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~ Continued ~
31. Turning left on
Fayette Street you will come to Drake Field.
This park was given to the school district in honor of
Colonel James Drake, a prominent local citizen, by his
children in 1917. Because the grandstand had no roof,
the colonel's daughter, Georgiana Carpenter, donated one
in 1928. The flag pole was a gift in 1950 of Colonel
James Frank Drake, the colonel's grandson. Since its
inception, the field has served as the hub of outdoor
entertainment in Pittsfield. It is the scene of youth
and high school sporting events, graduations, carnivals,
and Pittsfield's famous Balloon Rally.
Drake Field Grandstand c1917
32. Going east
through the field, one comes to Carroll Street. Turning
left the Thyng Memorial will be observed. Dedicated in
2004, it honors on of America's outstanding military
leaders.
Thyng Memorial c2004
33. Retracing the
route along Fayette Street you will come to Depot
Street. Turning left you will come to the G. A. R.
Building. Erected in 1914 after a tragic fire which
destroyed the old hall and most of Pittsfield's Civil
War memorabilia, this Colonial Revival style commercial
building was the first in town to have a slanted floor
made specifically for showing "moving pictures." In 1925
when Grand Army of the Republic membership declined, the
building was sold to the American Legion. Several
patriotic organizations continued to meet in the upper
floors and the G.A.R. Theater on the first floor was
renamed the Liberty Theater. In 1937 the building was
again sold and the Theater was renamed The Scenic.
Movies ceased in 1991 and since that time the building
has been the home of the renowned Pittsfield Players.
G.
A. R. Building Before the Fire
34. Retracing the
route along Depot Street you will come to Elm Street and
the Old Engine House. This Stick Style building
with hip roof was erected in 1878 as Pittsfield's first
permanent fire station. The first floor housed engines
and fire equipment and the second served as a meeting
hall. Through the years the hall was used for many
socials as well. Dances were held here and at one time
the upper floor was used for offices by the selectmen
and school board. Needing much more spacious quarters,
the fire department moved to a new building on Catamount
Street in 1974. It was destroyed by fire in February,
2000.
Old
Engine House c1900
35. Turning left onto
Park Street you will come to the Free Will Baptist
Church. Originally constructed in 1838, it was
completely remodeled in 1886 after a design by William
A. Butterfield. It is an eclectic blend of Stick Style
and Queen Anne elements dominated by a steeply pitched
hip roof and an open belfry with pyramidal cap. Members
can trace their origins to the Baptist Church of
Reverend David Knowlton established on Catamount
Mountain in 1791, only the second Free Will Baptist
Church in the United States, and the first to have its
own building.
Free Will Baptist Church Before
1886
36. Beside the church
is Pittsfield Academy. The first school classes
were held on this site in a wooden structure erected in
1830. This private school operated until its doors
closed in the late 1880s. It produced several nationally
recognized individuals, including one of the most
prolific journalists and authors of that century,
Colonel Thomas W. Knox. Another student was John Swett
who was instrumental in California's effort to adopt the
first state tax for funding education. In 1888, J.
Wilson White, a wealthy Nashua businessman and former
graduate, offered $5000 to the trustees to build a new
structure. In 1890 the wooden building was removed and
in 1892 the present brick building was erected. It
served as Pittsfield's high school until 1942 when a new
one was built across town on Odeida Street.
Old Wooden Academy 1830-90
You
have now arrive at the point of beginning, Frank Lyman
Park, and have completed Pittsfield's Historic Trail.
Members of the Pittsfield Historical Society hope that
you have enjoyed the tour. Comments may be mailed to the
Pittsfield Historical Society, 13 Elm Street,
Pittsfield, New Hampshire 03263. Everyone is welcome to
attend our meetings and programs, and visit our museum.
Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month,
September through June.
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This trail data/booklet was prepared by Larry Berkson,
President of the Pittsfield Historical Society. Without
his diligence this material would not be available.
Printable Trail Map & Legend
Printable History Guide
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