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Robinson Road Looking West c1935

July 10, 2015 2:03 am / Leave a comment

Robinson Road C 1935

Robinson Road Looking West  C 1935

In this C 1935 photo we are standing  near 99 Robinson Road looking west C. 1930.  At that time Robinson  was pretty much a single lane roadway unless you happened to meet a car from the opposite direction.  In that case the car coming east would ‘scoot’ off to the right until the oncoming car was passed.  The utility pole seen here provided telephone service from the central at Hudson Center.  Electricity was not available in this part of town until about 1946.  Beyond the utility pole we see the barn which once stood at what is now 104 Robinson Road. Photo from the Parker/Robinson Family and now a part of the Historical Society Collection. (Published HLN July 10, 2015)

Camp Cayuga c1956

June 26, 2015 3:01 pm / Leave a comment

Camp Cayuga comp

Camp Cayuga Lowell Road

As early as 1956  boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 14 were bused, transported by car, or walked to Camp Cayuga on the Lowell Road in Hudson.  Camp Cayuga, a summer day camp, was operated by John S. Groves on his family’s 265 acre farm.  The camp activities started at 9 am and ended at 4 pm.  Each camper brought their own lunch except on Thursdays when there was a noonday cookout. The camping season was 8 weeks, during the months of July and August.  As many as 125 plus children came from towns like Milford, Amherst, Merrimack. Lowell, Chelmsford, Nashua and Hudson.  Camp facilities included a large barn for a place of assembly, a swimming pond on the property which was recently dug by a bulldozer along a brook which ran thru the property, bath houses, Indian camps where campers divided into tribes, playing fields, horseback riding rinks, and woods for nature study.  Horse back riding was one of the more popular events.  special events,such as horse shows, carnivals, and fishing derbys,  were often held.
The Groves farm was located on the western  side of Lowell Road and extended to the Merrimack River. Until 1955 Mr. Groves had farmed the land and operated an automobile sales agency on the premises.  He then turned from auto sales to teaching school.  The idea of using the farm as a summer camp was suggested to him by a friend a few years earlier.  The possibilities for expansion were considered as tremendous as within a 15 mile area there were 200,000 people and only 2 other day camps in the area.
Within a few years growth came to Lowell Road and with it an increase in property values.  The State of New Hampshire had plans for a Circumferential Highway.   By the early 1970’s the northern portion of this farm was used for the access road to the Sagamore Bridge.  Of the remaining acres, the part abutting Lowell Road is the location of Sam’s Club; the back portion toward the river is part of The Green Meadows Golf Course,  Photo courtesy of Leo Demers and now a part of the Historical Society Collection. (Published HLN June 26, 2015)

St, Anthony’s Friary

June 19, 2015 12:47 am / Leave a comment

St. Anthony Huson NH 005

St. Anthony’s Friary

On a beautiful fall day in October 1956 Saint Anthon’y Friary on the Lowell Road was dedicated.  By that time the building was complete, landscaped, and the access road from Lowell Road paved.  Bishop Brady of Manchester was the celebrant.  Of the many sites considered in 1954, this 148 acre property with 2,700 feet on the banks of the Merrimack River far excelled others.  It was 3 miles from the Nashua train station with 10 trains to and from Boston on weekdays, 6 on Sundays.  The property was purchased from Laurette Jacques,  The site was blessed and groundbreaking began March 26, 1954.  Careful and professional design resulted in a 3 storey quadrangular building with 115 private rooms plus rooms for visitors, suites for staff, an infirmary, a 2 story choir, and a library on the third floor.  The Province received much professional help for which they were grateful.
For nearly 25 years The Friary served to educate young men for the priesthood.  By 1979 the Friary building and then 172 acres was put on the market and the Town of Hudson was offered first refusal.  After 25 years of landscaping by the Capuchin monks the property had pine and fir forests, red and white oaks, maple, birch, ash, hickory, and other trees. There were also handball courts, tennis courts, a swimming pool, and self contained water ans septic systems.The 3 story building was served by 4 stairways and an elevator.
The town received permission for a special town meeting on October 19, 1979 in order to decide on the acquisition of the Friary at a cost of $2.8 million. Many were in favor and many were opposed.  A majority of the voters favored the the purchase but; a 2/3 vote was needed.  The purchase was defeated by 22 votes.
Moving forward to present time, a part of the site has been commercially developed by extending Executative Drive.  The Lowell Road frontage at 161 Lowell Road has not been developed.  Information and photo courtesy of Brother Roger and now a part of the Historical Society collection. (Published HLN June 19, 2015)

