USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Newport > Newport, New Hampshire, 1761-1961 : bicentennial celebration, Aug. 14-20, 1961 > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
* *
CORONIS AG MARKET, 61 Sunapee Street - was originated by Spiro and Charles Coronis at its present location as a variety store of about 400 square feet. Started in 1946, the store first dealt only in ice cream, beverages,
cigarettes and tobacco. Charles Co- ronis became a sole owner in 1954, and in 1959, his son John joined the firm as a partner. In 1957, the store became a member of the Associated Grocers of N. H. The present store is about twice the original size and now offers meats, frozen food, fresh vegetables, magazines, etc. The store is known for cold beverages and fresh grinders.
*
*
THE COUNTRY ATTIC, South Main St. - The Country Attic, an antique and second-hand furniture business operated by Stanley Lewis, was started in May 1950 at what is known as the Cider Mill at Reed's Mills, and moved to its present location in 1953.
The building which it now occupies was built by James Breck, a merchant from Croydon, about 1820. It is locally known as the "Lafayette" House, from the fact that the Marquis de Lafay- ette was a guest of Mr. Breck when he toured the new states in 1825. It was later occupied by William Dunton, whose daughter founded the Dunton school for girls on Long Island. Sid Bickford, local artist noted for his nature pictures and his furniture restoration, later lived there. Some time afterwards, Harold Reed built the White Elephant Shop in conjunc- tion with the house; this later be- came the What-Not Shop operated by Edward Lehr. In 1950 the shop was destroyed, and the house badly dam- aged, by fire. The property was then purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Giles Waite, and operated as an antique shop. In 1953, it was sold to its pres- ent owner.
*
COUTURE BARBER SHOP, 1 South Main Street - There has been a barber shop at 1 South Main Street since 1911, when Adolph Woods first established his shop at that address. In 1930, he sold out to J. H. Couture, the present owner and operator.
* * DEACON'S RESTAURANT, Clare- mont Hill - The building housing Deacon's Restaurant on the Claremont road was built as a snack bar in 1947 by Steven LaClair of Claremont and was operated as Steve's Place. In 1948, a dance hall was added. Mr. Gagne purchased the property and began its operation on Thanksgiving Day, 1949, changing the name to its present one. He closed the dance hall in 1952, and remodeled the premises in the follow- ing year. Mr. Gagne came originally from Waterbury, Connecticut, where, during World War II, he worked in a defense plant. He was excused during working hours to attend church, and, in time, became known by his fellow associates as "Deacon." This is where the name for his present business orig- inated.
* *
DRIVE-IN SHOE REPAIR, 58 Sun- apee Street - This business was start- ed by John N. Hagianis in 1935 in the Sargent Block on Sunapee Street. In 1954 he purchased the two-family dwelling at 58 Sunapee Street from Fred T. Pollard and moved his shop to this building. Before entering into his own business, Mr. Hagianis in 1911 started working for McElwain Shoe Manufacturing Company.
Page 67
EATON JONES SAND AND GRAV- EL CO., INC., Guild Road - was the long time dream of Stuart V. Smith, executive in a large pharmaceutical company. That dream became a reality three years ago with the purchase of 40 acres of land one mile East of New- port.
Today Eaton Jones Sand & Gravel Co., Inc. has the most modern and efficient stone processing plant in Northern New England and includes both an asphalt plant and a ready- mix cement plant on the property. The material is sold within a thirty mile radius of Newport. Recent pro- jects of the company include supply- ing sand and stone for the surfacing of Interstate Highway 89, stone for the concrete in the new Dartmouth Col- lege buildings, and mortar sand for the new telephone building in Leb- anon, N. H.
The company has achieved a very efficient operation through the almost exclusive use of local men such as the plant supervisor, Harry Jubb, a long time Newport resident.
Our aim is to supply aggregate for the ever increasing requirements of modern engineering. During the bi- centenial celebration we will be happy to show any visitors around the prem- ises.
JOHN ECONOMU, 39 Sunapee Street - Mr. Economu purchased this proper- ty in 1927, which at that time was a two-family dwelling. He converted the ground floor into a store area. A por- tion of this he used as a shoe store and the remainder became The Royal Fruit Store. He operated both of these stores until 1960 when the complete stock of both stores was disposed of. The store area was leased to William's Laundry of Windsor, Vermont, for use as a laundromat and dry cleaning store.
