Perils of the plowman
Well, we finally had a good storm. How did you handle it? Below is how friends and I dealt with it. My place Route 11, where I live, was snow covered with very few venturing out. Mainly all I … Continued
Ron Patch
A historic photo
The photo with this article was a gift of Ted Spaulding to Chester Historical Society. This photo answers questions I have had for years. It dates to the mid-1880s. The photographer was standing on Main Street looking toward the current … Continued
Let’s go fishing
The photo with this article is in the 2021 Chester Historical Society calendar. It would date to about 1915. Tom Hildreth who scanned the photo and performed his magic in Photoshop commented, “It’s very Norman Rockwell-like.” Two young boys sit … Continued
Junior High School
The Academy Building was built in 1881 as the Central High School. When the new high school was built on Depot Hill, circa 1911, the Central became a graded school. When Chester Elementary was built, the Central became Chester Junior … Continued
Hold your horses
The photo with this article is the cover of the 2021 Chester Historical Society calendar. William Ryland “W.R.” Spaulding sits in his buggy one sunny morning on North Street. W.R., as I refer to him, was Ted Spaulding’s grandfather. W.R. … Continued
Happy birthday, Peregrine
The Mayflower arrived off the Massachusetts coast 400 years ago this month. Much has been written about the Pilgrims. I am a descendant of Peregrine White, as is Jeff Holden. Lonnie Lisai is a descendant of Resolved White, Peregrine’s older … Continued
Breaking news
The Chester Historical Society 2021 calendar is here! The photo with this article is one of the photos included in the 2021 calendar. It’s most likely opening day of the new Chester Elementary School. While collecting histories for our “History … Continued
Something to consider
The photo with this article is a beauty. It was taken from the porch of the old Fullerton Hotel looking out to the green. This Fullerton burned in January 1920. The building on the right is Blair Books & More … Continued
Fire protection
In the old days Chester had a number of wells around town for fire protection. In some cases these were watering troughs. These were circular wells with wooden lift-up covers. In those days horses were the mode of transportation. Watering … Continued
Our hanging garden
Below is a story I found in the July 1925 Carpenter’s Store News. Like Carp, I too love our area landscapes. I’ve hiked Flamstead numerous times in years gone by. The top of the mountain is heavily populated with oak … Continued