Cartland house and icehouses, Lake Avenue, (undated) [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Photo courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society.
- – 1 picture :
- – "This circa late-1800s photograph depicts a bygone era and a look at the area around Wakefield Common as it once was. The photo was taken on the lower Common, looking out at Lake Avenue, near Spaulding Street. According to Town records, Mrs. J.H. Cartland was listed as the owner of the two-family home at 3-5 Lake Avenue in 1876. The ice houses at the right of the photo were probably part of John G. Morrill's Ice Company which was located on Spaulding Street. Although J.H. Cartland was reported to have sold brushes from a location on Church Street, he was also an ice dealer, delivering ice to homes throughout Wakefield. In 1887, the property was owned by Will Wiley who, with his father, Albert Wiley, had operated a boat house on Spaulding Street, beginning in 1872. A new boat house was built on Lake Avenue in 1887, with a dance hall added in 1912. The boat house and the adjacent home were sold to Harold and Gertrude Hill in 1923. Mrs. Hill sold the property to the Town of Wakefield after Town Meeting voted to purchase the boat house/ballroom, garage, house, and 17,850 sq. feet of land for $55,000 in October, 1963. A committee was created to determine a use for the property in March, 1964, and voted to demolish all the structures. A Town Meeting vote in June, 1964, appropriated $9,500 to raze the buildings. Demolition took place in September, 1964. Several uses for the property, including a youth/senior center, were discussed over the years. Today the site is occupied by a playground created for the Town by the Wakefield Center Neighborhood Association." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:32Z
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:32Z
- – 2000.
- – 2000.
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 2000 ; September.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
- – Massachusetts Wakefield
- – Massachusetts Wakefield
Wakefield Common, July 4, 1887 [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Photo courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society.
- – 1 picture :
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:33Z
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:33Z
- – 1990.
- – 1990.
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 1990 ; Back Cover.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
- – Wakefield Common (Wakefield, Mass.)
Wakefield Council #104, Knights of Columbus, 1923 [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Photo courtesy of Knights of Columbus Council #104.
- – 1 picture :
- – "The Wakefield Council #104, Knights of Columbus, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1994. It was on September 16, 1894 that John William Smith, along with William H. Butler, met with Wakefield men who they felt would be interested in starting a local K of C Council. The organization was founded 12 years earlier on the guiding ideals of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. The meeting was held in the Connell&Curley Block building on Main Street in a room used by the St. Joseph's Christian Total Abstinence Society. One week later, 20 men passed a K of C examination and Council #104 was established the next Sunday. On September 30 and October 7, 1894, the first and second degrees were conducted in ceremonies which took place in the Odd Fellows Building in the Walton Building on Main Street. John W. Smith was elected as the first Grand Knight. During the past century, the Council has held its meeting in the Traders Building, Walton Building, Richardson Building, and in the Odd Fellows Hall in the Walton Block which was torn down to make room for the First National Supermarket in 1941. The Council moved to the Hibernian Hall on Foster Street and in 1945, the membership purchased the Council's first permanent home at 15 Foster Street. The current headquarters at 570 North Avenue was dedicated on April 27, 1963." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:34Z
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:34Z
- – 1995.
- – 1995.
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 1995 ; January.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
Hathaway's six-horse barge, 1885 [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Photo courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society.
- – 1 picture :
- – "Hathaway's Stable on Mechanic Street (now Princess Street) featured this six-horse barge, 'The Queen of the Turf.' The barges were rented from a livery stable and were used as a charter bus. The original Hathaway Stable was destroyed by fire on October 23, 1899. In 1900, the 'city stable,' owned by George H. Hathaway and managed by Otis M. Cutler boasted a 'new fire proof, steel clad stable acknowledged to be a model.'" -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:36Z
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:36Z
- – 1992.
- – 1992.
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 1992 ; Back cover.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
- – Massachusetts Wakefield
Bank building, corner of Albion Street and Railroad Avenue, circa 1868 [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Photo courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society.
