SOUTH (Range) ROAD VILLAGE Currently Rte 127 and Rte 4 Crossroads Area
According to John Dearborn, Chapter XXX, History of Salisbury NH p. 393:
A description from a Mr. Eastman from 1823 regarding South Road Village describes a bustling site. At the time it was west of lower Salisbury village, east along the Merrimack River which is now part of Franklin NH:
..”This is also on the northern mailroute from Boston to Burlington. In this village there are about thirty dwelling houses, one Congregational meeting house, erected in the year 1790, two stores, one bookbindery, one tavern, one saddlery, one hatter’s shop, two shoemaker’s shops, three wheelwright shops, two blacksmith’s shops. Also, a post office, called the West Post office, two law offices and an academy.”
According to John Dearborn, Chapter XXX, History of Salisbury NH p. 390:
” Formerly this village was a great center for trade, and its hotels were resorts for travelers, teamsters and the farmers from the north, who brought their products to market. With the opening of the railroads, the business rapidly decreased and the South Road Village, like that at the Centre, gave indications of decline.” written 1890
The above was written in 1890 and we would like to add though its function as a trade center is diminished, today it remains a quintessential scenic New England town site with lovely restored structures.
Looking westerly, South Road Village intersection. Of note: Photo taken prior to the fire of July 1882 which destroyed the Inn on the upper left. Visible are fences in the foreground belonging to 4 substantial building destroyed in 1895 by fire: The Parsonage, The Grand Army Hall, Greenough’s Store, Mrs. Chapmans’s “Kearsarge Cottage” lodging. Identity of trailer like building in front of Church is unknown. Greenleaf’s >Hill’s>Red Store Tea Room store next to church was disassembled in the late 1960s. House #1 at crossroads still has its hip roof and what is now a front lawn was a curving road onto rte 4 (Fourth NH Turnpike). There was view of Kearsarge and a triangle grassy area with a flagpole in the junction! Still in existence is a cluster of structures that were behind house #1 that housed several commercial ventures over time.See close up and additional photos below.
Orientation Of Roads In The Junction
Pre Revolution roads as research indicates:
- Early travel east and west entered along the established South Range Road 127.
- Early travel came up from the south including Hopkinton through Mutton Road, a well traveled Road at one time and along the Old Battle Street which connects with it.
- Early travel also came up from Water Street in Boscawen a town establishes about 20 years earlier than Salisbury. Water Street is called Rabbit road in Salisbury.
- Calef Hill Road was also used and the area where the Beans likely settled early on.
- The N/S route 4 did not exist as it is configured today at the crossroads. Previously parts of it were called High Street in Boscawen Old College Rd. by the 1790’s it was the Fourth NH turnpike. It did not not go directly through the crossroads until the late 1950’s or early sixties. Reluctantly and with much resistance the owner Rene Beaudoin finally settled to have Rte 4 through his land. In the aerial view below you can see the new store location. Route 127 did go straight through as it always was the South Range Road from the time the town was laid out. Mutton Road brought traffic from Hopkinton through Boscawen and West Boscawen (now Webster). Rabbit Road is an extension of the travelled Water Street in Boscawen and was another entry into the crossroads and the way north (route 4).
- How did Rte 4 enter the junction prior? There is reason to think that initially it came up though what we Bacon Lane and took a turn at the home now owned by the Rapalyea’s. In time we know Old Coach Road was established as a main thoroughfare. Any vintage images of the various enterprises and home images that existed in the old “South Road Village” would be appreciated.
Pre Revolutionary Structures
Without doing scientific dendrology studies it is difficult to pinpoint exact dates of construction but using deeds and research the following structures existed during Colonial times (pre 1776) making structures not only “colonial’ in style but true colonials in the purest terminology.We are relying on records.
First Structure at the Crossroads? We may never know:
- At the junction NW corner once existed the Stephen Webster one story house. Whether or not he maintained it as a tavern stand is unknown but tradition has it according to John Dearborn p 846 History of Salisbury that it was the first tavern in town. At some point it was purchased by Josiah Rogers who some records indicate converted it into a two story home and tavern which burned in the late 1882. The present Goss/Johnson House was moved there from Mutton road in the 1800’s. The date given for Stephen Webster by Paul Shaw is 1745, which is very unlikely. The earliest settlers were just barely settling along the Merrimack at the fort of Stevenstown, Ebenezer Webster the “early northerly pioneer’ had not arrived in abt 1760. It is however reasonably included here as one of the two earliest structures at the crossroads.
