Today we somewhat take banks for granted, but it wasn’t always that way. Somersworth would not have a bank until 1845 when it received charters for not just one, but two banks. This was in great part due to the expansion of the textile mills of the Great Falls Manufacturing Company (GFMC) that lined the banks of the Salmon Falls River at the time. As the mills grew so did the number of workers and the payroll, which at the time was paid out just once a month.
From its humble beginnings in 1823, the GFMC had expanded to the point where in the year of 1844, it had woven a total of 13 million yards of cotton cloth. To put that in some perspective, that means they were averaging a total of 142 miles of cloth out of the mills each week, which considering this was 1844, is impressive, to say the least.
By the end of 1845, the payroll for the mill workers had reached a staggering $24,000, which had to be transported by railroad from Boston. Before the advent of the railroad, transportation for the payroll was undertaken by a freight stagecoach.
Anyway, in part because of the needs of the mill owners and the need for a secure place to place money, the State Legislature would grant two bank charters to the village. One would be the Somersworth Saving Bank that would be located in the building on the corner of High and then Elm streets where the Somersworth City Hall is located today.
The other would be granted to the Great Falls National Bank and was located on the corner of Market and Prospect Streets. The building which was originally built in 1845 to hold the bank was at that time a one-story Greek Revival building that housed just the bank.
It would not be until 1874, that the architects Peabody & Stearns of Boston, would be commissioned to design the building that we are familiar with today. At the time, the three-story structure held a harness store on the ground floor, the second story would hold the bank and the third floor would hold the meeting for the local order of the Knights of Pythias.
Over the subsequent years, the building would experience several twists and turns in its history. In 1897 a murder would occur there and would cause a sensation like no other experienced by Somersworth. Billed as the “Murder of the Century,” it made both local and national papers thanks to the callousness of the act committed on the Great Falls National Bank cashier who was a frail 69-year-old gentleman who was greatly respected within the community. The perpetrator was caught within the week but would escape the gallows with a plea of insanity, much to the consternation of the citizens of Great Falls.
In more recent history, the familiar red brick Gothic-inspired building would become home to Pearl’s Bakery in 1965 when they moved from their original location on Main Street. Here they would stay for many years and if you look up at the side of the building at the alarm box you can still make out the word Pearl’s.
For the past 16 years, another bakery proudly bakes in the walls of the building: Forty Five Market Street Bakery was featured on Food Network’s Guy Fieri’s show, “Diners, Drive-ins & Dives.” The bakery itself is open on Saturday mornings 8 a.m. to 12 noon for phone-in breakfast orders and the week’s menu can be found on their Instagram or Facebook page.
Snow much fun In Somersworth
While things remain quiet in Somersworth right now thanks to winter and COVID-19, I want to tell you about three easy to enter competitions that the Somersworth Recreation Department is sponsoring.
Snow-mation Contest: While so far the white stuff has been in short supply you know it’s on its way and when it does arrive we want you to get outside! With three categories for Best Snowman, Coolest Snow Fort and Most Creative Snow Sculpture and a $50 gift card up for grabs, make sure you join in the fun. Just snap a pic of your creations and send into the recreation department. Ends March 12.
Family Photo Bingo: Who doesn’t love a game of bingo? The whole family can join in with this one. Take part in the activities listed on the bingo card and snap a picture and send into the recreation department. There are four $25 gift cards up for grabs. Winners will be announced on Feb. 22.
Fit February Community Challenge: This February, the Rec department wants to encourage you to keep fit. All you have to do is participate in 30 minutes of physical activity at last three days a week each week in February. You simply log your activity and turn in your completed log sheets by Friday, March 5 to be eligible for a $50 gift card raffle drawing.
You can find all the details of these and more activity ideas here : https://www.somersworth.com/parks-recreation/pages/winter-activities-2021 or by visiting the Somersworth Recreation Facebook Page.
That’s it for this week. ‘Til next week, as always stay safe, healthy and please continue to wear your masks!