* *
THE ECONOMY MEAT MARKET, 27 Sunapee Street - This business started in the winter of 1925 when two young men, Charles S. Gokas and George V. Karras, purchased the pres- ent meat and grocery store at this location. The previous proprietor was Adam Kulesza. The partnership of Gokas and Karras still exists-36 years later. The store officially opened Feb- ruary 28, 1925 under its current name. The store has been remodeled three times-in 1925, 1935, and in 1950. In 1943 the owners purchased the build- ing from Mrs. Mary Wilkins. It is interesting to note that a delivery service is still maintained by these independent grocers who have always held their patrons in high regard and have enjoyed serving the public in this town.
EUNICE'S BEAUTY SHOP, Main Street - Twenty-five years ago Mrs. Larocque started her business in her home on Meadow Road. From there she moved to her present location in the Downing Block on Main Street. She specializes in all forms of beauty culture.
* GEOFFRION'S GARAGE, 15 South Main Street - This business was start-
ed by Napoleon Geoffrion on Elm Street in the building where Gilling- ham's garage is located. Napoleon was in the carriage making business and was considered a first class carriage maker. He had for customers: Mr. Edgell, Dr. Morgan, Dr. Adams, and many from the surrounding area. Mr. Geoffrion made the snow roller used by the town. George Lear was select- man at this time and he operated a blacksmith shop. He would do the blacksmith work on the carriages and snow rollers and Geoffrion would do the rest of the building of these items.
In 1908 Napoleon Geoffrion started the general auto repair shop and in February, 1913, had a fire destroying his entire building. This was rebuilt and operated as before until he sold out in 1937 to his nephew Armand Geoffrion who owned it until 1943 when the business was taken over by his brother Ubald who has operated the business since.
* × *
GILBERT PATTERN SHOP, Oak Street Extension - George Gilbert founded this business in March 1960 at 22 Ash Street. He moved from there to Oak Street in January, 1961. Mr. Gilbert had worked for Bryant-Chuck- ing Grinder Company, at Springfield, Vermont, from 1936 as a pattern maker and was assistant foreman of this di- vision for about 16 years. All castings are first constructed of wood from which the metal castings are made. To prepare these wood patterns Mr. Gilbert requires a complete woodwork- ing machinery set-up to do his work. All parts are designed from blueprints with specifications, at times requiring engineering knowledge and ability.
GILLINGHAM'S GARAGE, Elm Street - Grover Gillingham started his garage business in June, 1926. He represented the Studebaker and Willys new car agency which was later given up and he devoted his time to car repairing. At present he has the agency for Home Lite chain saws. Tractors and lawn mowers were added by him in 1958 in addition to his car repairing. Grover is in the wrecker service, always on call to help the unfortunate accident victim haul his wrecked vehicle from all sorts of crashes and ditches. Back in the twen- ties, Grover was one of the first pilots flying out of the Newport Airport and he enjoyed putting his bi-plane through the paces. In some of the loops over the town, the town hall steeple was not in too safe a position. Some of the golfers have been known to scatter a bit when this plane loomed in sight.
GREEN BONNET, 53 Sunapee Street - The building which now houses the Green Bonnet restaurant was, from 1917 to 1921, a clothing store and dress- making shop. In 1921, it was purchased by George John Cuciufiti, and used for a number of years as a barber shop and grocery store, with apartments both over and under the store. From 1938 to 1948, it was a barber shop and luncheonette, the barber shop being operated by Vasilios Zahareas and the
luncheonette by his daughters Helen and Zora. In 1948, the luncheonette was leased to David and Edith Takiff. In March 1949, the building was de- stroyed by fire, and the owner, George Cuciufiti, rebuilt and made one store out of two. He and his daughter Elaine opened a new restaurant known as the Green Bonnet, now run by Elaine and her sister Pauline C. Fortune.
GULF SERVICE STATION, 17 South Main Street - The Gulf Station opened its doors for business September 12, 1935, at 17 South Main Street, on the site of the former residence of Na- poleon Geoffrion and his family, in a new building built by Floyd Eastman, owner of the Eastman Oil Company of Lebanon and now mayor of Lebanon. George F. Smet of Manchester, New Hampshire, became the first dealer, and has remained in that capacity for twenty-six years.
In 1945, Mr. Eastman sold his entire holdings to the Gulf Oil Corporation. A few years later, the Gulf Oil Cor- poration bought from L. A. Whipple the property adjacent to the service station. This building, which had had various occupants - Geoffrion's Ser- vice Station, the Western Auto Store operated by Theodore Coggeshall, the Frigidaire Appliance Store operated by Al De Robertis, and a garage operated by L. A. Whipple - was finally torn down and the land added to Gulf territory for parking purposes.
*
RAY HAMEL GUN SHOP, 61 Maple Street - Ray Hamel, a shoe factory employee with an interest in guns, bought the gun stock and equipment of Cleon Johnson in 1952, and opened in his own home his present part-time business dealing in guns and fishing tackle, new and used.
