Listing of 50 Historic Markers

Transcription

The Railroad
•
•
The railroad line from Framingham to Northborough was completed in 1855.
It was built as the “Agricultural Railroad”. During this time, Northborough
was primarily an agricultural community that shipped vegetables, fruits, milk
and meats. The railroad vastly improved the shipping of these goods to the
large markets of Worcester & Boston.
FOR
This marker is located at the site of the railroad station.
MORE
INFO
This Historic Marker Program is an Eagle Scout Project for Carter Brannon from Troop-1 with support from
Northborough’s 250th Anniversary Committee, Algonquin High School’s Technology Team and the Northborough
Historical Society. Find out more at www.northborough250.org
SITE
1
Aqueduct
This aqueduct was built to increase the water supply for the City of
Boston. Construction started in 1896. It is 12 miles long, connecting the
Wachusett Reservoir in Clinton to the Sudbury reservoir in Southborough.
At that time, it carried 300 million gallons of water each day. The
Northborough Trails Committee is opening sections of the aqueduct for
hiking. The entire Aqueduct is listed in the National Register of Historic
Places.
FOR
MORE
INFO
Photograph from 1897 shortly after completion
SITE
2
Assabet Hill & Park
With an elevation of 450 feet, Assabet Hill has always been a prominent
feature in Northborough center. It was originally called Liquor Hill but the
name was changed to Assabet Hill in a ceremony on July 4th 1836 because of
the temperance movement at the time. In past years, the hill and park were
used as a center for town events including the 100th and 150th year
celebrations and recruitment efforts for World Wars I and II. In 1909 it
was donated to the town by Cyrus Gale, Jr. It is now a popular site because
of the playground and summer splash-pad.
FOR
MORE
INFO
SITE
3
Assabet House Hotel
This building was built by Charles A. Winn and Nathaniel C. Whitaker in
the 1880’s. It was three stories high with a balcony on the second floor
facing Main Street. Early tenants of the building included a Dr. Oakes
and Seth Emery’s corner pharmacy, and by 1901, a butcher shop. For
some years in the early 20th century, it was a hotel called the Assabet
House. On the third floor of the building around 1910-11 was a
gymnasium in which boxers trained. In 1958 the balcony and third floor
were removed. This building housed the Northborough National Bank.
for many years.
FOR
MORE
INFO
SITE
4
Assabetville
The area where the Assabet River flows under Main Street was known
as Assabetville in the 1800’s. It was an industrial area as early as the
mid 1700’s. In the early days, river power was used for a fulling mill
owned by Samuel Wood who lived nearby. Fulling is a step in woolen
cloth making. In later years, this area housed businesses for
blacksmithing, iron works, spoke manufacturing, baby carriages, comb
making and target rifle manufacturing. The rifle shop was run by Edwin
Wesson who was the brother of Daniel Wesson of Smith & Wesson
fame.
Photo is of Milo Hildreth’s Comb
Factory built on the site where
Stone’s Motorcycle Company
currently stands.
SITE
5
Bartlett Pond
This pond was initially formed by placing a dam across Three Corner
Brook, in 1713. The pond was enlarged and raised by Daniel Wesson in the
1880’s because he used it as the water supply to his mansion on Main
Street. He built a pump house along the brook just beyond the dam for
pumping the water to his property.
Daniel Wesson’s Pump House at the exit of Bartlett Pond
along Stirrup Brook on April 12, 1897. (Now in ruins)
SITE
6
Captain Samuel
Wood Home
On April 19th 1775, the Minutemen
of Northborough assembled here
prior to their departure for Boston.
This was within three or four hours
after hearing about the fighting in
Lexington. Reverend Peter Whitney
offered a prayer for their
protection. They left to the sound
of Joseph Seaver’s drum and
Ebenezer Hudson’s fife. Notice the
bronze plaque located over the
porch on the current house
Old photograph of the Captain
Samuel Wood Home
SITE
7
Chapinville
Chapinville was a small industrial village within Northborough. It has been
an industrial area since as far back as 1820 when Amory Barnard built a
corn and flour mill along the Assabet River. After several owners, the
property was eventually purchased by Caleb Chapin in 1864. He built a large
factory in the area to produce woolen cloth. During Chapin ownership of
the mill, Chapinville became a small community with its own post office,
housing for the workers, the factory and Mr. Chapin’s mansion. Today,
three brick homes and the original office building remain as private
residences along Chapin Court.
