Categories » ‘downtown’Alley Spelunkin’April 11th, 2010 by Cosmic AmandaI ‘spose if nothing else, this blog has already pumped up my inquisitiveness towards the things I stumble upon downtown. Case in point, what is now officially my favorite alley in all of Haverhill: a sketchy crevasse located between Newman’s Discount Furniture and Royal India Restaurant.
How amazing are those old department store windows!? Once I spied those, I knew I had to investigate closer- for blog and for country! It felt like I was stepping back in time. Stepping in something magical…and oddly slippery…and, in fact, I quickly found myself sliding downhill on a tiny stream of soon-to-be-recycled cooking oil that was seeping out of the giant drums waiting at the alley’s mouth. If I hadn’t stopped myself, I may have wound up inside John Malkovich! I guess we’ll never know.
At the alley’s deepest point there’s a murky pool of stangant water, from which this haphazard fire escape emerges. I didn’t linger down there, but it looks like someone did:
Now that I’ve been spelunking in Haverhill’s coolest alley, you can feel free to keep a safe distance as you pass. Um, hopefully I don’t contract Haverhill Fever for the reals! And if you’re as fascinated as I am about what it must have been like back when this end of downtown was lined with department stores, check out this cool video. The very first Macy’s (and Macy’s Parade!) was actually located right in good old Haverhill. Never anything good on TV on SundaysApril 11th, 2010 by Cosmic AmandaWhere the riverwalk ends.April 6th, 2010 by Cosmic AmandaThe weather was beautiful Sunday. Hoping to reverse the effects of our Easter gluttony, we decided to head down to the newly opened Haverhill Riverwalk and get our power walk on. Problem is, the riverwalk is 300 feet. I mean, they’re glorious and all, don’t get me wrong, but that’s barely a stroll! It looks more like the parking lot was jealous of The Tap and went out and got it’s own totally kick ass deck. (There were two ladies sunbathing on it.) Well, I guess this is only Phase A, right? I checked the mayor’s monthly newsletter:
*crickets* What DID seem to get funding though, was PHASE C! which is a more nature trail-esque walk on the Bradford side of the Merrimack. From the Mass Highway Dept. project web site:
So, we have that to look forward to…in 2015! But hey, being a true Hillie is all about patience. Plus, we didn’t let the slow grinding gears of progress stop us. We enjoyed our own (albeit somewhat gritty) riverwalk behind Washington and Merrimack Streets instead. I give you the Haverhill Fever Back Alley Riverwalk!
To begin, cut across Riverfront Park. If you’re lucky, your gateway to the Haverhill Fever Back Alley Riverwalk is pleasantly scented of beer brewing at The Tap. (It was Whittier White when we were passing by) Here are some of the more scenic highlights:
Like Swayze.
Helllllllo, Newman’s.
The Haverhill Fever Back Alley Riverwalk’s colorful conclusion. I don’t know. I’ll be excited when the new riverwalk is finally finished, but in the meantime, this one isn’t half bad. There’s interesting architecture, a glimpse into local culture, and even some art! *shrug* I guess you can take your time, 2015. Doug not know Peter feel that way…this awkward.April 4th, 2010 by Cosmic AmandaSunday Shoppin’: Jennie’s Inc.March 28th, 2010 by Cosmic AmandaConveniently located next to Haverhill’s foremost bepper emporium, Jennie’s Inc. unassumingly occupies 133 Merrimack St., its humble exterior barely hinting at its interior largess- which is, like, absolute junk store heaven.
As I once Yelped, the selection of amazing finds at mind bogglingly low prices is so vast, you’ll think you were flattened by a be-spoilered* Civic on your way over from the Salvation Army. I never thought I’d survive another long, cold, flea market-less winter until I stepped foot inside this awesome co-op. Let’s take a look at just a few of the delightful bargains we encountered this afternoon, shall we?
We also found something labeled “imagination stick” for only $2.00. I’ll let you draw your own (no-doubt more tawdry) conclusions there. FIRST HAVERHILL FEVER CONTEST: Find, purchase, and photograph the aforementioned object and you will win a Haverhill Fever t-shirt!** Today, I scored an antique schoolhouse chair ($6.00), a portrait of the 8th grade class of Pratville, circa 1908 ($5.00), and a vintage Royal Japan sailor decanter (Listed for $40 on eBay) for, um hello, only $3.00! If you’re a lover of antiques, weird stuff, or simply dig a good rummage, be sure to check out Jennie’s Inc. at 133 Merrimack St. in Haverhill. Just please leave some bargains for me, okay?
* totally made up word which means “to which an aftermarket spoiler has been affixed” * *Haverhill Fever t-shirts do not actually exist. Beautiful abandonmentMarch 22nd, 2010 by Cosmic AmandaI can’t even tell you how many times I’ve driven by and never really noticed this small, neglected shop, but I recognized it the second I saw this photo by Jeremiah True.
So much of Haverhill is shuttered, it can feel pretty bleak at times. But, there’s something beautiful in all this abandonment. On one hand, the downtown is oozing with character, and there’s vast potential for restoration, rehabilitation and development of our unique city. I moved here because I wanted to be in on the ground floor of this turn around. If you’re reading this blog, are you with me? On the other hand, while I’d love to see this building transformed into a quirky yarn store or maybe even a coffee shop, part of me loves it just the way it stands- evidence of all that’s transpired since the Haverhill that once was. Here are a couple more of my favorites- *sigh* They almost make me want to petition for Haverhill to maintain an official “abandoned district.”
You can see more of downtown Haverhill in all of its eerie nighttime glory in Jeremiah’s flickr photostream. Be sure to check out his Forty Days of Photography project, which also features some really nice, moody shots of Bradford and nearby Lawrence, Amesbury and Newburyport. Beppers & CellularMarch 22nd, 2010 by Cosmic Amanda |