- Andrew Pettengill Tavern, south side of 127 east of junction- The Pettengill Tavern>Allard. Described as the earliest framed structure two story between the two rivers” (Blackwater and Merrimack). Apparently torn down and not the current structure which is adjacent. Site of town meetings and religious a gatherings. (This structure did not likely predate the Tappan /Robie house on North Road so there is confusion here as it also is a two story structure).
- We can say with certainty that there were two structures on these lots prior to the Revolution.
- Please contact the us if you have any information on the Josiah rogers house: online@salisburyhistoricalsociety.org
Abt 1760-1770 likely in order
- South side of 127 east- south of Academy Hall -Joseph Bean House>Rapalyea abt same time as 2 below…on Bacon Lane/Old College
- North side of 127 East of junction -John Webster House>Olson across from Academy Hall
- North side of 127 West of junction of Junction- Capt John Webster House>Page House
- South side of 127 east of junction-Andrew Pettengill>Allard huse
- North side of 127 east of junction -Captain John Webster House- Yellow Colonial>Swendson
HISTORY
TAVERNS & LODGING
Prior to 1769- Stephen Webster House (N/W corner of Crossroads junction of Rte 4 and Rte 127) converted to 2 story Inn & Tavern 1795 by Josiah Rogers. Salisbury Hotel became “Smiths temperance House”. Later called “Elm House” and destroyed by fire July 15, 1882. Please see photo below.
Prior to 1769-Andrew and Mathew- Pettingill Tavern, tavern in town existed and was erected by Andrew Pettengill near the current Pettengill House, corner of Old Coach Road and Rte 4. Used as a town meeting location. Torn down.
WORSHIP
1791- Current Congregational Church built 1791 with some materials from original structure removed from Searle’s Hill. Currently the Salisbury Congregational Church is located in the South Road Village area (Crossroads) but this was not always so. Andrew Bowers payed a large role in creating financing.
A post by David Rapalyea:
https://www.salisburyhistoricalsociety.org/the-salisbury-congregational-church/
Parsonage#1-1833-1854 The first Parsonage was located in the house just after Academy Hall same side Eastbound. The house has undergone many changes. On May 29,1808, Daniel Wester was married by Judge Israel Kelly to Grace Fletcher in this residence belonging to Mr. Kelly. Please see photo below.
Parsonage#2- Two story home built by Andrew Bowers in 1789, became the Parsonage after abt 1854. It was destroyed by fire 1894 with four other structures. Location is believed to be directly in the lanes of the current Rte 4 southbound at the Crossroads.
For more on Andrew Bowers, home and later the Parsonage and fire : P 119- Salisbury Lost by Paul S. Shaw
SCHOOLS
Academy Hall 1806-1959
Abt 1778-1959 3 Schoolhouse see Old Schoolhouses
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC HALL
Second story; Dancehall. Destroyed in full by the fire of 1894. Located at the current junction of of Rte 127 & Rte 4. The Grand Army of the Republic was a fraternal organization founded in Illinois in 1866 for veterans of the Union Army and their family members. The Department of New Hampshire, which oversaw individual posts within the state, was comprised of 95 individual posts throughout the state. The GAR Charter (Pingree Post 84)was disbanded in 1896 shortly after a fire destroyed its large building at the South Road Crossroads. The GAR organization ceased operations in 1956.
For more on The GAR:
https://www.cwcanneycamp5.org/nh-gar-posts.html
https://www.cwcanneycamp5.org/pingree-post-84-nh-gar.html
CEMETERY
abt 1794 South Road Graveyard A large cemetery exists SW of the crossroads in this area but is not visible from the road. Referred to over the years as the South Road Graveyard, Salisbury P.O. Graveyard (across the road from the old Post office) and erroneously the Congregational Church Cemetery.
MASONIC Samaritan Lodge No 36 of Salisbury (1821-1840)
“Freemason Hall” at South Road Village.
There was a period when Freemasons experienced great prejudice and often violence against them hence their organization valued privacy. Raids had been made upon lodge rooms and their furniture seized by force. No record of the Samaritan Lodge can be found but it certainly existed and its membership list definite. It included the most active business men of the day and despite what prejudice might have existed the the home of Lodge Master Andrew Bowers who died in 1833 at the crossroads area (building destroyed by the 1895 fire) had beautiful masonic symbols on it for all to behold. For some years it was impossible to hold meetings. Still operating in 1830 or later. On June 9, 1840 the charter was dissolved.The records of the Samaritan Lodge were taken by a few of the members and secretly buried.
