Center School, Shuttered 30 Years Ago

I count myself among those with ties to New Canaan who will always feel a tug on the heart when passing the corner of Maple Street and South Avenue.

From 1909 until it closed in 1983, Center School stood right there, commemorated by the school bell that hangs in one corner of what is now a parking lot.

I finished second grade at Center and then in 1983, my friends and I were redistricted into one of three places (East, South, West) that were totally foreign to kids long accustomed to and fond of the knockout pit, Bill Brown at recess, the “ski school” math system and unforgettable faculty.

The school looks so small in postcards like the one attached here and featured for today's installment of "eBay Saturday," and in photos taken by , compared to what I remember. I know I’m not alone: My brother launched a page on Facebook a few years ago called “I Went to Center School in New Canaan” and it seems like every other day someone from Center is posting an old school photo or trying to remember the lyrics to a song in one of our musicals.

It’s hard to believe that this summer will mark 30 years since Center was shuttered and then quickly demolished to make way for the lot.

In another month, fresh produce once again will be available in the lot as the New Canaan Farmers Market gets underway for another season—and it’ll be nice to see something active happening there in Center’s footprint.