Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, Wakefield, Mass.

Title

Main and Albion Streets, circa 1919

Description

"The Perkins block at the south corner of Main and Albion Streets was once owned by Capt. John Perkins of Lynnfield Centre. At the time of the Civil War, the southern portion of the building was removed to the corner of North Avenue and Avon Street, making room for the building at the left of the picture which once houses the Crystal Spa, Wilkinson Shoe and later, the Colonial Spa. Beasley's Variety Store, a kitchen furnishing and general variety store, was once of several businesses located in the building. Owner George Beasley of Reading relocated his store to North Avenue before 1940, making way for the First National market and grocery store, one of the first 'chain' stores in the area. Bonney & Dutton's 'Old Corner Drug Store' was first established in 1847 by Dr. Joseph D. Mansfield, a well-known practicing physician, and William H. Willis, on Main Street, opposite Avon Street. Dr. Mansfield purchased Willis' share of the business in 1855 and moved to Main and Albion Streets. At the time, the drug store was reported to be only the second such business between Boston and Haverhill, the other being in Malden. Josiah S. Bonney became a partner in 1885, and bought out Dr. Mansfield in 1892. He was the sole proprietor until pharmacist Riberot Dutton became a partner in 1906. He owned the store until his retirement in 1940. The upper floors were occupied by many businesses, including the photography studio of Charles F. Richardson whose work graces many old postcards and photos still in circulation. Others included photographer A.C. Saunders, the dental offices of Dr. Charles Magoon, and the Wakefield Bulletin. The Perkins Building was razed in late 1940."

Image from the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department annual calendar, 2011

Photo courtesy of JC Marketing Associates

Contributor

Institution: Lucius Beebe Memorial Library

Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (Wakefield, Mass.)

D'Onofrio, Jayne M.

Coverage

Massachusetts--Middlesex (county)--Wakefield

Main Street (Wakefield, Mass.)

Albion Street (Wakefield, Mass.)

Date

ca. 1919

Format

image/jpeg

Publisher

Wakefield, Mass. : Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department

Subject

Storefronts

Type

still image

Photographs

Original Format

1 picture: b & w

Extent

33 x 18 cm.