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WELLS RIVER, VT

The history of Wells River has been one of mercantile, milling, and transportation activities due to its proximity to the junction of the Wells and Connecticut Rivers. The village is blessed with an abundance of water power, and the early settlers wisely utilized the natural resource in a number of profitable ways.

On the right, at Elm Street is an underpass beneath the railroad tracks. Going under the railroad tracks leads to a cluster of houses known as PADDY ACRE [50] . These homes were built for the Irish workers who built the railroad.

Continue north on Rte 5 a short distance. On the right is the WELLS RIVER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH [51] , which was built in 1840 and is currently the home of the North Country Chorus.

Adjacent to the church on the north side is the OLD SCHOOLHOUSE [52] . Though now in commercial use, this imposing building was built in1874 as a schoolhouse. The legend is that when the proposal was made to build the school, one citizen was so opposed he offered a ridiculous amendment suggesting that the walls should be three feet thick and the ceilings made seventeen feet high. Imagine his surprise when the amendment was adopted and the school built.

Next to the school stands the OLDEST HOUSE [53] in Wells River , built circa 1792.

On the opposite side of Rte 5 is the SPEAR HOUSE [54] , circa 1835, is owned by the Oxbow Senior Independence Program. The newer buildings comprise the Spear Apartments, which received an award for architectural excellence when they were built in the 1980s.

Wells River Congregational Church

Just beyond Spear House, on the same side of the street is the ROWE HOUSE [55] , circa 1830, which fronts the Wells River Clinic and is the home of the many-times honored Doctor Harry Rowe. During her lifetime Dr. Rowe's wife, Mary, conducted the North Country Chorus for more than 50 years.

Continue north to where, opposite the intersection, on the left is the HERITAGE COMMONS [56] . Originally built as two buildings circa 1871, with the Hale House behind, they were later combined to form the present Heritage Commons Building. Restored by the Wells River Action Program (WRAP) and Housing Vermont, the complex now houses apartments and commercial enterprises.

The WELLS RIVER MAIN STREET is home to many historic structures. Built at the end of the 19th century, the buildings in the village, have undergone facelifts that help give it a unified appearance.

The Old School House

Just beyond stands the Baldwin Memorial Library [57] , built circa 1840. The building was donated to the town in 1892 by Colonel Erastus Baldwin. the library has a very good collection of pictures and historical information about Wells River and the Bayley-Hazen Military Road (see site 59). Many years ago, an oyster salon inhabited this building.

Next door is the BALDWIN BLOCK [58] , circa 1860, named for Erastus Baldwin.

The Rowe House

Continue north beyond the intersection to where Rte 5 makes a 90 degree turn to the right. At the turn, on the left, is the BAYLEY-HAZEN MILITARY ROAD MARKER – 1776-1779 [59] . This historic byway, now in many disjointed sections and mostly a dirt track, runs from the left of the Erastus Baldwin house [60] , through the villages of Ryegate and Peacham and eventually to Hazen's Notch, near the Canadian border.

Turn around and go back through the village, south.

If you turn right, or west, at the intersection of Rte 302, approximately .3 miles on the right is a building in disrepair known as the ADAMS PAPER MILL [61] . Built in the early 19th century, it was for many years owned by Captain White who was a paper maker and publisher. It was in this mill that the paper was made on which was printed Noah Webster's Spelling Book used universally throughout New England and in many parts of the central west United States.

Turn back towards the village and turn right on Rte 5. As you pass the Jock Oil building and come to the older WELLS RIVER SAVINGS BANK [62] building on the left, notice that the clock above the door says, “National Bank of Newbury”. Established in 1834, the building once housed two banks, the National Bank of Newbury and the Wells River Savings Bank.

Continue south to the junction of Rtes 5 and 302. On the south side of Rte 302 on the right is the Welcome Center, the point from which you began your historic journey.