The photo on the left, taken in the early 1900s, shows a portion of Main Street between Carpenter and Fitch streets. The building to the left is the Scates Building, which was constructed in 1903 by local businessman John Scates. In the center is the Brigham Block, built in the 1840s by Dana Brigham. The Sealer of Weights & Measures occupied a small space between the Brigham Building and the West End Drug Co., which was on Main Street at the corner of Fitch Street. The top floor of the Brigham building was used between 1873-1879 by St. Hyacinth parish to hold Mass until the original St. Hyacinth Church was built on Brown Street and dedicated in 1879. The Men’s Shop was the last tenant of the Brigham and the West End Drug Co. buildings, which were slated for demolition by urban renewal. On Jan. 8, 1978, a spectacular fire swept through these vacant buildings and one to the rear that was known for years as Bevo’s Rooming House, on Fitch Street. The Scates Building was demolished in 1981, despite strong public protest, and was the last building to be torn down under the urban renewal project. CVS Pharmacy and the adjacent parking lot now occupy the site where these old buildings once stood.

Research and photos courtsey of Mike Sanphy