By Kyle Hietala
The Building
Front Street, in Bath, Maine has been one of the most densely packed business areas throughout the city’s history. The variety of businesses occupying 94 Front Street serves as an excellent example of Bath’s retail history over a span of almost 175 years.
Built around 1850 by Oliver Moses, the brick building at 94 Front Street is a three-story building designed originally in Greek Revival style reflecting current architectural fashions. The building has been rebuilt several times because of fire and water damage; as of 2009 only the second floor resembles the design of the original building. The third (top) floor has been altered primarily because of damage, while the first (bottom) floor has been altered to meet the occupying business’ needs.
Ownership
Starting with Oliver Moses in the 1850s, the building has always been owned by an individual or organization separate from the retail businesses occupying the site according to city tax records. After Moses’ death in 1882, the building was owned by his heirs until 1887. In 1887, Moses’ Estate formed the Sagadahoc Real Estate Association. Oliver’s son Galen C. Moses purchased the building in 1896, and owned it for three years. The Sagadahoc Real Estate Association, which purchased the building from Galen Moses in 1899, has owned the building for most of the 20th century. The building was purchased from SREA by Ken Young. As of 2009, Stephen Elie owned the building, according to Bath Tax Records.
Oliver Moses, born on May 12, 1803 in Scarboro, Maine, owned the building from its construction in the early 1850s until 1882, as noted in several tax records. Moses came to Bath from Portland in 1826 to pursue the tinsmith trade. He created the Bath Iron Foundry on the west side of Front Street, directly across from Broad Street. Oliver Moses and his brother William built and owned many blocks and buildings in commercial Bath, including part of the Union Block, where 94 Front Street is located, according to Henry Owen’s History of Bath Maine. Oliver also established his own shipyard in 1844, and founded the first National Bank of Bath in 1861. He served as the Bank’s president until his death in 1882.
Businesses
As Bath has grown and changed, the buildings and their purposes have also changed. For 94 Front Street, the occupying businesses for almost 175 years are as follows:
- David Stinson Dry Goods (1850?-1868)
- Gershom H. Palmer Dry Goods (1868-1876)
- William P. Hill Dry Goods (1876-1883)
- Webber’s Drugstore (1883-1933)
- Burnham’s Auto Supply (1933-1953)
- Fullerton’s Radio (1953-1955)
- Belanger’s Variety (1955-1972)
- The Hobby Shoppe (1972-2006)
- Daybreak Variety(2006-2007)
- Sweet Delights (2007-????)
Four of these businesses and their prominent owners deserve special mention. For example, in the early 1850s, according to the 1858 map of Bath, and city tax records, David Tilden Stinson rented the location from Oliver Moses, running a dry goods business as seen in the postcard in the side column. As seen in the photograph, the 94 Front Street building, located on the right and middle of Front Street, had a "David T. Stinson" plaque on its face, and the awning on the building appears to say, "Clothing, Hats, Capes". David T. Stinson (1815-1873) was the son of David Stinson Sr. David Tilden Stinson was an actor in the Bath Elocutionist Society. He is buried in Bath at the Oak Grove Cemetery.
Gershom H. Palmer opened a dry goods business in 1868, lasting at 94 Front Street until 1876. After he ceased business at 94 Front Street, Gershom H. Palmer moved to Ohio, to pursue the wagon and carriage business, until his death in July of 1915. Born in Bath in 1836 to Asa Palmer and Maria Palmer, he entered the dry goods business through the Ledyard & Palmer business as a clerk, until establishing his own store. He was a member of several Christian Churches. The entire Palmer family had a long tradition of running dry goods stores in Bath.
After the short-lived establishment of Gershom Palmer, William P. Hill (formerly an employee of Palmer) opened a dry goods business at 94 Front Street, which lasted until 1883. Mr. Hill retired for a short time, moving to Florida. With his return to Bath, he worked at a gentlemen’s clothing store at 134 Front Street, until acquiring a manager’s position at David T. Percy and Sons at 86 Front Street. He worked at Percy’s Store until 1918, when he permanently retired at the age of 68. Married to Kate Howard Fisher for 60 years, he passed away on June 22, 1938.
Walter G. Webber opened a drugstore at the foot of Elm Street in 1875. Webber changed location with the opening of his second drugstore at 94 Front Street in 1883. Damaged by fire in 1894, the store lost over $6,000 of goods, and it cost thousands more to compensate for the structural losses due to water, smoke, and fire damage. Webber’s store wasn’t the only store damaged by the fire. Set from a spark from a horseshoe, the large fire originated at the Sagadahock House on the northwest corner of Front and Centre Street. It spread north along Front Street, damaging or destroying many businesses including Walter Webber’s Drugstore.
Following Walter G. Webber’s death in 1906, Merton O. Webber, formerly a clerk at Anderson Pharmacy, purchased the drugstore in 1912, running it successfully until 1933. Merton O. Webber moved the store to 194 Front Street; this new location only stayed in business for six years. In 1939, Webber’s Drugstore ended its existence after 55 years of business.
Walter G. Webber (1848-1906), the son of George and Rebecca Webber, opened Webber’s Drugstore at 94 Front Street in 1883. He was a popular Republican in Bath, serving three terms on Bath’s City Council, in 1887, ’88, and ’89. In addition to politics, he was a Member of the Park & Cemetery Board. He was prominent in Masonic Lodges, and he was a member of the Knights Templar. His son, Harry Webber, the editor of the Bath Independent for a long period of time, was one of Bath’s most well-known citizens of the early and mid 20th century.
Merton O. Webber (no known relation to Walter Webber) was the second and last owner of the Webber drug business. Born on April 13, 1881 to Orrin and Robina Webber in Vassalborro, he grew up in Bath and Georgetown. He entered the drug business in his junior year of high school. Working his way up, he owned Webber’s Drugstore through the time span of 1912-1933. He was a school board member, and a Captain of the Third Maine Regiment. He died on May 30, 1947.
Following these first 4 important businesses and their owners, 6 businesses were at the location from 1934 to 2009, beginning with Burnham's Auto Supply, owned first by Leroy L. Burnham. The business was owned by Percy Williams from 1940 until the stores ending in 1953. Percy Williams (1887-1957) was the son of Edwin and Addie Moore Williams according to his obituary. He was a successful businessman in Waterville for 25 years, prior to purchasing Burnham’s Auto Supply. He retired from active business in 1946, but still continued to own the business until its closure.
After Burnham’s Auto Supply, the building changed hands four times. From 1953-1955, it was home to Fullerton’s Radio. From 1955-1972, Bradford P. Belanger owned a Variety Shop. The Hobby Shoppe opened at 94 Front Street immediately after Belanger’s store left. From 1972 until 2007, The Hobby Shoppe had four different owners: Frank Torrey; Terry Coyne; Louis Ridgely; and Ken Young. After the Hobby Shoppe, a small newspaper business called Daybreak Variety owned by Elizabeth Dingley was at the location for a year. From 2007 until 2009, 94 Front Street has been home to Sweet Delights, a pastry shop.
Conclusion
In the first 80 years of the building’s history, it was occupied by three dry goods stores, and one drugstore. After this first century, the building hosted a variety of businesses, with 5 establishments in 85 years. Obviously, the first 4 businesses (3 dry goods stores, drugstore) were more alike than the last six (auto supply, radio, variety, hobby, newspaper, sweets). It is also worth noting that the business at the building has always rented the location, with the exception of Ken Young and the Hobby Shoppe. From being home to long-lived businesses, having connections with prominent Bath citizens, and being an exemplary part of Bath’s economy, 94 Front Street has been an important part of Bath's history.
