Today’s Andover Stories column, Poor Wagon Shop became underground stop, ‘casino’, has a somewhat cryptic headline that leads into a fascinating story about the Poor Wagon Shop, the Underground Railroad, and William Wood. Written by Historical Society Board member Don Robb, the story tells how Joseph Poor helped people escape from slavery. Hundreds of slaves were helped along the Underground Railroad by Andoverites. Follow the link to the Andover Townsman Online to ready the full story and learn about this important slice of Andover history — and find out how a casino fits into the story!
The Poor Wagon Shop as it appeared in the mid-19th century.
Today’s historic photograph features a man who was once well known in Andover. Allen Hinton was born a slave in North Carolina. He moved to Andover in 1864 after he freed himself from the last man who owned him. Hinton and his wife, Mary, worked at Phillips Academy waiting tables, taking in laundry, and selling snacks to the students. Taking the advice of a student, Allen and Mary began to make and sell ice cream to the students. Business grew and in 1901, the Hintons purchased the farm on Hidden Road that they had been renting. The Hinton Ice Cream Farm was an Andover fixture until 1951. The Hinton family story is one of the many stories featured in our newest exhibit, From Near & Far: 350 Years of Making Andover Home. The exhibit opens Friday, March 20 and runs through October 31.