Finally, I noticed that two
blocks downtown are getting a makeover. One is called the Dickinson Block. Nice building! Workers were busy inside the first
floor. I wondered, "What's this all about, and what kind of a business is going to locate there?
Who was Dickinson? Why did they name a building after him, or her?"
At least it seemed like a harbinger of hope, something to look forward to on my
next visit. But why do I have to wonder? If it's good news, why isn't there a sign out front that explains it?
At least, after residents sample their tastes of Claremont, they can also look forward to their next visit downtown.
The other harbinger of hope appeared to be the Brown
Block at the corner of Pleasant Street, historically the city's central business district. There were lots of workers around,
but no sign telling me about the Brown Block (who's Brown?) and the plans for the building. Given its location
and size, it sure seemed like an important project to me. Why was I left with the task of looking it up on the Internet?
When I got home, that's what I did. I first looked up the Frances
J. Tolles Home For Women. All I found was that the home was given to the City of Claremont to be used as a home for "worthy
elderly ladies in straightened circumstances, " and that there was a Frances J. Tolles who was a music teacher at Vermont
College in the 1800s. But I don't know if she was the same one.
Next I looked up the Fiske Free Library, and found some information on the library's website.
"Samuel P. Fiske established the Fiske Free Library
in 1873 with 2,000 volumes from his personal library and $5,000 for the purchase of additional books. An additional $5,000
was given by Mr. and Mrs. Fiske to establish a permanent trust fund. Housed first in Stevens High School, the library moved
in 1877 into the Bailey Block with more room and easier access. By 1902, space was again tight and Andrew Carnegie was approached
for funding. In 1903, with $15,000 in funding from Carnegie, ground was broken for the present building. An addition in 1922
and a full renovation in 1966 expanded the entire building for library use."
Interesting stuff, especially the mention of the Bailey Block. So I looked that up and found this:
"Across Sullivan Street, and defining the
western edge of Tremont Square, is the Bailey Block (1826), originally a 2-story brick silversmith's shop, 3rd story added
1878 as Fiske Free Library."
Why isn't there
a sign on the building (or in front of it) that tells me that? Why did I have to do some research to find it out
for myself? How many other people would bother to do that?
I
could find out nothing noteworthy about the Dickinson Block, its history, or the current plans for it. My research came up
with quite a bit about the Brown Block, since it's been in the news a lot lately. Brown was Oscar Brown, but I'm not sure
who he was. I found this on www.politicalgraveyard.com:
"Albert
Oscar Brown (1853-1937) — also known as Albert O. Brown — of Manchester, Hillsborough County, N.H. Born in Northwood,
Rockingham County, N.H., July 18, 1853. Son of Charles Osgood Brown and Elizabeth (Langmaid) Brown; married 1888 to Susie J. Clarke. Republican. Lawyer; president, Amoskeag Savings Bank, 1905-12; delegate
to New Hampshire state constitutional convention, 1918-21; Governor
of New Hampshire, 1921-23; delegate to Republican National
Convention from New Hampshire, 1924. Congregationalist. Died
March 28, 1937. Burial location unknown."
He
sounds like a worthy guy to name a building after. Maybe he's the one.
Every town needs some things to remember, some things to look forward to, and some things that look like
success. Claremont has all three. But for the first two, we could use a little more signage and information.
Among the places I discovered that looks like success is the Farro Deli,
which is next to the Moody Building. I had my own taste of Claremont before I drove back home that day. I sat at one of their
inviting sidewalk tables and enjoyed a great sandwich and the cozy ambience of Opera House Square. As I said, I love this
place. I'll be back.