- – 1 picture :
- – "The South Reading Mechanic and Agricultural Institution and the National Bank of South Reading, were both located in the Bank Building at the corner of Albion Street and Railroad Avenue, now North Avenue. The hours of operation for both banks were 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. every weekday. The South Reading Mechanical and Agricultural Institution was incorporated in 1833 and was the first bank to open in the town. It opened witha capital of $10,000 and in 1885, the interest rate was '4 per centum interest per annum, paid on deposits, beginning on the first of each month.' It was established two years after the Reading M&A Institution, a banking institution described as a bank of discount and deposit. The Reading bank's customers were largely 'engaged in trade with the Southern States.' The National Bank of South Reading, was organized as a State bank, the South Reading Bank, on May 16, 1854 with a capital of $100,000. It was reorganized as a National Bank in 1865. In 1902, the National Bank of South Reading changed its name to the Wakefield National Bank, and in 1916, it became the Wakefield Trust Company. It shared quarters with the Wakefield Savings Bank on Main Street from 1902 to 1924 when the Trust Company moved into its stately building at the opposite corner of Main and Chestnut Streets." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:37Z
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:37Z
- – 2001.
- – 2001.
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 2001 ; December.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
Wakefield Municipal Light Department [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Collins photo courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society. Gas house photo courtesy of the Payro family and Louis Picardi.
- – 2 pictures :
- – "Before the Wakefield Municipal Light Department, the Citizens' Gas Light Company of Reading, Wakefield and Stoneham, a private company, supplied gas and eventually electricity to the residents from its generating station on North Avenue. Established in 1860, with a capital of $93,000, its gas house and works were located in Wakefield with pipes leading into Reading and Stoneham. In 1868 it was manufacturing 4,000,000 cubic feet of illuminating gas which sold for approximately $20,000. It was 1882 when Edison discovered electricity in his Pearl Street generating station in New York City and within a few years towns like Wakefield were illuminating their downtown areas with incandescent and arc lamps. The Citizens' Gas Light Company continued to provide services to the community until 1894. In 1891, the General Court made it possible for all towns to operate their own municipal light plants, a move many Wakefield residents approved. In 1893, the citizens voted to purchase the plant, land and manufacturing equipment with a bond of $180,000. On August 4, 1894, the town officially assumed operation of the plant with all customers owning a part of the department. To govern the newly formed municipal light plant, a Board of Commissioners was established to oversee the operation. Silas W. Flint, an active member of the community, was selected as one of the first three members of the Board, serving as Chairman during the first year. The first Manager of the MLD was Charles S. Spaulding who served as Manager from 1894 to 1899 and again from 1919 to 1921. He was followed by Charles E. White (1899-1907), Albert B. Morton (1907-1912), Sidney L. Cole (1912-1918), C.W. Whiting (1921-1922), Samuel H. Brooks (1922-1942), James M. Whitehead (1942-1951), Michael Collins (1951-1976), and William Wallace (1976-present). Michael Collins served as Manager of the MLD from 1951-1976, the longest period of time of any MLD Manager. Active in the Department only after his appointment as Manager, he nonetheless served the town well for 25 years. During his tenure, he was the first president of the Northeast Public Power Association (NEPPA), Secretary and Treasurer of the Municipal Electric Association of Massachusetts (MEAM), and Director, Vice President and President of the American Public Power Association (APPA). He was an Honorary Member of the American Public Power Association and was included in the Congressional Record as Manager of 'one of the outstanding examples of a successful municipal public utility.' Mr. Collins' record of community service is itself impressive, having been chosen by the School Committee and Selectmen to fill a vacant seat on the School Committee in 1949 and was subsequently elected for two terms. He served as Secretary to the Committee, was a member of the High School Planning Committee, and was a member of several community groups. Shortly after retiring to Kennebunk, Maine, Mr. Collins continued his involvement with the electric industry, running for and winning election to the position of Trustee of the Kennebunk Light and Power Company. He passed away in 1980 at the age of 66." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
- – Captions: 1. Wakefield Municipal Light Department Manager Michael Collins served the MLD from 1951 to 1976. -- 2. The MLD Gas House on North Avenue in 1909.
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:38Z
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:38Z
- – 1989.
- – 1989.
- – 2004
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department (Wakefield, Mass.)
- – Citizens' Gas Light Company (Wakefield, Mass.)
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 1989 ; July.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
- – Massachusetts Wakefield.
