Hendee house and store

Hendee house and store no longer standing, located where Route 85 heads toward Gilead

Before 1882 the space between Dr. White’s House and the Congregational Church was the location of Hendee’s house and store, one of 5 stores located in Hebron Center. There is little evidence that Hebron residents were part of the Underground Railroad before the Civil War. However, the Hendee residence in Andover is known to have been a stop. One can only speculate as to whether the Hendee family living here was involved. In 1850, Abner Hendee like many other Henron Center families employed a 20-year-old Irish woman as a housekeeper. On a windy April Day in 1882 sparks from the Hendee chimney landed on the store roof setting the store and most of the buildings to the east of it on fire. The fire of 1882 forever changed Hebron Center. Almost all that you see on the north side of the Green looking toward the Old Town Hall dates from after that blaze.

Think about it

There was no Hebron Fire Department in 1882. How do you think people back then might have tried to put the fire out? Looking at the lower picture, how successful were they?

Conclusion

Look south down Church Street. Imagine that you are living in Hebron in 2123, how might Church Street look then? Would there be street lights? How might people travel? Do you think any of the buildings and landscaping you have seen today will be around 100 years from now?

You are now close to where you began this tour.

When ready, go down to the cross walk heading toward the Church of Hope. Have a seat in the Adirondack chairs and look at the surrounding area.