The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-05-27
. MAIN STREET-NORTH ANSON
HISTORICAL NOTES OF
NORTH AMSON

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In continuance of historical notes
and views of North Arson, previous to
the conflagration which swept that
town in 1913, a view of Main Street in
that village is presented herewith, to-
gether with "reminiscences of the ear
lier business men.
The first building on the left is on
the corner of Main and Elm streets,
and it was built by DR.. Beer Bryant
and James Collins, who settled here In
the year of 1900. The lower part was
their store and they rented the upper
part In later years, Hon. Albert
Moore had the second story for
printing office, whence The Union Ad-
yocate was issued until 1t was sold to
The Somerset Reporter. The lower
part of the building was occupied for
many years by Frank Bodfish as a
drug store, and after his death his son
had charge of it. Later, f. II. Hol E
ley bought the drug store. The build
ing was partially burned in 1904 but
was rebuilt and occupied as shoe
store by w. F. French in 1913.
The It. F. Paine store was built by
Franklin Smith and Daniel Steward.
T. +. Paine traded there 46 years until
his death in 1902. Later it was bought
by F. w. Bunker, and at the time of
the fire was owned by Gardner Say
age, the Central telephone operator,
who, although blind, stayed at his post
of duty until driven by the flames.
Somerset Hotel, which was nearing
the century mark. had passed through
the hands of several proprietors, be-
fore Brown & Hilton took it and they
were there nearly three decades, until
both died. Somerset Hotel was then
bought by George E. Clark, who sold
in 1901 to F. w. Bunker, and he sold
to N w. Murphy, who was proprietor
at the time of the fire.
The smaller buildings beyond the
Hotel were built in the early days Of
the town, the one seen at the foot of
the hill being Elias Cobb's law office,
and is now known as the Parker
Witham house.
The buildings in the center on the
hill were built by Mark Steward in
1869 and are now owned by Wallace
Emery.
The first three blocks on the east
side of the street were not built so
early, as that side of the street from
the Masonic Hall was swept out in the
fire of 1868. The first block on the
front was built by Theodore M. Stew
ard and his father Benjamin Steward,
the latter having been in the jewelry
business in Skowhegan from 1857 to
1870, when he returned to his former
home In this village. The lower part
of the block was occupied by them in
the jewelry business. T. M. Steward,
who was born March 26, 1927. still
works at his business at his shop at
home, and Is probably the oldest
jeweler in the State. In 1886 the up
per part of the block contained the
law office of A. H. Ware, and the dem
tai rooms of Charles p. Smith. This
block contained the dry and fancy
goods store of W. C. Simmons at the
time of the fire.
Carrabassett Hall was built In 1865
by Joel Gray and was burned in 1889,
at which time the stores were occu-
pied by J. C. Fuller & Co. and Edwin
Collins, and up stairs was a fine hall,
and J. J. Parlin's law office. Cara
bassett Hall was rebuilt In 1892 by
John Clark, and burned In 1918. The
stores were occupied by NJ L. French,
gents furnishings. and c. w. Rogers
dry and fancy goods. The upper part
was a large hall.
The next brick block was built by
G. II. and J. A. Fletcher. and there
were three stores ON the first floor
In 1886 1t was occupied by Benjamin
Dinsmore. groceries. +. ID. Nudd, fur
niture. and w. II. Williams. stoves and
hardware. Later. 1t was bought by
the Odd Fellows. and a fine hall was
finished above. with dining room be-
low. l.. p. Lincoln. had undertaking
rooms In this block.
Center street runs between this and
the Masonic Hall. the next building
seen In the picture. This hall was
built very early. but the actual date Is
not known. but II was between isis
and 1926 This vas rented OF the
Masons for an Academy until a build
ing vas erected. Juss north OF Ma
sonic Hall vas q small shop used b,
FREEMAN Williams for harness shop
Later this building vas moved Ia Cen
ter street and at,ea up fos the puhiis
library.
This asst halldinE was for man,
years 1ssd by VIA y niunt tor q
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