USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Winsted > The Winsted tercentenarian > Part 3
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Beth Israel Synagogue, Formerly St. James Church
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THE WINSTED TERCENTENARIAN
eight years and Rev. George W. Phil- lips minister in charge for five years. when, in 1915, Rev. Robert V. K. Har- ris, the present rector, took up the duties.
The beautiful field stone church on the corner of Main and Walnut Streets was built in 1923-24 by Joseph F. Carey and the Traey Brothers Co. of Water- bury and was dedicated July 14. 1924. by Bishop E. Campion Acheson. who also consecrated it in 1924. John B. Adams was chairman of the building committee.
The altar of decorative marble was presented by Mr. and Mrs. Laurence V. D. Harris and the Mohler organ by Gail Borden Munsill.
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church
F all the handsome churches in Winsted, the largest and most impressive is St. Joseph's Roman Cath- olic Church, bounded by Main, Oak and Chestnut Streets. its golden cross glistening heavenward. towering above this magnificent granite structure. St.
Joseph's is controlled by the Order of St. Francis, one of the oldest religions orders, and the parish is the largest in Winsted. its influence being wide- ly felt.
This church dates back to 1851. when Rev. James Lynch of Shelton. then Birmingham, came to' Winsted and held services in the Fourth school. house. Land was purchased on Oak Street the same year and Rev. Thomas Quinn became pastor and commenced to build the wooden church. now the Oak Street Auditorium. He completed it under many difficulties. mass being celebrated in the meantime in Camp's hall.
Rev. Daniel Mullen was pastor in 1860 and upon the outbreak of the Civil War became chaplain of the "Fighting Irish," Ninth Regiment. Connecticut Volunteers. Rev. Philip Sheriden followed him and remained until he was succeeded in 1865 by Rev. Father Leo da Saracena, who had sie-
ceeded Father Mullen as chaplain of the Ninth, and he continued as pastor until his death. November 3. 1897. though he was away at various times The church was very prosperous under his pastorate and the property greatly enlarged. In 1866 he erected the monastery and the next year built the St. Margaret's convent.
Following Father Leo were Father's Ilickey. Ennis and Mann and then cante Rev. Father Andrew Slattery. who acquired the property extending to Main Street and supervised the building of the new church which was dedicated in July, 1916. costing nearly $150.000. The chimes were installed in 1923 and the beautiful high altar in 1930. It was made in Currara. Italy.
The old church was converted into a hall for social and athletic events. In connection with the property is St. Francis' Parochial School, which is at . teuded by about 500 pupils. tanght by the Sisters.
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Ree. Father Vincent Kelly. O. P. M. 1931-1935. Superior of St. Joseph's Monastery
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church
St. Anthony's Parochial School, before reur winy was built
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THE WINSTED TERCENTENARIAN
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The First Baptist Church
The present pastor is Rev. Father Edwin Garrity, O. F. M .. and his as- sistants are Rev. Fathers Ambrose Greelis. James Keenan. Dennis Robin- son and Linus Verhelst. Rev. Fr. Vin- cent Kelly. former pastor. is superior of the monastery.
The First Baptist Church
A
Baptist Church was organized in
the 1790's and a meeting house was ereeted adjoining the Hemlock Cemetery just over the town line in Colebrook. one of the founders being Flisha Mallory. who lived on what is now the Town farm on Wallen's Hill.
Michael Grinnell. who lived in the northeast corner of the town. was a deacon of the church. He lived to be 106 years old and died in 1858. Ile was a Revolutionary soldier and saw the leaden statue of George III polled down in Bowling Green. New York. later to be made into bullets in General Oliver Wolcott's orchard in Litchfield.
Rev. Ananins Dearthick. the Ban- tist preacher. owned the center of West Winsted from the Winsted Savings Bank to Bushnell's garage from 1794 to 1797 and lived in a log house west of the Winsted Hardware Manufactur- ing Co.'s plant.
The present First Baptist Church was organized by the Connectiont Bap- tist Convention. Gov. James L. How- ard had plans made for the church. which was built on a lot given by Midian N. Griswold, called the "found- er of the church." and the building was dedicated May 14. 1890. The or- ganization of the church took place the next month. June 21. with Rov. Philip S. Evans, superintendent of missions, as acting pastor. Mr. Gris- wold. elerk and treasurer, and Peter Hart and Frederick W. Marsh. deacons. The first regular pastor was Rev. A. Willis Clark, who was succeeded in
May. 1898, by Rev. Frederick II. Gates. Three years later, Rev. Franklin D. Elmer became pastor. continuing for ten years, during which time the church was greatly enlarged. He be- rame nationally known as a lecturer.