Oblate Retreat House on Lowell Road C. 1976

June 12, 2015 1:14 pm / 3 Comments on Oblate Retreat House on Lowell Road C. 1976

OMI Retreat House C. 1976

OMI Retreat House C. 1976

The Oblates  purchased the Wilson Farm on the Lowell Road in 1922 and established a novitiate for young men entering the priest hood.  The initial wooden building burned in 1935 and was replaced by this brick building in 1936.  The novitiate closed and the building was used as a retreat house beginning about 1941.  Many religious based retreats were held here for religious leaders, lay persons, teens, and individuals with special needs.  A large lecture hall and chapel were added later.  In the first  photo we see the Oblate Retreat House as it appeared in 1976.
OMI Retreat House C. 1955

OMI Retreat House C. 1955

Some of our readers may recall attending a weekly or weekend retreat at the OMI (Oblates of Mary Immaculate) Retreat House; many more will remember the magnificent display of Christmas lights as early as 1952.  In 1960 as many as 300,000 lights were used in the special display which caused a glow in the sky for many to see!  Travelers were lined up and down Lowell Road to catch a look at the display which was visible from the road. The second photo shows one of these exhibits.  These exhibits left fond memories with many residents; the magnificent displays on the building and grounds and the enchanted village inside.  All open to the public.
Local residents remember, and miss, the friendly, welcoming atmosphere extended by the brothers of OMI to the kids and families living in the area.  Hudson resident Leo Demers and his childhood friend Fran would spend summer/winter days helping the resident brothers and priests with chores such as weeding, raking and general clean-up, decorating for Christmas.  For this they were paid a dish of ice-cream!!
After the retreat house closed the property was placed in a holding company and purchased by Etchstone Properties in 2005.  This building and the acres around it are now the location of Mission Pointe, residences for age 60+, at 200 Lowell Road.
The Oblate of Mary Immaculate  were one of 3 religious organizations who purchased large pieces of farmland along Lowell Road; using the property in their own mission, keeping fields/forests maintained and unused for commercial purposes.  Photo from the collection of the Hudson Historical Society.  Published HLN June 12, 2015.

Home of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Johnson on Ferry Street

June 5, 2015 12:11 am / Leave a comment

Bungalow Style Home of Mr and Mrs Harold Johnson on Ferry St

Bungalow Style Home of Mr and Mrs Harold Johnson on Ferry St


The bungalow style home, shown in the first picture, on Ferry Street was built of stone blocks with a metal roof after the previous family home was destroyed by fire in 1913.  A careful look will show the electric car tracks on Ferry Street.  The previous home, in the same location,  was a two story  clapboard house.  It  is shown here in 1913 fire as the firemen from
Hudson men battling an active fire at the Bassett Home on Ferry Street - 1913

Hudson men battling an active fire at the Bassett Home on Ferry Street – 1913

Hudson were battling the blaze which destroyed the house.  We see the men on the porch roof with hoses in an attempt to contain the fire.  These houses were the home of the Bassett/Johnson family from about 1890 until the mid 1970’s.  The first Indian Head bank building in Hudson which opened in  November 1965 was to the right of this home.  By the mid 1970’s the bank had expansion plans and this property was purchased, the building razed, and the enlarged bank building constructed by 1976.  The original bank building was moved to the corner of Ferry and Library Streets and is now in use by the Hudson Fire Department.
Almeda (Bassett) Johnson was a Hudson native.  She married Charles Harold Johnson of Portsmouth in 1925.  They spent most, if not all of their married life in the bungalow on 15 Ferry Street.  He worked as a foreman in Nashua.  Almeda was active in the Community Church, women’s organizations, and in the mid to late 1950 was the proprietor of Wee Wisdom Kindergarten which she operated from her home.  Almeda’s father, Joseph Bassett was a painter of high end carriages and automobiles.
This location is now the site of Sandander bank.  The photos were a donation to the Hudson Historical Society from Mrs. Almeda (Bassett) Johnson. (Published HLN June 5, 2015)

