… AND FILLING IN SOME GAPS ON THE MAP. I have had many ideas for two nights away, but recently not wanting to drive more than two hours from home. But a few days ago I awoke realizing there were spots in the Upper Valley of the Connecticut River that I need to experience and re-experience. (NOTE – If you landed on this page with a Google search for Page’s Model A Ford Garage in Haverhill, NH — SCROLL DOWN for my visit, and then history at the end).

Leaving home I cheated and took I-91 to White River Junction, VT, and from there I headed up US 5 (some sections I had not been on (yeah) and turned east on Route 113 to cross the Connecticut River into Lyme, NH. My full day exploration route (that you should also do) on Saturday the 9th was to head north on Route 10 to Woodsville, cross into Wells River, VT, and head south on US 5 (parts also previously not been on). Then in Fairlee I circled Lake Morey and Lake Fairlee (with explorations) joining up on Route 113 in Post Mills to head back “home” to Lyme. Yes, with the fun I had a full day’s loop.

I choose as a base The Dowd’s Country Inn, on the Common in Lyme, NH – just a tad over an hours drive away. You may enjoy this WMUR Chronicle show on the Inn and Lyme.

I choose the Wheelock Room on the second flow near the porch – but alas still kind of chilly and I did not last long in a rocker the first evening. Below my room, the common area where I spent my evenings, and the porch and view. Remember my images can be clicked for larger view.

Next door to the east also on the Common is the Lyme Country Store. So many great amazing deli selections and meals – I do wish I could shop here daily. The images around the Common I took while walking to dinner my first night.

Next walking east the historical society. The road on the north side of the Common is Route 10. In comes in from the south, runs east, then turns here to continue north. Do plan a visit to see this bucolic spot.

a view looking east.

and more

on the east end of the Common is the Lyme Inn and Ariana’s Restaurant. I had dinner there — I have always believed if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all – but I must just say I was disappointed with my meal and its value. Also, as a single guest I was not welcomed (has happened over the years). “You can sit at the bar, only space available.” Well I am not comfortable at a bar with my back situation, and not my choice anyway. Eventually the hostess said, “let me see if I can make space in the dining room.” We entered, seven of eleven tables were empty. I ate (not chatting as other guests thus spending more time than I was), and when I left nine of eleven tables were empty. Yes, I have experienced “singles not welcome” over the decades around the country.

and walking back down the Common to the Inn.

I love maps. In planning my day I saw a covered bridge listed on River Road to the west of Route 10 (to the right off what I show on this map screen shot). I was going to turn down at the north end of River Road, but seeing a sign N. Thetford Road, I was intrigued since North Thetford is Vermont, and I am in NH.

Turning left (all beautiful territory and landscape) when I came to the end and turned north on River Road it now made sense. Below you can see what is left of a bridge across the Connecticut River – just the center stone work.

Lots of bridges in this area, hopefully I found the correct history of this one. The first bridge here was built in 1822, and a covered bridge in 1864.” … the North Thetford Bridge was closed to traffic in the late 1950s. The Vermont span collapsed in the winter of 1972 or 1973.

Here is a view from the picnic overlook of the piling left of the bridge to North Thetford.

On my way home on Sunday I drove up US 5 in Vermont to North Thetford, went through bramble to get the image on the left looking to NH. When people left the bridge in Vermont they would approach the railroad crossing I show you on the right image.

I continued north on River Road to my original destination – Edgell Covered Bridge – built in 1885. Even though there were signs warning trucks of the low clearance a turn around is provided for vehicles too large.

Orford, NH, has a bridge crossing to Fairlee, VT. Of interest in the town is the RIDGE on the east side of Route 10 – hard to appreciate in an image – you have to visit. The historical marker there reads: “Orford’s seven Ridge houses were built over a period of time from 1773 to 1839 by professional and business men of the town. The Bulfinch-style house of John B. Wheeler, built in 1814-1816, southern-most in the row, was designed by a Boston architect, probably Asher Benjamin who was then an associate of Charles Bulfinch. Other Ridge houses also display Asher Benjamin influence.”

