Page 11 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 46 Winter 2024

a reception area, and there was electricity and hot and masonry by Sullivan Brothers, it was located near
water. There was even a modern laundry room in the what is now Cafe Luca Belle. No trace remains.
basement. You can admire the attractive front porch
railings as you walk by today. Hibernian Rifles Hall, Spring Street near Colony Road

The Hibernian Rifles was an Irish national militia active
German Lutheran Society Church,
164 South Whittlesey Avenue during the early 20th Century. Becroft designed an
Originally a church, this Gothic style building included armory for the organization in 1899. A grand parade
a tower, wooden shingles, and wood frame with was held at the opening, marching through town. The
concrete block foundation. There was a basement, Wallingford National Band played the National Anthem
large lecture room, parlors, and boiler room. A in front of the Hall. There was a drill room on the first
pastor’s office was on the ground floor along with an floor and assembly area on the second. The paper
auditorium. Measurements: 50’ x 32’. Today it has reported that many attendees commented that the
been reborn as the Islamic Center of Wallingford. new building was well proportioned, cheerful, and of
substantial construction. No longer standing.
John J. Prior House, 58 South Whittlesey Avenue
(corner of Prince Street)
Designed Temperance Hall, 175 Center Street,
in 1910 corner of Orchard Street
and built by Where La Piazza and Cafe Luca Belle are located
contractor today. Becroft designed a 40’ x 20’ addition in 1895.
Andrew Though the original building no longer exists, the hall
Olsen. This was used for Temperance Society meetings at the end
American of the 19th Century. It is interesting to remember that
Foursquare Wallingford once supported a group that frowned on
with its
center drinking. This was partially due to the high number
dormer, large front porch and boxy design was popular of drinking establishments and public intoxication in
at the turn of the century when the gaudier Victorian town.
style was losing popularity.
Washington Street School and
Joseph Odette/Audette House, 153 East Main Street Lyman Hall High School
This one-family, seven-room bungalow style house Becroft was involved in the designs of these and
had hardwood other local schools. In 1907 he was paid $100 for
floors throughout the preliminary sketch for the new Washington Street
and a fieldstone
foundation. Its School (where McKenna Court now stands). The
Craftsman style building itself cost $35,000. He had popular support
features are similar to be the primary architect for Lyman Hall High School
to the Malmquist (now Town Hall) but was selected as clerk of the works
House on North instead.
Main Street.
Wallace Silversmiths Company
T.A.B. Hall, corner of Orchard and Center Streets Becroft did a number of design projects for Wallace
Originally built as a meeting place for the Young Men’s
Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society, T.A.B. was a including: a new four-story brick factory building; an
temperance organization founded by Father Mallon. addition to the machine room of another Wallace
Gradually the building became a spot where many factory; and a brick and concrete powerhouse.
different groups and clubs gathered. Designed in Information is too sketchy to indicate locations for
1908 by Becroft, with carpentry by Loucks & Clarke, these projects.
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