The present pastor. Rev. Albert S. Woodworth, began his duties here in May. 1927. succeeding Rev. Samuel Johnson.
The Christian Science Church
THE first adherent- of Christian I Science in Winsted date back to the 1890's. and in 1901 the Christian Science Society was organized. It is related that a copy of Mrs. Eddy's book. "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." was received here in mutilated condition. After reading it over the owner divided the book into three sections and loaned them. After this. four copies were purchased and a> a result of the inspiration gained the Winsted Society was organized. In 1910 the Lincoln property on the cor- ner of High Street and Fairview Avo- ne was purchased and the classic edi- tice of terra cotta and stucco was com- pleted in the fall of 1911. the contractor being James L. Farley of Torrington. The church has had many prominent supporters, including Mrs. Doreas C. Barton and Mrs. Leverett W. Titlany.
Beth Israel Synagogue
TIIE Hebrews of Winsted. represent- 1 ing twenty-five families and about 100 people. have held regular services for many years. For a long time they worshipped in a little meeting hall near Case Avenue and sometimes held serv- ices in Town Hall. In May. 1925. the congregation moved to the new syna- grogne on Park Place which they pur- chased.of the St. James' Episcopal So- ciety and remodelled, removing the steeple and belfrey, stuccoing and fres-
coing the interior and changing the lo- cation of the altar. A celebration was held when the mortgage was paid. The rabbi is Nathan Klein, who has been in charge about six years.
The officials of the Beth Israel Syna- gogute are: President. Benjamin Ep- stein: viee-president. Nathan Katzin: treasurer. I. Gaber: secretary, Engene Halherstanı.
The A. M. E. Zion Church
RELIGION'S work among the color- ed people as a separate denomina - tion was begun in the spring of 1895 by Rev. William N. Berry of the New England A. M. E. Zion Conference. During the pastorate of Rev. Samuel H. Johnson, who eame in 1901. the society was given a lot on Ridge Street by Henry Gay and the foundation for a church was built. Then the lot was exchanged for one on Moore Avenue as a more desirable location. This lot
Rer. Albert S. Woodworth, Pastor
was exchanged for one owned by Miss Mary Perkins on Gay Street during the pastorate of Rev. James A. Cur- tis. an ex-slave and Civil War veteran. The present church was built by Ed- ward R. Beckley and dedicated Janu- ary 3. 1909.
The Salvation Army
THE Salvation Army held meetings in City Hall on Lake Street as early as the 80's. Later the Army es- tablished barracks here over Darcey's blacksmith shop and about twelve years ago bought the three-story Catlin block at 438 Main Street and erected a large hall in the rear where services are held regularly.
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THIE WINSTED TERCENTENARIAN
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Carl E. Scofield, General Secretary
The Winsted Young Men's Christian Association
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Winsted Y. M. C. A. Established in 1887 Association Has 535 Members, New Building Opened September, 1916, Receiving Large Bequest from Rufus E. Holmes
IN its nearly fifty years of service the Winsted Young Men's Christian As- sociation was never more active and never more needed than it is today. So useful is the Y. M. C. A. to the city that it is frequently referred to as the "community center." for it not ouly serves young men but it is made use of by the young women and girls and bv a score or more of organizations who avail themselves of its fine plant and advantages as a meeting place.
Winsted counts itself as especially fortunate in having an organization within its midst with a welcoming hand that is always ready to helo lift and has such a fine plant which is an orna- ment to the city and is put to so many splendid nses. Winsted builded well when it built the present Y. M. C. A. building back nineteen years ago. It long ceased to be too big as some thought at the time.
There was a Young Men's Christian Association in Winsted soon after the close of the Civil War and maintained a reading and social room nearly op- nosite the Methodist church. some of those interested in it being the same people who later helped to organize the present association on April 11. 1887. The new organization secured a suite of rooms on the second floor of the Wetmore block next to the old Opera House and $1.500 was subserih- ed to maintain it for a year. Those most interested in the work were the officers. who were: President. David Strong: vice-president. Rufus E. Holmes; recording secretary. Lorenzo
M. Blake: treasurer. George H. Al- ford: directors. David Strong. Harvey L. Roberts. Charles J. York. Gilbert L. Hart. Lnman C. Colt. Isaac B. Woodruff. J. Arthur Smith and George Richards.