- – Massachusetts Wakefield.
Amoskeag Steamer, circa 1930 [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Photo courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society.
- – 1 picture :
- – "The Fire Department's Amoskeag Steamer works on the Nichols Ice House fire in a photo believed to be taken in 1930. The ice house was located on Main Street, Lakeside, opposite the Walton estate." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:41Z
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:41Z
- – 1992.
- – 1992.
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 1992 ; Inside back cover.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
- – Massachusetts Wakefield.
The altar at St. Joseph's Church, circa early 1900s [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Photo courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society.
- – 1 picture :
- – "With its cornerstone laid in place on September 8, 1889, St. Joseph's Church was dedicated on November 9, 1890. This center altar, one of three, was resplendent in white and gold and was created under the watchful eye of Father J. E. Millerick, according to written reports. Its beauty and 'striking features of its beautiful interior' remained unchanged until a fire on March 24, 1977 destroyed the church building. Crews from 16 communities battled the wind-swept fire which began during the mid-morning hours. Newspaper accounts of the day reported that the fire probably began behind the altar. A new church was dedicated on June 27, 1980 at the same location at the corners of Albion, Tuttle and Murray Streets." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:42Z
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:42Z
- – 2000.
- – 2000.
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 2000 ; December.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) Church history Pictorial works.
- – Massachusetts Wakefield
- – Massachusetts Wakefield.
Office force, carriers and sub, Wakefield Post Office, 1892 [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Photo courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society.
- – 1 picture :
- – "The first 'regular' post office in Wakefield was established in 1812 in a small building on Main Street. John Rayner served as the town's first Postmaster. In 1852, or soon after his appointment, Postmaster Samuel Kingman built a new home for the post office at the corner of Main and Albion Street, now known as Bourdon's Block. According to Wakefield history, Postmaster Kingman also initiated the first 'free delivery' of mail in town. Each Sunday morning he went to the post office and took some mail to various sections of town. There he waited for the churchgoers and presented them with the mail he carried in his hat. The post office was later moved to the corner of Main and Richardson Streets, to the building at 9 Albion Street (now home of the Wakefield Municipal Light Department), and to its present home at the corner of Main Street and Yale Avenue." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:42Z
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:42Z
- – 1994.
- – 1994.
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 1994 ; December.
- – Postal Service (Wakefield, Mass.).
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
Charles N. Winship [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Photos courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society, Louis Picardi and the Payro family.
- – 2 pictures :
- – "Charles N. Winship was born in Needham (now Wellesley) in 1863, the son of Francis and Catherine Winship. He left school at the age of 13 and by age 14 was employed at a knitting mill in Wellesley. That same year he began working at the Dudley Hosiery Mill in Newton Lower Falls where he rose to assistant foreman in charge of the knitting department. When a selling agent for the company started Allston Mills, he joined the company and was employed as a foreman until his partnership with Miss Elizabeth E. Boit. In 1888, the two formulated their manufacturing and merchandising policies and Mr. Winship purchased three second-hand knitting machines and five finishing machines. They set up shop in Cambridgeport as the Harvard Knitting Mills and later moved to Wakefield in 1889. The Harvard Knitting Mills became a very successful enterprise and in 1920, Mr. Winship realized his dream come true. He initiated a profit sharing program at the company for the benefit of the employees, although the plan was discontinued after several years as a result of changing economic conditions. By that time, the company had paid over $288,000 to its employees under the novel program. Under Mr. Winship's and Miss Boit's guidance, the Harvard Knitting Mills was the first mill to initiate a 48 hour work week in 1919, a 40 hour work week in 1933 and paid a $62,000 bonus to employees in 1918. In 1923 the copmany paid 1/10th the total tax levy for the town of Wakefield. Mr. Winship was active in the community serving as a member of the School Committee, the George Washington Bicentennial Committee, Chairman and founding member of the Wakefield Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Wakefield Board of Trade and the Public Safety and War Chest Committees during World War I. He was also a corporator and Vice President of the Wakefield Savings Bank Board, a Director and President of the Wakefield National Bank and was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Elks Home Corporation. The mill building was later sold to Sylvania during World War II and later to Murray Printing, Revere Knitting Mills and Transitron, although the business continued in a diminished capacity. Mr. Winship died in March, 1946. He had several homes in Wakefield on Pleasant Street, Fairmount Avenue and Jordan Avenue, the latter of which is now Nazareth Academy." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:42Z
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:42Z
- – 1990.
