Dover in Strafford County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)

Central Square

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2019

1. Central Square Marker

Inscription. This photo of Central Square (now called Lower Square), at the intersection of Central Avenue and Washington Street, was taken between 1895 and 1906. Dominating the right side is the Strafford Bank building, erected for $100,000 in 1895. The building adjacent to it was the bank's older (ca. 1847) brick structure, deemed no longer large enough. The so-called "Fortress of Finance'', constructed of Milford pink granite, can be seen nearly unchanged to this day. Looking further up Washington Street, we can see the E. Morrill Furniture Company (1846-1920) in the Public Market building and also the Odd Fellows building with its mansard roof, built in 1885 and razed in 1978 during Dover's Urban Renewal project.

On the left side of the photograph is the Masonic Temple constructed in 1890 by the Strafford Lodge and the Moses Paul Lodge. Two previous city halls had been located on this site: both had burned down. Tragically, fire struck again on March 29, 1906 when this Masonic building suffered the same fate. It was rebuilt, one story shorter, in 1907. The Masonic lodges moved out in 1989 and sold the building. It now houses commercial interests and residences.

Erected 2015 by Faces of Dover, and Dover Main Street, Inc. (Marker Number 19.)

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these topic lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 43° 11.688′ N, 70° 52.472′ W. Marker is in Dover, New Hampshire, in Strafford County. Marker is at the intersection of Central Avenue (New Hampshire Route 9) and Washington Street (New Hampshire Route 108), on the right when traveling north on Central Avenue. Marker is located along the sidewalk, near the southeast corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 333 Central Avenue, Dover NH 03820, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dover NH WWII Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Central (Lower) Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Dover NH WWI Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dover NH Spanish American War Memorial/USS Maine Memorial (about 400 feet away); Early 19th Century Storefronts (about 500 feet away); Dover's City Hall and Opera House Burned (about 500 feet away); Dover's Early Settlers (about 600 feet away); Dover's Black Day (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dover.

Related markers.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2019

2. Central Square Marker

(looking northwest across intersection • Strafford Banks Building in background)

Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Views of Central Square, 1895 & 1900. (Submitted on July 2, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Strafford Banks Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2019

3. Strafford Banks Building

Masonic Lodge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2019

4. Masonic Lodge

(located across Central Avenue, to the west of marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 187 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 2, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.