Mr. Hamel, who has also accumu- lated a large personal gun collection, rebuilds guns and has specialized in hand loading of all calibre shells.
HASTINGS FURNITURE AND UP- HOLSTERING STORE, 44 South Main Street - This business was started by its original and current owner, Roy Hastings, who had moved here from New York City in 1940. Its first lo- cation was space in the now Chase & Avery Garage (then known as Ga- mash's Garage). The business was up- holstering only at that time and was temporarily halted when Mr. Hastings
closed shop in May, 1944, to serve in the Navy. After the war the old Beech- Nut building on Central Street was rented by Mr. Hastings from the late Dixi Newton. Two years later the build- ing was torn down and this space is now a parking lot. Mr. Hastings' pres- ent establishment was purchased from the Lindholms. This property had pre- viously been Ide's Grain and Feed store.
*
ARNOLD HAYWARD'S BARBER SHOP, Edes Block, Main Street, - orig- inated in the Coniston Building. Pre- vious owners have been Earl Douglass, Theophile Couture and Francis Gi- guere.
Page 68
HELEN'S BEAUTY SALON, 95 South Main St. - Mrs. Katrishin started her business at its present location in 1960. She specializes in hair styling. * * *
HILLTOP STUDIO, 105 Beech Street -In 1945 at her home Viola Mackey entered the photography business do- ing general photographic processing and picture taking. In 1949 Leonard H. Brown went into partnership with her and added landscape, portrait and sea- scape oil paintings. * * HOWLAND'S (W. F. HOWLAND), Main Street - This store, located in the Richards Block on Main Street since its inception in 1873, has been variously a grocery store, a dry goods establishment and a "five and ten." The original owners, Richards and Coffin, operated a combination dry goods and grocery. It was later owned and operated as a grocery store by Dura Richards, Leroy Angell and Son, Harry Young and Winthrop Sargent. Following World War I and into the early twenties, it was known as Phil- brick's Five and Ten Cent Store. The late Hugh Fairgrieve, who was operat- ing a dry goods store in the Lewis Block, moved his business across the street into this location in 1923. W. F. Howland bought him out in 1953 and is the present owner and operator of this dry goods store.
HURD'S WOODWORKING SHOP, *
13 Winter Street - Charles Hurd pur- chased this woodworking shop in 1940 from the Fred Cutts estate. Hurd had worked for Mr. Cutts for about three years before purchasing the building and equipment. Edwin Cutts, Cutt's father, started the business at this location with a blacksmith shop and carriage and sleigh manufacturing. The major portion of Mr. Hurd's ac- tivity for the past 25 years has been the manufacturing of window frames, win- dows and repairing. The screen window business slacked off with the intro- duction of aluminum. Another phase of his activity is the reproduction of antique windows and storm windows.
ISAK SHOE REPAIR, 25 Sunapee Street - was first opened for business in 1932, by Isak Silander at 42 Central Street. At that time there was a steam bath in the basement. Next door was Fred Bakki's Finnish Bakery and Lind- holm's Market was just up the hill. About 1943, Mr. Silander moved his shop to the south store of the Wheeler Block. Two years later he transferred to the north store in the same building. Later he was located in the Sibley Block and following a brief period of employment in the International Shoe Co. reopened for business at the present location on Sunapee Street.
JACKSON'S JENNY SERVICE, 51 South Main Street - The building now known as Jackson's Jenny service was originally built by Hubbard Newt- on in the late seventeen hundreds. There were several generations of Newtons who resided there. The first Newtons were great gardeners and published "The National Agriculturist",
at that time, a well known magazine. The field in back of the Jenny Station was a beautiful flower garden. Even now, in eardy spring, bulbs still con- tinue to bloom.
A later generation produced a lawyer, William Newton, who also kept bees. The story is still told today, how one afternoon the bees swarmed into a nearby tree. He then put a ladder up to the limb where the bees were gath- ered, took a saw, and carefully edged out on the limb where he proceeded to saw it behind him. Needless to say, the bees and Mr. Newton landed in the same basket.
In later years, this station was re- ferred to as the Ira Fellows place. At one time Mr. Charles Silverman had a salvage yard here. Also there was a grain and feed supply store in an attached barn that has since been torn down. At one time a large porch, supported by Colonial pillar posts en- circled the front of the house. There were also two ell parts.
During the mid thirties, the building was vacant and condemned by the town. Its windows were boarded up and the porch had started to fall in.
