Now and Then - Corner of Dutcher and Social Streets

The Corner of Dutcher and Social Streets, 1923, 2008

There were once several businesses near the corner of Dutcher and Social streets. (Across Social

Street from the Fire Station.) In the picture of the doll carriage parade, you can see a restaurant and

another business, and on the left, the house that's still there. The "in between" place with the front

facing Dutcher Street may have been a shoe store. The 1918 Milford-Hopedale Directory includes the

following ad. "H.H. Hart - Maker of Custom Shoes and Unlined Shoes for Ladies and Gents - Made to

measure - Corner Social and Dutcher." Another ad says, "T.H. Craddock, Dealer in Beef, Pork, Lamb,

Ham, Groceries, & Flour. Veg, Fruit, Canned Goods, Butter, Eggs, etc. 34 Dutcher Street." The house

that is still there is 34 Dutcher Street. The two other buildings were torn down long ago and the lot

was vacant for decades. The garage was built in the 1990s.

On the other corner, where the fire house now stands, was a rather shaky-looking old barn, and

acr

oss the street from that was a small shop where one could obtain a sketchy meal prepared by Mis

Annabel Jenkins. I had ham and eggs there daily while lodging with Mr. and Mrs. Bates at 88 Dut

cher

Street before occupying the Bancroft Park house.

Charles Merrill,

Hopedale As I Found It