- Re:I am sad-more of Wolfeboro's history is going. - Wolfeboro Community Forums

Do any of you know the little building you see directly across North Main Street, when stopped at the stop sign at Waumbec Road? Well, it is scheduled to be torn down Wed. Just like the information booth, it is another part of Wolfeboro that will be gone forever. In the old days it was called Starlight Hall and was the community gathering place for the people of Goose Corner. I wish there was some way these little old buildings could be saved.

Let's sell the town hall and buy all the little rotten buildings.

Hey Tis, why is that building being torn down? Why can't they move it somewhere so it would be usable? What is with everyone destroying old buildings to put up ugly houses that all look alike? Damn.

I think that Erwin Clifford and his wife Arlene(?) were the last to live in the little house opposite Waumbec Rd.
There was a Starlight Hall around Goose Corner and maybe this building was it. I always had understood that it was once a schoolhouse, which could be just another chapter in its history. I think that the Cliffords had a son named Jack who lived on Pleasant Valley Road. I'm pretty certain that the building has no cellar.
I wish, as the years went by, I had taken some notes on some of these things and indeed I would have, had I foreseen how my memory for details was going to fade!
The location's kind of a tough spot for a residence because the headlights of the cars exiting Waumbec Road shine right on the front windows. Still, it'll be sad to see it torn down.

I had always heard it was also an old school at one time, too, old coot. That was indeed, the building that was Starlight Hall. The Cliffords were the last to live in it. As LS said, I wish it could be moved to another spot and be saved. I have been told it also, is rotten. I really wish we had a last minute saviour out there! I don't know why the Historical Society doesn't try to save some of these old little buildings. Is it money? But they can afford to put up a big barn that is not REALLY historical. Just wondering?

skipper wrote:

QUOTE:
Let's sell the town hall and buy all the little rotten buildings.

We could buy a lot more than all the little rotten buildings with what they want to spend on town hall, skip!

skipper wrote:


Let's sell the town hall and buy all the little rotten buildings.


Sorry Skipper, but it is to late, we have already bought all of the rotten buildings in Wolfeboro.

As far as selling the Town Hall, I'm speechless?? I can't think of a plan for it????

old coot wrote:

QUOTE:
"...The location's kind of a tough spot for a residence because the headlights of the cars exiting Waumbec Road shine right on the front windows..."

The location may have been fine in horse and buggy days, but headlights will still shine on the house (or whatever else) that replaces it.

I can't believe someone would build right there, though the "model home" at Grand Septic Commons allows headlights from five different directions to shine into it.

The land area appears to be a speck. Doesn't the property include more land? I hope this isn't a case of "Wolfeboro's Monied Interests" robbing Wolfeboro of its history...again.

Wondering? We are wondering how many of you are saddened by the destruction of the Starlight Hall yet write critically of the Historic Districs?

In the Content and Definition of the Historic Districts, buildings can not be destroyed, taken down, or moved without review. This is to safeguard the preservation of all old buildinbgs regardless of their condition.

Many Historic District Residents have spent years restoring buildings so that Wolfeboro will retain a bit of the past.

We agree with you all - we wish the Starlight Hall could be saved. What a marvelous history it has to tell.

I think people's property is their's to do what they want with it. However, when it has history as this does, it is too bad they didn't at least offer to have someone move it. I don't think you should be FORCED to keep it on your land or forced to keep it at your expense.

This weeks front page of the Grunter has a picture of the Information Booth that the town is trying to sell. If they don't, down it comes, and off to the dump she goes.

Another building that was left to decay, and now, Goodbye!

tis - We apologize but we still don't understand. The Historic Districts have a rich legacy. From our readings, we have found out that many of the farms were Governor Wentworth Land Grant Farms, masts for clipper ships were harvested on many properties, the Philadelphia Philharmonic made their summer home in a Historic District and were visited by Arthur Fiedler quite often. William Filene, of the famous Filene's stores, raised turkeys for his employees. There are cemeteries where lost sons who were killed at Andersonville are memoralized and the list goes on and on.

Secondly, the word "forced" has thrown us for a loop. We went to the Town Offices and picked up a packet about the HDC and Districts and have learned alot. We prefer compliance and please remember any buildings outside 250 feet from the center line of the road are exempt and it is only the front of one's home or structures, within the 250' limit, that the HDC ask comply. Also if a modern structure can be seen from the road, compliance is requested. Hardship is always considered.

We do believe that perhaps there is alot of misconceptions about the rules and regulations of the Historic District. Most people that we have spoken with have never had a problem. We do understand there are exceptions, but also do believe it is a lovely part of Wolfeboro that needs conserving.

I think they should just give it to anyone who is willing to keep it and repair it. After all, it will cost a lot to move it. It can't be worth much. I think the C of C should repair it and move back up there. The train station is too hidden an area for an information booth. You have to know where it is. (I know, I know, no bathroom.)

So how'd you get a look at the Granite State News on a Wednesday?

Dragonfly wrote:

So how'd you get a look at the Granite State News on a Wednesday?


I'm special!

birdwatcher wrote:

QUOTE:
Wondering? We are wondering how many of you are saddened by the destruction of the Starlight Hall yet write critically of the Historic Districs?

If you're making a list of people who are critical of the Historic District (Commission) but, nonetheless are saddened by the destruction of the Starlight Hall, please make sure that the name Old Coot appears near the top of your list.

Old Coot - No list being made - just wondering about the discrepancies in "historic'. But please explain yourself - why are you anti - Historic District????? How do we learn if you do not explain????

birdwatcher wrote:

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Old Coot - No list being made - just wondering about the discrepancies in "historic'. But please explain yourself - why are you anti - Historic District????? How do we learn if you do not explain????

I will try Birdwatcher. First please note that I added the word Commission when I quoted you. That was to clarify that it is not the district concept per se, but rather it is the Commission and the tactics of the Commission thay I have heard complaints about from residents of the district and it is those anecdotal tales that have dimmed my opinion of the Commission.
For one example, a person who planned to repaint their historic Cape white (a color change) were expected to ask the Commission for permission to do so and were also expected to pay the Commission a $70.00 fee for considering their request for approval. After the homeowner objected to this confiscatory fee, the fee was waved. I can think of no reason that white as a house color should not be a given as an approved exterior color for a Colonial era Cape.
This is but one example shared with me by a district homeowner who is a neighbor of the person who faced the white paint red tape fiasco. Old Yankees figure that people should mind their own business whenever possible.

tell me the white paint red tape story!

passingby wrote:

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tell me the white paint red tape story!

I did!