About this time the building was noticed by a Jenney Manufacturing Co. representative who admired the archi- tecture. Although not on the main street it was decided by the company to purchase it for use as a service station. Thus, the oldest oil company in the country bought one of the old- est homes in Newport. The station changed operators three times in four years.
In October, 1945, after a four and one-half hitch in the Army, Patrick Jackson took over as proprietor of the station. As business increased, it was necessary to add on another lube stall. Today the station operates more as a garage but on service station hours.
KATHAN GARDENS, Claremont Hill - In 1953 Oliver and Elmore Kathan established a landscape gar- dening business in Wendell; in 1955 the business was moved to its present location in Newport, and in 1956 Oliver Kathan became the sole owner. The present Kathan Gardens has two green houses and several cold frames, and a large and constantly growing stock of shrubbery and perennials. * *
THE KNITTING KNOOK, 43 Park Street - A shop dealing in yarn, knit- ting supplies and embroidery was orig- inated by the late Mrs. Leonard Rowe and was conducted at her home on Laurel Street. The business was trans- ferred in September, 1952, to 43 Park Street in the building known then as the Gunnison Tourist Home. This home had been purchased in 1949 from the William Nourse heirs. It is about 100 years old and its first known oc- cupants were the grandparents of the Misses Gertrude and Alice Fairbanks. Miss Sadie Gunnison ran a tourist home here for about forty years. Tour- ists are still accommodated here, the business being conducted by Mrs. Flora Sinclair and Mrs. Thelma Bart- lett. The Knitting Knook is in the same house.
LARRY'S SERVICE STATION, INC., Kellyville, N. H., - was started in 1947, when James L. Eaton and Leland Whipple operated a Hudson car agen- cy at the old Geoffrion Building which used to stand next to the Gulf Station on South Main Street. In 1949, Larry moved to Elm Street operating the Sunoco Service Station and used car sales. In 1949, the building caught fire causing considerable damage to the building and the stock. The build- ing was repaired and Mr. Eaton estab- lished a new business building, a service station at Kellyville Bridge and added used car parts to the used car sales. This he operated until 1960, when he sold to his son Larry who is operating under the name of Larry's Service Station, Inc. James is now president of General Auto Sales, Inc. located on Washington Street, Clare- mont, which was purchased from Le- land Whipple in 1959.
*
LOUISE BEAUTY SALON, 14 Sum- mer Street - Mrs. Wright originally started her own business in July, 1939, in a building which was located on Sunapee Street where the Esso station is now. In 1951, she moved into her present location where she specializes in hairdressing and manicuring.
* HARRY F. LUCAS, 52 North Main Street -- In 1947, Mr. Lucas started as a distributor for Globe Slicing Ma- chine Co., of Stamford, Conn., working in the state of New Hampshire. He purchased what was the old Putney house on North Main Street, and has new and used store equipment for sale such as, meat slicers, scales, saws, and he also represents other equipment houses. About ten years ago the state of Vermont was added to the New Hampshire territory. The barn on his property is used for sales and service.
A *
BERNICE M. SAWYER MACWIL- LIAMS INSURANCE, Main Street - The insurance business now conducted by Mrs. Bernice M. Sawyer MacWil- liams was organized prior to 1919, by the late Harry E. Jameson, a former agent of the Metropolitan Life In- surance Company and town clerk for many years. Following the death of Mr. Jameson, Mrs. MacWilliams pur- chased the business and in 1946 added a part of the John G. Powers Agency. In all, the business has been in opera- tion for over forty years.
* *
MAPLE STREET MARKET, 111 Ma- ple Street - A one-room store estab- lished in his home by Arthur C. Clark in 1930, and originally patronized by neighborhood people who had for- gotten items on their downtwn shop- ping lists, has grown into the present Maple Street Market. In 1932, Roy McGowan purchased the property, and added another room to the store. It was a thriving business when Mr. McGowan sold to Earl Wark in 1947.
In 1948 the property was purchased by D. E. Butler, who moved his family from Lebanon to Newport. The Butler family of seven, who are the present owners, have enlarged and remodeled the store, adding a front door and window, a meatcase, and self-service
Page 69
counters. They have also improved and furnished two apartments, one of which was ravaged by fire in 1958 and later remodeled, and have made improve- ments in landscaping the three acres which comprise the property.
MARY'S BEAUTY SHOP, 16 Cres- cent St. - In 1935 Mrs. Thibault origin- ally opened her own shop in the back of the building recently vacated by Peterson's Plastics. From there she moved into the Wheeler Block where she operated her shop in conjunction with her living quarters. About 1950 she moved to her present location, where one wing of her home is used for the operation of her business. She specializes in all phases of beauty cul- ture. From time to time she has hired an extra operator to assist her.
