Keene, New Hampshire
Snow Storm
December 2, 1854
In the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 2, 1854, a
wind and snow storm visited Keene, which
increased in violence and continued through the
night. Much damage was done to buildings,
fences and timber. Fifty chimneys in the
village were blown down and some buildings were
destroyed. More than 500 old growth pine trees,
belonging to Stephen Chase,
were blown down, and large numbers on a lot in
Ash Swamp, on the ministry lot, on the Wright
farm on Beech hill, and in other parts of the
town. The following summer, Mr. Chase, in
connection with his brother Charles, put up a
stream sawmill on the east side of the road a
few rods north of his house, to cut up the pine
timber. After running a few years, the mill was
sold to Charles Chase
and Madison Fairbanks,
who removed it to Ralston street in 1860,
increased the power, added other buildings and
carried on a large business in the manufacture
of sash, doors, blinds and other products of
wood. Later the plant was owned and operated by
Mr. Fairbanks alone.
A History of the Town of Keene from
1732, when the Township was Granted by
Massachusetts, to 1874, when it Became a City,
1904, page 458
THE STORM of
last week was very severe with us, but much more
so in other parts. At Manchester several
unfinished buildings were blown down. At Keene
and in that vicinity much damage was
done.---Several barns and sheds were unroofed,
chimnies [sic] and trees were blown down. At
Northumberland in this State, according to the
Lancaster Democrat, the gale was tremendous.
The bridge across the Connecticut covered, and
300 feet in length, was literally lifted up and
set down upon the river below, where it still
furnishes a convenient crossing for foot
passengers. Chimnies [sic], fences, barns,
sheds, were blown down, and other damage done.
The Farmers' Cabinet, Amherst, NH 14
Dec 1854
Articles transcribed by
Linda Horton. Thanks, Linda!
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