Haddam officially began in 1869 when George Canfil donated land for a town site. The town was named after Haddam, Connecticut and by 1874 had two stores and three houses. In July 1884 the Burlington and Missouri railroads arrived. For many years the train made two trips a day through town. The top floor of the depot housed the agent and his family; Ed Hovey was the first agent to conduct business from the depot which still stood until 1995. (As a child, I can remember helping to unload train car loads of lumber that would be left on a siding and taken to my Dad's lumber yard. Dr. John Hoover also arrived in 1884 and the following year was elected the first mayor of Haddam City.

On April 1, 1901, a truly amazing thing occured, an all-woman mayor and council were elected. Their first project was to erect a new jail, replacing an insecure one. This jail still stands south of Main Street on Taylor. Elections were held yearly until 1903, and biennial thereafter.

My great-uncle, Jos. H.Fencl, who had a grocery-general merchandise store for many years, served the most terms (12). My grandfather, E. C. Wranosky, served as Mayor in 1955; my father, Lyle Wranosky, served on the city council in the years of 1949, 57,59,61,75 & 1977.

Haddam had several newspapers but the only one to be in print after 1889 was the Haddam Clipper Leader. From February 1926 until October of 1949, my great aunt and uncle, Ed and Fern Fencl, were the owners and editors of the paper. Concordia Power and Light brought electricity in November 1921. The city's water system was established in 1938 with a WPA project. A federal grant brought the town its sewer system in 1972.

For many years Haddam flourished, its citizenery supported many business establishments. Gradually city services were added improving the quality of life. Duaine's parents, Lee and Vivian Bettis, owned and operated one of these businesses (Rooney Garage) from 1953 until 1961. It was a general repair shop for vehicles; his Dad could just "listen" to a vehicle and tell you what was wrong with it! My parents, Lyle and Dean Wranosky, owned Haddam Lumber from 1951 until they retired in 1981. But sadly, as is with the case of many rural towns, it has been in a slow decline. Where once stood a thriving community, there are now only a handful of businesses.

Ah, but the memories of growing up in that warm, friendly, sheltered place situated between Mill Creek and Myers Branch can never be replaced. It is the place where a Freshman cheerleader and a Senior jock fell in love and they have loved happily everafter!

I suggest that if you want a detailed history of Haddam, you read these books by Vivian Kolars. Vivian taught music in the school system for many years; she wrote our high school song. Her books, Heritage, and Remember When are interesting, funny, sad, and thought provoking.