Middleboro Restaurant Owners Pay Tribute to Historic Tavern of the Past

MIDDLEBORO (WBSM) —- A Middleboro restaurant is paying tribute this New Year’s Eve to a historic tavern that was part of the community for hundreds of years.

The Dearing family, which operates the Fireside Classic American Grille at 30 Bedford Street in Middleboro, formerly owned the Hell’s Blazes tavern, which closed its doors 20 years ago today on New Year’s Eve of 2004.

The Dearings posted some Hell’s Blazes memories on the Fireside Facebook page Tuesday morning, calling it “a moment to reflect on an incredible piece of local history and our family’s journey in the Middleboro community.”

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Hell’s Blazes dated back to 1690, although the tavern that closed down in 2004 was a rebuild following a devastating fire in 1971 that destroyed the original structure. At the time, it was the oldest continuously operating tavern in the country.

As pointed out in the Dearings’ Facebook post, “Hell’s Blazes was a cornerstone of the community for centuries.”

In 2004, owner Frederick M. Dearing sold the property to Daniel Costello, owner of Costello Dismantling. That business now stands on the property, and the former tavern building was eventually torn down.

According to a Standard-Times article on the tavern’s closing, the name Hell’s Blazes was derived “from the glow once cast upon the building by a nearby smelting furnace.”

It also reported that in 1968, then-owner William Ekasala “volunteered to change the restaurant’s name to The 17th Century House complying with a town anti-profanity law a month before the law went into effect. He was seeking a year-round liquor license at the time.”

When the tavern reopened as a private club following the 1971 fire, the name reverted back to “Hell’s Blazes.” The historic (and haunted) tavern lived on for another 33 years. Here's how it looked in 2012:

The Dearings’ Facebook post today showed old photos of the location, as well as one of the menus from Hell’s Blazes offering a roast prime rib dinner for $24, broiled scrod for $17, and two of the tavern’s most beloved meals: tournedos of beef ($25) and the seafood popover ($18) – all prices that would be unheard of today.

“A special fun fact: among the names noted on an old menu is ‘Chris,’ a sous chef at the time who is now known as the owner of Fisher’s Pub, another beloved Middleboro establishment,” the post reads.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since we could have one of those delicious entrées, or the tavern’s French onion soup, escargot appetizer or grapenut custard dessert. However, the Dearings are still offering up delicious traditional New England favorites at the Fireside.

“To the Middleboro community, thank you for embracing us and supporting our family’s journey,” they wrote. “Your connection and loyalty inspire us every day. Cheers to another year of serving you with heart and history.”