Meetings of the Lodge were held over the Williams Store at the Heights in the upstairs meeting room. Located at the corner of Oak Hill Rd & Rte 4. Meetings then were then held above Greenleaf’s Hatter Shop and finally at the Freemasons Hall and occupied by Deacon T D Little as a shop. See pgs 353-357 in the History of Salisbury by John Dearborn 1890 for more on the area Masons.
Please see photo below of Masonic Hall at TD Littles.
INDUSTRY
BLACKSMITHS
ca 1767 Andrew Pettengill Blacksmith Shop was the first blacksmith in the town residing in the house a the SW corner of Rte 127 and Old Coach Rd. Shop was located just west of the house.
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Sherm Fellow’s Blacksmith Shop corner of Bog road, east of crossroads on South range Road (Rte 127) Please see photos below
ca 1806 GLOVE FACTORY (date of operation unknown, see photo below) approx 1806, on Rte. 4 NE and was attached to House #1 Crossroads at junction of Rte 127 a. (1858 also used as Greenleaf’s Store, John White’s Store, then the Allen store then J.H. Clement Shoe factory in 1858. Burned 1947. Currently site of Kearsarge telephone Building.Around 1780 Samuel Greenleaf built this store (no longer in existence) at the Crossroads, north east corner on what is now rte 4 near the telephone building.
Shortly after constructing the store Mr. Greenleaf constructed the house which currently sits on the corner. Please see details and photos below.
HATTERS
Caleb Morse
Thomas R. Greenleaf Hat Factory initially – right off the Crossroads on Rte 4 N/E,Likely initially part of the “Greenleaf” complex of varying industries over time. 1834 moved to Old Coach Road near the Pettengill House w corner of Old Coach and Rte 127.
Please see photo below.
POTASH FACTORY
According to the History of Salisbury by John Dearborn, Andrew Bowers had the first Potash manufacturing project in Salisbury possibly near his house briefly but for certain it existed in a location near Bog Road & Rte 127 across the road from Academy Hall described as a “large potash” manufactory by John Dearborn. It was later sold to John White.
abt 1861 T.D. LITTLE BULL RAKE Factory behind Pettengill House near the corner of Old Coach Road located at SW corner of Rte 127 and Old Coach Rd. Shop was located just west of the house. STEAM RUN MILL existed here for energy needs.
1900’s CEMENT BLOCK WORKSHOP Workshop prior to the 1940’s on Little property behind Pettengill House, Well sourced Steam Shingle Mill run by Peter Bill, same area> p. 15 They Said It In Salisbury by Paul S. Shaw
1900’s CIDER MILL Everett Renfew’s on Old Coach Road.
FLANDER’S TINSMITH SHOP
Located just off house #1 – right off the Crossroads on Rte 4 N/E, South Road Village.
HARNESS AND SADDLE SHOP
Townsend’s Harness & Saddle Shop – right off the Crossroads on Rte 4 N/E, South Road Village
SHOEMAKER
Eliphalet Little was a shoe maker residing between 1831-1896 in a small house opposite where Whittemore joins Rte 4). Presumably he worked from his home. Please see photo of house below.
STORES
There were quite a few stores in the early years, constantly changing hands and is a bit of tangle to decipher. The following is deduced from the History of Salisbury by John Dearborn dated 1890.
An examination of old town tax records would provide data how how long some of these stores functioned.
Prior to 1789 Major Stephen Bohonon’s Store– First store in Salisbury.
This store was located at his home located now in Rte 4 after the south of the Crossroads.near the current Crossroads Store. He kept a small stock of goods in one of the front rooms. He sold it to Andrew Bowers who moved the house back making an ell to the present home which he built around 1806.
This was an impressive home, which later became the Parsonage and was destroyed n the fire of 1895.
1785-1808 Nathaniel Noyes Store the second store in town, was located between house #3 & #4 from the Crossroads of Rte 4 & Rte 127 N/E side. It was removed to a site near the Israel Kelly House (D.Bartlett House) and occupied first as a store then a barn.