Chapin Mill stood at the corner
of Hudson Street and Chapin Court.
SITE
8
Chet's Diner
In the late 1920’s, Route 20 through Northborough was straightened; the
old road became East Main Street, and this new straighter road became
Route 20 / Main Street. Chet’s Diner opened along the new highway on July
2, 1931. The original owner was Chet Warren. The current owners are
descendants of James and Nancy Pantazis who purchased it in 1964. It is
now operated by Nancy’s granddaughter, Jessica Fidrych, daughter of the
Detroit Tigers legend, Mark “the Bird” Fidrych. Drop in for breakfast
some morning and find out what is really happening in town.
FOR
MORE
INFO
Early Photos inside Chet’s
SITE
9
Civil War Memorial
The Civil War Memorial lists the names of the twenty nine residents who
gave their lives to preserve the Union. Northborough’s first casualty was
Warren Eames. His father was on the committee that erected the
monument. It was dedicated on September 17, 1870, the eighth anniversary
of the battle at Antietam where five Northborough soldiers were killed.
FOR
MORE
INFO
Waldo Maynard (left) and Charles Warren (right)
were both killed at Antietam
SITE
10
Daniel Wesson Mansion
(White Cliffs)
This mansion was originally built in the 1880’s as the summer home for Daniel B.
Wesson of Smith & Wesson fame. The mansion grounds originally had carriage
roads, ponds, bridges, fountains, a large greenhouse, housing for employees and
stables for expensive horses. The main house contains elaborate carvings,
stained glass windows, chandeliers, 17 fireplaces and was originally 32 rooms.
Why did Wesson build in Northborough? His wife, Cynthia Hawes, was a
Northborough native. The mansion has been used as a restaurant / function
facility since the 1940’s. At this year’s Town Meeting, the Town of
Northborough was given the authorization to purchase the property in lieu of
having it demolished.
White Cliffs
shortly after construction
SITE
11
Livermore-Ball House
Jonathan Livermore Gravestone
in the Howard Street Cemetery
This house was built in 1727 by Jonathan
Livermore (1700-1801), a founder of the town
of Northborough on land owned by the family
of his wife, Abigail Ball (1702-1775). The
Livermores had eleven children. Livermore
became Deacon of the Church in 1746, when it
was organized. He also served the town of
Northborough as the first town clerk, an
assessor and as a representative to the State
Convention. He maintained ownership until his
death in 1801. Livermore family lore has him
riding his horse to the center of town and
back at the age of 100.
SITE
12
Dr. Stephen Ball Mill
Hop Brook boasts one of the few continuously-occupied mills in the state.
The mill started as a combination saw and grist mill owned by Dr. Stephen
Ball. Dr. Ball built the mill on Hop Brook sometime in the early 1800's. In
1908, the Armeno Cereal Company moved in and for most of the century,
produced wheat for bulgur, tabouli and couscous. Since 1994 this building
has housed Armeno’s Coffee where they roast Arabica coffee beans from
around the world.
FOR
MORE
INFO
Stone grinding wheel used to hull wheat
SITE
13
First Burial Ground
The Brigham Street Burial Ground was granted in 1729 when Northborough
was still part of Westborough. It is the earliest burial site in current day
Northborough. Headstones from the Wheeler and Holloway families still
remain. It is believed that between 50 and 100 burials are located here.
Mrs. Beth Finch McCarthy is a local genealogist who is using old records to
identify other ancestors buried here. Take a walk through the graveyard.
The heaps of stones are all likely burial sites.
Gravestone Image is courtesy
of Beth Finch McCarthy
SITE
14
First Evangelical
Congregational Church
This private home was originally built as a church. From 1744 to 1827, only
the Congregationalist beliefs were practiced in town. In 1832, New England
Congregationalists split into two groups; the conservative Evangelicals and
the liberal Unitarians. When the Evangelicals split they looked for land to
build their meeting house and were given land by Mr. Asa Fay at the corner
of Pleasant and Church Streets. The building was used as a church until
1847, when the congregation built a larger church on Main Street, now the
Trinity Church.
