By Walter Lunt
Widespread
use of the automobile in the 1920s raised certain safety issues in many small towns.
In Windham, the increased numbers and greater speeds of cars and trucks forced
local officials to consider the condition of its narrow, windy, mostly dirt
roads. Many were little more than reconstructed wagon paths.
The
following decades brought more challenges as vehicles became bigger, faster and
more numerous. One of the biggest problem spots was the intersection of state
highways Route 302 and Gray Road (Route 202). Until the 1950s, Gray Road ran
just north of the present-day rotary at Foster’s Corner and is today named
Lott’s Drive. In the 1930s and 1940s motorists were required to yield, not
stop, at the intersection; but due to a
rising number of accidents, transportation officials placed stop signs on the Gray
Road crossing. Many long-time, mostly older, drivers were incensed!
George Hall,
who grew up in the neighborhood, remembers their persistent and obstinate
opposition: “I’ve never had to stop here…and I’m not gonna start now!” 
Four persons were injured, none seriously, in this
Collision of two sedans at the old Gray Road
(Lott's Drive) and Route 302 in August 1949.
The black car on the left had just run a stop sign.
Accidents like this one led to the creation of the
Foster's Corner rotary, just south of this location.
The Red & White grocery store in the background
would later become Seavey's Appliance. PHOTO
COURTESY OF GEORGE HALL
As the
arguments over the stop signs heated up and persisted, the intersection grew
more dangerous. “It was common to have an accident there at least twice a month
in the summer.” according to Hall, “…usually a fender bender and a few
roll-overs.” Serious injuries were rare, …”because the cars did not travel as
fast back then.”
The biggest
problem was medical treatment for the crash victims. Hall explained, “There
were no rescue units then (so) the local people would come and help (and) drive
them to a Portland hospital in their personal cars. If it was a serious injury
the local undertaker would bring his hearse for the transport, (but)
often-times…it could be an hour’s wait.”
Hall remembers an old story oft told during those times. It seems there was a collision involving a beer delivery truck. One of the local men who was helping with the clean-up wore heavy overalls with large pockets, which he filled with cans of beer. A fellow worker approached him from behind and cut the man’s suspenders, “dropping his over-loaded overalls to the ground.”
By 1950, the
accident rate at the intersection had become untenable. A blinking light was
installed, to no avail.
Finally, the
state Department of Transportation decided on a relatively new safety design
for the dangerous corner – a rotary. Engineering plans called for straightening
and improving Gray Road from Windham Center to the Gray town line. The nearly
mile-long section, now known as Lott’s Drive, included homes and businesses, so
could not be eliminated. The rotary, located just south of the accident-prone
intersection, enabled motorists to barely slow down when entering from either Route
202 or 302. The innovative and safer circular intersection opened in 1951.
Trees,
nursery-grown and already 18-years old, were added to the spacious center of
the rotary in 1956. Today, their graceful branches, adorned with bright lights,
greet travelers with a spectacular display of holiday cheer.
Beginning in
1987, as part of Windham’s 250th birthday celebration, beautiful
flower gardens were added to the rotary’s four points of entry. Every year since then, dozens of citizen
volunteers have donated time, materials and funds toward keeping the gardens blooming
with cheery, colorful annuals and perennials.
Today, with
traffic going faster and the number of accidents rising, perhaps it’s time re-examine
the Foster’s Corner rotary – maybe another relatively new safety design.
Next time, more on the history of the neighborhood known as the rotary. <
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