditoned into a new roadside cafe.
I love your barn photos. Thanks so much for displaying them. A few barns for you….(LINK removed by admin as we don’t post links for the protection of our readers in the event that they contained a virus)
These barns were still in use – I believe for horse boarding – and the land surrounding them along US 7 in New Milford, CT was still being farmed many years ago in 1976 when I began working for Nestle in New Milford. They were such a beautiful sight backed up by the wooded ridges that form the eastern boundary of Candlewood Lake, especially in the fall. Around the early 2000’s I made these snapshots on one of my explorations up Route 7. They are all gone now, I believe the land is now the site of Cosmo’s Landscaping & Nursery, although I’m not sure.
The other red barn was once right on US 7 in Wilton, CT. Thankfully it was saved and moved a short distance behind the original location and together with two other structures forms Cannon Corner at 445 Danbury Rd. (US7) in Wilton, CT.
I miss New England greatly but am shooting old structures nearby me in Fayetteville, GA. Keep up your great work!
Hi David,
Thank you so much for your kind remarks. It’s good to talk to a fellow “old structure” shooter like myself. I loved your barn pictures from Wilton. Always nice to capture them before they are torn down and gone forever.
I apologize for not keeping your link from your email. I’m sure it would have been fine but as a rule I just don’t post links that people send in just to be extra cautious.
That must have been a wonderful career with Nestle and you certainly lived in a beautiful part of the world! Keep shooting and, I’m sure, there are plenty of old barns left in GA.
Stop back again anytime. Nice to hear from you.
Jay
I wanted to at least save the sign. When I saw that they were planning to tear it down (huge excavator parked next to it) I planned to leave a note, since every time I drove by, there was never anyone there doing anything. I never left the note, and then it was gone.
I remember going there as a kid for hot dogs, but if I recall, they were sporadically open. Great shots and thanks for preserving it for memories sake.
I’m sorry you missed out on the sign Jim. I’m glad the image, at least, will keep your memories alive.
Jay