Sunday, March 1, 2026

Post Wells, other Builders of Meadowbrook

I've been doing some research into the Meadowbrook Neighborhood post-Wells era of 1947 onward but not had much luck, so reporting what we do have.  Since I had luck contacting George Wells' granddaughter, I reached out to the families of the last two major companies building in our neighborhood, Ferrara Builders and Amy Builders, awhile back to see if they had any remaining details or documents but my luck ran dry.  Nonetheless, some fun reading as the neighborhood developed.  We really can see the chronography in architecture developing from the 20's influence on the 30s, then start to evolve in the 40s and 50s, reaching towards the 60s in these later built-newer era homes.

Ad from 1956

If you're not familiar, George E. T. Wells was the first President of Meadowbrook Inc., a subsidiary of Bankers Trust Company.  After George died in September 1947....

Aerial photo, ironically, from 1947 showing half completed neighborhood

Bankers Trust continued to market and sell the homes built by individual builders.......
Published Nov 5, 1948
Published 12 November 1948
Published 5 August 1949
Published 7 October 1949
Published 2 December 1949

Bankers Trust  eventually chose to disolve Meadowbrook Inc. in December 1952 and sold the remaining portions of the neighborhood to be built....

They sold the bulk of the land to Ferrara builders.





1953

1953



In the mid-50's another company took over, Amy Builders
1953 Amy Builders Inc.
owner of Amy Builders

1954

1955

1957
1957


Only One Left !
Published January 1958

And these were the last homes of the Meadowbrook neighborhood sold in the late 50's until the final house was constructed and sold on Wells Road in the 1960s.

Oh... and Amy Builders, well, they also built homes on Amy Drive in Westfield (though, many of the original constructions have been rebuilt)

and Amy . . . ?

Well, Amy got married in 1985.


Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Snowy start to 2026 & 90 years of Meadowbrook

Looking back at Meadowbrook photos in the snow 85 years ago (1941) courtesy George Wells' granddaughter, as we get ready to celebrate 90 years old November 2026 this year!

Just two photos of Meadowbrook Rd and Abbotsford off of Mali....

Look at those baby trees today! Get your spring tree planting plans ready, it takes a long time.






also a 1941 article about snow removal....

and a snapshot of a former resident's winter green-thumb hobby in 1965.

and one more snowy photo from the "archives", from in 1942

and a post-card view of the Green Brook, from the bridge on Farragut Road


Stay warm!!!

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Wrapping up 2025

hello everybody!

It has been quiet here in the ol' Meadowbrook Neighborhood history group as I haven't had much luck finding connections to other builders of homes, or newer eras, or uncovering other history tid bits. Today though a welcome surprise! I received a package of just a few more photos (5) from George Wells' granddaughter of pre-war images that were used in the newspaper between 1939-1941.
Our Meadowbrook neighborhood is looking forward to going into our 90th year for 2026, can you believe it? I hope that your 2025 is wrapping up nicely and there are good plans ahead for you too.
cheers!

friendly reminder, click the images to view larger, click the 'x' top right to close the image.

newspaper ad of 9 Anworth published 23 Nov 1940

newspaper ad of 9 Greenock published 21 Dec 1940

newspaper ad of 51 Mali Drive published 14 Sept 1940
... look at that Meadow in the background ... wow !

67 Abbotsford published 6 July 1940

an ad of 61 Meadwbrook published 29 April 1939
caption:
$1700 cash, and $64.81 monthly pays taxes, mortgage insurance premium, principal and interest. Fire and Hazard Insurance. This home is on sale for two days only. So you home seekers who are looking for an unusual buy better hurry. Air conditioned throughout. Weather stripped windows with spring balancers. 4 large bedrooms, large living room with wood burning fireplace and large dining room. Kitchen and lavatory with linoleum on floor. Tile bath, large cellar with laundry tubs, screened porch, bell chimes in hall. Brace frame construction. Brick veneer front with shingles sides and back. Garage with overhead doors.

1947 aerial view
a Meadowbrook "sold" sign


& prior posts of early day house photos are here in summary:

https://meadowbrookhistory.blogspot.com/2024/12/early-photographs-of-neighborhood.html

https://meadowbrookhistory.blogspot.com/2025/03/various-photos.html

https://meadowbrookhistory.blogspot.com/2025/03/brook-ave-meadowbrook-neighborhood.html

https://meadowbrookhistory.blogspot.com/2025/03/more-various-early-photos-mali-drive.html

https://meadowbrookhistory.blogspot.com/2025/03/more-various-photos-meadowbrook-road.html


Cheers!

Friday, November 14, 2025

Happy 89th Anniversary Weekend Meadowbrook Neighborhood

Celebrating opening day 15 November, 1936 ... Ironically as some of the first 30yr mortgages, it will take 30 years to complete the building of the neighborhood, becoming a unique snapshot of changes in American home architecture preferences and tastes spanning from the 20s to the 60s!


Below are a few photo snippets from the newspaper before and after this opening event. First maps of the proposed neighborhood were socialized and published in the newspaper in April 1936. The first shovel for ground breaking took place July 1936, and the first recorded sale was in August 1936.








And if you haven't yet this fall, please plant a tree! 🌳