FOR
MORE
INFO
Location of pews
within the church
(Courtesy of
Mr. & Mrs Dagel)
SITE
15
First Meeting House Site
When Northborough became the Northern District of
Westborough in 1744, they were allowed to have their own
religious services. The land was donated by Captain Eager for
“consideration of Love, Good-Will and Respect which I have
towards the promoting of worship of God.” On April 30th 1745, the
Meeting House was raised on this site. Although raised on that
day, it took over 10 years to complete the installation with a
gallery, pews, pulpit and floor.
The current church is the third to be built at this site.
SITE
16
Gale Library
The Northborough Free Library was founded in 1868. Captain Cyrus Gale
contributed $1000 to the start of a public library, which was housed in
the town hall. The word “free” in the library’s official name indicates that
no membership fee is required. When the library outgrew its space, Cyrus
Gale Jr., the captain’s son, donated the land at 34 Main St. to build the
library in 1894. He also donated $30,000 for its construction.
Photo taken shortly
after construction
SITE
17
Goodrich Brick Yard
Model Home
This home was built as a sales model for the Goodrich Brick Yards
Company. It is said that over one million bricks from this yard were used
to build the Cochituate Water Works in Framingham. This water project
was to transport water from Lake Cochituate to Boston. The first water
flowed into the Frog Pond on Boston Common in 1848 at a dedication
ceremony that drew 100,000 people.
View of the water celebration on
Boston Common on October 25, 1848
SITE
18
Gov. John Davis
John Davis was an American lawyer, businessman and politician. He
spent 25 years in public service, serving in both houses of the United
States Congress and for three non-consecutive years as Governor of
Massachusetts. Because of his reputation for personal integrity, he
was known as "Honest John" Davis. He opposed the Mexican American
War and worked to prevent the extension of slavery to the territories.
He spent his childhood at the home previously located here at 375
Davis Street.
Gov. “Honest John” Davis
SITE
19
Horse Block
This horse block was used for mounting and dismounting
from a horse or carriage. It was used for parishioners
attending church services or visiting the graveyard.
SITE
20
Isaac Davis
Tannery Site
In this area along Davis Avenue was a tannery built by Isaac Davis in
1781. This area became the homestead of the Davis family for many
years. This business was in existence for nearly 100 years.
Deacon Isaac Davis moved to Northborough during the Revolutionary
war, and has been for a long succession of years one of our most
distinguished citizens. Davis died April 27, 1826, at the age of 77
years.
FOR
MORE
INFO
SITE
21
John Brigham’s
Mill Site
In 1672, John Brigham was awarded a 250 acre land grant by the
Massachusetts General Court. This grant was in compensation for
exploration and survey services. He became the first European settler on
lands that were to become Northborough. His saw mill was erected near here
on Howard Brook before King Philip's War in 1675. Tradition says his mill was
burned by Native Americans several years later. This location has been used
for industrial purposes until the recent housing development was built.
The Holbrook Mill from the late
1800’s. One of many located at
the John Brigham Mill site
SITE
22
Liberty Tree Site
Near here stood the Liberty Tree. It would have been a large elm under
which the Sons of Liberty would meet for planning during the American
Revolution. “Liberty & Property” were the watch words of the day
followed by cheers and the throwing of one’s hat into the air.
SITE
23
Mary Goodnow Grave Site
The British and French were at war from 1702 to 1713, which led to
hostilities in North America. During this period, there were several raiding
parties of French speaking Indians into the Marlborough region. During the
one on August 18, 1707, Mary Goodnow was attacked and slain. Her body
was buried where it was found about a ½ mile from her home. In 1889 a
marker was placed at her burial site. A short walk down this trail will bring
you to her memorial.
FOR
MORE
INFO
SITE
24
Mastodon Site
On 17 November, 1884, workmen digging a trench on the farm of William
Maynard, near the Shrewsbury line, uncovered teeth and bones of what
turned out to be the fossilized remains of a mastodon, the first to be found
in Massachusetts. Several fragments are on display at the Northborough
Historical Society Museum.
