Former Circle H Ranch burned to the ground.
Last night, July 7, the main building of Rascal’s Powersports Plus, at 14 Stafford Road burned to the ground. (The property is listed at the Assessors Ofiice as 14 Stafford Road. Rascal’s is claiming 13 Stafford Road as its address).
The location is well known as the “Circle H Ranch,” and old timer have fond memories about the place. Back in the 60’s 70’s and 80’s residents and individuals from neighboring towns would dance the night away with live music at the Circle H Ranch on weekend nights and Sunday afternoons.
As recent as the beginnings of the 90’s, Tiny (Chris Olson) and his friends would be playing at the Circle H Ranch.
I remember that after the Town Hall burned down in December of 1995, the building was used to hold meetings before a more permanent solution with the Lodge on the Lake was found and the different board meetings and offices moved there.
I got a call at 21:20 hours tonight about the fire. By the time I got there, the building was already a total loss. Holland called in the Brimfield and Wales Fire Departments. The Fire Marshal was also called.
According to the record, the property is owned by Stafford Road Realty Trust, Ferris Christopher J Trustee, P.O. Box 5, Fiskdale, Ma 01518. The Property was acquired for $160,000 back in 2000. The 4,662 sf main building was built in 1955 and the assessed value of the structure is $134,300.
Just last year, the Board of Selectmen considered buying the property but nothing happened since.
Just a few days ago, the “FOR SALE BY OWNER” sign appeared at the entrance to the property.
Jean Sullivan had the property under contract before.
Just last week, the owner allegedly removed most of the cars from the paved area in front of the main building and cleaned up the place.
Click on any images to enlarge the image!
July 7, 2011, Peter Frei