The Holloway Family House Abandoned After Factory Closure

The Holloway family established Willowmere House on Ashford Street in 1906 after Thomas Holloway purchased the property while working as a supervisor at the nearby textile factory. Three generations lived there, including Thomas, his wife Clara, their children, and later grandchildren who shared household responsibilities. The family earned income from factory wages, small garden sales, and repair work performed by Thomas during weekends.

Local records describe the Carpenter Gothic residence as a maintained family home with active rooms, regular painting, and a cared-for yard before the factory economy began to decline.

The first warning sign appeared in 1928 when Thomas received reduced working hours after the textile factory lost several major contracts. By 1930, the factory closure forced him out of employment, and the family dismissed outside help while closing the upstairs guest bedroom. Repairs to the porch railing, roof trim, and chimney were postponed as unpaid utility bills and property taxes accumulated. After searching unsuccessfully for stable work, Thomas and Clara left Willowmere House in 1933 and moved to another town where relatives helped them secure temporary housing.

Willowmere House was abandoned in 1934 after the textile factory closure, unemployment, and accumulated household debts made continued ownership impossible. No restoration occurred, and no Holloway descendants returned to occupy the property. Municipal records noted unsuccessful attempts to sell the residence and ongoing deterioration of the structure. The rooms remained closed with furniture, papers, and personal belongings left behind. Over decades, weather damage affected the clapboard siding, porch, and decorative trim. The Carpenter Gothic house remains empty on Ashford Street, continuing to deteriorate without restoration or confirmed future ownership.