This month’s post covers the business block next to the old KF Bank building on Federal Road before the bridge. All of the original buildings to the right of the Stanley Building have been lost, leaving a rather desolate business area here today.
The first building at this location was the S.P. Fox Store, one of the earliest stores in this area near the bridge. In 1866 Elias Newbegin opened this store which continued to operate until at least 1881 when it was sold to S.P. Fox. In 1885 it was sold to Elwyn Shackford.
A few months later it was purchased by G.W. Towle and in 1886 he built the large building that eventually became the Stanley Block. The two buildings were connected and grain was sold from the Fox building.
By the time this picture was taken about 1930 the facades of both buildings had been changed and another building was added to the right. The post office had been moved into the left side of the Norton block and Monroe Meat Market, one of a succession of grocery stores, occupied the right side.
This picture reflects more changes to this business area. The Stanley Building had become 2 stories after a fire. Carl Hammond’s jewelry store and Norton Hall occupied the second floor of the Norton building. The Post Office remained on the first floor with Kelly’s Market, later to become the McLucas Market. Howe & Deragon’s Plumbing and
Oil business is the smaller building on the right.
In 1970 a fire completely destroyed the Norton building and the Howe & Deragon business next door.
After the fire several smaller buildings took its place. Attorney Robert Batchelder built the small middle building for his law office, later to become Sonshine Books. Howe Oil Company built the brick building that later became a Chinese Restaurant. Another small building to the right of these was built by Pike, Lovejoy & Pike Insurance, later occupied by Parsonsfield Municipal Offices and is now a bakery. All but the bakery are now empty.
So many changes have occurred to this once vibrant business center of Kezar Falls. Nearly everything is now gone. There is hope for the Stanley Building with its new owners but the future of the rest remains uncertain. We will just have to wait and see what the future brings.
NOTICE
History House is closed for the 2025 season and there will be no meetings (except for planning purposes) until May, 2026. Requests for research information will still be answered as best we can with the resources available during the winter.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.