I did not remember this round barn a tad further up– so had to share with you.

a primary quest today (and has been since I have lived in NH) was to find the site of Page’s Model A Ford Garage which I first visited in the summer of 1963 (yes 63 years ago). Haverhill has a very large Common, below looking north.

at the southeast corner is this home. Just like “44” but still with a center chimney — I need to knock on the door and see the room layout as compared to my early 1850s renovation to two small chimneys with flues for wood burning stoves. The images next below are turning the corner at this home and heading north on the east side of the Common.

I stopped in the library to ask about Page’s. The young man at the desk had no idea what I was talking about, but suggested I may enjoy walking out to the grounds of the Bedell Bridge which was closed to traffic in 1968, and had been restored for the new park in 1978, only to be blown down by a windstorm September 14, 1979. Leaving Haverhill I headed north on Route 10, then going down a small hill I saw the park sign, but before I turned left to see the park I saw a garage – POTENTIALLY PAGE’S.

You need to enjoy Bedell Bridge Park, but leaving I stopped at the post office opposite the below building (post offices also a great place to ask for help finding something). Post Office was closed, as was this parts shop, but with my great timing a fellow pulled out in a John Deere tractor and pulled around front. What a GREAT NEXT HOUR I HAD with Mike learning about Page’s Model A Ford Garage, and Haverhill history.

Owning the NAPA store here, Mike grew up next door and was six years old when I would have visited in 1963, parking outside chatting with everyone there. Mike said that was an evening ritual. Below on the left is Belzebuth, my 1929 Roadster that was “my ride” there in 1963. On the right is Auntie EM (1930 Roadster I purchased in 2024) that the previous owner told me was repaired or restored at Page’s in Haverhill.

One thing led to another, and Mike shared so much with me – he has to be the “local historian” and I told him he had to document not only what he remembers about Page’s, but the stories he told me about the Town — Haverhill has a great deal of history which I enjoyed hearing.

Hanging in the garage Mike pulled down a yellowed and faded aerial view of Page’s Garage, and let me photograph it. And, (thank you Photoshop) I have above a black and white enhancement.

The line drawing below is of the Bedell Bridge which when constructed as a two span bridge was the second longest in the country. The house on the left (on the Vermont side of the river) was the toll house, and Mike’s parents’ first home when they married.

Mike remembered the day when the bridge came down. A friend ran through the cornfields to get help and was all cut up from the corn stalks. Trees were blown over blocking the road. Help was needed for those trapped. Mike then pulled out pictures he had been given of the collapse. Sharing those as well I did what I could with photoshop to bring clarity to the faded photos.

Remember to click any image to enlarge.

Arriving in Woodsville, I had seen on the map the Haverhill–Bath Covered Bridge which I had not known about. Hidden a tad, it is foot traffic now. Woodsville is one of the many villages in Haverhill. Formerly used to carry NH Route 135, the bridge was closed in 1999, and restored in 2004,

I then crossed the Connecticut River to Wells River, Vermont, and headed south on US 5 on a stretch I do not recall ever being on before. I came into a quiet town Newbury, with a Common, on the left is the Country Store there (I should have gone in) and image on the right the bank also on US5.

Often when I see DEPOT ROAD, I will turn to see if there is an old railroad station, Entering Bradford I saw Depot Road, turned left and it was a dead end at the train track, the station still there and now a veterinary office.

I visited Chapman’s Country Store in Fairlee on US 5, and then a short hop over to drive around Lake Morey. Trust you know it was Samuel Morey (of Orford, NH) who invented the first “steamboat” operating it on this lake in 1792. Twenty years later Robert Fulton took advantage of a loophole in the US Patent Morey was issued, and received the recognition for inventing the steamboat – you know as the Clermont.

Heading down US 5, I turned right on Route 244 (west – east would put you in the Connecticut River). I had a “mission” to find a unique item in Post Mills (a village in Thetford). Another enjoyable ride along the shoreline of Lake Fairlee, my destination was near the intersection of Routes 244 and 113. But, I could not find it. Again, a library, and with Ray’s good fortunate open (open only a couple hours three days a week). I did not have to wake the fellow inside, he was reading, but as his second visitor he was surprised.

