USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Glimpses of Andover, Massachusetts > Part 1
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Glimpses of Andover, Massachusetts > Part 1
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Tmmeses of Andover
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 06648 3741
GC 974.402 AN2C
limpses of Andover
massachusetts John n. Cole, Publisher & & &
ANDOVER, MASS. The Andover Press, Printers 1896
SECOND EDITION COPYRIGHT EIGHTEEN HUNDRED NINETY-SIX JOHN N. COLE
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T
VIEW OF ANDOVER FROM WEST PARISH
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
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"Andover everywhere and always, first, last -the manly, straightforward, sober, patriotic, New England town. - PHILLIPS BROOKS.
HUS spoke one of the most famous of Andover's many famous sons of the town which is the subject of this short sketch, and whose history, briefly told, may add to the charm of the illustrations accompanying it. The first signs of the formation of a new township in the Massachusetts Colony came in 1641-42, when citizens of Ipswich and vicinity were granted certain rights to land along the Shawshin, and known at that time as " Cochichawicke." Four years later, in May 1646, the town was incorporated, and named Andover, after the town of Andover, England, whence came many of its original settlers.
Most interesting are the stories of the struggles of those early settlers, whose vigor, pluck, and sturdy perseverance so wisely and so firmly laid the foundations of the present two hundred and fifty year old Andover.
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Until 1855 the town stretched from the bounds of North Reading at the South to the Merrimack river at the North, and contained within its border all of that territory now known as South Lawrence and the present North Andover. But as in the church the foundations of this old town were laid, so through the church the division came that made of the old Andover two townships, the name staying in the South Parish, and the North Parish becoming North Andover. So rich in history, and beautiful in scenery is this part of Andover, we cannot refrain from show- ing a page of views around the North Andover Centre of to-day.
Lawrence took, in her formation as a city, not only many acres of An- dover territory, but one of Andover's early and able citizens, whose fore- sight and ability did much to make the city on the Merrimack the great industrial centre it is to-day. And not a little of old Andover history clusters around the present South Lawrence, for was it not here that generations of the Poor family kept public house, and was it not in one of these same public houses that Lafayette was entertained by Andover citizens on his journey through New England in 1825. But old historic
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NORTH ANDOVER CENTER
·AROUND · NORTH PARISH ·CENTER '
OLD BAILEY HOUSE
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KITTREXIE. HOMESTEAD
ECHRY OF THE LATE PHILLIPS SAULES
Moose country must lose its ancient landmarks in the march of pro- gress, and only a few years later taverns are things of the past, and where there had been fertile fields and farmers' homes are now mills and busy industries.
But it is with the present rather than with the past of Andover that it is the mission of this brief sketch to deal. Much that is of interest, both old and new, will come as the reader's eyes see in the illustrations glimpses of the old Andover mingling with the new town.
That the early settlers of Andover chose one of Nature's prettiest spots on which to spend their energy and strength is. proven by the many glimpses herewith, taken two hundred and fifty years after the first white settler reared his home in the Shawsheen valley.
The Town of Andover is situated in the eastern part of Massachusetts, twenty-three miles from Boston, in Essex County. By the census of 1895 it has a population of 6142, an increase of 1000 in the last decade. The town is reached by the Boston and Maine railroad, and by this road has sixty trains daily going to and coming from Boston and way stations.
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Every needed commodity is found in Andover to make it a pleasant home town. A most excellent system of water supply carries the pure water of Hagget's Pond to almost every house in town, and the streets, stores, and many private residences are lighted by electricity. Excellent stores and a successful retail business in almost every line supply nearly every household demand. A National Bank and a Savings Bank, one of the leading mutual fire insurance companies of the state (the Merri- mack Mutual), an able and successful newspaper (the Andover Towns- man), together with the more extensive industries, and the famous schools to be more fully described further on, give the town a business and financial stability not surpassed by any town in New England.
The town's public schools are given the very best care and methods that its progressive citizens can provide, and furnish the most advanced schooling to the thousand or more public school children within its borders.
The visitor, as he alights from the railway train, hardly gets a satis- factory first glimpse of the famous town, but a climb of the hill shows
×
ELM SQUARE IN 1860
the Catholic and Baptist Churches on Essex (the depot) Street, and at the head of the street, facing Elm square, the public library building, called Memorial Hall.
