Another graduating class will be passing through Danvers High School this Saturday. In honor of graduation, we're sharing these photos from the Danvers High School graduating Class of 1963, straight from Tom O'Connor's collection. Recognize any one? Are you a DHS grad? Tell us about your time there. Did your class do a senior prank? Did you go to prom? Did you marry your high school sweetheart? If you have photos from your time at school, whether they're graduation, prom, or from the halls of the high school, add them to our collection. If you're having trouble adding them, email molly.…
Happy Memorial Day, Danvers! We're excited to share these photos from Tom O'Connor's collection. Today's shots are from two parades in Danvers, back in 1963. Recognize anyone in these photos, or have a fun story to recollect from past parades in town? Let us know in the comments.
You guessed it Danvers: this week's hidden vintage location is the former lumber yard now known fondly as Pope's Landing. This shot, from Danvers' Postcard Historical Series is described as a late nineteenth century view of the remnants of the wharves and wood and coal sheds on the bank of the Crane River. Readers M. McDonald and Mike Skinner commented that they used to go swimming here. "It's off Liberty St. by the Danvers River...I used to jump off that old lumber yard roof into the river in 1960...the good ole days," Skinner said. Do you have fond memories from this Danvers landmark? …
Today's vintage Danvers location dates back to the late nineteeth century. Can you tell us where this photo was taken? Let us know in the comments. Check back on Thursday at noon for the answer to our hidden location, a photo of the area now, and a few local history fun facts. Today's photo is courtesy of Postcard Historical Series: Danvers, by Richard B. Trask and the Peabody Institute Library.
Commonly referred to as "the bean supper park" by readers, Tuesday's hidden vintage Danvers location has been revealed: the Training Park on Centre Street. Back on April 19, 1775, the Training Field was the location where Danvers minutemen left for the Lexington Alarm, the first battle of the American Revolution. Before it became the Training Field, 85 Centre St. and several acres were owned by Deacon Nathaniel Ingersoll. In 1719 he willed the land to the inhabitants as a training place forever. Reader Michael Bourgault commented "great memories!" at the Training Field, including bean …
Today's vintage Danvers location dates back to the early nineteeth century. Can you tell us where this photo was taken? Let us know in the comments. Check back on Thursday at noon for the answer to our hidden location, a photo of the area now, and a few local history fun facts. Today's photo is courtesy of Postcard Historical Series: Danvers, by Richard B. Trask and the Peabody Institute Library.
Happy Mothers Day, Danvers! Here's a look back at the vintage Mothers Day ads from local spots in and around Danvers. We browsed the archives from 1953, 1959, 1968, 1978, and 1989 at the Peabody Institute Library. What did you used to give your mom back in the day? Share your Mothers Day traditions in the comments.
With today's beautiful summer-like temperatures, we're sharing this photo from Tom O'Connor's collection of vintage Danvers memories. This photo is from Sandy Beach in 1963. We've also attached some present day shots of the beach. Where was your favorite spot in Danvers during the summer? Share your memories in the comments. Today's photo is courtesy of Doug Conrad. Send your vintage photos to danvers@patch.com
Remember Route 1 back in the day? We found these great photos, courtesy of Doug Conrad, and wanted to take a walk down memory lane on Newbury Street. Test your knowledge of present-day Route 1 here. Where were your favorite old spots on Route 1? Are any of them still around? Let us know in the comments. If you have old photos of Route 1, we'd love to see them. Uploads can be added to the album.
With the Falcons headed to the championship games in Worcester Saturday, we thought it would be fun to look back at basketball games of Danvers' past. These photos, sent to us by Doug Conrad, were from the 1961 Danvers Fire Department vs. Danvers Police Department game, held at Holten-Richmond. Retired Firefighter John Duffill was at the game in 1961--and now his grandson, is on the varsity basketball team at Danvers High! What are your favorite basketball memories from Danvers? Feel free to share your stories in the comments.
We can easily find out what was making the national headlines this week in world history. But what about the important things happening this week in Danvers history? Here are some fun tidbits of information from back in the day, found in the archives at the Peabody Institute Library. Let us know if you remember any of them, or feel free to share what your life was like back in the 70's in town. 1970 The size of the crowds at the opening of Danvers' Ann & Hope was like nothing Danvers Police Chief Edward B. Farley said he had ever seen. An estimated 25,000 to 30,000 bargain hunters shopped at …
It's now home to Gio's, Hall Family Chiropractic, and Walgreens, but back in the day, the Elm Street plaza was home to Brooks. Hindsight columnist Laura Hinds took us on a grocery comparison trip down memory lane to both Brooks and Your Market (now home to McKinnons) in this edition of Hindsight. Have a fun memory from Brooks Market? Let us know in the comments. Today's photos were taken by Tom O'Connor, and submitted by Doug Conrad. If you have vintage photos you'd like to submit, email danvers@patch.com.
