If it’s an Exotic Green 2024 Hyundai Elantra N Line you’re driving, put all worries aside about going unnoticed on making an entrance. It’s got great looks as well as plenty of power, and it won’t be cleaning out your wallet every time you fill up.
RPM News Weekly photographed the 2024 Hyundai Elantra N Line at several location in Fairhaven, MA. The above shot features the vehicle in front of historic Town Hall, a brick and stone High Victorian Gothic hall that was designed by Charles Brigham and built in 1892. The building’s granite trim elements were quarried in St. George, New Brunswick and Red Beach, Maine.
Incidentally, Samuel Clemens a.k.a. Mark Twain delivered the dedication speech at the opening of Fairhaven Town Hall on February 22, 1894. The famed writer was a close friend of Henry Huttleston Rogers, a native son of Fairhaven who amassed a fortune as a dominant figure at Standard Oil. Many of the town’s historic buildings were donated to the town by Rogers, each are architectural masterpieces.
Overall, fuel economy in the Elantra N Line fared better than the EPA ratings of 28 city / 35 highway / 31 combined. After driving the vehicle in late summer over 455 miles, including visits to Woodstock VT, Hill NH and our cruise through Fairhaven MA, the the digital cluster display indicated an average 36.3 miles per gallon. That’s especially satisfying considering the model’s 201 horsepower 1.6-liter turbo engine never left us feeling starved for performance, even when driving in SMART mode to conserve fuel.
Across the street from Fairhaven Town Hall is the Millicent Library, shown above behind the Elantra N Line. Built with funds provided by Rogers, the non-profit library provides free library services to residents of Fairhaven and the surrounding area as part of the SAILS library network.
In 1892, Rogers established the library corporation to manage and operate the library as an entity separate from the town. The land and building was deeded to the Town of Fairhaven by Rogers’ children to memorialize their sister Millicent who died at age 17 of heart disease. Partially obscured and undergoing exterior renovation in this photo, the building presents a unique fairytale castle appearance.
About The Millicent Library
“Charles Brigham, foremost American architect of his day, from the Boston firm of Brigham & Spofford, was chosen to draw the plans. Norcross Brothers, the richest building firm in the country, was given orders to use the best of everything — no defaced or discolored materials to be tolerated; and there was to be particular emphasis on the artistic in every phase of planning. Arthur Robinson, expert painter and finisher of fine woods, had charge of all painting, rubbing and staining.
The basement segment of the walls was made of granite from Norcross Brothers’ Branbury quarries; the remainder of the building was constructed of Dedham granite, rock faced. Ornamentation was effected by beautifully fashioned terra cotta wreaths and garlands in a luminous golden hue, while the roofs were tiled in deep red; and gutters, conductors, finials and ridge rolls were of copper.
Within the building, there were sheathing, doors and door casings of heavy oak, beautifully grained. Masterly carving of some of this magnificent wood was spectacular. Much of the inside wall area was finished in fine brick stencilled to a rich and intricate pattern. There were Perth Amboy fireplaces throughout, and opposite Millicent’s window, the roof flared to a domed loftiness providing height for later adjustment of book galleries as need might demand.
The reading room to the right of the main entrance also swept to a dramatic dome broken by a semi-circular curve of lofty window apertures providing excellent natural lighting. Stained glass gleamed in panels over doorways, and a spectacular oriel window in the librarian’s room shimmered in muted color.” ~ from The Millicent Library website https://www.millicentlibrary.org/library-history
Aiming to boost business in the center of town, Rogers paid for the construction of the Masonic Building on Main Street, featured behind the Elantra N Line in the above photo. The ground floor offers rental space for business while the third floor features the ornate meeting place of the George H. Taber Lodge, A.F. & A.M., named for Fairhaven and Massachusetts’ oldest living freemason at the time. Originally named Concordia Lodge, the group was given the building under the condition that the lodge be renamed to honor Rogers’ uncle George, who was related by marriage.
The Exotic Green exterior of the Elantra N Line is certainly an attention-getter. But there’s plenty more to this 5-passenger sedan than its eye-catching paint job. Some of our favorite features include the 7-speed dual clutch transmission with paddles shifters, blind-spot collision warning, 10.25-inch multimedia display which incorporates a Bose Premium Audio System and Apple Carplay (Android Auto, too), N Line sport seats, and alloy pedals. Then there’s the suspension system that made every bit of the drive a delight, and the enormous trunk space that never left us wondering where we were going to fit all our travel bags and shopping finds.
Our final stop in Fairhaven was outside the glorious high school building shown above alongside the Elantra N Line. Dubbed “The Castle On the Hill”, Fairhaven High School represents the pinnacle of architectural achievements contributed to the town by Henry Huttleston Rogers. The equivalent of some of Europe’s most elaborate palaces, the main building was built in 1905. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
There are several other magnificent buildings in Fairhaven that Rogers donated to the community including the Unitarian Church. Few locations in the United States have benefited as well as Fairhaven from the singular philanthropy of one person.
For us, the 2024 Hyundai Elantra N Line proved itself to be a very worthy touring vehicle and daily driver. Throughout our weeklong adventures, we benefited from its comfort, sportiness and efficiency. With an MSRP of just $29,825, it’s more than a bargain.
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