The view of the old square before the war and the accompanying cut of the Elm House, now gone to make room for the new business block, will be welcome pictures to the old Andover citizen, whose first hair- dressing away from his mother's deft fingers and a saucer, was done in the little shop under the tree, and whose first interest in the far-away Boston was aroused by the occasional stop of the post rider at the village hotel.
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.
UT the Elm Square of to-day is a new and different picture, and from the centre the views shown on the accompanying pages, are very different from those to be seen a half century ago. To the North are Main, High, and Elm streets, while the large Mus- grove block on the east side gives new business, and an imposing look to Andover's Centre. The view up KORNAFICH Main Street is such an one as usually greets the visitor on a busy day, and the shade-trees and cool walks to be seen beyond the centre to the South will certainly lure the visitor to the most attractive part of Andover ere he leaves the town.
The business blocks shown have an interest all their own, but an in- terest that must not be overlooked if we are to see Andover as it is to-day. The names borne on their fronts are names of some of the best life in the town, and are those of men whose industry and integrity have had no small part in the present position of Andover. The public buildings claim but little attention, but have their place in these pages.
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Residence of Saml BIjecke
07d Abbett Tavern
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Residence of Jehn H. Flint
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BANK
4999
MUSGROVE BICEK
BARNARD BRICKBLOCK
NHELAVEN
BARHARDS BLOCK
DRAPERS BLOCK
ANDOVER'S public schools have always been well cared for by her citizens, and an accompanying page shows some of the most attractive of the school buildings and the Punchard building.
The Punchard Free School fills the place of a public high school, and has been a useful member in Andover's growth. Liberally en- dowed by its founder, Mr. Benjamin Punchard, and carefully conducted by a wise board of trustees, it has been the training ground of many of the country's most useful and able leaders.
THE "Churches of 'Andover " might almost be changed to the " Andover of Churches," so closely has the town been allied to the churches, and so wisely guided by them. With one exception they are not beautiful buildings that are shown in the pages of Andover church buildings, but of that type and time when the simple church building with raised spire, spoke for a faith that made our New England towns such grand old towns.
The " Old South " was the first of the present churches to be estab- tablished. In 1711 the parish was incorporated, and it may be called the
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parent of all the others. Its history fills a book in itself, and no part of the town's progress for the first hundred years can be chronicled without much of the record being given up to the part which the South Church had in it. The present pastor is Rev. F. R. Shipman,
In 1826 fifty-six members of the South Church were granted dis- mission, and they formed the "West Church of Andover." Rev. R. A. MacFadden is the present pastor.
The Baptist Church was organized in 1832, and has a small parish. The present pastor is Rev. F. W. Klein.
The Free Christian Church, organized originally in 1846, because of the views of its members on the slavery question, has become another strong and thoroughly orthodox church, with a large membership. Rev. F. A. Wilson is the pastor.
The Catholic, or St. Augustine's Church, was organized in 1852, and has a large membership. The present building was erected last year. Rev. T. A. Field is the resident priest.
The Episcopal, or Christ Church, claims a prominent place for itself
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Engine House®
Town House.
PUBLICBUILDINGS
Grange Hall
Muember Club House.
Ballardvale School
punchard SCHOOL-
PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
Abbott Village School.
South Church
ST AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH
Free Church
Christ Church
kst Church
Baptist Church
in this book, which is given up almost wholly to the prettiest places. 1835 is the date of the formation of the society, and their original building was burned, after about fifty year's occupancy. The present beautiful new building is the gift of the late Mr. John Byers, and it is considered one of the most beautiful churches in the country. Rev. Frederic Palmer is the rector.
THE Memorial Hall Library building is a monument not only to Andover's soldiers of the rebellion, but to the generosity of many public spirited citizens whose gifts and devoted service conceived and planned it. From the square to the left we see Elm, Street whose shaded road takes the visitor to North Andover with its rich history and interesting scenery ; a road over which Washington was once a traveller and still having as a charm, a short distance from the Centre, the old Abbot tavern where he breakfasted on his New England tour.
Passing through the business portion of the town, some of the pleasant residences on Main Street attract the visitor's attention, and the views on the accompanying pages reproduce some of them.
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N UP Main Street, about a mile from the centre, and at the top of the "Hill " are situated the institu- tions that have perhaps had a larger part than any- thing else in bringing to Andover fame abroad and prosperity at home. Phillips Academy stands fore- most in the Andover educational institutions. It is the oldest incorporated preparatory school in the country, its charter being dated in 1778. After outgrowing several buildings the school occupied the present imposing structure in 1865. The building is situated at the junction of Main and School Streets, surrounded by ample grounds. Phillips Academy stands pre-eminently for high scholarship and thorough preparation. Its eminent graduates attest the truth of this statement.
