The Bates Tevern, completed by John Bates in 1822 on lower Main Street near the base of Sion's Hill, served travelers arriving from the west. Bates also had a store and was the first town clerka and a selectman. The first town library was housed in a cupboard in the tavern. The building was moved to Ripley by Fred Tibbetts in 1913 to make way for the present Wayside Park.

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