HAVERHILL - When bidding grew too steep for the neighbors of Kimball Tavern, that's when Cale Wood stepped in.
The Haverhill contractor was the highest bidder in yesterday's public auction for the historic tavern, built in 1690 and the site of where community leaders hatched a plan to form Bradford College two centuries ago.
Wood, 30, along with father Craig and uncle Harold, will pay $209,000 for the tavern, which is located at 2 Salem St, across from Bradford Common.
Wood said the family plans to relocate its Washington Street antique business, Antique World, to the tavern. Antique World is co-owned by Cindy Tierney, Cale Wood's aunt.
Public access to the brown clapboard Colonial will also likely be preserved through a partnership with the Haverhill Historical Society, he said.
"We're open to working with them," said Wood. "We want to keep everyone happy."
Nine people registered to bid in the auction yesterday, though only four made offers.
One of them, Haverhill Attorney Bill Cox, was representing the interests of neighbors, the Bradford College Alumni Association, and the nearby First Church of Christ.
The group wanted to ensure the historic tavern was preserved, but bidding eventually surpassed the $180,000 they had raised in order to make an offer.
"Once the church stopped, we started," Wood said. "I think it's a good price. Five years ago with the market, it probably would have been double what we paid. It's got a lot of potential. It's a nice old building."
Wood's winning bid was for $190,000. He is also required to pay a 10 percent fee, which amounts to $19,000.
Wood said he was willing to bid up to $220,000 for the tavern, which is assessed by the city at $795,000. The 3,883 square-foot structure lies on less than a half acre.
"I just like the charm of it," said Wood. "I'd hate to see it torn down and a couple condos put up. Who knows what someone would have done."
More than 40 people attended the auction, and auctioneer Justin Manning said he expected the tavern to sell for between $200,000 and $300,000.
"People were nervous to pull the trigger," Manning said.
"It's (the final bid) on the lower end of the spectrum, but it's tied in to where the market is. Today, the market says $209,000."
Cox said the sale of the tavern is "the last piece of the puzzle" when it comes to addressing the neighborhood concerns that arose when Bradford College was sold in 2002.
The tavern had been part of the college campus before the sale.
"We're happy somebody's bought the property who appreciates it for what it is," Cox. "They're open for some level owf community participation with it, which is a good thing."