The old square brick building shown herewith will be a familiar view to thousands of P. A. boys, who may remember. perchance, "Uncle Sam " of former times, or the present genial and able principal, Dr. Bancroft, who, with other principals, have been domiciled therein.
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SCIENCE BUILDING.
PHILLIPS ACADEMY.
GYMNASIUM.
Corporal
GENERAL VIEW
The gymnasium and old commons buildings must appear, to make the group of Phillips views complete ; the former, the Academy building of years ago, the latter the homes of almost countless men and boys. The school catalogue of 1895, shows a membership of 524 in the school.
All this of the Phillips that has been and now is; but this sketch would be incomplete without reference to the new awakening of the friends of the school, and the aroused interest in its needs, -an in- terest that has already built several new cottages to replace " commons," and make a start towards buildings that shall make a complete group of Phillips views, at a not very distant day, show a beautiful new gymnasium in place of the present and inadequate structure, and new science and recitation buildings that are to-day so sadly needed to keep Phillips Andover where she has always been,- in the very first rank of college preparatory schools.
THE Theological Seminary of Andover was an outcome of a desire on the part of the founders of Phillips Academy "for the virtuous and pious education of the youth of genius and serious disposition " in the Academy.
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Money poured into the treasury of the institution in a bountiful manner, and in 1808 it was opened to students. Its funds have steadily grown, and its usefulness also, and there have, up to the present time, about 3000 ministers gone out from this institution to all parts of the world.
Although Congregational in doctrine, it is open to Protestants of all denominations. Prof. Egbert C. Smyth is the present President of the Faculty.
With the increase of its work came to the Seminary new buildings and new professorships, and it is to-day most thoroughly equipped. Our pictures show a general view of the grounds, the Brechin Library, a gift of Messrs. John and Peter Smith, the beautiful stone chapel, glimpses of the grounds, and several of the professors' houses. Truly it is a beautiful " Hill," and Andover may well take pride in it.
ABBOT Academy for young ladies has the distinction of being the first incorporated school for girls in New England, its charter dating January 29, 1829. Mrs. Sarah Abbot was its first benefactress, and
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Ésidence Lecœur Foster
Residence
A. S. Manning
Residence & DL Gilbert
Residence F James B. Smith
Estate It J.H. Very
ABD-
STEW LOOKING UP MAIN ST
RESIDENCE OF WM. S.JENKINS
RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH A.SMART
ELM ARCH
GENERAL. VIERY
The CHAPEL
Andover Cottage
Bancroft Cottage
Latin Commons.
Taylor Cottage
BOSTON EXIGE EN.
-* 4
Draper Cottage
The New Abbot:
Maple
Walk
The Old Abbot
1
Sunset Lodge - Home of MISS MCKEED
Residence " Prof. Tucker
Residence if V. Prof. Churchill
Residence Lle of Principale Bancroft
Mansion House
residence Ref Prof Smith
subsequent gifts from Hon. Geo. L. Davis, of North Andover, and Mr. Peter Smith and Mr. John Smith, of Andover, firmly established the school.
But like Phillips there came a time when a re-endowment was needed. The beautiful Draper Hall is the answer to this need, and its beauty and convenience show not only the expenditure of the money of its donors, but the constant care and attention of the school's more recent most generous patron, its treasurer, Mr. W. F. Draper. The beautiful grounds, the new building, and the remodelled halls are of interest to all Andover visitors, and of more especial interest if the visitor be an old student of Abbot Academy., Miss Laura Watson is the present Principal, and there are at present about seventy scholars in the school.
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ow better can we finish our brief but pleasant glimpse of Andover, but to take some of the many beauti- ful drives that may be enjoyed so much from June to October. Let our first one be over to old And- over, or, as now called North Andover ; passing up Elm Street, and catching a glimpse of Summer and other attractive streets to the right, on by the Locke house and other pleasant places to the Salem turnpike. A turn down here brings us to the "Old Railroad," always cool in summer, and from which bits of the Shawsheen may be seen.
Along a short way and almost to Lawrence and we come upon one of the most picturesque views of our collection, "The Enchanted Bridge," where tradition tells us the forsaken maiden found her rest from weary love and life in the whirling waters.
