USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Shelburne > History and tradition of Shelburne, Massachusetts > Part 5
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It has been stated in a newspaper article that Dea- con David Fiske established the first manufactories at the Falls, building and controlling a woolen mill, gristmill, and sawmill. He went to Ohio in 1832 and returned to his native town of Shelburne in 1837. It is believed that his mills were in operation before he went West. In 1837 there were other manufac- tories according to the following statement of John Warner Barber in his "Historical Collections."
He wrote of Shelburne Falls, "In 1837 there was one woolen mill ; one scythe manufactory which manu- factured 7,200 scythes, the value of which was $9,400. Fifteen hands were employed in the manufacture of snaths; capital invested in this manufacture was $10,000. There were 6,000 palm leaf hats manufac- tured, valued at $1,000. The value of wood produced in the town was $4,500; boots and shoes $4,000." The question arises - "Was all this business on the Shelburne side of the river?"
From a map of 1858 we learn that an Iron Foun- dry, a Tannery ( presumably Apollos & Ralph Bard- well's which was doing business in 1871), an Axe Factory, a Sawmill, the Sargent & Foster manufac- tory (making apple parers and gimblets), and other shops were on the river bank south of Lamson & Good- now Company.
Since Josiah Pratt, son of Benoni who lived in rural Shelburne, had an axe factory at the Falls, it is safe to say it was the one mentioned above.
Cyrus Allen and Nathaniel Lamson who manufac- tured the "Old Jew Snath" moved their business to the Buckland side of the river in 1851.
Grass and brush scythes were manufactured by John H. Morse. The factory was consumed by fire in September of 1842.
John and Elbridge Bardwell helped Luther Bar- nard make boots and shoes.
A. Bardwell & Son -- Custom Boot & Shoe Manu- facturers.
James M. Crafts manufactured cigars, southeast corner of Cross and Main Streets.
Frank Merrill - Patent medicines in his Mechanic , Street home.
Henry B. Cooley, V. D. Foster - carriage makers.
The following manufactories were noted on a list of industries prepared by Mr. Percy Rickett :
Francis E. Ducharme manufactured screw drivers in a building west of the present Blassberg Garage. His business was sold to Goodell & Pratt.
The Silk-twist manufactory was on Bridge Street. The Needle Shop still stands as a private home on Water Street opposite Grove Street.
Brigham's Moving Picture Machinery operated in the "old Wooden Garage" on Bridge Street.
Remembered are the Creamery on Water Street, now an apartment house, and the Shelburne Coopera- tive Creamery.
The farmers of Shelburne who had been ship- ping cream to other markets or were making butter decided to form an organization to be known as the Shelburne Cooperative Creamery. Land was purchased from Anna T. Andrews on the Bardwell's Ferry Road on June 18, 1906, and a new creamery building constructed just south of Shelburne Center. After the installation of a large churn, and butter-making equipment, a manager was hired, and the creamery was set in operation. A cream gatherer made regular trips to the farms, delivering it to the creamery, where it was processed and sold as butter to both the retail and wholesale markets. This was a prosper- ous venture for a number of years, until most of the farmers began selling milk. A number of years after it ceased operation as a creamery, the directors voted to sell the property to Milo and Hazel Jenkins on March 22, 1946.
Since the fall of 1936 business of the Photographic Appliance Corporation has been carried on by Paul S. Pirmov in East Shelburne.
Shelburne Farm Equipment Company established a business with sales space in Shelburne on the Mohawk Trail in January 1958.
THE FLOOD OF 1869
THE Deerfield River, a stream fed by mountain brooks and flowing in places through narrow gorges at the foot of precipitous slopes, may rise suddenly, calamitously in a very short time, changing quickly from a peaceful river into a raging torrent. This took place in October, 1869. From the second to the fourth, flood conditions prevailed.
