What is the “Foreside”?

Recently someone asked me, “What is the Foreside”? I responded by spouting off the streets in this area. They countered, “No, what IS the Foreside”?

Dictionary.com defines “Foreside” as the front or upper side/land extending along the sea. As I pondered the definition, I realized what a forgotten part the Working Waterfront is to Kittery’s Foreside. Fishing, lobstering, trade and travel have all contributed to the economy here for hundreds of years.

Fishing is one of the industries that Kittery was built on. Fish shanties and wharfs still dot the bank just feet from the Foreside. Obvious from the Piscataqua River, they are almost unseen from the street.

In the early days cod, haddock and  mackeral were abundant. My Great Aunt remembers “the Foyes that lived behind the Second Congregational Church. They had a wharf there. They would salt the fish that they caught and sell it.”

Lobstering has been a staple industry here also. Traps can be seen stacked high on boats and piers along the back channel. Warren Wurm ran a wholesale lobster business and in 1941 opened the dining room on his lobster pier, still known today as “Warren’s”.

Trade along the river was a booming enterprise. Boulter Coal was one of the best examples of this. Coal would come by schooner to the dock. It could then be transported to the train that ran through town.   The Foreside was the perfect solution for the transportation of goods.

One hundred years ago, before the Memorial Bridge, the way across the river was the ferry. The ferry landing was on Badger’s Island. From there you could ride the trolly, it ran down Government Street, Wallingford Square on to Wentworth Street then out to the resorts in Kittery Point and York Beach. If you needed to traveled to Portsmouth, perhaps to shop or see a vaudeville show  you could get there by ferry for a nickel.When the Foreside is mentioned most of us think of the restaurants, the old post office, shops or library that has occupied this area over the years. So next time you are here consider beyond the sidewalks and gaze out at the land that extends to the sea.

Foreside Memories

Depending which decade you grew up in the Foreside  determines what memories that you have. I remember Saturday morning tap & ballet lessons at The Grange. After we would walk down to “The Greeks” for an ice cream cone before lunch. I never realized until years later that wasn’t the actual name of the place just what everyone called it. My Grandfather used to take me to “Johnny’s Store” where he would get his newspaper and I could pick out a small bag of penny candy.

My mother remembers “Ken’s Diner” where her father took her for the best hot turkey sandwiches in town. Walker’s Variety had the penny candy counter back then. The “Academy Spa” was the place to go in High School. Apparently it was worth skipping class for their ice cream sodas and french fries with gravy.

My Grandmother’s memories of the Foreside were slightly different. “Bridges” was one of the variety stores back then but there were no pennies for candy just for necessities.   The “Ice Man” would come around the Foreside. If you needed ice you displayed a card in your front window. “Eating out” back then meant it was too hot inside the house, so you sat on the porch to eat supper.

Over the years, the Foreside has evolved and changed. The memories may be different. But stores, restaurants and pubs still occupy this area so I wonder what those stories will sound like from future generations.