In September 1938, while Andover residents were focused on war clouds gathering over Europe, the most powerful hurricane recorded in New England history slammed ashore without warning.
700 dead. That's sobering. When I lived near Savannah, GA, I saw the entire city evacuate in 1999, in advance of an anticipated Cat 5. The authorities came close to ordering us out, even though our town was an hour inland, and taking Savannah refugees. At least we have warnings now, but as we have seen (most notoriously during Katrina), acting on them can be painfully disorganized and slow.
What passionate accounts of the town’s trees! Andover lost 330 friends that day. Great article, Jane. It’s been a decade since Sandy. Difficult to imagine the surprise and impact of a storm without modern warning systems.
Very interesting and well-done, Jane! A lot of information I didn't know. My late husband Don grew up in Shawsheen so he and his family remembered the '36 flood as well as the hurricane. I do have one question as the quotes about the Abbot homestead refer to the "oldest house in Andover". I thought it had been determined that the 88 Lowell St. home (that belonged to Pete and Ethel Wilson for many years) was actually the oldest? Only a small portion has been preserved but I thought it predated Abbot St.
Thanks, Nancy! I think you are right but they didn’t know that in 1938 and I was using old quotes. The dendrochronology work (studying the tree-ring patterns in the old lumber) that established the ages of the houses was only done fairly recently.
What a moving description of the local impact of the 1938 hurricane. Well done!
Thank you!
700 dead. That's sobering. When I lived near Savannah, GA, I saw the entire city evacuate in 1999, in advance of an anticipated Cat 5. The authorities came close to ordering us out, even though our town was an hour inland, and taking Savannah refugees. At least we have warnings now, but as we have seen (most notoriously during Katrina), acting on them can be painfully disorganized and slow.
What passionate accounts of the town’s trees! Andover lost 330 friends that day. Great article, Jane. It’s been a decade since Sandy. Difficult to imagine the surprise and impact of a storm without modern warning systems.
Thanks, Karen. Especially scary to think about on a rainy day.
Is Jane Noss’s tree still alive?
Not sure. Several beautiful trees on the lot but none appear to be in the location described.
Very insightful article. As a new local, I learned about Andover from your story. Well done.
Wonderful! We love to hear from new residents. You teach us so much as well.
Very interesting and well-done, Jane! A lot of information I didn't know. My late husband Don grew up in Shawsheen so he and his family remembered the '36 flood as well as the hurricane. I do have one question as the quotes about the Abbot homestead refer to the "oldest house in Andover". I thought it had been determined that the 88 Lowell St. home (that belonged to Pete and Ethel Wilson for many years) was actually the oldest? Only a small portion has been preserved but I thought it predated Abbot St.
Thanks, Nancy! I think you are right but they didn’t know that in 1938 and I was using old quotes. The dendrochronology work (studying the tree-ring patterns in the old lumber) that established the ages of the houses was only done fairly recently.