Rochester in Strafford County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)
Rochester Commons Bandstand
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2019
1. Rochester Commons Bandstand Marker
Concerts were held on Central Square in front of the Parson Main Monument in the early 1900's. As crowds and traffic increased there was a need for a new location for the band and people to assemble. In 1914 Miles Dustin, local-builder, designed the bandstand and built it with the help of his two sons Cecil and Clifton.
The Rochester City Band, organized by Alcide Bilodeau in 1896, played here every summer. After Bilodeaus retirement, he was succeeded by J. Hervey Edgerly and then by Edgerlys son Roland.
In 2000, the Rochester City Council approved funding to make repairs. The Citys Department of Public Buildings & Grounds personnel undertook the restoration during the summer of 2001. The roof was removed and saved, being the only remaining section of the original bandstand. Once the structure was rebuilt, the roof was lifted back into place.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is October 25, 2001.
Location. 43° 17.918′ N, 70° 58.213′ W. Marker is in Rochester, New Hampshire, in Strafford County. It can be reached from Grant Street just south of South Main Street (New Hampshire Route 108), on the left when traveling
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on New Hampshire’s Seacoast. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rochester Civil War Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); First Church Congregational (approx. 0.3 miles away); Reverend Amos Main (approx. half a mile away); Arched Bridge (approx. 0.6 miles away); Forest Glade Cemetery (approx. 5.4 miles away); Berwick Maine War Memorial (approx. 5.8 miles away in Maine); The Balch Household Graves (approx. 6.1 miles away); Henry Wilson (approx. 7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rochester.
Regarding Rochester Commons Bandstand. The bandstand was built in 1914 by Miles Dustin; before then band concerts were held on the square. The flag pole was donated by J. Frank Place in 1917. He was the former publisher of the Rochester Courier. Today, the Common is used for community activities such as Memorial Day events and for concerts throughout the summer months, in addition to having a walking track. (Submitted on July 1, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Also see . . . Rochester Main Street. City website (Submitted on January 25, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2019
2. New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places Marker
Department of Cultural Resources
State of New Hampshire
Certifies the the
Rochester Commons Bandstand
in
Rochester, New Hampshire
has been listed to the
New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places
October 25, 2001
Van McLeod, Commissioner
Department of Cultural Resources
Elizabeth H. Muzzey
State Survey Coordinator
Division of Historical Resources
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2019
3. Rochester Commons Bandstand Marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2019
4. Rochester Commons Bandstand
Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 776 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 30, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 1, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
