Curious Traveler | C.J. Fitzwater Nov 16, 2023 Updated Dec 21, 2024
Amesbury’s Market Square, where historic cobblestone sidewalks guide you to a building that embodies over a century of community spirit. This complex of local history houses the Hard Nocks Gym, the Lafayette Club, and Riverwalk Lanes, each playing a pivotal role in preserving Amesbury’s rich heritage.
The recent gathering of the Salisbury Lions Club at Riverwalk Lanes, led by the “Empress of Fun” Kate Pappas, transcended an ordinary event. It was a journey into the heart of a unique community space. Stepping away from their usual philanthropic activities, the club focused on creating shared experiences, even drawing retired bowlers like Chuck Takesian back to the lanes after 50 years.
On the ground floor, Hard Nocks Gym, an Amesbury fitness mainstay since the 1960s, champions a no-nonsense approach to physical training. Prioritizing free weights and basic machines, it stands as an antidote to the complex, technology-driven fitness culture of today. Its straightforward, transparent business model is symbolized by the simple, handwritten membership terms on its window.
One level up, the Lafayette Club exudes a nostalgic aura. Established in 1896 by Dr. Arthur Savignac, Andre Brochu, and Valerie Cote, the club provided a haven for French Canadians who migrated to Amesbury to work in the local mills. After relocating to the old Knights of Pythias Lodge on High Street in 1946 and adding Lafayette Lanes, the club became a fixture of community life. The bar at the club is a portal to another era, its air tinged with the scent of cigarette smoke, while bartenders, with their clever wit and warm familiarity, treat each patron as kin. The club is renowned for its raffles, chowder and chili cookoffs, events that not only provide entertainment, but also raise funds for local charities.
Riverwalk Lanes, the modern incarnation of Lafayette Lanes since 2013, is akin to a bowling museum. Its lanes are lined with relics of past championships, vintage trophies, and memories etched into its very essence. Amidst this historical treasure trove, the only nod to modernity is the jukebox. The pinsetters, operating flawlessly, are a testament to meticulous maintenance, ensuring a seamless bowling experience. Adding to the charm is a secret door connecting Riverwalk Lanes to the Lafayette Club’s bar, serving as a speakeasy-style passage for over 75 years, where bowlers can sneak through to grab a pitcher of beer between frames.
This gathering at Riverwalk Lanes showcased the Salisbury Lions Club’s commitment to fostering community ties. The sound of perfectly maintained pinsetters, combined with the joy of laughter and music, resonated through the building, reaffirming its role as a hub of community engagement.
In Amesbury’s Lafayette Building, Hard Nocks Gym, the Lafayette Club, and Riverwalk Lanes each contribute uniquely to the town’s communal ethos. They showcase resilience, adaptability, and a highlight to preserving Amesbury’s legacy while providing entertaining purpose in the present.
Through their memorable night, the Salisbury Lions Club members experienced firsthand the essence of Amesbury – not just in its historical landmarks but in the living narrative of a community uniting to celebrate its past and forge its future, one frame at a time.
Salisbury resident C.J. Fitzwater is a curious traveler, perpetually on the lookout for fresh frontiers. With each journey, he blends historical threads into his stories.
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