SURPRISED ? Was I surprised and overwhelmed with what I saw as I entered. This stop alone was worth my trip to see this treasure basically as built in 1867, and on the balcony a good share of the original volumes from that time. The library – the George Peabody Library – was a gift, and the earliest library in Vermont specifically built for that use. Peabody (yes of Boston fame, and Peabody, Massachusetts) was fond of the community having visited his grandparents and an aunt and uncle who lived there. Enjoy my images check the library’s website for hours, and plan your visit.

a fun visit with the gentleman, and with luck he told me my quest was back around the corner off Route 244 at a “Y” and on the grounds of the airport. Yes, rural airport I need to revisit to see more exhibits and maybe watch the gliders. What did I have to see?

The VERMONTASAURUS

Yes, I saw it on a paper map so labeled, and in checking it is a Vermont highpoint feature on ATLAS OBSCURA.

Quoted from the Atlas: “The massive collection of scrap wood that is vaguely built into the shape of a four-legged creature known as the Vermontasaurus is large enough to have been considered a building at one point. “

for more history of this MUST SEE – CLICK ON THIS LINK – but also look at my images below

and, the airport and soaring gliders;

One more covered bridge, just off Route 113 in Thetford – SAYRE COVERED BRIDGE. This linked site has many fun old images, but below are both sides as I visited the other day.

Then back to my Inn in Lyme. I had dinner at STELLA’S just to the west of my Inn. Amazing meal and value, a deli with treats and take home meals — again I wish I could shop here and at the country store every week. When I left on Sunday I traveled down 10 to Hanover, then to West Lebanon and picking up 12A and 12 to home. No need for I-91 when you have backroads.

So some thoughts to share on what I feel was one of my best local trips -and below what hopefully some Googlers are looking for – history of PAGE’S MODEL A FORD GARAGE.

Those thoughts:
1 – Some of the best adventures are in your “backyard” — this was one of the best for me.
2 – Look for place notes on both paper maps and Google Maps – check further and see what you NEED TO VISIT
3 – Take a two night overnight and plan a day exploration in-between those two nights away — I have found doing this a great break and refreshing.

And, now for you Model A Ford aficionados —

From HAVERHILL NEW HAMPSHIRE IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY by Katharine Blaisdell published in 2000.

PAGE’S MODEL A GARAGE

Next to Lavoie’s garage was the “Model A Capital of America” where Fred Page turned a hobby into a business, around 1961.

In 1928, he had bought one of the first Model A roadsters – with a rumble seat – fresh off the assembly line. He drove Model  As for many years, then in 1950 bought his first antique one for restoration, a 1931 phaeton. At the time, the Pages were living in New York City, where Fred was working for American Express, and eventually became a senior vice president and director.

By the time the Pages moved back to the family home in Haverhill, in 1955, Fred’s two sons had also been “bitten by the bug” of car restoration, and the backyard hobby became a part-time business.

In 1961, they hired their first outside help, “Woody” Woodward, a mechanic, who also scoured the countryside looking for old Model As to restore. After Fred finally retired from American Express in 1965, he was free to devote himself full-time to the old car project.

By 1975, he was selling between 25 and 50 cars a year. He usually put them into reasonable running order, then left it to the hobbyist to put them into “show car” condition. At least a dozen barns in the area were filled with his antique cars, awaiting restoration – whatever model a customer wanted usually being available, also parts of all kinds. Much of the business was by mail order, with cars being shipped all over the world.

By 1979, Fred’s son Buzz took over running the business, until it was sold in 1988.

Starting in 1964, they hosted the annual Model A meet on Haverhill Common. In 1972 they had 62 cars on display, and a crowd of over 1000. In 1985, there were 100 cars. They moved the meet in 1986 to the North Haverhill Fairgrounds, then in 1992 to Orford, where it is still continuing (2000) under other management the weekend following the Fourth of July.