This week we look at more of the changes along Lowell Road with this 1939 aerial view.   The farm buildings in the center of the photo are those of the Luther Pollard Farm.   Owned by members of the Pollard/Parker family of Lowell, MA and Hudson; Robert Hardy was the farm manager.  Robert and Bertha Hardy along with their large family lived in this farmhouse and worked the farm for the owners.    Robert raised turkeys, chickens, cows for milk, as well as a large garden and fruit trees.  Besides managing the farm resources, he was able to produce ample food for his family. John Hardy, Robert’s son, purchased the farm in 1946.  Behind the farmhouse, but not visible because of the trees, was a large home with spacious porches.  This was the Pollard/Parker family’s summer home.

Along side and to right of the farmhouse is Lowell Road.  Barely visible because it is hidden under a row of trees.  Looking north, towards the top of the photo, pieces of the road are visible.  On the opposite side of Lowell Road, to our right, is the farmhouse and farm of Raymond Pollard.  Ray, his father  and grandfather before him owned and operated this particular farm.

By sharp contrast, today both farm houses are gone.  Where the Pollard/Parker farmhouse stood we now have the recently built Inn at Fairview, a part of the Fairview Nursing facility.  Likewise the home of Ray Pollard has been removed; now the location of the north end of the parking lot of Market Basket at the corner of Lowell and Wason Roads.   The garden seen in the forefront of the photo is now the location of Haffners.  Lowell Road is no longer a narrow two lane roadway; now a four plus lane highway with plenty of traffic and traffic lights!!  The open fields for market produce have given way to houses and industrial parks.

Enjoy this step back in time!   We will explore more of these early landmarks in  the weeks ahead.  Photo from the Historical Society collection.  The society can be reached for comment by calling 880-2020 or sending email to HudsonHistorical@live.com.