Ruth Marshall: Missing history of the commercial development of Tilton

To The Daily Sun,

Some important parts of Tilton's commercial history were missing from the article titled "New resort in Tilton expected to draw more tourists to Lakes Region," published on Feb. 14. There were various industries and businesses that sustained the community before the interstate came to town or the shopping and lodging options exploded along Route 3. On West Main Street, the Tilton Endless Belt factory and the Tilton Tannery employed a few hundred people, many of whom lived right in town and walked to their jobs. The belt factory building is still there and now houses a variety of tenants. A park area has been established where the tannery was located. Another contributor to the economy of the town was L.M. Pike & Sons paving and construction company. That business occupied the area between the railroad tracks and routes 3 and 140 and had a private company airstrip behind the buildings. That location was set up as an asphalt production site in the early 1920s and continued there for many decades.

Along with Bryant & Lawrence Hardware there were numerous family businesses that also helped the town become an inviting place for vacationers, especially those families that owned and operated tourist homes or cottage colonies around Lake Winnisquam. Some of those properties have since become condo communities or, like the former Anchorage property, have been redeveloped into more elaborate lodgings.

However, what previous owners did shouldn't be overlooked.

The commerce that built, developed and grew Tilton did include so much more than the big name retailers and service industries which draw people there now. The contributions of previous citizens and businesses should not be forgotten or overlooked.

Ruth Marshall

Gorham, Maine