The flood of 1869 was part of a widespread storm
from the Carolinas north to Canada, and from the Atlantic Ocean west to the Mississippi. The water rose part of the time during the first day at the rate of six feet an hour. The Gazette & Courier states that the Mechanic Street Brook rose so fast that in that section people were compelled to resort to their housetops and be taken off in boats. When the river rose, the brook which runs under the village dammed
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THE DEERFIELD RIVER Shelburne Fall-
The Dam and the Falls
up. set back, and became a mighty river. About noon damage from the river commenced. The middle sec- tion of the bridge went, then the East section, then the West section. The mill at Shattuckville was washed away in a few minutes with a loss of from $100,000 to $125,000. At Griswoldville the damage was $50,000. The bridge, struck by the debris from the mills upstream, gave way at the impact. Three of the most important buildings of the Lamson & Goodnow Manufacturing Co. were swept into the stream, carrying away thousands of dollars worth of steel, iron and coal and valuable machinery. Part of the canal and bulkhead were washed away. The river was full of bridges, machinery, cotton, logs, trees, etc. Some of the losses were: Cutlery $100,000 to $150,000; Shepardson $5,000; Frost $500; Apol- los Bardwell's Tannery $1000; Pratt Axe Factory total loss of building and machinery ; Whitman Wagon Maker stock and tools $500; Cooper, the painter, $300; S. Poland, the blacksmith, $200; G. F. Mitch- ell, plumber, $100. In the emery shop four men escaped drowning by climbing on the roof. At Buck- land, Elijah Field, brother of S. T. Field, drowned, his body being found in Hadley. Tuesday a boat capsized near Ralph Bardwell's; one drowned. Seven families were driven out of homes by high water. A man and wife nearly drowned near the hay scales. One woman left four loaves of bread in the oven, which she found nicely baked the next day. James Halligan saved himself and another man by fastening a rope to himself and the other man and being pulled ashore. Railroad facilities were destroyed, and for some time provisions were brought by four-horse teams from Greenfield.
The town meeting October 13, 1869 was a special one called "To see what measures shall be adopted to rebuild the Shelburne Falls bridge and the North River bridge and make any necessary repairs to high-
ways and by-ways in said town." It was voted to choose as a committee G. G. Merrill, N. O. New- hall and E. J. Gunn to construct a bridge across the Deerfield River at Shelburne Falls in connection with a committee from the town of Buckland. It was voted that the Selectmen have charge of constructing all other roads and bridges in Shelburne. On Novem- ber 2, 1869, a meeting was held "To see if the town will choose a committee to take measures for the pro- tection and to repair Bridge Street near Dr. Puffer's house and also to carry the surplus water from the Mechanic Street brook in an aqueduct into the river north of the Academy and appropriate money there- for."
It was voted that the Selectmen employ a compe- tent engineer and take such measures as they deem best for repairing Bridge Street opposite Dr. Puffer's house and also in regard to Mechanic Street Brook. It was also voted that Oscar Bardwell, Pliny Fiske and D. C. Bartlett be a committee to make such alter- ations and repairs as they may deem necessary of the bridges and culverts over the brook at Shelburne Falls. The bridge was repaired by Frank Parks. It was first planned to have a lattice bridge; then an iron bridge was voted, and Hertels Patent Parabolic Iron Truss Bridge was used, 310 feet long. Mrs. Rosa Carley was the first lady to cross, according to the Gazette.
In blasting for the raceway at the cutlery very fine specimens of crystallized quartz were found in the soft clay, which cut glass as readily as diamonds.
In addition to the loss of factories and bridges, the bank of the river was undercut opposite Dr. Puffer's house, necessitating protection with stones at the foot of the embankment and weakening the whole area on Bridge Street. On Water Street it was feared that the river might cut across by the Baptist Church, isolating the business section. At the same time the Mechanic Street Brook was attempting to discharge into the river, already so high that it forced these waters back into River, Main and Mechanic Streets. Here fears were that flood waters would flow from Main Street across by Swan's Store, thus cutting a path down the bank.