Digging at the
Mastodon Site
SITE
25
Militia Training Field
This area located at the intersection of Church Street and Pleasant
Street is the location of the field used in colonial days for militia and
minutemen training. The Militia were formed to protect their towns
from invasion. Their existence was conceived in Massachusetts as early
as 1645. This site was where the Northborough Minutemen were training
just prior to the start of the Revolutionary War in 1775.
FOR
MORE
INFO
Minuteman Monument
in front of Town Hall
SITE
26
Milk Porridge Plain
This very level section of Davis Street was known as Milk Porridge Plain
lying along Hop Brook. It was farmland in earlier years. Many Indian
artifacts have been found here and are on display in the Historical Society
Museum. More recently this region was developed as the Indian Meadows
golf course and the Indian Meadows neighborhood.
FOR
MORE
INFO
SITE
27
Mount Pisgah
Mt. Pisgah is the highest point in Northborough at an altitude of 715 feet.
The name has a biblical origin (Deuteronomy 34:1), where Moses first
viewed the “promised land” from present day Jordan. It is lined with old
stone walls that mark the edges of formerly cultivated fields that are now
white pine woods. The former fields and pastures have been abandoned
for at least 80 years. Boston skyscrapers can be seen from here on clear
days.
Boston Skyline as seen from Mount Pisgah
(courtesy of Mr. Forest Lyford)
SITE
28
Northborough Hotel Site
This Mobile gas station is located on a site that contained a hotel in the
past. In 1860 it was the Assabet Hotel and then the Northborough
Hotel in 1890. The building burned down in 1927. The stables and barn
for the hotel still remains as part of the R&T building next door.
FOR
MORE
INFO
Photo of the Northborough Hotel
at the corner of Main and Church Streets
SITE
29
Northborough Bank
This brick building was built at a cost of $2,350.63 and opened for business
on December 8, 1854, as the Northborough Bank. This was the first bank
to be organized in the region. There were none in Marlborough,
Westborough, Hudson, Shrewsbury, Berlin nor Southborough. The Bank
printed and issued its own money. It was in existence for over 110 years.
FOR
MORE
INFO
SITE
30
Former Baptist Church
The Baptist Society was formed in 1827.
In 1860 the Society erected the building
we see today. The steeple was destroyed
during the hurricane of 1938. By 1959 the
church no longer needed the space, and
put the building up for sale. It was
acquired by the Northborough Historical
Society in 1960. The building currently
houses a museum on the 2nd floor and a
large meeting room on the first floor.
In April of this year, this building was
placed on the National Register of
Historic Places.
31
SITE
31
Great Meadow
Cow Common
In 1662 the original Marlborough Plantation set apart a “Perpetual Cow
Common”. A Cow Common was shared land of the community to raise crops
and pasture to graze cattle. This large common included the land along
Stirrup Brook from Bartlett Pond to the Assabet River in current day
Northborough as shown in the picture below.
Rt-20
See Hike #10
Hudson St.
Algonquin
HS
Cow
Common
Bartlett
Street
SITE
32
Old Indian Trail
Prior to the Europeans settling this area, there was an important Native
American trail that passed this way and over Rock Hill. It connected the
Village of Okommakamesitt (in present day Marlborough) to the Royal Seat of
the Nipmuc Nation in Hassannamessit (in present day Grafton). When Rev. John
Elliot started converting the natives in the 1650’s to Christianity, he likely used
this trail as the settlements in Marlborough and Grafton were converted by
him to “Praying Towns”.
Drawing depicting Rev. Elliot
preaching to the local natives
SITE
33
West School House
This building is an excellent example of the small brick schoolhouses built
in Northborough in the 1830s and 1840s. It was used as the West School
until 1908. Recollections of Alice Kimball who attended this school include;
there were two entrances, one for boys and one for girls, the school
contained a mix of ages, so seats were assigned according to age and size,
students and teachers kept warm with a large black box stove located in
the middle of the room. The building is now a private residence.
