This month we move on to the intersection of Rt. 25 at the Porter end of the bridge as we look at another lost business building of Kezar Falls. There have been many changes over the years at this location but today we will focus on the former Frank Holmes Dry Goods Store at the edge of the Ossipee River in the turn toward New Hampshire.
This is what you will see at this location today. The traffic pattern was improved when the bridge was reconstructed in 2001 to replace the old cement bridge. There is no trace of any buildings left at this corner today.
The intersection of River Street, Bridge Street, School Street and Rt 25 just before the bridge going to the left past the parking lot
In the picture below the building to the far right was built here circa 1900 by Allen Garner, Sr. The ground floor first housed a harness shop operated by William Chapman and son, James. Herman Pike also had a blacksmith shop at this location. Part of the second floor was used as an office for George E. Davis and F. Albert Fox, attorneys. In later years a Kezar Falls Men’s Club had rooms in the building and Kathie (Lamphrey) Stacy had dressmaking rooms on the second floor. Notice the 1869 covered bridge in this picture that was replaced by a cement bridge in 1927.
Frank Holmes and his mother Nettie French relocated here from their original store on River Street, and ran a dry goods store here from 1923 – 1955; eventually adding a little gas station seen in the picture here and below.
Cecil and Delbert Gilpatrick purchased the gas station in 1954 and built a garage that was operated by various people until it was taken down to make way for the new bridge in 2001.
In 1961 the Gilpatricks purchased the store building and moved it to Durgintown in South Hiram to become the home of the Raymond Marley family who had lost their home to fire in February. It eventually burned at that site.
NOTICE
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The next meeting is at History House on September 27 th at 2:00 pm. Sylvia Wilson will present a program “The Jose Fenderson Story – Part 2. His story continues as World War II Begins.” (Based on audio taped interviews with Jose.)