Dan Antion

Closing February’s Door – #ThursdayDoors

No longer used for mail, but still beautiful.

So far, this winter has been bad news for doorscurrsions in New England. Between rain, snow, ice, ice, ice and cold, the barriers to leisure photography have been many. Last week, I was in Hartford for a haircut. I leave much earlier than I have to, because I want to make sure I am on time, even if the traffic is bad. If the traffic is light, I can drive around and snag some doors. Well, that’s the usual plan. Unfortunately, the ice and snow that has been plowed to the curb, hasn’t melted. That means, there are very few places to safely pull over. I managed to get some pictures from my lane (when there was no one behind me), and I made note of some places to revisit…maybe in April.

I remembered having a few odd photos from previous haircuts, so that’s what I’m offering today – an odd collection from Hartford.

We have snow in the forecast overnight. If the forecast is accurate, I’ll be out clearing a path for my car and the school kids who will undoubtably have a delayed walk to the bus stop. I might not be there when Norm opens the list, but I’ll get there at some point.

If you don’t know about the list, it’s worth checking out. It’s even worth the minute or two to sign-in, if you haven’t already. Having your door on the list means that more people will see them. I’ve been on the list and off the list, and I can tell you that being on the list puts more eyeballs on your page. How do you get on the list? I’m glad you asked. Follow this link to Norm’s doors. Check them out and then look for the link to the list. Fill out the form, and your doors are in the gallery of doors for this week.

Now, February – don’t let the door hit you on the a** on your way out!

Little River Restoratives
Cocktails, Punches, Possets and Grogs
A few people in shorts and the absence of that snow would put me more in the mood for ice cream.
Red Rock was an early leader in the distribution of carbonated beverages. By the end of the 1950s, it had mostly disappeared.
Allegro Cafe – where you can get that egg, bacon and potatoes breakfast I keep showing.
The doors might be bland, but the sunrise is impressive.
Main entrance to the old G Fox department store. It’s a community college and craft workshop space now.
G Fox department store building. Long closed as a department store, but various groups are trying to bring new life to the iconic Art Deco building.
There are doors at both ends of both levels. This is the old pedestrian crossing from the parking garage to the G Fox department store.
Sign of the times.
No longer used for mail, but still beautiful.
My barber is down this street. That door leads to an ATM.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God could have put the sign in a better place (in my opinion). It is good to see the building still being used as a house of worship.
Redeemed Christian Church of God
The Cady Corner
Saint Anthony Hall – known as Caddy Corner after Josiah Cleaveland Cady (architect)
Saint Anthony Hall – Trinity College
Not very exciting doors, but think of climbing those steps each night from the street to the 3rd floor.

90 comments

  1. Hi Dan – I feel for you with the snow … just so glad it’s not here. That Asylum closed post box – is wonderful … a real pleasure to see the work, not so much knowing about the asylum – take care – cheers Hilary

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  3. As many times as I’ve driven through or around Hartford, I’ve not seen its beauty as you’ve captured it. Thank you, Dan. I particularly love the pedestrian bridge – extraordinary. Have a great day!

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    • Thanks Gwen. I really hope they can repurpose the G Fox building. They are trying to turn it into a working/sales space for small business that make things. They want to be able to show the process as well as the products.

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  4. Dan, this may be one of my favorite of your doors posts, because we get to see your everyday world. Im sorry about the new snow coming. We are stuck in rain/fog mode with snippets of sunshine here and there. My Camelia is blooming bravely.

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  7. For those of us who love rounded architectural features, thanks for including Cady Corner in this week’s roundup. A lovely building!

    However, this week I give top marks to the pedestrian walkway. I love the colour, those vintage industrial-style windows, and especially the clock!

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    • Thanks Joanne. I debated whether or not to include the walkway, since you really can’t see the doors. But, it’s so beautiful. Especially compared to the prefab ones they install today, that are just boring glass boxes. The Cady Corner building is nice. I hope to visit that at a point when I might be able to get inside.

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    • Thanks Pam. I love the letterbox. I don’t want to throw stones at the church, but how hard would it have been to put the sign on the wall? For that matter, how hard would it be to have a better looking sign. Sometimes, entities are more concerned about themselves than the architecture.

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  9. “Now, February – don’t let the door hit you on the a** on your way out!” My sentiments exactly Dan. Lol.

    Love everything about the Cady Corner. What a neat building from top to bottom and side to side. The Redeemed Christian Church of God is another beautiful building with its brickwork and nice doors set in that great archway….BUT their logo is so out of place on this handsome old building.

    Ice cream! I don’t think so! After this winter of never-ending ice, it’ll be a while before I will be able to think about anything with the word “ice” in it!! 😳
    🐾Ginger 🐾

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    • We are in pretty much total agreement, Ginger (I can always make an excuse for ice cream) but it’s almost impossible to park on that street. And, that’s Capitol Avenue in Hartford – if they can’t keep it clear, there’s certainly no hope for us little guys.

      I think that logo should get a ticket from Norm for “Door Defacing” – I give them credit for keeping a church building in use, but, yeah, they could have made that so much better.

      I mentioned above that I hope to get back to the Cady Corner if there’s an opportunity to go inside. I’d love to get closer.

      February left us another 1 1/2″ of snow, like a goodbye card. Just be gone!

