A Window into World War II: Grenier Field aka Manchester (NH) Airport

Posted on 17 September, 2013 by Janice Brown

When we think or read about air bases during World War II, the great metal birds–the Album Cover, World War II, US Army Airforce Cow Hampshirebomber and surveillance airplanes–are what frequently come to mind.  Yet like any microcosm of society, an air base had to organize, to inform, to feed, to train, and even to entertain the thousands of service men and women who lived there, worked there, or just passed through.  I was fortunate to spy a vintage U.S. Army Air Force photograph on Ebay and quickly purchase it. Continue reading →

Posted in History, Military of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Aviation, Structures | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Earthquakes in New England

Posted on 8 September, 2013 by Janice Brown

Eighteen years after the pilgrim fathers landed on Plymouth rock they experienced their

Chinatown in San Francisco after 1906 earthquake

View of Chinatown buildings in ruins following the earthquake in 1906 San Francisco, California. DN-0053564, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago History Museum. From American Memory

first New England earthquake. This was in 1638, and was very severe, so much so as to throw persons to the ground. Since it occurred down to the year 1850 one hundred and

forty-nine earthquakes are registered as having been experienced in these Eastern States, of which 40 happened in winter, 16 in the spring, 32 in summer and 46 in autumn, while of 15 the year only is stated.  Nearly twice as many have occurred in winter and autumn as in spring and summer. In these cooler latitutdes the severest earthquakes take place in cool or cold weather, a rule that in the tropical countries is reversed.  The shock of November 18, 1855, was very severe. “Let this shock be repeated,” writes W.T. Brigham “and half Boston would be destroyed and the loss of life would be terrible.”  It came near being repeated October 20, 1870.
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Posted in History, Oddities, Accidents and Crazy Weather, Really Old News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

New Hampshire Slanguage: Hoodsie

Posted on 4 September, 2013 by Janice Brown

To New Hampshirites, and other New Englangers, a “hoodsie” is a cup of ice cream.  This year it is turning 65 years of age. [70 in 2018].

This word, “hoodsie” that originated around the end of World War II, is taken directly from a local producer of milk products, including ice cream–H.P. Hood & Sons.

H.P. Hood & Sons was founded in 1846 in Charlestown MA by Harvey Perley Hood. The company started off as a milk delivery business, and branched off into milk-related products later.  Harvey Hood had his farm in Derry New Hampshire.  There isn’t much left to it now, and if rumors are correct, it’s site is now a Chinese restaurant.
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Derry, Rockingham County, New Hampshire Educator & Library Trustee: Mary Harriett (Day) Low (1868-1957)

Posted on 27 August, 2013 by Janice Brown

A 36-year-old Mary Harriett Day, also known as “Hattie” peers out at you from this

Mary Harriett Day Low Derry NH teacher

Photograph of Mary Harriett (Day) Low of Derry NH. She was a school teacher and 50 year trustee of the Derry Public Library.

circa 1904 photograph.  She was unmarried at the time the photograph was taken, and probably a school teacher in the Derry-Londonderry area.  Within a year she would wed one of the local men, Benjamin Franklin Low, a prosperous businessman and farmer, with whom she would begin a family.
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Posted in History, New Hampshire Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Manchester New Hampshire’s Michael Prout: He put the ‘Prout’ in ‘Prout Park’

Posted on 16 August, 2013 by Janice Brown
Michael Prout from "The Mirror's Pictorial Manchester 1846-1896."

Michael Prout from “The Mirror’s Pictorial Manchester 1846-1896,” John B. Clarke Co., Manchester NH, 1896.

Michael Prout was an English farmer’s son, born 24 Feb 1824 in Plymouth, Devon, England.  It is not known what influenced his immigration to the United States, that  occurred about 1845.  What is definitively known is that Michael Prout was living and working in Manchester, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire as early as 1846 when he is shown in the city directory with his occupation as ‘car'(penter).  Ten years later in 1856 the directory shows his industriousness: “Prout, Michael brewer, 16 Elm, board 4 do.”  This would seem to indicate that the vicinity of the current Blessed Sacrament church and rectory was his residence and brewery.
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