The building that Cargill Insurance is located in today has been a landmark since 1949 when Bill Cargill, Jr.'s dad built the office that houses Cargill Insurance today. After William R. Cargill, Sr. was discharged from World War II as a highly decorated pilot earning the Distinquised Flying Cross and Air Medal with 8 Oak leaf clusters with 65 missions over Europe he came home to help his mother with her Real Estate practice.
The 2 Main Street office was designed by Royal Berry Will's a well known architect in the area. He was known for his antique cape design with oversized chimney. Upon entering the office many vistors and clients are intriqued about the age of the building. Most guess that it was built in the late 1700's with old hand hewn beams and open fireplace hearth. William R. Cargill, Jr. feels that his office is his home away from home. With a large picture window in the front you can't miss much of the goings on around town. Topsfield is a great place to work and the downtown has the charm of a quintessential old New England Village.
The pictures cited on this page are during construction phases that took place between the years of 1949 and 1953.
The tree outside of the office was eventually cut down as the pigeons from the rail yard next door made too much of a mess and bothered customers as they walked by. You will note the older homes looking down Main Street to the North are no longer. The Topsfield Post office is now the neighbor to Cargill Insurance. The photo above is a 1953 photo showing the back wing being added on which housed a law office for Thomas E. Cargill, Jr. William Cargill's brother.