Fletcher Hotel

In 1795, Ephraim Kidder Jr. and Charles Hammock bought this plot of land at the crossroads of two of Billerica's most important roads, Andover (formerly East Street and Sheldon's Lane) and Boston (formerly Long Street and Main Street). They erected a large Federal style building here, which can be seen in the woodcut of Billerica Center. Their joint venture didn't pan out and in 1797, they sold it back to the Abbott Family, who lived next door on Andover Road. Ephraim went on to Billerica Corner to try his luck there with a new business.

There were legal disputes over the land in the early 1810s, and many times it was referred to as a "store". Eventually, in 1816, it made its way into the hands of William Richardson who converted it into a "tavern stand".

The Richardson family sold it to Lyman Haynes in 1833, and he sold it to Artemas Hill in 1849. It stayed a tavern stand through these deals.

Artemas Hill sold it to Charles G. Fletcher in 1853, and he converted it into a hotel. Almost immediately, he sold it to William Hardy, a hotelier, who already owned the Hardy Hotel south of the Common. The hotel belonged to J. Warren Green on the 1875 map. On October 4, 1877, a massive fire burned down the building, along with the GAR Hall next door. The salvaged remains of the carriage house and bays were brought across the street to become the start of the <Frederick A. Morey Block.

Deeds:

• 1795: 9/230 Oliver Abbott to Ephraim Kidder Jr. and Charles Hammock (no buildings)
• 1797: 9/302 Ephraim Kidder Jr. to James Abbott (with buildings)
• 1805: 10/416 James Abbott to John Phillips Sr.
• 1810: 11/170 John Phillips Jr. to Michael Parker (called "store")
• 1810: 10/571 Michael & Isaac Parker to Joseph Bradley (store)
• 1812: 11/410 Joseph Bradley to Joseph Parker (store)
• 1816: 11/413 Joseph Parker to William Richardson
• 1833: 16/291 Asa Richardson to Lyman Haynes (called "tavern stand")
• 1849: 20/339 Lyman Haynes to Artemas Hill
• 1853: 19/352 Artemas Hill to Charles G. Fletcher of Carlisle (tavern stand)
• 1853 Map: C. Fletcher's Hotel
• 1853: 19/522 Charles G. Fletcher to William Hardy
• 1875 Map: J. Warren Green's Hotel