Tour of The Point
A hundred years ago a bustling community known as Happy Valley nestled by the Salmon Falls, downhill from the “Plains” of South Berwick and closely tied to Salmon Falls Mill Village. Happy Valley was almost a world of its own.
Hundreds of people living and working at the Cummings Mill in South Berwick and at the Salmon Falls Manufacturing Company across the river in Rollinsford walked and shopped the main thoroughfare, known as Salmon Street. French was commonly spoken, as most of the residents were of French Canadian origin. With the town line at the Freewill Baptist Church in those days, much of the neighborhood actually lay in Berwick in the 1800s. In the early 20th century Happy Valley joined South Berwick and became known as Hog Point or simply The Point.
When this area was first settled in the 1600s, the road called Salmon Street in the 1800s and now often called “lower Main Street” did not exist as we know it today. Instead the road we call Butler Street led from the main part of South Berwick Village to the river, the Salmon Falls bridge to New Hampshire, and a cluster of early mills on the river. Tiny Salmon Falls Brook, which still runs through the neighborhood, also supplied water power thanks to a mill pond whose remains can still be seen today. Near the river, what’s now Spillane’s Hill Road then continued northward toward Great Falls, at what is now downtown Berwick.
After the construction of the Great Falls and South Berwick Branch Railroad about 1852, the neighborhood was reconfigured. (See 1872 map) Butler Street was cut off at the tracks, and in 1853 a “new Townway” – Salmon Street or today’s Main Street – was built to connect South Berwick village with the bridge to New Hampshire. Two railroad lines eventually crossed here, in addition to the conventional bridge. One railroad bridge, serving Amtrak’s Downeaster as well as freight trains, remains today
In the early 1900s the Point also contained a trolley terminus, a newspaper called the Salmon Falls Independent, public and parochial schools, and many businesses including stores, bars and lunch counters, and even a recreational center called “The Palace,” featuring professional boxing.
The Old Berwick Historical Society is grateful to Albert Roberge for help identifying many historic properties below. We also thank the South Berwick Historic District Commission for their analysis of local architecture. We have examined maps, town reports and other archives at the Counting House Museum. We would love more information, memorabilia and recollections about the Point, and hope to expand this page. Please contact us at info@obhs.net.
This excerpt from a South Berwick map of 1877 by Ruger & Stoner has been used to show the position of historic buildings built between c. 1830 and the early 20th century.
Click here to enlarge the map for easier reading
1a - late 1800s Butler Store/Old Rideout’s Hardware – 337 Main Street
On the map of c. 1865 the home at 329 Main seems to be occupied by M. & S. Wentworth, perhaps related to Capt. Samuel Wentworth (1792-1851), buried in the Free Will Baptist cemetery. Wentworth descendants say Mary Ann Wentworth Hart (1820-1891) and her husband Simon Hart lived here. Their son, Alfred W. Hart (1843-1863) was killed in the Civil War, and the family grave in the Free Will cemetery marked, "Our first born – He gave his life for his country.” Mary Ann is said to have become a Free Will Baptist preacher. On the map of 1872 the house was occupied by George W. Butler (1814-1881), clerk of the Free Will Baptist church for 23 years. He owned the Butler Store, today 337 Main, and Butler Street likely took its name from him. Still known in 1913 as the Butler Building, according to town reports, the store by then had become the “new” Rideout's Hardware, owned by Ruel B. Rideout, who was town moderator for many years. (The Rideout's business later moved to the Central Square Business Block , perhaps in the 1920s, where it continued for over 80 more years.) This building appears on a map of 1901 as a variety store but in 1927 as a residence.
“You will find RIDEOUT’S New Store in Butler Building THE HANDIEST PLACE To Buy Lead and Oil Mixed Paints, Varnishes, Shellac, Floor Oil, Glass, Putty, Fence Wire, Sheathing Paper, Roofing, Rakes, Hoes, Shovels, Field, Garden or Flower Seeds, Nails, Bolts and Screws...Agent for HUB RANGES – “Acme Quality” Paints and Varnishes – PRATT’S ANIMAL AND POULTRY FOOD.”
