The front stairs of the old Westbrook Congregational Church, shown in this picture, were a popular place for the young and old to sit and talk. The church, built in 1832, was demolished during Urban Renewal. Brackett Street ran between the church and the building to the right, which was the old Brackett Block, built around 1810 by Zachariah Brackett, and was once part of the Underground Railroad that helped slaves flee into Canada during the Civil War. This building and the building to the right of it were also demolished during Urban Renewal.

(Mike Sanphy photo)