A letter from A. H. Wright of the firm of Wright & Lyons shows how scarce was help:
Dear Mr. Merrill: - I am sorry to say that I shalnot be abel to build your Shelburn Bridge this fall as I had agreed to do some worke in Boston whitch I was in hopes would not be ready until spring, but I finde I have got to commence on rite away and that with the rest of the worke whitch I have on hand, I can not possibly do yours. I think Mr. Hawkins can do it for you as he has spare men that he could put on it rite away. Yours truly,
A. H. Wright
High Street, Greenfield is still adorned with the lions of his partner's house.
G. G. Merrill, at work in Greenfield, was drafted by E. G. Lamson to speed the work of restoring the
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cutlery buildings, and with eight groups of men which he had at work he returned to his home town. Z. W. Field, according to the Gazette, was making earnest efforts to repair the highways.
The Gazette states that thieving and looting were rampant and that men were warned to carry guns, showing that for a time, at least, a state of panic reigned.
The spirit of the people of the village was evidenced by the quick closing of ranks to meet the challenges the disaster had brought. One writer, looking on the bright side and counting his blessings, pointed out that the old ferry near the cemetery could be used. At this time the coming of Dr. Gray to the Baptist Church brought light in the darkness, as he was be- loved by all.
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Bridge Street about 1875
BUSINESS SECTION
IT Is interesting to follow the gradual changes since 1818 when there were no stores or post office.
Around 1830 Joseph Merrill's tavern stood about where the Brick Bank Block stands; the tavern being moved onto Water Street. There was a small build- ing at the east corner of Water and Bridge Streets with a sign WALLIS above it. Also, there was a small building about where Savings Bank is now. Gad Townsley was a merchant in the '30's and Bar- nard & Pulsifer were merchants in the '40's. George Chase and Newton Green were merchants in the '60's, also Ambrose Gilman. D. B. Gunn owned the first book store in the '30's and Jarvis Bardwell owned one in the '50's.
The south side of Bridge Street between Wood Block and Stebbins was a sand and gravel bank until the two blocks were erected there.
The telephone and telegraph lines ran along the south side of the street and when there was an elec-
trical storm Bridge Street was the place for "fire works."
Before the automobile days, Saturday night was shopping night. Band concerts were held in front of Memorial Hall and both sidewalks would be filled with people eating hot peanuts and popcorn and for your ice cream you were obliged to stand in line in your favorite store.
Over on Water Street in the north end of the old tavern was the Adams Fish Market, probably in the late '70's. H. G. Littlejohn followed, and then Dan Howes in the '90's who had been a follower of the sea and had many interesting stories. He was followed by Walter Clark who later sold to C. H. Call. The last few years the fish market has been next to the bridge, operated by Arthur Kratt.
Before Memorial Hall was erected there was a small building there that was a candy shop owned by Nelson Benson, later in the '90's this was owned by
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Mrs. Sarah Tolman. It was moved up beyond Wood Block afterwards and after this was the night lunch of Henry McKnight, followed by Earl Gould until 1908. The small building now is the Beauty Shop of Helen Kellar since 1949 and was first the bicycle shop of Benjamin Kemp, later the Water Commissioners' office and followed by Harry Gagnon's barber shop.
In 1912 the Western Union Telegraph Co. located in the small building east of Stebbins Block, managed by Miss Katherine Comstock until about 1937. From then on it has been the barber shop of Harry Gagnon, followed by George Coburn and since 1949 Shirley Renfrew.
In the '80's and '90's there were eight or more dress- makers in Shelburne. Prior to the blocks erected on Bridge Street there were fourteen or more small shops assessed, some might have been home shops. Others were located on Bridge and Water Streets.
Joshua Sears moved to Shelburne in 1848 and was a teamster for five years between here and Greenfield. He conducted a livery stable the next two years, then opened up a grocery store with Mr. Goodnough.
J. B. Frost was born in Buckland in 1821. At
sixteen he learned the carpentry trade with his father. and later was in company with Samuel Toby in this trade, and many of the buildings were erected by them, notably the Congregational Church, which burned, the schoolhouse and many of the business blocks.