-- 1913 South Berwick town report
1b - c. 1900 - 341 Main Street
This house does not appear on a map of 1901 but had been built by 1927, and appears on a photograph taken during the time the building next door still contained a hardware store.
1c - c. 1890 - 343 Main Street
This house appears on a map of 1901 as a dwelling, and a map of 1927 shows the addition of the bay window.
1d - c. 1880 - 349 Main Street
This house seems to appear on a map of 1901 as a dwelling.
1e - c . 1880 - 353 Main Street
This may be the home of H. Harvey that appears on the town map of 1872. It seems to appear on a map of 1901 as a dwelling.
1f - c. 1840 - 357 Main Street
This house is one of the oldest in the neighborhood and was likely built long before Salmon/lower Main Street was the main road to the river. On the map of 1872 it seems to be the home of M. C. Grant. It seems to appear on a map of 1901 as a dwelling, along with the barn.
1g - c. 1830 - 363 Main Street
One of the oldest dwellings in the neighborhood, it was likely built long before Salmon/lower Main Street was the main road to the river. On the map of 1872 it seems to be the home of H. Sweat. It seems to appear on a Sanborn map of 1901 as a dwelling.
1h - 1870s Dr. Frank Flynn House - Main Street
According to a local resident, in the early 20th century the property was the home of Dr. Frank Flynn, a dentist.
1i - c. 1870 Dr. Christopher P. Gerrish House - 373 Main Street
Dr. Christopher P. Gerrish (1829-1909), the town physician listed in town reports around the turn of the century, lived here according to the map of 1872. It appears on a map of 1901 as a dwelling with bay windows. According to a local resident, in the early 20th century it was the home of Walter Flynn, who ran a grocery store in a building to the right which appeared on maps of 1872, 1901 and 1927 but is now gone.
Dr. Gerrish
1j - c. 1880 - 376 Main Street
This house does not appear on the maps of 1872 or 1901, but appears on the map of 1927 as a 2 ½ story dwelling with porch.
1k - Early 1900s Parent Coal and Wood Co. - 385 Main Street
From the 1920s, Paul Parent & Son Coal operated from this building, according to a local resident, with wood and coal sheds behind this house and back onto Butler Street in the rear. The structure is not on a map of 1901 but appears on one from 1927, and the business is advertised in the town report of 1928. The company is also said to have owned a coal yard on what is now Berwick Road/236 near the railroad.
Paul Parent & Son, Salmon Street, South Berwick, Maine – “GOOD COAL and WOOD OUR SPECIALTY – Also Trucking of all kinds done promptly at very low prices – PROMPT SERVICE”
-- 1928 South Berwick town report
1l - c. 1880 - 378 Main Street
This house does not appear on the map of 1872, but on the map of 1901 is one of a row of four 1 ½ story dwellings (with outhouses), all of which seem to remain.
1m - c. 1880 - 380 Main Street
This house does not appear on the map of 1872, but on the map of 1901 is one of a row of four 1 ½ story dwellings (with outhouses), all of which seem to remain.
1n - c. 1880 - 388 Main Street
This house does not appear on the map of 1872, but on the map of 1901 is one of a row of four 1 ½ story dwellings (with outhouses), all of which seem to remain.
1o - c. 1880 - 392 Main Street
This house does not appear on the map of 1872, but on the map of 1901 is one of a row of four 1 ½ story dwellings (with outhouses), all of which seem to remain.
This house does not appear on the maps of 1872 or 1901, but appears on the map of 1927 as a 2 ½ story dwelling with porch.
2a - c. 1880 - 394 Main Street
This house appears on a map of 1901.
2b - c. 1900 – 395 Main Street (at Webster)
This house appears on a map of 1901 as a duplex.
2c - 1880s Timothy D. Flynn General Store - 398 Main Street
In the town report of 1905 an ad was published by Timothy D. Flynn saying, “Alteration Sale. I am going to enlarge my general store on Salmon Street...” According to a descendant who later lived in the building, the Flynn grocery was here. The building appeared as a grocery store on the map of 1901, but by 1927 the property had been converted to apartments. Many were homes for French Canadian families arriving to work in local factories.