Old Photograph of the
West School House
SITE
34
Paul Revere Bell
This Paul Revere Bell was installed in Northborough’s second church, which
was built on this site in 1808. Paul Revere is noted to be one of the few
competent bell makers in the United States at the time. The vast majority
of his bells are known to have a pleasant tone, last long and serve as
centerpieces for the communities. It was removed from the ashes of the
church after it burned down in December of 1945. This bell had rung at the
death of every President after Washington.
FOR
MORE
INFO
Paul Revere
SITE
35
Peter Whitney Parsonage
This home was built by Rev. Peter Whitney in 1780 after the previous home
on this site burned down. Rev. Whitney was the second Minister for
Northborough. He was a strong proponent of independence from Britain and
an acquaintance of John Adams and John Hancock. The previous house on the
site was built by Nathanial Oakes in 1694 and sold to the first Town Minister,
Reverend John Martyn, in 1746. This home is in an Historic District.
FOR
MORE
INFO
Rev. Peter Whitney
SITE
36
Railway Power House
This brick building was built in 1897 as the powerhouse for the Worcester
and Marlborough Street Railway Company. It was later used by the O’Neill
Brothers Ice Company, which thrived in the 1930’s and 1940’s. The site has
also been home to a foreign car garage and warehouse. Currently, it is
owned by the Pepper’s Catered Arts Corporation.
FOR
MORE
INFO
O’Neill Brothers Ice Company
SITE
37
Rev. Luther Rice
This site marks the birthplace of Luther Rice (1783–1836). Rev. Rice was a
Baptist minister who spent his career raising funds for missions and
advocating for the formation of a unified Baptist missionary-sending body.
He was a founding member of Columbian College in 1821 which later became
George Washington University. He asked and received little for himself but
spent his entire life pursuing the religious peace he had first dreamed of as a
young boy in Northborough.
FOR
MORE
INFO
SITE
38
Rev. Joseph Allen Home
This house was raised in 1818 by 250 men and boys. Rev. Allen was the
third and last Town Minister. During his ministry the church ceased being
the town church as other congregations were now forming. Rev. Allen
continued to serve his congregants by staying on as the Unitarian minister
until his death in 1873. He and his wife were very influential in educating
the children of Northborough. Rev. Allen documented and published much
of Northborough’s early history.
Rev. Joseph Allen
SITE
39
Route 20
Route 20 is Northborough’s Main Street through the town center. It is also
the longest highway in the United States, stretching 3,365 miles from
Newport, Oregon to Kenmore Square in Boston. In the early 1930’s Route
20 was straightened to remove many of the twists and turns of the Old
Boston Post Road. In Northborough it bypassed what we now call East Main
Street along with other zigs & zags of the old road. The southwest cutoff
section of Route 20 was constructed to avoid the traffic in the center of
Worcester.
FOR
MORE
INFO
SITE
40
Interstate 290:
Planning for what was originally called the Worcester Expressway started
in 1951. Originally, I-290 was to loop from I-90 in Auburn through
Worcester and rejoin I-90 in Westborough. However, this route would
have run through the town centers of Shrewsbury and Northborough, so it
was redesigned. Additionally, I-290 was intended to be extended past I495 to I-95/RT128 in Waltham, but this was canceled under pressure from
towns along the planned route. It opened through Northborough in 1970.
This highway has had a major impact on the commercial and residential
growth of Northborough.
FOR
MORE
INFO
SITE
41
Route 9
Route 9 follows the path of the old Worcester Turnpike that opened in
1810. This was a private toll road from Boston to Worcester. By 1835, its
use declined because of the railroad. By 1900, the Turnpike was in
disrepair east of Framingham and abandoned west of Framingham. In 1932
the State built a new divided highway between Boston and Worcester on
the path of the old Worcester Turnpike which was designated as Route 9.
Detail from share certificate in the Worcester Turnpike Corporation.
Incorporated March 7, 1806
SITE
42
Second Burial Ground
The Howard Street Burial Ground was opened in 1749. It was located on
the Unitarian Church’s property. The earliest burials were for children
who died during the throat distemper epidemic. This old section of the
cemetery contains many of Northborough’s inhabitants who served in the
American Revolution along with the town’s first two ministers, Rev.