- – 1990.
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 1990 ; July.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
- – Massachusetts Wakefield.
Middlesex Cycle Club, circa 1890 [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Photo courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society.
- – 1 picture :
- – "Cycling was a popular sport in the late 1800's, as seen by this photograph taken at 617 Main Street. It appears that most of the members of the Middlesex Cycle Club rode three-wheel cycles and tandems (a bicycle built for two). Through the 1890's, bicycles sold for an average of $100 to $125, causing many people throughout the country to save their money to buy one. This prompted one desperate hat maker to try to persuade Congress to pass a law requiring every bicycle owner to buy at least two felt hats a year. The bicyle provided a form of recreation that men and women could enjoy together." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:26Z
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:26Z
- – 1992.
- – 1992.
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 1992 ; December.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
- – Massachusetts Wakefield
Wakefield&Stoneham Street Railway, circa 1893 [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Photo courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society.
- – 1 picture :
- – "Crews on the Wakefield and Stoneham Street Railway were responsible for removing the snow from the tracks to keep them clear while the Town cleared the sidewalks. The 'rolling stock' of the Wakefield and Stoneham Street Railway Company was said to be of the latest and best equipment. The cars were heated by electricity during the winter months, a fact that the riding public was said to 'fully appreciate.' Chartered in May 1892, the street railway attracted several 'strong capitalists' in its early years. By the summer of 1892, tracks were laid from the Post Office (at the corner of Albion Street) along Albion Street to the junction of Main and Elm Streets in Stoneham. The first car traveled the route on Auguust 14, 1892. The route was soon extended to Stoneham's Central Square. In November, tracks were laid from downtown Wakefield to the Melrose line, extending to Franklin Street in that city by the spring. Both the Stoneham and Melrose extensions resulted in connections with the Lynn and Boston Railway. In the fall of 1893, tracks were laid from the Town Hall, at the corner of Water Street, through Saugus to Lynn." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:27Z
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:27Z
- – 2005.
- – 2005.
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 2005 ; January.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
- – Massachusetts Wakefield
Thomas Emerson's Sons Shoe Manufacturers, corner of Yale Avenue and Main Street, May, 1894 [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Photo courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society.
- – 1 picture :
- – "Decorated for the Town's 250th anniversary celebration, the Thomas Emerson's Sons Shoe Manufacturers was located where the Wakefield and Reading YMCA building now stands. Manufacturers of gentleman's dress shoes, the company had its offices on Summer Street in Boston, with its factory in Wakefield. The '1894 Business History of Wakefield' reported that the company was founded in 1805 by Thomas Emerson, and was the oldest shoe manufacturing establishment in the United States. Thomas Emerson was joined by his sons, Thomas 'the second,' as a partner in 1837, and James Emerson in 1851, at which time the name was changed to 'Thomas Emerson&Son.' Another name change, to Thomas Emerson's Sons, came into effect with the retirement of the founder in 1854. The addition of 'labor-saving machinery' necessitated the expansion of the business and its move from Albion Street to the Yale Avenue/Main Street site in 1863. The Thomas Emerson's Sons factory closed in 1902. The factory building was razed to make way for the YMCA." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:29Z
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:29Z
- – 2000.
- – 2000.
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 2000 ; April.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
- – Massachusetts Wakefield.
Cutler Bros. Grocery and Grain, corner of Water and Main Streets, July, 1911 [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Photo courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society.