A Woman's Auxiliary to the Y. M.C. A. was organized at the same time and has ever since been a strong supporter of the association, helping to carry it over many critical periods by its endeavors and generous gifts. The first officers of the auxiliary were: President. Mrs. Caleb J. Camp: vice-presidents. Mrs. David Strong. Mrs. Emily P. Wet- more. Mrs. John Rinnere. Mrs. Rufus Holmes: treasurer. Mrs. Henry Gay : secretary. Miss E. Barrett : church representatives. Miss Olive Barber. Mrs. Emily Steele. Mrs. Clark Strong and Miss Nettie Dean.
The first general secretary was E. B. Phillips. an all around Christian work- er. who soon endeared himself to the young men and boys as well as to the men and women in the churches in which his work soon made itself felt. Mr. Phillips remained thirteen years and built the association on a solid foundation. It soon ontgrew the rooms in the Wetmore block and the property at the present location was purchased and. before Mr. Phillips left in 1900 to engage in mission work in German- town. Pa .. a gymnasium was erected in the rear and attached to the dwell- ing house which was pretty well adapt- ed for the work at the time. The gym- nasium building now spans Mad River
and is used for the storage of grain by E. Manchester & Sons.
In the next fourteen years the "Y" had five general secretaries. Wilbur A. Wells. three years : Erwin K. Smith. three years: J. Franklin Leonard. two Vears: Worthy F. Maylott. four year -. and David A. Black. two years. Dur- ing Mr. Wells. secretaryship. George L. Listman was employed as the first physical director. then Philip H. Slo- enm. A. J. Pitt and L. J. Denning. During Mr. Leonard's term in office the first summer camp was established.
The movement for a new building. the need of which had grown appar- ent. was given a great impetus when it was learned that Rufus E. Holmes. Winsted banker and one of the found- ers of the Y. M. C. A .. who died May 5. 1913. had left a legacy of $15.000 for a new building when $35.000 additional had been donated for the same purpose. his legacy being made payable only when the sum named had been raised. Plans were soon matured for raising the necessary amount. A generous re- sponse was made to the appeal by a large number of contributors.
The new building of gray tapestry brick and artificial stone trimmings. designed by the office of Lonis E. Jal- lade of New York. was built by Frank W. Fuller of Torrington and with for- nishings cost, complete. approximately $75.000. not including the lot. The building committee consisted of the president. Darwin S. Moore. Charles L. Alvord. Gilbert L. Hart. Edward Continued on Page 28
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THE WINSTED TERCENTENARLAN
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Donald S. McPherson, Chief
Hose Company. No. 2. and Winsted Hook and Ladder Co. Fire House, and Offices. Department of Public Works and Winsted Water Works
Winsted's Volunteer Fire Department
With Five Companies of Fire-Fighters, the Department Prides Itself Upon Efficiency, Keeping Fire Losses Down to a Minimum-Motorized Since 1911-Oldest Active Fireman in the State
FOR over seventy years Winsted has prided itself upon the efficiency of its volunteer fire department. With five fire companies strategically located in various parts of the city and a healthy rivalry between these organizations and officials who take more than ordinary interest, Winsted, with its motorized apparatus, has an unusually creditable fire department. Though the calls are frequent, the response of the firemen is so. prompt that the loss from fires in Winsted is kept down to a minimum and would do credit to any paid fire department in the state.
The Winsted fire department was organized November 17, 1862, and the Borough was divided into four dis- tricts with a hose company located in each. The first fire chief or warden was Capt. Francis T. Brown. a prom- inent scythe manufacturer. whose wi- dow, Maria Brown, gave the town clock in the 80's and whose daughter, Susan Brown Perry. gave the drinking fou- tain in Forest View cemetery. In the old days of hand drawn hose carriages. Winsted firemen competed in many races throughout Connecticut and ad- joining states and won a name for themselves for their speed records.
Early in the first decade of the cen- tury, the four wooden firehouses were replaced by brick structures at a cost of about $35,000, having social rooms and sleeping accommodations: Union Hose Co., No. 1, at Main and Munro Streets; Hose Co., No. 2, and the Win-
sted Hook and Ladder Co., No. 1, on Eln Street; Niagara Hose Co .. No. 3. on Rowley Street, and Cascade Hose Co .. No. 4, on North Main Street.
The first motorized truck was an American-La France combination chem- ical and hose car for No. 1. received April 24. 1911. and is still in service. It was the sixteenth car of its kind made and the first delivered in the state, costing about $5.000. A similar truck was purchased for Cascade. No. 4. April. 1916. In October, 1919. a Sea- grave 750-gallon pump truck, costing about $12.000, was purchased for Hose Co. No. 2. In October. 1921. Niagara.
