Located at Rail Trail behind Sabatino’s in Derry, NH
Marker in honor of William Hobdy. William Hobdy was the first Black business owner on record in Derry, NH. He was the sole proprietor of Star Cleaning & Repairing Co., which opened in the summer of 1899. Located in the Derry Depot, his shop was under that of F.S. Pillsbury. Besides owning a business, William was also a talented musician with an entrepreneurial spirit:
- In November 1902, he held the first-ever ragtime ball in the area.
- He hosted ice cream gardens for summer visitors at his own home.
- Between 1900 and 1915, he held summer concerts at West Windham and Adams Memorial Hall and was an entertainer that summer guests specifically requested.
William had to work incredibly hard to get by. Throughout his 17 years in Derry, he was known to bury dogs, shoe shine, ump for the occasional local game, clean chimneys, houses, and basements, and play music for private parties.[vii] He navigated Derry at a time when there were only a few Black people in town. It’s difficult to ignore the racism that swirled around him while he resided here. Coburn’s Crossing was called Ni**er Crossing until the 1950-60s.[viii] Minstrel shows were performed at the same venues Hobdy performed in.[ix] While he showed interest in fraternal orders, including the Knights of Pythias, he never joined the Derry order, instead, he traveled to Lawrence to attend the “colored lodge.”
And yet, Hobdy successfully set up shop, worked, and lived in Derry for over 18 years. He was the first Black business owner on record and his entrepreneurial spirit and musical talents enriched the Derry economy.
