Robert E. Crichton

Bob Crichton: The Law Enforcement YearsSomersworld!
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Bob Crichton: The Law Enforcement Years
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Bob Crichton and his team featured on the cover of R'ural Heritage.'

Bob Crichton and his mule team are the highlight of many Somersworth events and celebrations.

Bob Crichton, legendary mule teamster, long-time Somersworth Housing Authority employee, former Somersworth High School teacher and City Councilor, and dedicated Somersworth promoter was not born in Somersworth.He moved here when he was two weeks old.He now lives "across the bridge," but Somersworth is his home town.

Bob, his mother and brother moved in with his uncle and aunt, Arthur and Carrie Blaisdell, who worked the West Wind Farms (precursor to the present West Wind Gardens), a parcel of more than 80 acres near the intersection of High Street and Stackpole Road.
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I have known Bob since the mid-80's.In recent years, we have often shared lunch to discuss our mules and civic life.On one such occasion, while having lunch at the USA Café, Bob mentioned his 13-year tenure as a part-time officer with the Somersworth Police Department.Always interested in what we might learn from our past, I was intrigued.So this week, I sat down with Bob to hear more about that experience.

Early one afternoon in 1954, World War I veteran and fellow High Street farmer, Tony Zabrek, found Bob working in one of his uncle's fields.
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Bob reported as requested and, after swearing to uphold all pertinent federal, state, and local laws, was presented with a belt, a night stick, handcuffs, a badge "the size of a tomato can", and a 32 caliber pistol.Uniforms were not provided; you had to buy your own, which Bob ultimately did from the retiring Chief in Durham-a man of approximately his own size.The collar on the double-breasted suit was so high and stiff you could not see your feet.For the time being, however, Chief Parson instructed Bob to go home and find a black pair of pants and a blue shirt and report to the Eagles on Market Street at 7pm.

"It will be a shot in the arm to the business community of the city," said Bob Crichton, rehabilitation specialist for the Somersworth Housing Authority.

The program is federally funded through Community Development Block grants awarded to the city.

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"The people I've contacted are very much interested in being involved," Crichton said.

Crichton provided Historical Preservation Partnership from Weare, with downtown photographs dating back 100 to 150 years, and is waiting for some conceptual designs.

"At that point, the architect, myself, and the owners will get together and discuss their portion of the street," Crichton said.

The goal is not to replicate the look, Crichton said, but to bring back some conformity in keeping with the plaza.The storefronts will look somewhat like they did years ago.

"Our aim is not to put it back as much as it is to make the businesses more enticing to the public to use," Crichton said.

Bob Crichton, President

Looking to fill the three-year seat are Charles E. Bogdon, Robert E. Crichton, Carol Pappas, Bruce Plante, James "Jim" Ramsey and Scott Waldron.
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Robert Crichton, 69, of 2 Gordon St., is married with three grown children.He has lived in Berwick for 20 years.He works part time for the Somersworth Housing Authority.

Crichton graduated from the New Hampshire Technical Institute in 1954.He is a past president of the Somersworth-Berwick Kiwanis Club and past president of the New Hampshire Draft Horse Club.

He worked as a carpenter until 1965, then went on to teach in the Newmarket School System, and later in the Somersworth schools.

Crichton said recently he would like to see the communities of Somersworth and Berwick work together better.

Pictured above (l. to r.) are Linda Ray Wilson, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, Dan Vincent, member of the Historic District Commission, Bob Crichton of the Somersworth Housing Authority, George Poulin, President of the Summersworth Historical Society, and John Jackman, member of the Historic District Commission and Director of the Department of Public Works and Utilities.

ROBERT 'BOB' CRICHTONSomersworld!
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ROBERT 'BOB' CRICHTON
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ROBERT 'BOB' CRICHTON

ROBERT 'BOB' CRICHTON is so involved in Somersworth community affairs that he might as well move from Berwick back here to the Hilltop City where he once lived.His extensive involvement is reason enough to spotlight this senior gentleman here.