No. 3. purchased a Reo hose and chem- ical combination truck and gave it to the city. In 1903, a large ladder truck was purchased for the Winsted Hook and Ladder Co. and this was motorized by mounting it upon a Maccar truck in 1924. In August. 1929. a light com- bination booster tank and pump truck, al-o carrying a portable pump. was put into service. being housed at the Elin Street station.
In April, 1895. a committee con- sisting of Edward B. Gaylord, Charles C'ha-e and George Jessup was appoint- ed and had installed a Gamewell fire Continued on Page 52
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Union Hose Co., No. 1. Fire House and American- LaFrance Truck, 1911
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THE WINSTED TERCENTENARIAN
The Green Woods School, Erected 1927
Walter G. Franklin, Chairman Board of Education
Schools Have Kept Abreast of Times
Town Has Always Had Reputation of Maintaining Good Schools-$400,000 Expended for New Buildings in 1927-28-Districts Consolidated in 1909
WINSTED has always had the rep- utation of having good schools. The town has kept abreast of the times in providing adequate educational ad- vantages, continually introducing new and approved school ideas. Its public schools today compare favorably with any in the state. The fact that Win- sted has as fine and modern school- houses as may be found anywhere. hay- ing expended over $400,000 for two modern school buildings within eight years, shows that the people are keenly
awake to the importance of providing excellent schools.
The mechanics of condneting the schools has been greatly simplified in recent years in order to give every child in the town an equal advantage in gaining an education. The mimer- ous school committees have been re- duced to one board of education. the school supervision to a single superin- tendent and the number of public schools from nine to four, with the four
upper grades brought under one roof at the new Central School.
The history of the town's school- dates back to December 17. 1773, when it was voted to divide the town into three districts, north. west and east. and a tax of "two pence on the pound" levied. the money to be expended in the district in which it was raised. This action was rescinded the next month but the tax was voted again in 1777 and raised to six pence the next year. Further action in regard to establish-
20000740
Fourth School, before removal of Wooden Building in 1928
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THE WINSTED TERCENTENARIAN
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The Central School. Erected 1928
ing the districts was taken December 27, 1784. and again on December 8. 1794. The first schools were held in private houses. There was a school at the corner of Spencer Street and Hins- dale Avenue probably as early as the 1780's. John Boyd said it was of ma- ture age in 1803: that it had been red but then had a dirty brindle look. Coe and Lake Streets also converged at that point. before the Green Woods turnpike (Main Street ) was opened in 1799. the pupils coming from the Spen- cer Hill. Coe Street and Pond Hill sec- tions. This became the Fourth School. the district extending to Creek Bridge near Cornelio Avenne. The schoolhouse burned down in 1806. A new one was built in 1807 and that was replaced abont 1840 by a three-room building. a part of which is now Frank DeMars' barn. A two-story four-room building was erected in 1869 and the school graded and the West Winsted high school established. and four more rooms added on to it in 1884. In 1895 the first kindergarten was opened in the adjoining house (Wing Persons). pur- chased by the district and the present brick building erected on the lot about 1900. The large wooden building was taken down in 1928 after the comple- tion of the Central School.
In the Fast Village there were two schools. the First District school on South Main Street. now a dwelling house owned by Irwin Johnson. and the Second District school nearly opposite the Rose Terry Cooke place on North Main Street. now a dwelling house. Wetmore Avenue divided these dist tricts. In 1870 they were consolidated in the four-room First school building on North Main Street, which was en- larged in 1886 and later enlarged again. The dwelling on the corner of North Main Street and Wetmore Avenne was purchased for a kindergarten and both
buildings replaced by the handsome new Green Woods school in 1927.
Sept. 5. 1904. the board of school visitors voted to unite with Norfolk to form a joint supervision district. which continued for seventeen years. With the improvement of educational meth- ods and of the roads. the outlying schools were gradually closed. the chil- dren being transported to the larger schools.
The district system was abolished in 1909. the town voting to consolidate the districts and two members of the town school committee were elected annually for three years until the now charter went into effect in October. 1915. since which time the selectmen have appoint- ed two members each year. The school- house at Winchester was erected in 1911.
The present board of education con- sists of Walter G. Franklin, chairman : John E. Lynch. secretary: Harold S. C'ase. Henry S. Comstock. Harry E. Norton and Irving C. Valentine. Leon R. MeKusick has been the efficient superintendent of schools since 1928. There are three supervisors. thirty-two
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Superintendent L.con R. McKusich
teachers. a school nurse and a dental hygienist.