In today's Vintage Danvers column, we went straight to Danvers Square, and there's quite a difference from today and the 1960's, when this photo was taken. With this view of Maple Street, you can see the former Danversbank, now People's United Bank at the Corner of Conant and Maple Street. The former Danvers Meat Mart, is now home to Supreme Roast Beef and Western Cycle. As seen on the car, the Danvers Rotary held a rummage auction benefitting the YMCA and the Hunt Memorial Hospital. Do you remember where the old stores were on Maple Street, and what currently resides in their space? Let …
One of the largest estates in Danvers is the Glen Magna Home. The Glen Magna was originally a farmhouse owned by Captain Jonathon Ingersoll. In 1814, Joseph Peabody purchased the land from Ingersoll and helped create Glen Magna into the mansion that it is today. With the help of a gardener by the name of George Heussler, Peabody created a landscape that impressed many in the community. Despite the remodeling, Glen Magna was commonly referred to as “The Farm” due to an original barn that was once located on the property. As years went on, Glen Magna was passed down through the generations of …
At 159 Locust Street, there is a home that contains quite a bit of history. This house was built in 1756 by a surgeon named Dr. Caleb Rea, a man who played a big role in the French and Indian War. While in service, he worked as a surgeon in the Ticonderoga campaign. After his work in the war, he was treating a Danvers resident who was suffering from smallpox. Unfortunately, Dr. Rea contracted the disease himself, and passed away shortly after. The house then became occupied by the Pedrick family, who lived in the home for many generations. Around the area, the home became known as the Pedrick…
The Page House in Danvers was built by brick maker Jeremiah Page around 1754 when he moved his business to Danvers. He and his wife, Sarah, lived in the home that was originally located on Elm Street. The residents of the Page House were very well known in the area, and respected by his peers by boycotting tea in 1770, not allowing it to be consumed in his home. However, it is thought that his wife would invite guests to the roof to drink tea, claiming that “upon the house is not within it.” Jeremiah Page was also heavily involved in the military. In 1774, Page became captain of the Danvers …
The Porter-Bradstreet house on Locust Street in Danvers has a substantial family history behind it. The house sits on 500 acres of land, which was originally purchased by Emanuel Downing. Downing then sold the land to Joseph Porter in the 1600’s. Porter built the home and was able to keep it in his family for quite a few generations. The Porter family was able to keep their house in the family until 1810, when the youngest, and fourth generation, Joseph Porter left the house to his brother-in-law Captain Dudley Bradstreet. Bradstreet, and his wife Polly Porter, lived in the home until …
Riverbank, located on Water Street in Danvers, has a long history in the town. The land Riverbank stands on was originally purchased by John Waters in 1664. In 1845, Matthew Hooper purchased the land and built the mansion, where he and his wife entertained many. They held events, such as parties and balls, in large reception areas and ballrooms and had many dances for the people of Danvers. In 1883, William Penn Hussey began living in Riverbank, and a statue of him can also be seen across the street. In the early 1900’s, John Frederick Hussey and his wife acquired the land and played a major …
On 181 Centre Street, there is a home with quite a bit of historical significance. This house was built in 1720 and was home to Elisha Hutchinson. Elisha Hutchinson was born in Danvers in 1700 and married Ginger Porter, daughter of Israel Porter and Sarah Putnam, in 1726. This house was also the birthplace of Israel Hutchinson. Israel Hutchinson had quite an impact on the town of Danvers and has been considered a local hero due to his military efforts. Israel Hutchinson was in the French and Indian War, but became famous around Danvers for his heroics in the Revolutionary War. During the …
The recently sold Ingersoll House on Hobart Street in Danvers has a fascinating historical connection to the Salem Witch Trials. The house, which has long been known as part of the Ingersoll Ordinary, was used as an inn and a place of entertainment. In 1692, however, the house on Hobart played a pivotal role in the witch hysteria. When girls in the community began to seem “afflicted” with some type of dark magic, the community was sent into a tailspin. A popular doctor, Dr. Griggs, began examining the girls to find out what exactly was wrong with them. He immediately jumped to the thought of …
