A couple of nicely aging barns on S. Branford Rd. about 30 yards south of the Whirlwind Hill intersection. They’re part of a cattle/horse farm that occupies most of the property adjacent to these four corners.
At one time Whirlwind Hill was, with it’s dairy farms, a quiety and remote part of town. Like the rest of the town, it too, can’t seem to help but grow with the times. Presently many, higher end, homes are located in this area. Some streets have been added as well to accommodate the housing. There is even a successful vineyard.
For me, it’s still a peaceful place to take a drive through. Those old barns that still stand were there when I was a kid in the 60’s. It brings me back to a better time. My Father also worked on a Whirlwind Hill Farm back in the 40’s. That farm still stands today. As I drive by it brings good feelings to think back to a day that my Dad would drive his beloved John Deere through the hay fields.
It was on Cook Rd, a side street off of Whirlwind Hill, that my Dad took me “duck hunting” when I was 9 years old for the first and, actually, only time. Actually the term “duck hunting” is quite a stretch. We loaded up my Daisy lever action BB gun and set off to find our “catch”. It was quite comical because after you cocked the rifle and pulled the trigger you could actually see the BB in flight. It would lose height and velocity after about 30′ and fall to the ground. Basically it was harmless but a whole lot of fun for a 9 year old. We never did catch anything that day. In fact I never even shot at a bird but the memories of “hunting” with my Dad linger on in my mind to this day.
I’ve taken many a ride on my Harley through this area. It’s a great place to collect your thoughts and clear your head. I hope everyone has a place or places from their childhood that bring them peace when they return again even 50 years later.
I also lived on Whirlwind Hill Farm in the 1940s. We lived on Williams Rd. and there were 5 girls in the family. My father, Lloyd Bromfield, was the manager, and my Uncle Bob Rider also worked on the farm and retired in the 1970s. I remember a man named Mr. Pugmore who hunted with his son on the land. It was a truly beautiful place to live. As I remember, Mr. Farnum had a herd of Brown Swiss cows.
Hi Ms. Harney,
Thank you very much for sharing that nostalgic look into your childhood days. I’m glad these images brought back fond memories for you. Although the area is slowly changing, to this day, I find some serenity in driving through the area. The farm my father worked on in the 40’s, as a teenager, still stands. I wish you the best.