Believe it or not, there is a serious side to Bob as well as the devilish one for which he is equally well known.He's pulled too many outlandish tricks on co-workers and friends.His sizeable figure is quickly identifiable as he usually wears farmers' overalls, complete with bib..

Bob was born in 1934 and was raised in Somersworth, attending the public school system, and graduating from Somersworth High School in 1952.Two years later he graduated from the New Hampshire Technical Institute.And from 1957 to 1959 Bob served in the Army as a Troop Information Education Officer.

Our subject is a highly skilled "retired" carpenter, still sought after because of his reputation for good workmanship at reasonable costs.He knew just how to do things in a better way at less cost.He was employed as a carpenter until 1965; he then went into teaching.

Bob was a teacher in the Newmarket School System until 1970, followed by a career at Somersworth High School where he started the Building Trades Program.He continued to teach in the Somersworth Vocational Education System until his retirement in 1993.

His Building Trades students were involved in a home-building program.During his tenure he and his students built ten houses.
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Speaking of the fire station, Bob worked for the Fire Department for a short time, was also a special for a time with the Somersworth Police Department and did serve on the City Council during former Mayor Paul Spellman's administration (1974-75).

In 1985 Bob joined the Somersworth Housing Authority as a Rehabilitation Specialist and is still working in that capacity today.His knowledge of building codes, building design, historic preservation guidelines and his personal contacts from local to state come to play as chairman of the Design Committee for the Downtown Main Street Program.This can also be said for Bob as Rehabilitation Specialist at the SHA.

The property rehab specialist also serves as chairman of the Main Street Program's Board of Directors.He has also been involved in the remodeling of the Flanagan Center to accommodate locating the Central Offices of the Somersworth Housing Authority there as well as improvements to the day care/child educational center operated by the SHA and at the SHA housing developments.His usual farming attire featuring his overalls with bib is appropriate for his caring of his mules, for haying and other chores at his Berwick home at 8 Mountain View Rd. (formerly Gordon St.) off Pine Hill Road.We mustn't forget his giving hay rides at Berwick Heritage Day and in Somersworth, at the Pumpkin Festival, Pride Day, the Children's Festival and other local area events.He does change into dress-up clothes when he is representing the Somersworth Housing Authority as Property Rehabilitation Specialist and in other official capacities for the SHA and the community.

As if he wasn't busy enough, our subject manages to do the agricultural fairs with his mules.He is superintendent at both the Rochester and the Acton fairs and participates in events and contests in several others in both states.

Bob married Leona Bickford in 1960 and moved to Berwick in 1985.

Megan Cullen is recognized by SMSI president Robert Crichton as the youngest person to volunteer on the downtown clean-up project.
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After short welcoming addresses SMSI President, Bob Crichton and Executive Director, Bob Dawber presented the awards.

Robert Crichton, a rehabilitation specialist from Somersworth Housing Authority, was on hand to present the proposal and answer any questions.

He described how the Eagles building will be transformed into five apartments on the upper floors; two two-bedroom market-rate units and three one-bedroom workforce housing units.On the first floor, two store fronts will be created and marketed.

Also, the exterior of the building will be cleaned, re-pointed and redesigned into its historical appearance.The rentals will be managed by the authority, including maintenance, and will pay full taxes, Crichton said.

Crichton also discussed plans for the Allman Building, which includes a similar mix of housing and retail opportunities.

The building is currently home to a formal wear shop, which will be allowed to remain.Upstairs, the building interior will be demolished and two two-bedroom workforce housing units will be created.

Crichton said, following his presentation, that the construction could be under way as early as Dec. 1, assuming the project is approved in Concord.

In material provided to the council, Crichton said the proposed projects will develop units which rent for $704-$904 (per month).

Chairperson: Robert Crichton

Robert Crichton
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Bob Crichton