Timothy D. Flynn, General Store, Salmon St., South Berwick. “Alteration Sale. I am going to enlarge my general store on Salmon Street, and propose to greatly reduce my stock before the carpenters get to work... A Few of the Many Bargains. King Quality $2.50 Shoes for Men, $2.50. Ladies’ Kid Boots, 50c. Men’s $2.00 shoes, 75c. Pure Gum Rubber Boots, $2.65...”
-- 1905 South Berwick town report
The Ouellet family, including Yvette, Ginette and Louiselle, lived at 398 Main Street after they emigrated from Canada in the 1950s.
Photos from Peter Michaud
From the 1920s until it burned in 1949, The Palace operated by Leo “Ben” Vachon drew patrons from miles around to boxing matches as well as pool, roller skating, basketball, and movies. Albert “Junior” Roberge grew up across the street. More about the Palace. Today Attitudes Salon occupies some of the old site of the Palace.
Leo Vachon, bowling alley, Vachon Block, Salmon Street, South Berwick, Maine – “LADIES AND GENTLEMEN – If you want to spend a pleasant afternoon and evening, visit the new Bowling Alleys in Vachon Block on Salmon Street, one of the best alleys east of Boston. Everything new and up-to-date. Best order maintained. Come in and inspect the place. You are always welcome. LEO VACHON, Proprietor”
– 1923 South Berwick town report
Palace Theatre, Vachon Block, Salmon Street, South Berwick, Maine – “The largest and best hall in this section will soon open for MOVING PICTURES on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday Evenings and Saturday Matinees AT POPULAR PRICES – Special Dances on Thursday Evenings – GOOD MUSIC – BEST ORDER – You are cordially invited to attend.”
-- 1924 South Berwick town report
Salmon Falls Brook, also called Driscoll's Brook , still runs through the Point, and a little stone bridge probably built by the Great Falls and Conway Branch Railroad in 1853 can still be seen below street level today. Looking downstream from Main Street, the wooded area visible today was once a mill pond used by the McIntire shingle mill in the 1800s. On the map of 1872, the railroad tracks appear and the Bently & Stiles Soap Factory is also nearby. Remains of the dam and the railroad foundations can still be seen in the woods.
2d - c. 1900 - 401 Main Street
This house seems to appear on a map of 1901. In the 1870s this was the site of John Mahony's Billard Room, according to a local map.
2e - c. 1900 O’Donnell’s Grocery - 404 Main Street
On the map of 1901 this building appears as general store, and remained a grocery store on the map of 1927, when it was flanked to the right by The Palace roller skating and boxing arena. For a time it contained a cobbler shop. According to a local resident, in the 1930s, the store was operated by Delia Heon O’Donnell, who had married Daniel O’Donnell in 1912.
2f - c. 1900 - 405 Main Street
This house seems to appear on a map of 1901.
2g - Early 1900s - Landry Cobber Shop - 406 Main Street
Cobbler Arthur Landry, who had operated at 438 Main in the Preston building, according to a local resident, built this shop in the early 1900s and repaired shoes. It does not appear on the map of 1901, but is on the map of 1927. Landry's son Reo, whose barber shop was in Central Square in the old Jewett Store , moved here in the late 1900s. Today the building still contains Reo's Barber Shop, operated by Arthur's grandson.
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| Arthur Landry, cobbler | Reo Landry and customer Peter Michaud at his Central Square shop, 1973 |
Photos from Peter Michaud
3a - c. 1890 Sullivan & Cauley Confectionary - 418 Main Street
This shop was a confectionery store on a map of 1901, and contained a soda fountain into the mid-20th century. According to a local resident, the candy shop of Sullivan & Cauley here was succeeded by Alfred J. Seymour in 1926, according to town reports. William Cauley lived upstairs about 1925, and married Seymour’s daughter.
Sullivan & Cauley, Salmon Street, South Berwick, Maine – “We wish to inform the people of South Berwick and vicinity, that we have opened an up-to-date store in the Cauley Block on Salmon Street, and carry a first class stock of CONFECTIONARY, CIGARS, FRUIT, ICE CREAM, ETC., which we sell at the lowest prices consistent with the quality of the goods. TRY OUR HOME MADE FUDGE – Ice Cream and Pure Fruit Sodas and College Ices a specialty.”