Turning back again to the turnpike, we see over to our right the great mass of rocks called "Den Rock." Again, tradition tells many tales of war and peace, love and sorrow, for Indian chieftain and
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14
RESIDENCE OF
& PROF. FORBES
RESIDENCEOF
MRS ROBERTS
RESIDENCE OF GEO F. SWIFT.
Some
DOOVER Homes
RESIDENCE OF PROF HARRIS
RESIDENCE OF PETER DS
BLUNTS INN.
OLD ABBOTT TAVERN
VOLD MANSION HOUSE
FARRAR HOUSE
THE SHAWSHEEN
BRIDGE
ENCHANTED
w RESIDENCE - COL GEORGE RIPLEY
RESIDENCE OF MRS. JOHN BYERS
RESIDENCE OF MRS GEO. COBURN
CENTRAL SL
RESIDENCE OF H.H.TYER
ola Railroad Walk
Residence Ml C.W. anos
Residence JB. F. Belknap
maiden, who almost seem to still dwell in this cool and sequestered spot. There is little more for this drive; but perhaps the glimpse of the Shawsheen has awakened the desire to see more of this stream, whose beauties are so little known, and whose legends have a charm beyond the most fascinating fairy tale.
But a little way and the visitor finds, down beyond Abbott Village, the Indian Ridge region, where the picturesqueness of the river is mingled with the grandness of Nature's workings. Ridges, mounds, and other marks that puzzle the scientific mind and interest everyone, tell of pre-historic Andover.
ANOTHER early summer morning drive leads us through Central Street, with its many pretty residences, over by the cemetery and down to the right to Pomp's Pond, whose surface will be found covered with lilies, and whose cool breezes will amply repay the morning's effort.
Sunset Rock at twilight, Prospect Hill on a clear day, for from it, with its height of 423 feet above sea level, can be seen over thirty church spires at many distant points, Foster's Pond for the fisher-
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man, the interesting houses shown in the following illustrated and many other places that we cannot illustrate here will make the Andover visitor's stay a peculiarly interesting one.
But one more drive must not be forgotten. Four miles away, over pretty roads, past neat farms, to the West Parish, and we come to Haggett's Pond. Almost a lake, with its 220 acres, its shady shores, and cool bordering groves make it the most charming of Andover's retreats for a summer day. Not only Andover people, but those from many surrounding towns enjoy its summer attractiveness.
We must not neglect in this year of so much history, to see the many old and beautiful landmarks, a few of which are shown in these pages. The old houses of the Abbotts, the Holts, and many other Andover names have a peculiar interest which would make them attractive aside from their own picturesqueness.
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HAGGETTS
POND.
SOUTH &
@ SHORE
AND 30
BAILEY'S
GROVE
------
Residence of John M. Core
Residents of C A Booth
Residence of EP Chapin
Residence of Amos Blanchard
Group Private Residences
Revidence M FF Ran
Old Jenkins House
. SOME OLD a. LANDMARKS.
The GraySawMill.
GTAY HOMESTEadCZ
RETTY drives and charming scenery cannot alone make a town and any notice of Andover that leaves out her industries would be incomplete indeed. Mills were abundant in the seventeenth century in And- over, but not cotton or woolen mills. The first mill for textile manufacture, and which had any connec- tion with the industries of our times, was estab- lished about 1809, by Mr. Abraham Marland, on the site of the present Marland Mills. The industry prospered until 1879 under the name of the Marland Manufacturing Co., when the property was sold to Hon. Moses T. Stevens, who, with his sons, is the present owner. At the mill are employed about 200 hands.
The next industry to be established in Andover, now in operation, and the largest of Andover's present industries, was the manufacture of flax yarn. Established in 1836 by Messrs. John and Peter Smith and Mr. John Dove, and from that year till the present time a growing and flourishing industry, it gives employment now to about 300 hands.
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This business has made many wealthy men in the Smith and Dove families. Its success has afforded the means to build churches, endow Andover's schools, and very largely increase the town's fame and prosperity.
The works of the Tyer Rubber Company are also prominent in the in- dustrial life of the town, and employ about 120 hands. Founded by Henry George Tyer in 1866, the business has grown to be one of the most prominent concerns in the country, engaged in manufacturing drug- gists' rubber goods.
THESE, then, are a part of the most attractive places of Andover. New and modern ways are changing the town known to the older residents and visitors of long ago, but the foundations were too well laid to make over entirely the town which has, in so many ways, made itself one of the foremost in our land.
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