Saved for…
September 1st, 2008
This is an old car dealership on Rt. 135 in front of Walgreen’s. I don’t know much about it except that it has been vacant for a couple of years and someone fought to save it from being torn down because they considered and proved this is a historical building worth saving.
I’m all for saving historic structures, Ethan and I have traveled around the country to photograph old buildings, but I don’t really “get” this one. I honestly don’t mean to offend the person who fought to have it saved and I commend their efforts but, I would never have guessed by looking at it that there are any overly impressive qualities about it. The fact that it has been sitting vacant for some years doesn’t help either but maybe someday some business will move in or someone can enlighten me on it’s history and I’ll have more of an appreciation for it.
I think this is the car dealer I stand across from for the Boston Marathon. For years they hosted a dixieland band for the day. They played on their roof, making the day even more fun for marathon junkies.
Since they closed the band also vanished. I’d be all for bringing the band back, but the building sure doesn’t look historic to me. Just old.
Comment by Mitch Cohen — September 1, 2008 @ 10:10 pm
I believe that a mostly takeout/delivery restaurant called Wings Over Framingham will be setting up shop there soon. I saw the presentation by the future owner at a recent Selectmen’s meeting. If I recall, the shop will be in the glassed in area on the street; not occupying the back.
There’s also a Wings Over Worcester which has a pretty good reputation. For better or worse, it may give the Chicken Bone a run for its money.
Comment by Matt — September 2, 2008 @ 9:07 pm
That’s great to know, thanks for sharing!
Comment by Michelle — September 2, 2008 @ 9:36 pm
I think this was the old Long Pontiac building. Historical? I don’t think so.
It’s sad that there seem to be so many vacant buildings in Framingham. The old Framigham Trust in Nobscot has been empty for about 20 years. Maybe instead of continuing the build, the town should be looking into filling the existing buildings.
Comment by Susie — September 3, 2008 @ 1:12 pm
If I’m not mistaken, that’s the old R. H. Long dealership on Waverly St. I believe it was the first car dealership in Framingham, going back to the 1930s if not before, although the building pictured here looks much later than that. It’s sad to see how many businesses in my old home town have closed. This one probably doesn’t have enough space for a modern car dealer, but surely there’s some good use for it. It’s not great architecture, but it’s historic in its way.
Comment by Catherine R. — September 4, 2008 @ 11:02 pm
Just found this link to an oral history project at the Framingham Public Library: http://www.framinghamlibrary.org/resource/history/oralhist.htm
You might find more information in the interview with Pauline Long.
Comment by Catherine R. — September 4, 2008 @ 11:06 pm
This link is for all you history buffs out there. The historical angle comes from the fact that it was a Shoe Factory turned Auto Dealership. This site has some references to the Shoe Factory.
http://www.dlfaquifer.org/search?facet=decade&facet_browse=Framingham%2C+MA&facet_tag=city_state_facet&new_search=1
Comment by Bill D. — September 10, 2008 @ 9:29 am
Nothing new to add except to concur that it looks like R.H. Long’s former location.
Comment by Nostalgio — September 17, 2008 @ 1:50 am