by Barbara Rimkunas
This "Historically Speaking" column was published in the Exeter News-Letter on Friday, July 2, 2024.
The summer of 1924 was hot and dry. The month of June had been cool enough, but by July 4th the Exeter News-Letterreported the first of many “protracted hot wave” weeks that would plague the months of July and August. Only a few showers – mostly in the form of thunderstorms – brought any relief. On July 11th, the Congregational Church steeple was struck. “During the severe thunder shower of Thursday afternoon, lightening struck the top of the spire of the Congregational Church, setting it on fire. The pinnacle, on which was the weathervane, burned freely and not until a stream from the steamer put out the fire was anxiety for the safety of the building dispelled. The loss is likely to be considerable.” It took the remainder of the summer to repair the damage.
For those who chose to stay in town (instead of heading off on vacation) The Exeter Hampton Street Railway offered special excursions to Hampton Beach. “Every Wednesday and Sunday 50 cents Round Trip” ran the advertisement. Tickets were sold at local drugstores, where, one would hope, you might find out what time the streetcar left for the beach. The beach would be a nice break for anyone getting ready to can their garden produce. Canning supplies were offered for sale at Mitchell’s department store in Haverhill. Alongside the fruit jars, jar tops, rubbers, strainers, mixing spoons, jelly wax and large Hillson Canning pots there was also “Cool Japanese Crepe Dresses – for porch or morning wear, in loose, cool styles and light summer colors. $5.98” It was the 1924 version of our beloved muumuu.
If one didn’t have their own garden, there was guidance from the University of New Hampshire on purchasing for local farmers who wanted to sell to the newer, more mobile, customer. “There should be a good-sized sign with all prices marked in clear type. An advance sign 50 – 100 yards from the market is an advantage, inasmuch as it gives the auto a chance to slow up before reaching the stand. It is advisable to locate within easy auto distance from a large town where a steady trade for a variety of products can be built up. The tourist trade will only buy products which may be consumed without preparation.”
Many of Exeter’s residents took to the road. Cars were becoming more common, roads were improving, and people wanted the freedom that rail travel didn’t offer. Wetherell’s Garage offered a high-end Buick Touring Car for $875.00, but also had a used 1919 Chevrolet for $100.00. More people went on road trips than ever before. There were some mishaps right out of the gate: “An automobilist who had parked his car in front of the Woolworth Store, Thursday evening of last week, starting to back into the street late in the evening, pressed the wrong lever and the machine shot across the sidewalk into the plate glass show windows, breaking two. The damage has since been repaired.” In August, the News-Letter noted “Mr. H.E.Fisher’s week-end trip last Sunday was marred by tire trouble three times. His membership in the Automobile Legal Association, however, enabled him to secure expert assistance with little delay and at no cost to him.
Most road trips had few mishaps. “Mr George L. Scales, and family left Exeter after a short vacation with his mother and returned by way of the White Mountains and other points of interest to his home in Pontiac, Michigan. The round trip was made by automobile.” “After an enjoyable trip through the White Mountain region last week Mrs. K.M. Hatch visited Montreal, thence going, by way of Lakes Champlain and George and down he Hudson to New York.” By the end of July, there were so few travelers by rail that the Boston & Maine discontinued a few of their express trains for the remainder of the summer.
It was for the best – the most common cause of forest fires were trains. In mid-August, with the drought increasing, Governor Fred Brown closed the New Hampshire forests, except for Coos County, due to “the existing period of protracted drought and excessive dryness.”
Near the end of the season, Hampton Beach held a “Bathing Girls Parade and Beauty Contest” with silver cups awarded to the “3 prettiest girls in the parade” as Miss New England. The top prize was awarded to Exeter’s Bernice Rand, who turned seventeen the very day of the contest.
August ended with another heat wave. “It was an intensely hot weekend. Official temperatures at Boston, with which those in Exeter approximated, were 92 on Saturday and 94 on Sunday. Monday was nearly as hot. Tuesday afternoon brought a series of showers still more severe. Much of the sky was ominously dark, the wind was high, crashing thunder was followed by the sharpest of lightning, and the rainfall was so heavy that catch basins were quickly overtaxed. Streets and sidewalks were flooded, as were some cellars. The early evening brought more rain, likewise heavy, and it continued intermittently well into the night. These showers marked the end of the hot wave.”
The following week Exeter’s schools reopened for the academic year. The summer of heat and travel had ended. “Wednesday was quite cool, but pleasant, as was yesterday.” Time to hunker down as Fall’s chill arrived.
Image: Members of the Grunwald Family of Exeter ready themselves for a road trip in the summer of 1924
Barbara Rimkunas is curator of the Exeter Historical Society. Support the Exeter Historical Society by becoming a member! Join online at: www.exeterhistory.org.