New Britain herald., 1922-08-12
THE OBSERVER,
Makes Random Observations
 On the City and Its People

Interesting to note, in view of the oft expressed opposition to the expen- allure of funds in the construction of auditorlums in the public schools. are the statements Of Charles w. Thom- son, prominent Scotch educator and prohibition worker. who visited this city several days ago, who heartily approves of the auditorium Idea,
 Coming here without knowledge of any controversy concerning such a provision in school construction, the advisability Of large assembly halls Is one Of the features that deeply im- presses the visitor. Informed of the oppositiom he expressed surprise and enumerated the many advantages of such convenience. Thoroughly conversant in the needs of school buildings, MT. Thomson was in a position to speak convincingly upon the desirability of providing for as- sembly halls, and he was emphatic in his assertion that group gatherings Of the student body are among the most important matters in school programs.
 Mayor A. NJ. Paontssa lead the op- position to .auditoriums at meeting of the City Meeting Board several months ago. He felt that It was useless expenditure and suggested that this feature be excluded in plans for future school buildings He was not without supporters in that body and also In the common council when the subject was afterward preached. Thus far, however, the agitation has rot resulted in the excluding of au- ditoriums from school buildings.
 Last Saturday The Observer com mented on a few of the many changes that have taken place in the business center of the city within the past few years, easily In the memory Of "the rising generation" dealing principal ly with the district south of the rail- road track Discussion by interested readers lead to a little further com- ment on the same subject,
 Time there was when the city was virtually divided into two sections and a person lived either north of the tracks" or south of the tracks" and, of course, the outstanding land. marks north of the tracks are the old Burritt school, the Hotel Bronson Normery the Strickland house) and the building at the corner of Main and Myrtle streets, formerly the Hotel Bassett This latter building, although remodelled and changed, still contains the frame and timber of which the original was made, and years ago, back in the real pioneer days, there was an old Indian Trading Post on this site. Beginning at the old Hanna Opera house building, how ever, there are many recent changes in the northern end of Main street. First, there was, until a few years ago, a little old stone structure known as the old stone store,' located on what is now the site of Sweney's block. And not outside easy memory of those eligible in the first draft of the late war, there was a time when between Curtin's block and the cor ner of Myrtle street there was noth- ence, barns and orchards. In it's place there are now number of stores. The old Booth house was built close to the sidewalk and was a typical old New England homeste1l painted white and with the custom ary lilac bushes around the front door In the rear was the orchard and the barns and COW sheds were where the Hotel Grand Is now situ- ated, the rest of the property being devoted to farming and gardening Across the street, adjacent to the Hotel Bronson, was little old wood en etore that years ago served as a grocery store and at one time there was drug store there. P. S. Nc Mahon razed the building for the avowed purpose of building mov- ing picture theater, but year or so. ago, when the George NJ. Landers residence was moved back, the entire stretch was given over for the new block, in the rear Of which it has been frequently reported s. Shurberg intends to build a theater.
 On Commercial street, between kenney and Leehorn's store and Boi- lerer's block, there stood, until few