1789 Andrew Bowers Store builds his home at the crossroads and runs a small store by 1793-?. He died in 1833.
Previous to 1794 Greenleaf’s Store built north side of Ret 127 near Crossroads, nestled in between corner colonial and Congregational Church at the junction of Rte 127 & Rte 4. 1906-1934 Hills Store. 1934-1940 Margaret Adams Gerry’s Red Tea House. Building removed abt 1969 by owner Ward Knight. This home had a second attached structure that was also commercial. Please see details and photos below.
Greenough Store built abt 1850>purchased by C.E. Foote & CO. destroyed by fire 1894. Rebuilt Southside of Rte 127 at current Crossroads Store. Served as a Post office for many years. Please see details and photos below.
Between 1930-1948 Peter Bill’s Ice Cream Stand Pettengill House W corner of Old Coach and Rte 127.
1948-1958? Same location as above: Rene Beaudoin Store Pettengill House W corner of Old Coach and Rte 127. From his home for twenty years prior to the mid 1960’s Rene store sold groceries, some fruit and medicine over the counter. In the mid 1960’s Rte 4 was extended straight through the farmland of Rene Beaudoin making Rte 4 a straight road through the Crossroads.
Mid 1960’s Rene’s Market Rene operated a grocery on the westside of rte 4 just south of the Crossroads. It can be seen in the aerial photo below. Please see photos below.
THE GRANGE see Academy Hall Building for more on the Grange
https://www.salisburyhistoricalsociety.org/the-bartlett-grange/
POST OFFICE
South Road Post Office, possibly in at least 3 separate locations over time.
First location was in the now Walker house just south of the Congregational Church. Built 1791, Burned 1815 Rebuilt 1816-1817. The occupant the Honorable T.W. Thompson of Newburport Ma was the first postmaster. He occupied the house from 1798-1803.
Please see photo below.
TELEPHONE COMPANY OPERATIONS
Sometime in 1898, a group of men in town got together and formed a board of directors to start the Kearsarge Tel. Co.. South road Village was the hub for phone service at the time and today as well.. For more information:
https://www.salisburyhistoricalsociety.org/telecommunications/
FILLING STATION Please see photos below
CROSSROADS AREA MAJOR FIRES
1882 MAJOR FIRE Please see photo below for image of the crossroads prior to the fire and what was lost.
May 18, 1894 FIRE Four major Historic structures destroyed. Located at the current southside junction rte 4 and Rte 127, West to East:
#1) The Parsonage (Andrew Bowers) location: under current rte 4. Destroyed in full.
#2) Grand Army Hall, Fire started roof, next. Two story. First store in the village and perhaps town: First floor with small stock. Second story; Dancehall. Destroyed in full. GAR Charter (Pingree Post 84)was disbanded in 1896.
#3) Greenough Store, see below next. Destroyed in full.
#4) Kearsarge Cottage Lodging was the largest dwelling house at the time and run by Mrs. Chapman as a summer boarding home. Owned by Amos Chapman. Destroyed in full.
HISTORIC PHOTOS
Nickname :”THE CRANK”
Prior to 1965 the Fourth New Hampshire Turnpike (Route 4), a major north/south roadway from earliest times, came up through Salisbury along the Old Coach Road in Salisbury took a left turn at Academy Hall joining the South Range Road (Route 127) went past the Church and first house and then right northbound to Andover. It was nicknamed “The Crank” because of the two peculiar angular turns.
“The Crank” prior to the fire of 1882
In the image below, the large building at the intersection was a tavern operated by Lt. Benjamin Pettingill, Lyman Hawley and others. It was then transformed into a Temperance House and was well known as such. A fire destroyed it on July 15, 1882 at which time it had been known as Elm House. The building that now occupies that north west corner was moved from Mutton Road. Note the curve of the road to head north, clipping a large part of the existing homes lot on the corner. It appears the hitching posts are still in place today. There was a grassy triangle with a large flagpole. The road went southwesterly (Mutton Rd.), westerly to Webster and Warner, northernly to Andover and easterly to Franklin. It did not go south to Boscawen as there were structures there pre fire and no road. Rte 4 was created in the late 1960’s. The road went south was Old Stagecoach.
Close up of the “Crank” now the Crossroads area in Salisbury.
