The concrete Taylor Falls Bridge was replaced in 1970 by the Veterans Memorial Bridge (northern span). A second span, the Taylor Falls Replacement Bridge (southern span) was then added in 1974.
These new bridges completely altered the landscape and virtually ‘wiped out’ what many Hudson residents knew of as the business center of Hudson.
The 20th Century Building “at the bridge” on the corner of Ferry and Webster Streets dates back to 1877. This site has a long history of being occupied by a grocery or general store.
In 1928 it was owned by Mrs. Jennie Connell and known as the Connell Block. The left side was washed away during the 1936 flood. The livery and barn were removed from the right side and remodeled into a grocery store. As early as 1926 the right side of the Connell Block was home to Sal’s Cash Market. By 1940 this was the location of the 20th Century Store and building which was owned by Phil Lamoy of Nashua.
Many families of 1 or 2 people lived in apartments in the 20th Century Complex. The average rent paid by these families for a three room apartment was $16 per week.
Construction for the northern span of the bridge began in July 1969. In October of that year was the end of the 20th Century store at the bridge in Hudson. On October 8 there was the “Sale of the Century” designed to empty the store of all items as the building was scheduled for demolition within a few days. A new store at the 20th Century Shopping Center (now 102 Plaza) on the Derry Road was being readied. The “Welcome to Hudson, NH” sign which sat atop the building was removed. In less than two weeks the 20th Century building was gone.
Photo (c1968) from the Hudson Historical Society Collection. For more information on this and other stories visit https://rememberhudsonnhwhen.com and https://hudsonnhhistorical.com.