Wilton

Tamara N. Hoke

• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN: 9781467122443
• eBook ISBN: 9781439648933
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: North American History
• Index: History

Wilton was incorporated in 1803, when it was a mostly self-sufficient agricultural community. Manufacturing was the backbone of town even before it was fully incorporated and would continue to be until the late 20th century. Early industrial success can be attributed to Wilson Stream, which provided waterpower for Wilton?s mills. The names of Bass, Butterfield, Furnel, Walker, Robbins, and Goodspeed would become well known in Wilton as early entrepreneurs. George Henry Bass entered the shoe manufacturing business in 1876 and started his first shoe shop in 1879. G.H. Bass & Co. went on to become a major employer in the area and a nationally known company. The early 1900s was a time of great progress for the town in which the Wilton Academy was accredited, the town library was acquired, and the Wilton Woolen Mill was established. Several businesses also emerged on Main Street, including the Cony Miller Grocery Store, Mrs. Magrath?s Millinery, Holman?s Drug Store, and Stockford?s Drug Store. Today, the essence of Wilton is still reflected in its official motto, ?A great place to live, work & play.?

One

BUSINESS

Wilton, from very early on, was made up of enterprising individuals. Business particularly flourished from the late 19th century until the mid-20th century. Both smaller and larger enterprises met much success. There was a large variety of businesses, including hotels, hardware stores, grocery stores, general stores, drugstores, livery stables, automobile garages, music stores, blacksmith shops, jewelry stores, gift shops, barbershops, department stores, lumber mills, canning factories, cleaners, and more. Some of the businesses of note were the Wilton House and Miller’s Hotel (later known as Hotel Wilton), the H.R Dascomb Co. Store, B.F. Stanley’s Store at Wilton Station, Larrabee Dry Goods, W.S. Wells & Sons, and innumerable others.

WILTON HOUSE, 1888. Also known as the Pro Bono Publico, the Wilton House was owned and operated by Norman H. and Mary W. Green from 1885 to 1888. According to one source, this is a photograph of a group of men and boys who have been racing their sleighs. Racing was done up and down Main Street and on Wilson Lake at this time.

W.E. SAWYER & CO. AND POST OFFICE, 1903. The W.E. Sawyer & Co. Store had groceries, crockery, and dry goods. The business was started by C.G. Sawyer. He began a canning business in Wilton, canning corn on a small scale. Later, his business expanded, and he started a grocery store. Some years later, he built a new grocery store, seen here. It stayed in the family for three generations.

H.R. DASCOMB CO. STORE, EARLY 1900S. H.R. Dascomb was a successor to R.B. Fuller & Co., dealer in drugs and medicines. This store, on Main Street, offered a great deal more. H.R. Dascomb served as a drug and dry goods store. It also had a tailoring department on the second floor. Additionally, it served as an apothecary and had paints and oils, art supplies, books, clothing, boots and shoes, furnishing goods, hats, stationery, and paper hangings.

B.F. STANLEY STORE, C. 1910. This is the B.F. Stanley Store, at Wilton Station in Dryden. This must have been a bustling place due to its proximity to the railroad crossing. This store sold gasoline and auto supplies and was also a general store and post office. B.F Stanley served as proprietor of the store and postmaster.

MAIN STREET WILTON BUSINESSES, EARLY 1900S. This is how Main Street looked in the early 1900s. There were posts to tie up horses while attending to business or shopping. In the foreground, there are signs for L.B. Leavitt, Attorney-at-Law, and F.E. Leighton Livery & Feed Stables. Livery and feed stables were a big business in the time before automobiles. There is also a sign for Maine’s Great Larrabee Dry Goods. George W. Larrabee owned the store, which sold groceries, dry and fancy goods, hardware, and sewing machines.

MAIN STREET BUSINESSES, C. 1910. This is another photograph of business in the early part of the 20th century on Main Street. This winter scene shows horses and sleighs tied up to hitching posts. Jacob B. Holmes, Meat and Grocery, can be seen in the foreground. A sign for L.A. Bump’s store can also be seen. Bump was a merchant who sold books, shoes, hats, caps, and the like. A different George W. Larrabee sign from the previous photograph is seen here.

MILLER’S HOTEL/HOTEL WILTON, 1920S. This hotel existed as a tavern as early as the 1840s. Before becoming Hotel Wilton, it was called Miller’s Hotel and was owned by Gilbert and Nellie Miller. Miller’s Hotel played host to traveling companies of musicians and actors. There was a huge dance hall on the second floor, likely between 1876 and 1899. Gilbert Miller also ran a livery stable here. Later, the Blaisdell family owned and ran the hotel. At the time of this photograph, it was owned and operated by the Blaisdells and the name had been changed to Hotel Wilton.

MAIN STREET BUSINESSES, C. 1930. This photograph shows vehicles now on Main Street. The businesses visible are Bailey’s Music Store, which was said to have “The Most Complete Line of Musical Instruments in Franklin County,” including violins, guitars, banjos, drums, cornets, clarinets, trombones, saxophones, ukuleles, music rolls, records, stands, cases, and sheet music. One can also see an IGA store and E.E. Cram Jeweler’s, which sold Bulova, Elgin, and Hamilton jewelry, as well as gifts.

BACKUS GARAGE, 1953. This garage was located on the site of a former corn shop. Backus Garage specialized in Studebaker sales and service. It was also an Esso station. This business was established in 1946 by Wayne Backus. It would later become a Jeep dealers...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• 1. Business
• 2. Industry
• 3. Hunting, Farming, and Fishing
• 4. Celebrations
• 5. Fires, Floods, and Storms
• 6. Camp Kineowatha
• 7. Home and Family
• 8. Streets and Villages
• 9. Recreation
• 10. Community
• Bibliography