- – 1 picture :
- – "After a five-day heat wave, an electrical storm tore through Wakefield on July 6, 1911. Accompanied by fierce winds from the southwest, the storm's vivid and continuous lightning hit several homes and buildings, injured many people, and tore up great trees by the roots. One bolt of lightning struck the wires on the pole at the corner of Water and Main Streets, entering the three-story Cutler Bros. building, setting off a spectacular blaze which threatened to 'wipe out the central manufacturing and business district.' The building was fully engulfed, and when the fire was out, several businesses were destroyed, including the grocery store, the Wakefield Paper Box Manufacturing Company (occupants of the third floor), and Godfrey&Barnard's Quannapowitt Bowling Alley and Pool Hall (in the basement). The total loss was set at $60,667. Other buildings were destroyed, including the Co. A 6th Regiment Armory, and a cottage house occupied by the Reynolds family. At the height of the blaze, the scene was a mass of tangled and dangling live wires. Members of the light department, along with representatives from the telephone company, and the Boston and Northern Street Railway, responded to the fire to cut off power. Work to restore service began the next day, as can be seen in the photograph." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
- – 2008-06-24T18:19:35Z
- – 2008-06-24T18:19:35Z
- – 2000.
- – 2000.
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 2000 ; August.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
- – Massachusetts Wakefield
- – Massachusetts Wakefield
Albion Street at Railroad Avenue, 1908 [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Photo courtesy of Wakefield Historical Society.
- – 1 picture :
- – "Now one of Wakefield's busiest intersections, the Albion Street and North Avenue (known as Railroad Avenue until 1910) area appears to be quite tranquil in 1908. The railroad crossing was operated by an attendant who opened and closed the gates when a Boston and Maine train was approaching or departing from the station. The attendant's station is at the left of the photo. Several businesses were located in this area, the most prominent being the Harvard Knitting Mills, which appears at left in the photograph. Owned and operated by Elizabeth E. Boit and Charles N. Winship of Winship, Boit&Company, Harvard Knitting Mills moved to Wakefield in 1889, and to the Lake Street and Albion Street location in 1897. The firm would eventually occupy more than eight acres of space after several additions were made during a 20 year period. St. Joseph's Church, in the center of the photograph, owned much of the land bounded by Albion, Gould, Murray and West Chestnut Streets. The first parcel of land was purchased for the church in 1851 and a church was built soon after. During a five year period, from 1868 to 1873, 22,000' of land along Albion, Murray and Gould Streets was secured. A new house of worship, which was built in 1870, was moved closer to the railroad tracks, a basement was added and the building was turned to face the main thoroughfare, Railroad Avenue. The church building was lengthened by 75' with the addition of a nave in 1889. The cornerstone was laid on September 8, 1889, and the dedication was held in 1890. Additional land purchases were made in 1891 and 1892. Tuttle Street, 'a fine roadway cut by the railroad corporation,' was created in the mid-1890's. The first home of the parish (to the right of the church in the photo) was moved to Murray Street where it became Lyceum Hall, and later, the church hall." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
- – 2008-06-24T18:25:36Z
- – 2008-06-24T18:25:36Z
- – 1995.
- – 1995.
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 1995 ; December.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) Church history Pictorial works.
- – Massachusetts Wakefield
Junius Beebe's farm, 1908 [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Photo courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society.
- – 1 picture :
- – "Mr. Daley, foreman, and three of his workers, stand amid the 12-foot high cornstalks in the Beebe cornfield. It was reported that the corn grown on the farm was a perennial prize winner at the annual Reading-Wakefield Fair. Built in 1810, the Beebe farmhouse was designed as a 'gentleman's estate' for a member of the Forrester family of Salem. The house was purchased by Lucius Beebe in 1852. The farm, with its vegetable and flower gardens, milking cows and horses, flourished in the late 1800's and early 1900's under Junius Beebe's supervision. The eighth son of Lucius and Sylenda (Morris) Beebe, he was the first of their children to 'come into the world beneath the roof of the new homestead.' It was Junius who added considerably to the estate's acreage and increased its productivity." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
- – 2008-06-24T18:33:50Z
- – 2008-06-24T18:33:50Z
- – 1992.
- – 1992.
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 1992 ; September.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
- – Massachusetts Wakefield
Welcome Home Day, October 13, 1919 [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Photo courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society.