The City Pharmacy
THE CITY PHARMACY at 118
Main Street has long been known as a very attractive drug store, giving prompt service, and a place where one may be sure of getting pre-criptions carefully compounded. pure drugs and chemicals: also a fine line of Kodaks and photographic supplies, a large dis- play of gifts, choice candy from repu- table makers, pleasing fountain service and everything to be found in an up- to-date drug store.
The City Pharmacy, which has been established over forty years, was pur- chased in 1923 by William V. Garrity, who has been a druggist twenty years. coming here from Waterbury. It has built up a large patronage by the quali- ty of its goods and its excellent service.
The Winchester Center School
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THE WINSTED TERCENTENARIAN
Winsted's Three Newspapers
Citizen Printing Company, Established in 1888, Has Modern Printing Plant and Equipment
T "HERE is an old saying: "A drop of ink may make a million think." which is a modest statement even in these days of the radio. Today most people depend upon their newspapers for current news and the vast majority form their opinions from what they read in the newspaper. A good newspaper is an invaluable asset to a community and Winsted is no exception, for it is to its new-papers that Winsted owes its growth and development more than to any other factor. The newspaper is truly the vox populi.
Winsted has long enjoyed news- papers of a high standard and of high standing among the Connectient press and today the Winsted Evening Citi- zen and the two weeklies. the Winsted Herald and Litchfield County Leader. measure up to the fine standards ex- peeted of newspapers in a city of this size and progressiveness, with all the modern facilities and equipment for publishing a live daily paper.
Early in the fifties George B. Cook.
Thomas A. Haggerty Managing Editor
a Winsted printer, published a few issues of the Winsted News but the first regular newspaper was the Mountain County Herald, which made its "bow" to the publie May 14. 1853, and is still being published eighty-two years later without a break, under the name of the Winsted Herald. The Herald was started under favorable anspices, hav- ing as its editors and publishers Ste- phen A. Hubbard. a young man of twenty-five years. later managing edi- tor and associated with General Joseph
R. Hawley on the Hartford Courant. and Thomas M. Clarke. twenty-three years old. son of Lncins Clarke, a pio- neer builder of Winsted. and himself a successful editor and manufacturer. In February. 1854. Mr. Clarke became editor of the Bridgeport Leader and Edmund Clarence Stedman, who was to become famous as a man of letters and known as the banker-poet. took Mr. Clarke's place on the Herald staff for a year and two months when Mr. Clark returned to Winsted and the firm became Hubbard & Clarke again for three months. when Mr. Inbbard withdrew. Mr. Clarke then continued as editor and publisher for ten years. changing the name in April. 1858. soon after the borough of Winsted was char- tered. to the Winsted Herald. He was an editor of the old school who never hesitated to publish his thoughts.
After the trying years of the Civil War. the Winsted Printing Company was incorporated and Theodore F. Vaill. Adintant of the Second Con- nectient Heavy Artillery which was known as the Litchfield County regi- ment. father of Dudley L. Vaill. presi- dent of the Citizen Printing Co .. and grandfather of Theodore Vaill. the manager and treasurer. was appointed editor and continued until his death in February. 1875. when he was suc- ceeded by his brother. "Joc" Vaill. who is still remembered in the newspaper offices about the state. He had been the business manager for several years and was editor for sixteen years, when in 1891 he leased the ITerald to Wom- baugh & Safford and became the ex- erntive secretary of the Connecticut World's Fair commission. The lessees started the Daily Herald but soon're- tired and Mr. Vaill's son. Robinson L. Vaill was editor until he had a fine position offered him in Philadelphia. Mr. Vaill next took on the versatile and redoubtable John Rodemever, who came up from Bridgeport. Meantime. the company was reorganized as the Winsted Herald Co. Mr. Rodemever edited the Herald and "covered" the news, even to making the bronze soldier
The Citizen Building
on the Memorial tower talk. for more than a year. In the next two years there were a number of shifts in editors and managers, Frank D. Hallett. B. Frank Marsh. Robert S. Hulbert and R. S. Frary filling one or the other of the offices until Mr. Vaill's return from Chicago in 1894. The next spring the Herald was sold to the Citizen Printing Co., which was organized as an independent newspaper March 21, 1888. ten days after the blizzard, with
Theodore Taill. Mmager and Treasurer
Nathaniel B. Stevens, president and treasurer : John II. Van Kenren. secre- tary, editor and manager: William R Sill. managing editor: E. F. Heubler. superintendent. and Jay E. Spaulding. Col. Sammel B. Horne and Dr. H. Hungerford Drake, directors.
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