1959

POPULATION:  13,010 (est)

HOUSES:  3,174

•  As the decade comes to a close, Walpole undergoes a major downtown modernization

Betro's Pharmacy and Central Package on Main Street

• A&P grocery store (current site of CVS) begins construction.  The nearby buildings known as the Edgewood Plaza are also under construction, and a large adjacent parking lot is installed.
• Across Main Street, the Atlantic gas and service station opens (current location of Ritz Nails)
•  Betro's Pharmacy opens at newly constructed building on Main Street; Camelio's Central Package occupies adjacent store
•  A major renovation and remodeling take place at the Epiphany Church, future longtime host of the Walpole Village Fair

• Highway Bowl-A-Way opens in East Walpole on Route 1, across the street from the current Walpole Mall

• Walpole School Committee votes to build new East Junior High School on the land purchased between Washington Street and East Street.

Architectural drawing for planned "East Junior High School"

Henry P. Kendall

• Henry P. Kendall, patriarch owner of Kendall Mills which employed thousands of Walpole residents over many decades, passes away, leaving the town with a gift of $50,000.
• Joseph S. Leach passes away, leaving $121,000 to create an annual memorial scholarship fund for Walpole High School graduates attending college.  The fund is intended to be sufficient to cover the cost of annual tuition.