- – 1 picture :
- – "Veterans of the Grand Army celebrated with more than 10,000 townspeople as they paid tribute to the soldiers of World War I during the Welcome Home Day festivities. The town was resplendent in its decorations with all public buildings 'bright with the national colors in streamers and festoons.' A parade to honor the WWI veterans was held with more than 4000 men, women and children joining in the line of march. The marching units were comprised of veterans, the semi-military, war-work, fraternal organizations and school children. Uniformed organizations were in full regalia. The Grand Army veterans were considered to be the 'most impressive feature of the parade, aside from the service men themselves.' Under the leadership of Adjt. G.H.S. Driver, many of these veterans 'marched sturdily over the route...other members who were unable to march rode in automobiles.' A ceremony was held on the Common, followed by a banquet at the armory." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
- – 2008-06-24T18:33:50Z
- – 2008-06-24T18:33:50Z
- – 1992.
- – 1992.
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 1992 ; October.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
- – Massachusetts Wakefield.
Cyrus Wakefield [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Photos courtesy of the Payro family, Louis Picardi, and the Wakefield Historical Society.
- – 2 pictures :
- – "Although not born on South Reading soil, Cyrus Wakefield has become the unofficial 'father' of the town which eventually bore his name. Born in Roxbury, New Hampshire on February 14, 1811, he was descended from prominent families of the First Parish in Old Reading. His great-grandfather, Thomas Wakefield, was the son of Thomas Wakefield who came to Reading in 1730. An eager young man, Cyrus Wakefield gained his knowledge from the common school in Roxbury, New Hampshire, which was held three months each year. At the age of 15, he traveled to Boston and worked as a clerk in a grocery store for three years. He worked as a clerk for several other Boston stores and took advantage of the opportunities around him. He attended evening school, lectures, and private study and at the age of 23 he established the firm of Foster and Wakefield on Commercial Street in Boston. Two years later, in 1836, he formed a partnership with his brother, Wakefield and Company, which lasted until 1844. It was at this time that he recognized the potential in rattan, generally discarded as refuse. The rattan was accidentally purchased and sold at a profit to a few chair makers who, by hand, made the outside of the cane into seating chairs. The business grew rapidly and led to the dissolution of the grocery business and the continuation of his rattan business in a Boston office. Mr. Wakefield soon found that without machinery, the cost for preparing the rattan was too great. Utilizing a brother-in-law in China, he sent a sample of the cane most in demand and soon his Canton Split Rattan was known throughout the world. The supply soon became sporadic, yet the demand increased and in 1856 he resolved to begin the manufacture of cane in the United States using the whole of the rattan - the cane, the pith, and the shavings. He secured two hand machines and later moved to South Reading in 1856. Eventually water replaced hand power and later steam was added as the business increased. The business soon outgrew building after building until at its height, the rattan factory covered an area of ten acres of flooring and employed over 1000 men and women. In 1851, Cyrus Wakefield purchased his homestead in South Reading (at the present site of the Atwell School) and in 1861 erected a magnificent home in place of the mansion that once stood there. He subsequently purchased all the available real estate and land in the surrounding area, often draining and filling the land for suitable building. In 1867 when the townspeople were considering the erection of a monument to the memory of the soldiers who died in the War of the Rebellion, Mr. Wakefield gave the town a cash contribution of $30,000 and a building lot for a soldiers memorial hall. In accepting the offer, the townspeople decided to honor Mr. Wakefield by changing its name to 'Wakefield.' The subsequent building was the old Town Hall (located at the corner of Main and Water Streets) which was officially dedicated on February 22, 1871. Throughout his 22 years as a resident of the town, Cyrus Wakefield was instrumental in the development of Wakefield, specifically in the prosperity of his business and in education. He was not a town officer, but he was actively involved in the community. He was involved in the incorporation of the Wakefield Savings Bank, the Wakefield Real Estate and Building Association, the Quannapowitt Water Company, the National Bank of South Reading, the Citizens' Gas Light Company, the South Reading Ice Company and the Boston&Maine Foundry Company. Cyrus Wakefield died suddenly on October 26, 1873 at the age of 62. Having no children, he left his holdings to his nephew Cyrus Wakefield, 2nd who continued the selfless dedication to the town and her people." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
- – Captions: 1. Cyrus Wakefield in a portrait painted in 1873 by Thomas H. Badger. -- 2. The Wakefield Town Hall donated by Cyrus Wakefield as it looked in 1929.
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:23Z
- – 2008-06-24T18:36:23Z
- – 1989.
- – 1989.
