Steam billows from a train crossing the intersection of Routes 10 and 44, near the Avon Congregational Church. The train depot is on the right. The... Show moreSteam billows from a train crossing the intersection of Routes 10 and 44, near the Avon Congregational Church. The train depot is on the right. The viewer today would be on Old Farms Road, looking at the Route 44 intersection and traffic lights. The Farmington Canal Railroad from New Haven to Avon opened in 1850. It followed the route of the former Farmington Canal. The line to Northampton opened six years later. Passenger service ended in the 1940s. Freight service continued until 1991, when the railroad ceased operation. In 1992, Lino Viti said “The locomotive ringing bells and smoke coming out and the whistle blowing - those steam engines were quite a sight. Those days are gone.” The sign says “Railroad Crossing” and “Look Out For Engine.” The Avon Congregational Church meetinghouse, at 6 West Main Street, was built in 1819. Frank Hadsell wrote about the church bell in his diary for June 1869. “The raising of this Bell was quite an event to me, a boy of 11 years. A very long rope with pulleys was used and a crowd assembled on the church Green one pleasant afternoon. Breathlessly I watched the Bell ascend as the men pulled on the rope fearing it might fall and when it was safely landed hurried home to mother and told her all about it.” Original title in CBH’s list for photograph #023:“R.R. Crossing & Train with Church Avon.” Original title on his paper sleeve: “R.R. Crossing & train, Nov. 25, 1899.” Sleeve marked in pencil “CH” Source: Howard, Avon. p. 111. Caption by Nora O. Howard, Avon Town Historian, 2017. Show less