Also MIr. Frost was the instigator of bringing water from the hills into the lower part of the town, as prior to this it was well water and many were required to go down to a spring under the hill close by the river, for drinking water. No doubt this spring fed a watering trough for horses, as it was along the old country road which was washed out in the flood of 1869. He also built the sawmill and gristmill for Lamson & Goodnow and conducted it in company with A. W. Ward until 1875. D. C. Bartlett bought Mr. Ward's interest and the firm continued until 1895. At that time MIr. Frost went into whole- sale and retail flour and feed business in the base- ment of the hotel block and also conducted a livery stable in the rear of the hotel, which upon his death was carried on by his son Ernest until the auto age arrived.
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SOUTH SIDE
We will now go through the blocks on the south side of the street commencing with the Swan Block and a side trip on Deerfield Avenue, then coming back on the north side, starting with the Chapman Block, with a side trip on Water Street, meeting the occupants past and present, insofar as we have been able to locate them.
SWAN BLOCK
In 1860 Henry S. Swan and Enoch Bowen were in the furniture and undertaking business in the west part. Mr. Swan was the undertaker of the town in that era and Mr. Bowen made furniture and caskets. After two years Mr. Swan purchased his partner's
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share and later erected the three-story part on the east. Later on MIr. Swan had a branch store in Charlemont.
Mr. Swan was the measurer of wood, and the open space east of the block would be filled with cordwood in the fall and John Streeter who was blind would saw this up by hand to be sold by Mr. Swan. Mr. Swan was also deputy sheriff for thirty years and he believed in making peace if possible before using the warrant. Mr. Swan died around 1905 and the busi- ness was carried on by his sons, Herbert and George. and later Frank, who carried on from 1925 to 1954. Francis, son of Frank, has conducted the business since 1954.
WOOD BLOCK
In the 1840's there stood here a one-story building with two stores. This was known as the post office block in 1853. Alfred Bowen owned one of the stores. Barnard & Pulsifer were merchants at this time and might have been in the other store. Also, Gad Towns- ley was a merchant about this time. Brooks Whitney was a clerk for Townsley and later was a merchant.
In the early '50's Theodore Wood, who had learned the jeweler's trade from Mr. Sherwin, bought this building, moved it back and erected a two-story block with three stores. His jewelry store was in the west end. The post office was in the middle and the Boston Cash Store was in the east store. Mr. Wood's sons Juan and Frank owned the building later, and in the 1900's added another store on the east. Juan carried on the jewelry business until 1934 and sold his share in the building to Donald, son of Frank, who now owns it. The Western Union Co. moved into the west store around 1937 with George Mirick as man- ager, being there at this time.
The lock boxes in the post office were in the shape of a "V" with the window at front for delivery of mail and the lobby was around this. At this time there was no free delivery and the last mail came in at 8:17 p. m. The lobby would be filled with people waiting for the mail to be brought from the station by Honey Briggs who drove the hack and carried the mail. Shortly before mail was sorted a bell would ring, then the window curtain would go up and every- body would rush up to get their mail. The post office moved out in 1908 and shortly after, Burnap Brothers, Charles and Pearl, opened up a grocery and light hardware store, closing out in 1935.
Ruth Amsden moved in as F. H. Amsden & Co. dry goods store in 1936 and is in this store now.
Mrs. Sawyer moved into the original east store as Sawyer News Company, from the west end of the hotel lobby, in the late '80's or early '90's. Herman, her son, carried on the business after she died and soon after his death, a MIr. Swallow bought the busi- ness and in 1940 the business was purchased by Wil- liam T. Patch who is the owner now.
Nan Merrill opened up a millinery store in the addition on the east when it was erected, and operated
until 1917. Ruth Amsden and Ruth Perkins operated a millinery store there until 1921. Later on Mr. MacLean opened up a restaurant, later selling out to Mrs. Lyman Mayhew around 1940. For the past few years it has been used by Sawyer News Company.
