In 1788 the town reduced the rights of way for its roads, and sold off the excess land, but keeping the area that is now South Amherst Common.

Over the next 150 years, the common became a local nexus for the surrounding rural community, with a school (first one built in 1764) and church (1825), and several cottage industries.

[2] The common today consists of a roughly triangular area bounded by South East Street on all sides.

One brick residence, the Enos Dickinson House, which was built in 1825 and for a time housed a post office, stands at 324 Pomeroy Lane with its eastern side facing the common, and there are four non-contributing but sympathetically styled 1950s Capes that also face the common.

[2] Prominent non-residential buildings are the 1825 Congregational Church, the 1902 South Amherst School, and the 1930 Munson Memorial Library and Community Center.