Salisbury Congregations Church, image from an old postcard
Parsonage #1 Early 1800’s
AFTER THE FIRE of 1895:
The transformation of Greenough’s Store destroyed by fire, reconstructed and now the Crossroads Country Store
Note: Date of this photo is speculative. The other photo showing the South Road Village above prior to the fire of 1895 indicates front fences and the structures which no longer exist in this photo. Visible is the existing Brooks House at the junction of Rte 127 and Old Coach Road. We know Greenough’s Store served as post office prior to the fire and of 1895. It was located opposite the church. Judging by the absence of buildings we can assume this is after the fire and perhaps the very first structure of the now Crossroads Store. At this point there is now Crossroads Roads configuration as we know it now. The Crossroads Country Store lists its inception as 1850, which includes the Old Greenough’s Store & Post Office as its first incarnation.
E.D. Little Postcard showing the old Post Office/Store? at “The Crank” (Crossroads) dated Aug 21,1914
Cunliff Store and Post Office
Barton’s Store and Post Office showing a newer entrance and Mobil oil pumps The store is known today as the Crossroads Country Store and remains a thriving convenience store and gas station. The Post Office for the entire Town of Salisbury is now in its own building. It is located slightly south of the crossroads on Route 4.
GREENLEAF’S STORE built 1780 and RESIDENCE
Current house, roof altered & standing, at junction of rte 127 and rte 4
Around 1780 Samuel Greenleaf built a store (no longer in existence) at the Crossroads next to house #1 off the north east corner of Rte 4 and Rte 127. It became the Hill Store and Red tea house. Shortly after constructing the store Mr. Greenleaf constructed the house which currently sits on the corner. It is shown in this photo with a federal roof which was replaced after 1937. It is difficult to sort out but there were several enterprise at this site right around the corner on Rte 4 and perhaps in the attached barn. It was at one time home to the John White Store, then the Allen Store, then J.H. Clement Shoe factory in 1858. It became a glove factory and also a store run by John Huntoon at some point. This building (left in photo) burned ca 1947. Just passed this building to the left was Flanders Tim Shop.
TELEPHONE
Switchboard: This is the first Switchboard used in Salisbury at the turn of the 20th century
Displaying the old Salisbury mode of communication
GREENLEAF’S STORE Store/Hills Store/Red Tea House
Excerpt from The History of Salisbury NH, by John J Dearborn 1890, p 347:
Greenleaf Store/Hills Store 1912-1914 Dr. Beaton’s Stanley Steamer
Hill Store then Red Store Tea Room 1934-1940, Margaret Adams Gerry
Red Store Tea Room, Congregational Church
Four images of the store from Salisbury Lost by Paul S. Shaw, M.D. 1995
AERIAL PHOTO OF CROSSROADS LATE 1960’s
Showing Rene’s Market Rte 4 and Red Tea house Building next to Church
After 1965 the “crank” S curve of the Fourth NH Turnpike (Route 4) was eliminated and a curved but less angular road was created through the farmland of Rene Beaudoin creating more of a crossroads. He built a wonderful farm stand on Route 4 sometime after 1965 and it was still in existence in 1971. It can be seen in the left hand corner of this aerial view taken between 1965-1968. Photo includes the Red Tea House structure, still standing, next to Congregational Church. Today the South Road Village area in Salisbury is better known as “The Crossroads”.
MASONIC Samaritan Lodge No 36 of Salisbury (Charter 1821-1840)
“Freemason Hall” at South Road Village.
This photo was take after the dissolution of the Samaritan Lodge No 36 of Salisbury in 1840. Photo date likely between 1860-1890. Building was then TD Littles Bull Rake Factory.
SALISBURY BULL RAKE on Exhibition
Salisbury Historical Society Museum Country Store Exhibit. Bull rake visible on far wall.
Country Store Exhibit
SHERM FELLOWS BLACKSMITH SHOP
Sherm Fellows Blacksmith Shop. Originally was the site of a Methodist Church for a brief while around 1858. Replaced by Blacksmith Shop. Existed for many years on the east corner of Bog Road and rte 127. Removed shortly after 1946.
PHOTO OF LOST HOME
p. 85 Salisbury Lost
Location: Prior to 1930’s (fell in). Warner Road (rte 127), north side just off the crossroads where Old Road “Lover’s Lane” (more or less old extension of Whittemore) connects. West boundary is lane with closed walls.
Home of Dr; John Proctor abt 1820-1831 whose wife is buried on this site
Sold to Eliphalet Little, shoemaker resided there 1831-1896
Sold to Nellie Dearborn 1896 and barn contained a cider mill horsepower and shafting.
OLD POST OFFICE mailboxes:
Now located in the Salisbury Historical Society Museum
Two hats Salisbury hats on display at the Salisbury Historical Society Museum
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