Martyn and Rev. Whitney . Take time to read the engravings on the
stones, many are very interesting.
Rev. John Martyn (1706-1767) Headstone
Northborough’s First Town Minister
SITE
43
33 Mile Marker
This marker is one of many installed as part of the postal system
established by Benjamin Franklin when he was the Postmaster General of
the British Colonies. These markers were used to determine the price of
mail deliveries in colonial times. This one is along the Upper Boston Post
Road which was the major road between Boston and New York. It is listed
in the National Register of Historic Places.
FOR
MORE
INFO
SITE
44
Town Pound
In Massachusetts town pounds date back to 1635. Northborough’s was at
the beginning of South Street and remained until about 1804. These
structures were built as a temporary holding place for any livestock that
escaped from their owners. In order to reclaim the pig or cow in question,
the owner would have to pay compensation for whatever damage the animal
had done to a neighbor’s crops.
Photo of a Typical Town Pound
SITE
45
First Parish Unitarian
Universalist Church
This church is the third built on this site. In the early days of
Northborough there was no separation of Church and State as there is
today. All members of the community paid taxes to support the church.
The minister of the Church also served as the Town minister. That
changed in 1833 when Massachusetts disestablished Congregational
churches. The current church is a replica of the church built in 1808 that
burned on December 22, 1945.
Dana Martin, an amateur photographer who
lived across the street, rushed over to take this
picture just as the fire reached the belfry.
Photo published in the Life Magazine October
9, 1950 issue.
This Historic Marker Program is an Eagle Scout Project for Carter
Brannon from Troop-1 with support from Northborough’s 250th
Anniversary Committee, Algonquin High School’s Technology Team
and the Northborough Historical Society. Find out more at
www.northborough250.org
SITE
46
Wilder Bush Mansion
This house was the mansion of Wilder Bush (1803-1880), Northborough’s
pioneering comb manufacturer and a leading figure in the town’s economic
history. Comb-making made Wilder Bush a wealthy man. He may well have
been the richest man in Northborough of his day. He was one of the
founders of the Northborough National Bank, chartered in 1854, and served
as its president from 1874 until his death in 1880. He also was one of the
chief backers of the Agricultural Branch Railroad and served for many years
on the company’s board of directors.
FOR
MORE
INFO
SITE
47
Woodside Mill
This apartment building was built in 1888 by David F. Wood as a textile mill. It is
the sole intact standing example of Northborough’s early textile industry. The mill
village was known as Woodside and consisted of Mr. Wood’s large mansion (no
longer standing) and several units of multifamily worker housing that still exist.
The mill produced cotton-and-wool fabrics. Power came from a water wheel and
steam furnished by two boilers. In 1910, the mill was operated by the Woodside
Woolen Company, in 1921 by the Taylor Manufacturing Company, and in 1928 by the
Chilton Company, all manufacturers of woolens. Later it was turned to the
production of Gothic church furniture, and still later, it accommodated the
Basketville store.
FOR
MORE
INFO
SITE
48
WWI Memorial
This memorial to World War I veterans was
dedicated on October 12, 1932 with all the pomp and
circumstance one would expect, including a parade,
bands, singing and speeches. The center tablet has
the names of the two Northborough fatalities;
Vincent F. Picard and Adolph C. Nelson. The side
tablets list the honor roll of the other 71 town
citizens who served, including Flora B. Murray, the
only woman listed, who was a nurse in France. The
United States entered the war on April 6, 1917.
FOR
MORE
INFO
SITE
49
Jesse Brigham House
Until the late 1920s, this house was a farmstead associated with the
Brigham family. It is believed to have been built in 1735 by Jesse Brigham.
In 1799 it was a 339 acre farm owned by Artemas Brigham. In the early
20th century, Charles L. Brigham and his son, Walter O. Brigham, operated
market gardens on the farm and also sold milk and timber. In 1928, the
Brigham farm was purchased by Homer C. Darling and turned into a golf
course. The house was adapted as the course’s club house. The golf course
property is still under the management of the Darling family.
Old Juniper
Hill Ad
donated by
Dudley
Darling
FOR
MORE
INFO
SITE
50

Listing of 50 Historic Markers

Transcription

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