-- 1925 South Berwick town report
3b - Early 1900s - Albert and Emily Roberge House - 429 Main Street
The property adjoins Salmon Falls Brook and a former mill pond. A road once led to the mill area near the brook’s mouth on the river. The house, which was once a duplex, does not seem to appear on a map of 1901 but is on the map of 1927. The addition dates to 1937. According to family accounts, Albert Roberge, Sr. moved into this house after opening a candy store across the street, now 430 Main, about 1918. His uncle Joseph had operated a bakery there since 1900. The family later operated the Roberge Bakery next door at 431 Main. In 1920 Albert married Emily Gilliland, whose father drove a carriage for the Vaughans at their estate (now Hamilton House), and made many of the trails now in Vaughan Woods State Park.
The Roberge House is the light-colored house, at far left
3c -1870s Old Roberge Bakery - 430 Main
In the town report of 1900, Joseph Roberge, baker, advertised his cream bread baked in “Happy Valley, So. Berwick, Me.” His bakery appears on a 1901 map as Confectionary/Bakery with brick oven section, and the oven may remain today. Joseph Roberge lived upstairs in this building, according to family accounts. About 1918, nephew Albert Roberge Sr. then opened a confectionery in part of the building just before he was married. After his business had moved to the 431 Main Street location across the street in the early 1920s, the store belonged to Fred Dube, a wholesale grocer, according to Roberge family accounts. In the lot behind this store was a water tower, and Joseph Roberge ran the water company that supplied the entire Point neighborhood.
Joseph Roberge, Baker, Happy Valley, So. Berwick, Me. “Home Made Pastry is what you get from my bakery and a trial of the same will convince you that my statement is absolutely correct. Everybody who has used my CREAM BREAD will tell you that it is the best made. If my drivers do not call on you send me a postal for a Window Card and they will in the future.”
—1900 South Berwick town report
Old Roberge Bakery is second from right.
3d - c. 1890 -- Roberge Bakery - 431 Main Street
According to family accounts, Albert Roberge, Sr. operated a bakery across the street in 1900, then moved the business to this shop, where a restaurant may have previously been. It appears as a bakery on a map of 1927; a map from 1901 shows a dwelling on the site. Now occupied by a stained glass artisan, the building is said to still contain at least one old brick oven.
Provensal store interior, 1910.
3e - c. 1870 Tibbetts/Provensal Store - 432 Main Street
This store appears on the map of 1872 as owned by L. Tibbetts, whose property in this area eventually lent the name to Tibbetts Street. The family was perhaps related to Rev. Lewis Tibbetts (1810-1885) of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Local residents recall that by the early 20th century the store contained three businesses including Provensal clothing store (left), a beer joint (center) that became a lunch counter after South Berwick went dry in 1939, and a beauty parlor/barber shop operated by Mr. and Mrs. J. M. (Jack) Lynch (right). Hector Desjardin also had a barbershop there before the Lynches. It also briefly contained the O. Dube boot and shoe store.
Mrs. J. M. Lynch, Ladies’ Hair Dressing Parlor, Salmon Street, South Berwick, Maine – “Tel. 112-3 – Work by appointment – SHAMPOOING, FACIALS, BOBBING, MARCEL WAVING, VIOLET RAY TREATMENT, MANICURING, EYE BROW ARCHING, ETC.”
-- 1925 South Berwick town report
3f - c. 1870 Provensal-Tibbetts-Dube Store - 436 Main Street
This shop appears to be one owned by L. Tibbetts on the map of 1872. Tibbetts property in this area eventually lent the name to Tibbetts Street. The family was perhaps related to Rev. Lewis Tibbetts (1810-1885) of the Methodist Episcopal Church. On a map of 1901 this store appears to sell confectionery. It later was one of the Dube properties, perhaps O. Dube, Boot and Shoe Dealer (1928) or “The Bonnet Shoppe,” R. and A. Dube, Prop., millinery. Photos indicate it seems to have contained the Provensal store for some time in the early 20th century.
