Orford's History
The 19th Century
- Years of Growth and Prosperity ...
- By the mid 19th century, Orford's population swelled to nearly 1900. Schools and churches were built to accommodate the growing population. Various industries including forestry, farming, and manufacturing became a source of income for the residents of Orford.
1802- Orford Hotel - Tavern built on northwest corner of Bridge and Orford Streets
Destroyed by fire in 1875 - 1802 - 1804
- The first bridge was built across the Connecticut River linking Orford to Fairlee. This was very important to the economy of Orford
- Two (toll road) turnpikes were built: The Orford Turnpike - heading east from the bridge through Orfordville to Wentworth and The Grafton Turnpike (1804) - heading north.
- These roads, especially the Grafton Turnpike, brought travelers to Orford resulting in stores, hotels and other commercial establishments.
- 1807 — Orford had nine school districts
- #1 - the Orford-Piermont line to near the bridge over Jacobs Brook at the foot of Tannery Hill
- #2 - included the earliest schoolhouses along Orford Street
- #3 - north of the Lyme town line
- #4 - east from Lyme town line - Orfordville library now on site of original one-room schoolhouse
- #5 - Union District - schoolhouse on Indian Pond Road in Archertown
- #6 - Indian Pond Area - district had several buildings from 1826 to 1916
- #7 - Davistown area - Northeast Orford bounded by Piermont and Wentworth - schoolhouse near Upper Baker Pond on road to Wentworth
- #8 - included Dame Hill area - brick schoolhouse north of cemetery on Dame Hill was in use until the Orfordville schoolhouse was built in 1898
- #9 - Quinttown school - ceased operation by 1900 due to lack of students
- The number of schoold districts increased until there were sixteen in 1849
- 1816
- John B. Wheeler, an Orford merchant, gave Dartmouth College $1000 to hire Daniel Webster to represent the college trustees in a Supreme Court fight to save the college from becoming a state university. Dartmouth's Wheeler Hall was named to commemorate this act.
1830- Population of Orford reached 1,896
- 1832
- Old Brick School in Orfordville built (district #4) to accommodate growing student population - rebuilt in 1933 after a fire - today used as Orford Free Library
- First Congregational Church of Orfordville was destroyed by fire in 1895 - rebuilt and in use today
- 1840
- Universalist Church - brick Federal Gothic Revival style; Sold in 1878 and used as "Union Hall" for public entertainment - 1904 became the Masonic Hall
- 1851
- Orford Academy and Boarding House built to replace academy destroyed by fire
- 1854
- Gothic Revival style Congregational Church of Orford - built by Moses Wood of Lebanon, NH
- 1857
- Covered bridge linking Orford to Fairlee VT constructed by James F. Tasker of Cornish, NH
- 1859
- Construction of Orford's Town Hall was completed at a cost of $1,474.10
- 1875
- Elm House (first built in 1798 - pillared front built in 1849) operated as a hotel
Now used as apartments - The Flag of 1884
- In the fall of the presidential election of 1884, Bushrod Mann (a direct descendant of John Mann), and his wife Clara owned and occupied a house in Orford. The Manns rented part of their house to Harry Libbey and his wife. Mrs. Mann, a strong Republican, and Mrs. Libbey, a strong Democrat, made an election bet. They made a (38-star) flag and hung the names Blaine and Logan on one side and Cleveland and Hendricks on the other. They proudly hung the flag over the road in the center of Orford Street. The loser would get the flag and the winner would be content with the victory. As a result of the election, Mrs. Mann (the loser) received the flag and Mrs. Libbey (the winner) retained the strip with the names of Cleveland and Hendricks.
- During the 1970's, this flag was hung over the balcony in the town hall. Recently, it was hung proudly in the Rivendell gymnasium during the 2002 town meeting.
- 1898
- Orfordville Schoolhouse built - in use as a school until 1990 - current Town Office
- By mid-19th century, varied circumstances resulted in much change for Orford. The Westward movement, the Civil War and railroads impacted negatively on Orford and its economy. The population began to decline.
- Tourism became the hope for strengthening the 20th century economy. Boarding houses with expansive porches became popular places for tourists.
- Orfordville - late 19th century
