New Boston Historical Society
New Boston, New Hampshire
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Behind the Door: 29 Depot Street
by Mary Atai (April 2024)

29 Depot Street has long now been a private residence, but with a spectacular history. This structure was the old railroad depot for the only rail line New Boston ever had. Opening day was in 1893 and the celebration drew 1800 thrilled spectators. The line was over five miles long, coming from Parker Station, and the early train company was the Concord and Montreal.

The depot building was completed later that year. It included a Western Union Telegraph office and an American Express office. The architect for this building was the esteemed Bradford Lee Gilbert, who later oversaw the enlargement of the original Grand Central Station in New York. He also built many other railroad-associated buildings, in at least ten states.

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It was designed with stucco siding and a partial fieldstone chimney, and detailed with curved boards which accent a window on the gable end. About a year and a half after being built, the building burned. The fire started from a "baker heater" in the baggage room and gutted the structure, leaving only the stone walls and part of the roof standing. Two lines of hose from J. Reed Whipple's nearby modern creamery hydrant system were used to fight the fire. The water supply was from a spring on the hillside that furnished water for the creamery. A combination railroad car had to be used as a temporary depot until it could be rebuilt.

The loss due to fire was about $4500, of which $3000 was covered by insurance. The building was rebuilt exactly as before. Later that year, the Boston and Maine line leased the railroad for 99 years, replacing the original company.

As long as New Boston's Valley View Farm was successful, the railroad thrived. Produce, milk, and other products from the Whipple farm were shipped to Boston to supply the three hotels J.R. owned there. Leftovers from the hotel guests were shipped back in barrels to feed the pigs. It was a successful, efficient plan. The railroad carried about 500 people weekly, many coming and going from the Tavern Hotel, owned by James Whipple, J. R.'s brother. (See the February 2024 issue of the Beacon.) After J.R. died in 1912, things changed. It all began to go downhill. The increasing use of automobiles and trucks also decreased the need for trains. The last passenger train was in 1931. Freight service continued a little longer. By 1935, the rails were taken up.

What could be done with the beautiful depot building?

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The Playground Association was an organization started in the 1920s by Reverend Louis Swanson to organize improvements around the town. Responsible for building the original grandstand behind Town Hall, it was a significant organization. Members met monthly and annual dues were twenty-five cents. It was incorporated as a non-stock non-profit in 1928. In 1936, this organization stepped in to buy the building after it had sat vacant for several years. Money had been set aside for a "Fireplace Fund" by Appalachian Hiking Club members, who used to stay in the building. Also, after the New Boston Fair Association dissolved as an organization, their money was added. $200 was paid to buy the structure. The Depot was transformed into the "Community House." It was ideal for small town gatherings, and anyone could rent it for a nominal fee.

Over the years, the building has served many purposes. There was a 3-year period when the School District rented it to use as overflow classrooms. This helped relieve the crowded conditions at the High School in the village, which existed before Central School was built.

From 1967, it was used as the New Boston Baptist Church, under Reverend Walter Poole, before the church on Lyndeborough Road was constructed.

In the early 1970s, a child learning center was started there for preschoolers by some ladies in the town. They appropriately named it "The Little People's Depot."

Then, in 1980, work was begun to renovate the depot building into the town's police station. The voters had appropriated $15,000 for the remodeling work. The exterior appearance had to be retained. But, because the building is only 800 square feet, space became an issue, and by the end of that decade, the Police Department moved to Old Coach Road.

Subsequently, this iconic building has been rented out as a private home for many years. It is still owned by the Playground Association and looks almost the same today as when it was built.

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