3g - c. 1900 Dube grocery store
This building, likely built elsewhere and moved to this site, did not appear on a map of 1901 but had been built by the map of 1927. It was one of the Dube properties, and sold groceries in the 1930s.
3h - c. 1870 Preston Building - 438 Main Street
William Preston (1809-1875), a successful weaver, owned these two connected buildings on the map of 1872, where they seem to have been either a weave shop or a general store. Born in Yorkshire, England, Preston immigrated with his parents, who worked in textile mills, about 1840. His wife, the former Maria Hazelgrove, was also English. Family records indicate William and Maria moved to Salmon/Main Street about the time of the construction of railroad c. 1850, and operated a hand-loom weave shop making bedspreads and tablecloths, perhaps here or across High Street where he also owned a building that appears as a brick duplex on the map of 1927. Family records state he also owned a general store. He built a home on Berwick Road across from the far end of High Street, where his daughters remained after his death. According to a local resident, in the early 20th century the left part of this building became a bar or beer store, followed by a used furniture store. The section to the right became the cobbler shop of Arthur Landry in the early 20th century, followed by 1927 by the general store of Albertine Jarvis. Today the Preston Building contains the Hot Dog Heaven.
3i - c. 1890 - Lauzon Grocery - 441 Main Street
According to a local resident, in the 1930s this building was owned by Marie Roberge, wife of Albert Roberge, Sr., and sister-in-law of the baker, Joseph Roberge. On the first floor was the grocery store of Edmund(?) Lauzon.
4a - c. 1900 - Dube Block - 455 Main Street
This property, owned by Cleophas Dube, who married Adelia Turgeon in 1910, was known as early as 1910 as the Dube Block, location of Dube Bros. Grocers that also sold washing machines through the 1920s, according to a local resident. The 1927 map shows gas pumps standing to the left of the main building and a warehouse in rear. The old warehouse still stands out back today. Five apartments were upstairs in the 1920s-30s. Ads of this period indicate various Dube businesses were in the neighborhood, including O. Dube the Boot and Shoe Dealer (1928), and Cleophas Dube Insurance. The Dube grocery continued through 1928, with free delivery of groceries.
Dube Bros. Grocers, Dube Block, South Berwick – “Washing Machines – We have the exclusive agency in South Berwick and Salmon Falls for the two best Washing Machines on the market, “UP-TO-DATE” and “REX”. Call in and see them, they are they easiest working Washing Machines ever made.”
-- 1910 South Berwick town report
Cleary Store and Saindon Tailor Shop are at left.
4b - c. 1900 Omer Saindon Tailor Shop - 470 Main Street
According to a local resident, this building contained the tailor shop of Omer Saindon, who was in business from 1915 through the 1930s and operated a steam press.
Omer Saindon, Merchant Tailor, Salmon Street, South Berwick, Me. – “Full line of samples of the latest spring and summer fabrics for suits and overcoats. Perfect fit and satisfaction guaranteed. First class cleaning and pressing promptly done at reasonable prices.”
-- 1915 South Berwick town report
4c - c. 1870 - Cleary Store - 472 Main Street
John Cleary, followed by his son Clifford Cleary, operated a candy and tobacco store here in the early 20th century, with gas pumps to the left of the building, according to a local resident. The property appears as a store on a map of 1927.
4d - 1880s - St. Pierre Building - 480 Main Street
This property is thought by a previous owner to have been built in the 1880s and used as an apartment building. It appears as a duplex on the map of 1927. According to local residents, in the 20th century it contained the home of Arthur St. Pierre, brick mason. It may also have been Frank S. Verge plumbing.
Frank S. Verge, Plumbing, Salmon Street, South Berwick – “Plumbing, Sheet Metal Work and Repairing of all Kinds in this Line – Steel Roofing and Metal Gutters a Specialty – Local Agents for The Glenwood Pipeless Furnace – Second Hand Stoves and Repairs of all Kinds – Store open from 8.00 A. M. to 8.00 P. M.”
– 1923 South Berwick town report