      Thanks!

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  12. It is heartening to hear that the G Fox department store is being re-purposed. Saint Paul had some majestic old departments stores that were torn down to put up glass and steel monsters, that are now mostly vacant.

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    • Seriously. I tink they deserve a ticket from Norm. I think it takes away from the appeal of the church as well. That seems way more commercial than I would want my church to feel.

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  14. Some great doors, Dan, as always. There’s nothing like a red door in a brick church, and the others are pretty cool as well. But I think my favorite is that mail door. Love that kind of baroque detail. They just don’t make ’em like they used to, as the saying goes!

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    • Thanks Paul. Maybe the look and feel (or lack thereof) is part of the reason these stores lose out to online. There’s nothing special about the brick and mortar place anymore.

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  15. Lovely selection, Dan. St. Anthony Hall is my favourite, love the shape of that building. Sorry you’re having such a terrible February. It’s been unusually mild and sunny here, last year we had snow for most of the month. We could get it in March or April, so I won’t get my hopes up that winter has entirely gone, yet.

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  17. February is one of those months where we are happy to say goodbye too. Years ago I had a co-worker who took two weeks off every year in the middle of February. Her mother lived in Hawaii. I always admired her.

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  22. Great pictures as always. I remember Red Rock Ginger Ale. It was the best, heavy ginger and almost hot like cinnamon. A favorite for me and my grandmother. Wonderful memory, thank you. I will be so glad when the snow, the ice, more snow and more ice are gone. I want to play with doors as well but not in this mess. Come on April.

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    • Thanks Anita. I’m glad to hear from someone who remembers Red Rock. I love those old painted signs. Are you giving up on March? I’m tempted to, she’s been a bad girl the past two years.

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  24. That mailbox is a keeper for sure. Not only do they not make mailboxes like that anymore, hardly anyone makes mail :-D
    You’re right, it has been a tough winter to get out and find doors. Thank goodness for short outings and for our archives.

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    • Thanks Norm. I love those old mailboxes. We don’t have nearly as much snow, but what herb refuses to go away. I’m hoping for a short outing for next week. It’s good to have a reason to get out, because most of No Facilities wants to hide under the covers until April.

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    • Thanks Jesh. I love those old style mailboxes. It’s hard to get photos without parking, but I was out very early (6:45 am) which made it easier. Not too many cars out. I hope to get inside the Gady Corner building at some point. I’d love to see inside.

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  28. Hi Dan, Thank you for another blast from my past, the old G Fox building. I used to shop there many moons ago. There was a cool restaurant near G Fox that made a killer batter fried chicken sandwich with bacon and melted cheddar cheese. I can’t remember the name of the place. It was a good after work spot. Do you know the place? It moved from downtown to across from the West Farms Mall before closing many years ago. Cheers, Donna

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    • I’ll have to ask my wife if she remembers, Donna, but that sandwich sounds good. I remember shopping there in the early 80s (also Sage Allen and the Richardson Shops) when I worked downtown. I miss going out at lunch and having so many places to go.

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      • Yes! I shopped not only at G Fox, but Sage Allen, and the Richardson shops as well. I did a little digging and the restaurant was Brown Thomson & Co. It was a happening place in its day. I miss that artery clogging sandwich. :)
        Donna

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  30. Hi D – laughing at your humor with the dorr hitting on the way out and then the “being in the list” lol
    —
    The featured door was super cool with the little lock and antique vibe.
    Also – in the collage – I like the bottom photos of st anthony hall – the one second to the right has the cool two trees and the left tree is lined up with the tower – love that shit

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  35. Your last line made me LOL! February was almost as full as December for us and we are so tired. (And I got another sick, yay.) Great collection of photos. Cady Corner is charming, the restoratives sound almost as good as the ice cream, and oh my goodness, that walkway is somethin else! :D
    More snow today. Cold weather all week. Not crazy cold, but too cold. Sometime this month though, we’re gonna have a nice warm, sunny day. Truly.

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    • We are going to have a nice warm day. It has to happen. The sun is shining more and more each day. It’s going to get cold here this week, single-digits maybe. I’ve had enough of that. I’m glad you liked these doors. Thanks for visiting. Have yourself a couple restoratives ;-)

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  36. Sometimes when I see these pictures I feel I’m looking at a different planet. Everything is such contrast to what you see in India. I know it might not be fair to compare Mumbai and Hartford but even the small towns in India are strikingly different to the ones in the USA. And I like that. Great pictures.

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    • The pictures only tell one part of the story, Sharukh. Some of these doors are in neighborhoods that aren’t really all that safe. There have been 7 shootings in Hartford this year, five people have died. The city has a lot of wonderful architecture, but it really needs to get its act together.

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      • I don’t think there is any part of the world free of crime, Dan. Back in 2006 when I shifted to Vasai (northern suburbs of the suburbs) this place was almost a sleepy town. Cut to today it has undergone so much development the crime rate has gone through the roof. Chain snatching, extra-marital affairs related crimes, looting in the industrial area and hit and run cases. Fortunately, there has been only two cases so far in around ten years in my neighbourhood. Also, we have plenty of street dogs in my neighbourhood so they bark when they sense something wrong. Also, this might not be the place to mention but I have uploaded one of my school content on BFF page so you may check that out whenever you have time.

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