Clothespin Park

This land is the former site of the Henry Holmes & Co. mill. The original mill was built around 1892 by Holmes, Cutter, Cutter and Jennings. Clothespins, referred to as the "Old Cheshire County 5 inch clothespins" were manufactured at this mill. The New Hampshire Statistical Gazeteer published in 1875, indicated that 17,000 boxes of clothespins were manufactured annually in the Town of stoddard. The number manufactured at this site, or if there may have been other mills in the town making clothespins, is not known.

The mill was lost to a fire at 'high noon' on February 3, 1906. Pictured here is the aftermath of the February 3, 1906 fire. The Keene Sentinal, dated February 7th, 1906, published the following brief statement: "Henry Holmes & Co. lost their small mill by fire on Saturday. All the contents of the shop, including 150 boxes of clothespins ready to ship, were destroyed; also all the tools, lathes and everything but the boiler and engine."

The home shown in the photo was the home of Henry D. Holmes and his wife, Alma (Robbins), who raised seven children there. The house remains much the same today with its red paint, white shutters and doors with the exception of the barn, which has been attached in the back, and one chimney which was removed. The sign above the door reads "1880." It is one of the oldest homes in Stoddard.

Another mill was rebuilt at this site at a later date by the Holmes' and Abbott Co. They made small turnings and wooden sap spouts for the maple-sugaring season. That mill was removed around the year 1936, after the depression, according to Henry's son, Lawrence Minot Holmes.

This site was largely ignored since then. In the summer of 2000 this land volunteers began clearing this land with the objective of creating a park. When work began the site was as densly forested as the surrounding area. After only three months with the removal of cuttings and other debris the area started taking on the semblance of an emerging park. Once cleared, planting of a wide variety of native New England plants began, each with a marker providing the name of the plant. An effort that continues to this day.

Many artifacts were uncovered during the clearing process, most of which can be viewed within the park. One item of interest is the remnants of a small dam thtat can be found in the brook closest to Route 123. Research has shown that it was built to create a fire pond, possibly the first of many created around the town as a result of a fire to the Holmes' house (across the street from the park) in the early 1940's

The sign proclaiming "Clothespin Park" in memory of the former factory was fabricated and hung in June, 2001.

The plaque honoring the memory of Bill Callinan was set in May 2006. Bill was instrumental in the initial clearing of this parkland and contributed greatly to its subsequent maintenence. The plaster casting of the young man reading a book was donated by Bill's family also in May,2006.

This land was reclaimed and this park was constructed and is maintained strictly by volunteers and is for the enjoyment of all Stoddard residents and their guests.