31-35 Market Square

History

Located at the corner of State Street and Market Square, 29 Market Square (2 State Street) is a three-story brick building capped by a low gable roof, the west end of which is marked by the brick fire wall extending into stepped gables. The building displays a modest brick modillion cornice under the eaves.

The facade facing Market Square measures four bays wide, while the State Street elevation is two bays in width. The State Street corner is rounded and contains a single bay of openings.

The first floor storefronts all date to c. 1970 and consist of semi-round window openings and semi-round window openings and semi-elliptical door openings, all capped by fanlights. A historic photograph of Market Square, taken in 1870, shows arched openings on this building.

Like many buildings on Market Square, this one was probably constructed shortly after the 1811 fire destroyed much of the area. A “Reminiscences” article appearing in the Daily News in 1866 notes that this store was occupied, sixty to seventy years earlier, by Peter LeBreton, Jr., as a hardware store; by Jacob Pierce, as a dry goods store; and later by Henry Titcomb, all before 1830. Ben Stedman's store, which sold books, stationery, cutlery, and fancy goods, was also located here in the early 19th century. Nathaniel Foster sold watches and jewelry here briefly before moving up State Street. In 1849, Charles Whipple, who sold books and medicines, was located at 2 State Street. In 1860, Moutlon & Clark sold books, stationery, and paper hanging at 29 Market Square. Beginning in 1870, Karl Castlehun had a drug store at 2 State Street, the corner of Market Square. The drug store remained there until about the turn of the century; it was later occupied by Charles Perry, druggist. In 1880, Hermann Castlehun had a jewelry store at 29 Market Square. A Chinese laundry was also located here at about the same time.

The storefront at 29 Market Square operated as a restaurant for much of its existence. There was a fruit store here in 1894, followed by a restaurant operated by Lowell Foote in 1898. By 1930, Lyon’s Lunch was here and was frequented by many local politicians. It was later followed by Dalton’s Lunch and Bob’s Submarine Shop.

The building was rehabilitated in 1973 by the Restoration Design Trust as part of the “Parcel 10 Block.”