How to find a forgotten location?

[Warrington]

Many years ago, close to 50, I was looking over a piece of real estate with a quite aged RE broker. I noticed several foundations and asked about them. He told me that it had been a German Beer Garden, burned in the furor of WWI. I am unable to recall the exact location. I doubt assessor's maps would help, as it would be listed simply in the owner's name. Any thoughts? Newspaper archives perhaps? Seems to me it would be a productive place to search.

 

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[Old Bookaroo]

I would suggest a Sanborn fire insurance map.

Newspapers are also a likely source - odds are good they advertised their establishment. Many on-line newspaper archives have a search feature.

Good luck to all,

The Old Bookaroo

 

[Mackaydon]

In what town was the German Beer Garden located?
Don....

 

[Warrington]

In what town was the German Beer Garden located?
Don....

Not exactly certain, close to the border of Attleboro, and North Attleboro, Massachusetts.

 

[Warrington]

I would suggest a Sanborn fire insurance map.

Newspapers are also a likely source - odds are good they advertised their establishment. Many on-line newspaper archives have a search feature.

Good luck to all,

The Old Bookaroo

In so far as ads are concerned, I have no idea of the name. Sanborn Atlases,; my experience is that they only show the central business district and areas immediately adjacent. For instance there is one for my town; my house does not appear as it is to far distant.

I notice your reference to www.operationpaperback.org. A long deceased friend's mother formed the Merchant Marine Library, I wonder if it still exists.

 

[Mackaydon]

Suggestion: Contract the Attleboro Public Library ([email protected] ) , ask for the local historian (probably through the Reference Desk).
That person might lead you in the right direction. If not, as for his assistance.
Don.......

 

[ToddsPoint]

WW1 saw lots of anger toward Germans. In the town of Lovington, IL, there was a German family living about a mile from town. Word spread that the townspeople were going to burn the house. The quick thinking German painted a huge American flag on the side of the house. No one would dare torch the American flag and the house was spared. The American flag is still painted on the side of the house to this day. Gary

 

[BugOutBob]

Do you know what county?

Many libraries have older maps and newspapers scanned and loaded online. I found many of my sites by cross referencing names from the newspapers to old Platt maps. If you know the county and want to shoot me a PM the details you remember I don't mind doing some quick digging (pun intended) and see what I can find.

 

[crashbandicoot]

If it was burned I would think that the old newspapers would have reported that and the location would probably be there too.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

You could call the local historical society. Usually a county has an official or unofficial historian.

 

[CrankyBuzzard]

Don't overlook genealogical groups for the area. If the owners were of German descent, there may still be family in the area and the genealogical groups may be able to assist as well.

 

[Tnmountains]

All the old forestry maps show old roads and home sites. Maybe it was just old topographical maps.. Try the library. I got a lot from an aged Broker.