Tenant postcard of Hebron Center c 1910

Stores have been a part of Hebron since early settlement. In the 1700’s Moses Case ran his store close to the Green. By the 1870’s, there were five stores in Hebron Center. Throughout the mid-20th century, first the Porter family, then the Celio family ran this store. Interestingly, it seems to have an 18th century store building relocated to the rear. Italian Americans first began to appear in the Federal census for Hebron in the 1880’s. At one point, Gilead was home to a large number of Italian immigrants. Celio’s store was a Hebron Institution providing bread, meat and other goods to people living in Hebron Center. However, the increase in automobile ownership, developments of the Eisenhower highway system and growing Connecticut suburbs gave rise to shopping malls that replaced local shopping.

Think about it
How would your family’s life be different without a car? How would your family get food? How would you go to school? How would your parent’s jobs be different?
Using your eyes to discover the past -Look at the building today can you find the spot on the building where the newer front was added to the older building. Close your eyes and imagine what the older building might have looked like before it was added on to.
Where to go next
From here continue to walk along the sidewalk toward Route 85

Meet Your Neighbors QR Tours funded by the Hebron Greater Together Community Fund in conjunction with the Hebron Historical Society