Themes: Architectural, Community Development

Florence Street was constructed in 1885. The south end portion (Park St.) of two acres and 28,045 sq. ft. was owned by Hannah W. Foster, wife of Joseph W. Foster. Hannah sold the parcel to William Wood, a carpenter for $1900 on March 13, 1883. Wood built his home at 66 Park St. and house lots extended on both sides up to #21 and #24. The north end portion (Elm St.) on the east side was the former Moses Abbot Jr. homestead at #49 Elm St. Owned by his son George T. Abbott, also a Housewright, who was partners with William S. Jenkins in the firm Abbott & Jenkins. The Abbot parcel extended to #20.
The west side of Florence St. to #17 was formerly owned by the Henry Burtt estate formerly at #35-#37 Elm St.
Oct. 2, 1885 Andover Advertiser - pg. 2 col. 9, “The new way between Park and Elm has been completed by Nathan F. Abbott, the contractor, and accepted by the Selectman. Several names have been suggested……”

House lots were then created and sold to a variety of residents. The Queen Ann style home was built for Patrick J. Hannon in 1889-90. The property was purchased from George T. & Alice Abbott on January 16, 1889. Patrick J. Hannon, Jr. was born in Oct. 1863, son of Patrick and Bridget (Devlin) Hannon. His parents were Irish immigrants. His father a laborer, Patrick was the 11th of 12 children. His siblings; Twins Katherine & Mary Ann b. Feb. 24, 1851, Margaret b. Mar. 3, 1853, John b. Aug. 19, 1854, Bridget b. 1857, Johanna b. Nov. 2, 1858, Michael Ambrose b. 1859, twins Daniel & Sahrah J. b. Oct. 5, 1860, Partick Jr. and Josiah Peter b. June 13, 1866.

Patrick became a tailor, starting in 1875 at age 14. He would later open his own men’s tailoring business. His first shop was located in the new Carter Building at 7 Main Street from 1885 – 1911. He expanded into the retail men's clothing business. March 10, 1911 Andover Townsman (AT) - pg.1 - P. J. Hannon, the local tailor has completed the process of moving from his old store at 7 Main Street into his new stand in Barnard’s Block. He is now ready to receive his patrons in a very attractive and commodious store. Hannon was the first tenant at #10 Main St. in the newly constructed business block. Hannon's store would later become Langrock’s Andover Shop men’s clothier in 1926 and the current Andover Shop is a continuation of Hannon's original business.

Patrick was also a good business man and purchased several income properties. Patrick owned adjoining properties at #6 and #8-10 Florence St., a small farm on Elm Street and property on River Street in Ballardvale. [Lot #16 purchased from Ballardvale Mill on May 22, 1926 B. 524 p. 265 on the J. P. Bradlee Estate.
His mother Bridget owned 8 - 10 Florence St. and when she died on July 20,1898 Patrick purchased her home from the family estate.

Oct. 6, 1893 – Townsman; Wilson, the building mover, has transferred the barn from Mrs. Coburn’s place on Central St. to land of P. J. Hannon on Florence Street, the latter having purchased it.
Patrick Hannon later purchased the Andover Cricket Clubhouse at the Crick Field on Lupine Rd. in 1907 and had it moved to his farm on Elm St. now 156 Elm St.
Oct. 4, 1907 AT - pg.1 The Cricket Club House was sold last Saturday by Auctioneer Cole for breach of contract. The house was purchased by P. J. Hannon and will be moved to his farm on Elm Street.
April 10, 1908 AT - The Cricket Club house recently purchased at public auction by Patrick J. Hannon was removed from the club grounds this week to Mr. Hannon’s farm on Elm Street.

Patrick became a gentleman farmer at the Elm St. farm and experimented with crops and planted an orchard. Patrick never married and his sister Teresa B. and he moved into his house at 6 Florence St. Patrick used his other properties as rental income. Teresa died on July 6, 1912. During the Great Depression Patrick Hannon’s house and property were lost in foreclosure to the Andover Saving’s Bank. Patrick would then move into 2 Florence St. the duplex at the corner of Elm St.

This house was purchased by Henry E. Miller and wife Edwena. Miller was also a town merchant. Mr. Miller, owner of the Andover Shoe Hospital, bought the business of the late George A. Brown located at 43 Main Street. Benjamin Brown had established a shoe & boot shop in 1861 in the Deacon Albert Abbott building on the “Hill” but shortly relocated to the Swift building in the center of town. His son George A. Brown joined the business before 1896. After the death of George in 1918 the business was purchased by Miller in 1919. Henry Miller had established his shop at 10 Bartlet St. in 1914 with partner Alfred Robb, later relocated to Central Street before moving to the Swift Building from 1919-1927.

In 1927 Miller built a new store building next door at 45 – 47 Main Street and continued his business here until retiring in 1939. Miller sold his business to William Reinhold, owner of Reinhold’s Shoe Store of Lawrence. Reinhold remained at this location until 1953 when the store relocated to 13 Main Street. Reinhold sold to Feet First, Inc about 1973. When Feet First closed in 1979 it ended the longest continuously operated shoe store in Andover of nearly 118 years.

This home was originally built as a single family home but converted into two apartments by the Richards family. Frank S. & J. Helen Richards purchased on June 8, 1946 and owned the property for 51 years then selling to William C. Daly on April 25, 2007