To the editor:
In June, while walking through some of the historical areas of Market Square, I noticed that a familiar historical marker, a street sign and pole, were missing. The Elbow Lane sign and the pole located at the crosswalk off Market Square had disappeared! That signage had been there my entire life (almost 100 years) and back to the previous century.
The Elbow Lane signage represents a very historical area. At one time, and during my lifetime, Elbow Lane was open to foot traffic, street vendors’ carts, horse and wagons, and trucks … often the rum runners’ trucks. It was made of gravel and cobblestones and led exactly to 23 Liberty St. where The Daily News is today. For those who may not know, Elbow Lane begins at the crosswalk on Market Square alongside 14 Market Square where the outside concrete A-shaped staircases are visible. These (brick) stairs lead to the second floor units where once my father’s store was located almost a century ago and I know the stairs and Elbow Lane very well. Elbow Lane actually winds around the building (In fact, there are residents there today, who have Elbow Lane as their residential address.) and at one time it provided direct and convenient access to Liberty Street from the river’s wharves in Market Square. If that signage disappears, the lane’s significant history and original purpose eventually disappears. The sign’s disappearance was a mystery. It concerned me.
In August my daughter and I brought it to the attention of Anthony J. Furnari, director of Newburyport’s Department of Public Services. He informed us it would be replaced as soon as possible. Today (Sept. 23), while driving through Market Square, to our surprise we saw the brand-new Elbow Lane signage that replaces the missing sign. How pleased we were! The new street sign and pole look wonderful. We wish to thank Anthony Furnari and his staff for replacing this signage so quickly. Thank you. More importantly, we thank him for assisting in preserving a rather significant piece of Market Square’s history — Elbow Lane.
John Lagoulis
and Dr. Joan Lagoulis
Salisbury
Twiggy, the Water Skiing Squirrel
Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony
Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Killed In CT Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder
Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner
Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Beyonce Is Pregnant!
SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch
See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion
Woman tricked into taking abortion pill
Emma Watson Goes Pantless
IRS scandal: Republicans seek to tie Obama to agency's woes
Play of the Day: Flipping to Safety
Pregnant Kim Kardashian Squeezes Her Swollen Feet Into Stilettos
Top Videos of the Week: Angry Taco Bell Guy, Glacier Moves on House, Dog Hates Baths
Cindy Crawford Stuns At Cannes