Indian Head Bank C1977

May 29, 2015 12:16 am / Leave a comment

Indian Head Bank Ferry Street C 1977

Indian Head Bank Ferry Street C 1977

The first bank in Hudson was a branch of the Indian Head Bank.  The bank  established  temporary quarters in October 1963 at the corner of Ferry Street and Campbell Avenue.  A permanent brick building was soon completed at the same location  and was opened in March 1964.  By November 1976 the bank purchased the former home of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Johnson and built a more spacious office with ample parking.  The original, and smaller,  building was removed from the lot onto the site of the former Bradley’s Market at 39 Ferry Street on the corner of Library Street.  The first photo, taken C1977, shows the  Indian Head building.  As a result of bank mergers it is now Santander Bank.
39 Ferry - HFD Office Building

39 Ferry – HFD Office Building

 

The second photo shows the office of the Hudson Fire Department  at 39 Ferry Street.  This building was the former Indian Head Branch building at the corner of Ferry and Campbell in 1964 and removed in 1976. Photos from the Historical Society Collection.

 

Barretts Hill Road and Greeley Street C1908

May 22, 2015 8:27 pm / Leave a comment

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Barretts Hill Road and Greeley Street C1908

In this C1908 Post Card we are on Barretts Hill Road looking  west and down onto Greeley Street; which runs horizontal in the picture.  At this intersection a left turn onto Greeley  takes you to Hudson Center; with a right turn you are headed towards Old Derry Road.  Straight ahead you are looking at what is now 68 Greeley Street.  In the center of the intersection notice the grassy triangular piece.  This is called a “heater piece”. This  peculiar shape is formed from the flow of traffic; by continually going left, right, or straight this part of the intersection receives little or no traffic.  It is given the name “heater piece” as the resulting shape resembles that of a flat iron.  At the time of this photo the house shown here belonged to the estate and family  of David Glover.  Photo from the Historical Society Collection.

St, John’s and Library Street School c1977

May 15, 2015 11:02 am / Leave a comment

St John's and Library Street School c1977

St John’s and Library Street School c1977

This familiar school on Library Street was built in 1957 by St. John’s Church as a private parochial school.  During the year 1974-75  the church found it necessary to close the school.  The Hudson School Board and officials of the church worked  on a mutually agreeable contract so that all Hudson students could be accommodated.  St. John’s school was re-opened in the fall of 1975 as part of the public school system of Hudson.  The town leased the school from St. John’s for that first year with an option to renew for up to 2 years.  As a part of this lease agreement St. John’s Church would use the facilities during non-school hours for it’s confraternity christian doctrine (CCD) classes.  The town purchased the property in July 1976 at a cost to the  district of $616,000;  a significant savings when compared to the cost of new construction at the estimated 1.2M.  After this purchase the school was renamed Library Street School. Today this school at 22 Library Street is part of the town’s Early Learning Center;  as such all preschool and kindergarten classes are held here.  Photo by John Allison and a part of the photo collection of The Hudson Historical Society.

Looking North From 23 Derry Road – 1946

May 8, 2015 10:45 am / Leave a comment

Looking North from 23 Derry 1946 a

23 Derry Road Looking North in 1946

In this photo we are standing at 23 Derry Road and looking north in the year 1946.  On the left we see Fuller’s Service Station  at 26 Derry and just prior to that one can barely see the intersection with Leslie Street.  Opposite the service station is the intersection with Haverhill Street.  The quiet country road is a sharp contrast to the busy state highway we experience today.  Photo compliments of George Fuller and now a part of the Historical Society Collection.

The House at 122 Lowell Road C 1905

April 30, 2015 11:40 pm / Leave a comment

1997002003 comp

122 Lowell Road c1905

 This home was located on Lowell Road, just north of the intersection with Pelham Road and alongside Blodgett Cemetery. From 1895 until about 1912 it was the home of Jennie May (Ellis) and Eugene Barker and their family.  Raised on a farm, Eugene moved to Nashua about 1891, most likely for employment.  He and Jennie were married in Nashua and lived  there until after the birth of their second child.  Because of the availability of  the electric trolley to/from Nashua and down Lowell Road, he was able to move his family to the country and commute to work on public transportation!  Their third child was born in Hudson.
In this photo the careful observer can see the tracks for the electric trolley in front of their house; and, the wall and tombstones of the adjacent Blodgett Cemetery.
By 1912 the property was sold to Harry J. Connell, Hudson’s first permanent  police officer. Connell resided here, selling to William O’Neal in 1920.  This house remained a residence for various families until 1983 when Countryside Realty was established.  For several years it remained as a real estate office.  A few years ago, about 2004, the building was razed and the area reconfigured into an industrial building with several units.  It is currently owned by Hudson Plaza, LLC.  Photo donated to the Historical Society by the Nashua Historical Society and now a part of our collection.

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