Community Corner

This Week in Winchester History: Fire Department Investigates Arson

The Elks building was nearly destroyed in a fire.

This is a regular column with items drawn from past editions of the Winchester Star.

1911

Train trouble

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A fence it to be put in at the corner of Walnut Street that would connect the sidewalk with the train station. It's too avoid people who are not familiar with the town from driving on the railroad tracks.

1961

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Arson

A two-alarm fire that burnt 75 percent of the Elks home on Elmwood Avenue was the work of arson, according to Fire Chief James Callahan. Winchester Police office, David Greel was the first on scene and said he saw two men running out of the building and into a car shortly before the fire began.

Growing town

Winchester population is 15 times higher in 1961 than it was in 1850. The population increased from 15,567 in 1950 to 20,193 in 1961. In 1850 the population of Winchester was 1,353.

Break-in

Two men broke into the VFW Headquarters on White Street and stole $150.

1986

Bank Robbery Arrest

Lawrence Manns of Lynn was arrested and charged with robbing the Winchester Savings Bank a few weeks earlier. He faces charges of bank robbery while armed, illegal possession of a sawed-off shotgun and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Winchester Police believed he had a partner, but did not find him yet. The two stole $5,000 from the bank. The FBI, state police and Winchester Police were all in on the arrest.

Trash

The fee to transport Winchester trash to North Andover rose from $32 a ton to $48 a ton. This left the town with a deficit of $418,960. Winchester also had more trash than what the town had originally expected. Winchester had 14,300 tons of garbage, which was above the expected number of 13,500 tons.

Shrinking Population

In the past five years the Winchester population only increase by 65 people from 21,385 to 21,450.

"In 1979 the opulation gradually began to decline," said Town Clerk, Carolyn Ward.

In the late 60s and early 70s Winchester averaged 22 to 23,000 people. According to Ward, people at this time are having fewer children.

TV Show

The TV show, "Spencer for Hire" shot two scenes in Winchester - at the C & G Restaurant along Main Street and in the offices of Bay Banks for a courtroom scene. In the show Winchester is supposed to be a New Hampshire town.

All the information for this story came from the Winchester Star.


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