The west end of Birge Street, as it rises to a hill overlooking the Whetstone Brook, was once known as Thomasville. Elihu Thomas was a Brattleboro businessman who had his hand in many local enterprises. He partnered with others to start or expand numerous industries. He owned three separate paper-making businesses. He also had a pin and comb manufacturing company and a fanning mill company. As the years progressed he struggled financially and moved to Boston. The area was bought up by John Birge. Here's the story of how the Thomasville neighborhood became known as Sawdust Alley...