* *
MIDWAY GAS STATION, Guild - This place of business, midway be- tween Newport and Sunapee, was orig- inally owned and operated as a gas station by Preston Sargent. For sev- eral years business was discontinued until purchased in June 1956 by Mr. and Mrs. Clifford A. Hirtle and their two sons, Howard S. Hirtle and Clif- ford A. Hirtle, Jr., who are presently operating the station. Included in the transaction was the residence which was once a schoolhouse. In this school- house Sarah Josepha Hale taught in the year 1812, and it was here she wrote the world famous poem, "Mary and the Lamb." In the year 1890 the schoolhouse was converted into a home.
MOORE & EMERSON BOTTLED GAS CORP., Inc., 27 Oak Street - was formed in Feb. 1948, to retail appli- ances, service anything that used gas and as a distributor for Pyrofax gas in Sullivan County, Wilmot, New London, Sutton, Newbury, and Bradford, N. H., and Windsor, Vt.
The officers of the company are as follows: John H. Moore, president; William A. K. Emerson, vice president; Alfred E. Moore, treasurer; and Lu- cille C. Moore, secretary.
The business was purchased from A. T. Kirk.
NEW ENGLAND MARKET, 59 Sun- apee Street - Kiki Coidakis started in the grocery business in 1929 when her husband Costas purchased the Zahareas Market which was then locat- ed where the Green Bonnet Restau- rant is now doing business. In 1937. they purchased the land between the Sichol Block and the Coronis Block. This land was purchased from Mr. Kungulus who used to own the Sun- shine Spa, then located in the building where the Quality Cleaners are today. In 1938. Mr. & Mrs. Coidakis built over the store building. Mrs. Coidakis has operated the store since February 3, 1948 when her husband passed away. There have been no fires or hold-ups. but the day Mr. Coidakis was taking stock of the Zahareas Market in 1929 a car crashed through the railing where the store is now located and tumbled down the steep embankment landing in the river. The two men in the car were not injured.
NEWPORT ATLANTIC STATION, 40 North Main Street - Bernard E. Root operates the Newport Atlantic Service Station on North Main Street, across from the Common. He took over the business in July, 1959, pur- chasing the interests of John F. Patten, who left to begin the operation of a body shop on Court St. Jack Edmonds was the original owner, opening the station in 1946, and continuing the operation until his death in 1958.
The site is that of the former Bren- nan mansion, which will be remem- bered by many as the large home with the stone lions at the front entrance.
* *
NEWPORT FARM SUPPLY, Depot Square - In June, 1960, Mr. Alston Downing started operating a grain store in the former Boston & Main railroad freight building, known as Newport Farm Supply.
He came to Newport from Vermont, in 1946, as manager of the Wirthmore store, and has worked in and managed various grain stores in Newport since that date. The Newport Farm Supply is, at present, the only grain store in Newport. (See Rowell Brothers history for earlier references to the grain bus- iness in Newport) * * NICHOLS' STORE, Guild - This store and the Post Office are at least 100 years old. It was first located just above the present store building. The first store was torn down and the present building was erected and owned by Dorr Woolen Company. Sixty-eight years ago, George A. Fairbanks owned and operated the store and he was the Postmaster. Mr. Fairbanks later sold to Elsworth Cowen and Mrs. Cowen was Postmaster. The Cowens sold to Frederick Gunn and he operated the store for many years with Mrs. Gunn as Postmaster. Following Mrs. Gunn as postmaster was her son, Carlon Gunn. On November 11, 1935, the store was sold to Theodore R. Nichols and Georgianna L. Nichols became post- master. In August, 1941, Dorr Woolen Company had an auction and T. R. Nichols bought the store building at the auction. In July, 1942. the Guild Post Office went from a 4th class office to third class. * * *
NORTH MAIN STREET BODY SHOP, North Main Street, - was founded by Donald L. Sweet in April, 1948. In the fall of 1947. Mr. Sweet pur- chased this property from Leland Whipple and he constructed a repair garage on the premises. In 1959, the dwelling was sold to John Roberts and Mr. Sweet retained the business and garage building.
NORTH MAIN STREET GARAGE, North Main Street - This garage is operated by Charles D. Maxham, who started as a mechanic with Fred Ga- mash on Myrtle Street in 1919. Though this building was only big enough to house three cars, Mr. Gamash had the sales agency for the Buick, Dodge, Model "T" Fords and Brisco cars. From there. Mr. Maxham went with Mr. Gamash to Herman Heath's Ga- rage located in Depot Square. Harold Fairbanks and Robert Morrill bought out Mr. Gamash and Charles Maxham
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.