The Rabardy Block

The Rabardy Block, or Building, is named after Julius Rabardy (~1833-1926). Originally from France, he left his family at age thirteen to sail across the seas for several years. When he decided to settle in Manchester, he worked as a cabinetmaker before the Civil War. At the outbreak of the war, he was among the first to enlist, serving in Gloucester Company K, 12th Massachusetts. Julius was wounded in battle at Antietam, losing part of his left leg, and after recovery, he returned to Manchester to pursue many business opportunities.

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Rabardy’s original role was as the town's Postmaster, appointed by President Lincoln, who supported policies to help wounded or disabled soldiers. He held that position for twenty years. During the same period, he also operated a successful general store. In 1870, Rabardy expanded his business by adding a telegraph service and later the first telephone exchange, with help from his stepdaughter, Lizzie (Mrs. Lyman Floyd). In 1870, Julius published and edited (1875-1877) the town’s first newspaper, The Beetle and Wedge. He also sold insurance and invested in real estate. In his will, Julius left nearly four acres of land in the town along Southern Avenue, which the MECT now protects. 

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Mr. Rabardy's store, later known as Floyd's, persisted for generation at this site. In 1884, he built this charming Victorian Stick Style building, which features a Mansard roof and dormers, and moved his store here. The first floor housed two stores (one of which occupied by Rabardy's), with apartments above. It was at Rabardy’s general store that the townspeople gathered to discuss important local and national issues. Following Mr. Rabardy's retirement, his stepdaughter's husband Lyman Floyd took over and continued operations under his name. Floyd's store passed to his son, Frank, who in turn passed it to his own daughter, Alice. Alice (Floyd) Rice kept the variety store going into the twenty-first century as a local institution, known by generations of Manchester children as a purveyor of candy, before its closing in 2002. 

 

For further reading:

- Floyd, Frank L. Manchester-by-the-Sea. Manchester, Massachusetts: Floyd's New Store, 1945. 120, 122.

- Huss, John. "A Walking Tour of Historic Manchester-by-the-Sea, The West Walk," Manchester Historical Society. P, 17.

- Lamson, Rev. D.F. History of the Town of Manchester, 1645–1895. Published by the Town, 1895.

- Rice, Fred L. A Part of Manchester’s Heritage. Manchester, MA: The Bicentennial Committee for the Town of Manchester, 1998, pp. 56-57.