- – 2004
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 1989 ; February.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
Franklin School, circa 1922 [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Photo courtesy of the Wakefield Item Company.
- – 1 picture :
- – "The Franklin School, as it stands, was built in 1902 on Nahant Street. Plans for a new Junction school house began in 1900 when an article was introduced at the May 21st Town Meeting. A committee of five townspeople (School Committee member G.H.S. Driver, Thomas E. Dwyer, Augustus D. Jenkins, Thomas Hickey, and F.O. Clark) was selected to review whether an eight-room school house should be built. They were to make their report without exceeding $100 to procure the plans. In November, 1900, the committee reported back that 'it was inexpedient to make any additions to the present building (then on Franklin Street) as plumbing and heating of the old and new building would not only be expensive, but would make the building unsatisfactory.' The May, 1901, Town Meeting voted to purchase, or take by eminent domain, land on the northwest corner of Nahant and Traverse Streets for that purpose, and to erect an eight-room brick school house, according to the plans drawn by Harland A. Perkins. Some disagreed with the location, based on the costs of removing ledge on the Traverse Street side ($2 per square yard to cut away) and the filling of the bog in the rear (48 cents a square yard to fill). The land was taken in 1901, with construction starting immediately at a cost of $30,000. A sum of $1,000 was appropriated by Town Meeting to furnish the school, which later bought only 42 desks and chairs for five rooms, for a total of 210 seats. When school opened on September 8, 1902, approximately 240 students were on hand. A sixth classroom was quickly assembled with furnishings from other schools and districts. The building was enlarged in 1926 which doubled its room capacity." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
- – 2008-01-30T22:00:13Z
- – 2008-01-30T22:00:13Z
- – 1999.
- – 1999.
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 1999 ; September.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
- – Massachusetts Wakefield
- – multiple URL identifiers
Wakefield Fire Department, 1915 [picture] / Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department.
description- – Photo courtesy of Murray Young.
- – 1 picture :
- – "1914 Peerless Chemical and Hose Wagon (Greenwood Hose 3); 1914 Peerless Squad Wagon; 1914 Peerless Ladder Truck. In September, 1914, three new pieces of motor-driven fire apparatus were delivered to Wakefield from the Peerless Motor Company of New England at a cost of $6,445.16. With extra equipment and painting, the total cost was $7,392.69. The 1914 Peerless city-service ladder truck was the first apparatus to arrive in Wakefield on Sunday, September 12. Thirty minutes after its arrival, it responded to Box 112 for a fire which heavily damaged a dwelling on Forest Road. The new ladder truck was placed in service on Monday, September 14, as Ladder 1, the Town's first motor-driven ladder truck. The three ton truck had a four cylinder gasoline engine and carried nine ladders with lengths from 15 feet to 65 feet in a single bank. The new ladder truck replaced the horse drawn 1892 Abbot-Downing ladder truck which was discarded. On Friday, September 18, a 1914 Peerless chemical and hose wagon was placed in service as Greenwood Hose Co. 3, replacing the horse-drawn 1906 American LaFrance combination wagon, formerly of the Steamer Hose Co., which was placed in reserve at the Greenwood Fire Station. The four cylinder gasoline engine wagon carried 1000 feet of 2 1/2 inch hose and was the first motor-driven apparatus in Greenwood. On Tuesday, September 22, a 1914 Peerless squad wagon arrived and was immediately placed into service. The six cylinder gasoline engine wagon had a long bench seat in the rear for personnel to ride and was designed to tow the 1907 Amoskeag steamer when needed. With the 1912 Webb pumping engine, all apparatus at the Crescent Street headquarters was motorized. Only Montrose Hose Co. 4 remained horse-drawn. As a result of the arrival of the motor-driven apparatus, the entire team of six horses (one pair from Greenwood and two pairs from the central fire station) were transferred to the MLD and the highway department." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
- – 2008-01-30T22:00:15Z
- – 2008-01-30T22:00:15Z
- – 1993.
- – 1993.
- – Wakefield Municipal Gas&Light Department calendar 1993 ; December.
- – Wakefield (Mass.) History Pictorial works.
- – Massachusetts Wakefield.
- – multiple URL identifiers
0-20 of 54 | next
![[x]](/static/imgs/cross.gif)