VICE BLOCK
The block was erected in 1893 by Alexander Vice, who owned a clothing business in the east store. Mr. Vice had two sons, Fred and Louis, and the business later on was conducted as A. Vice & Sons, until their death around 1930. Albert Davenport bought the block.
The Wagner Shoe Store was located in the east store around 1935 and about 1941 Mrs. Lyman May- hew operated a restaurant here and later it was the Woman's Club Art Center. Mrs. Kristina Rief- Koonz's millinery store was in the west store first. F. H. Amsden & Co. dry goods business located in this store around 1905, moving to the Wood Block around 1935, after which the W. E. Aubuchon Hardware Co. located here, using both stores.
STEBBINS BLOCK
Formerly known as Old Brick Shop and Old Brick Grocery, this block probably belonged to Shelburne Falls Cutlery as they were assessed as follows: Old Brick Store, Old Brick Grocery, Grist & Saw Mill, Auger Shop and Foundry. Also E. G. Lamson, a member of the above cutlery, sold this block to Joseph Gardner, who in 1874 sold the block to Dr. E. A. Stebbins. He used the second-floor rooms for his dentist's office.
George Bates owned a grocery store on the west side in the '80's and sold out to George Davis in the early '90's, conducting the business for a long time.
In 1918 Mrs. Letty Perkins and Mrs. Sarah Pratt, who had been dressmakers of the Gay '90's, opened up a store for Ladies' Wear and in 1923 sold out to Mrs. Mabel Smith and Mrs. Emma Benton, oper- ating until around 1929. The First National Stores was located here from 1931-1936.
At that time the Ben Franklin Store located here. About 1946 the business was sold to Hubert Brown and Miss Anna Amstein and is now conducted by Hubert Brown.
The east store was the harness and trunk store of J. H. Wilder, probably in the '70's and early '80's, and was conducted later by George Wilder for a decade or more and then discontinued. Following this, C. H. Wilcox operated a tinware store.
In 1924 Frank Innis opened up a Clothing Store and sold to Arthur Donelson in 1950, and the busi- ness was purchased by Philip Tedesco in 1955.
H. W. Stockwell was a wholesale provision dealer in the '70's and might have used the basement, as later on E. J. Stockwell was a wholesale fruit dealer here.
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OTT & HOSTLEY BLOCK
Where this block stands was formerly the house and lot of Moses Merrill. Jarvis Bardwell sold the land to them to erect the block in 1872. Ott & Host- ley being tinsmiths, as they were in business in the '60's, were probably located in one of the small build- ings mentioned elsewhere.
Prior to this, Louis Haigis had a meat market on Water Street and no doubt moved into the center store after the block was built. This business was in the Haigis family until 1917 when it was sold to John Clemons, who later bought the block. In 1936 Clemons sold the business to Raymond Messer, who conducted it until 1954. Clemons sold the block to Pearl Burnap, and later the block was purchased by Joseph Amstein, the Western Auto Store Associates now being located here.
HALLER BLOCK
Formerly owned by Jarvis B. Bardwell, George Bates' grocery store was here first.
Charles Herring owned a variety store in the '80's and '90's, later being operated by Charles Hill. Later there was a second-hand furniture and antique store here, operated by Mr. Sykes. Edward Singley pur- chased the block in 1953 and is now located in this store.
The east store was the shoe store of Thomas Joyce in the late '80's and early '90's. In 1898 MI. A. Costa owned a candy and fruit store, and on a Saturday eve- ning, which was band concert night in that period, he would sell 100 pounds of hot peanuts.
SPENCER BLOCK, Deerfield Avenue
Joel Thayer owned this in 1868. Sears & Covill grocery and crockery store was here about this time. The block was sold to William Amstein in 1883, who had a restaurant. He sold the block to Fred Spencer in 1911, Tyler's restaurant being here at that time. Spencer sold to Albert Davenport in 1930 and his plumbing business was here after that.
THAYER BLOCK
In 1845 this was known as Old Jones Store. In 1859 it was known as Union Company. About 1846 Mr. Joel Thayer came to town and with a team sold goods for Lamson & Co., covering New England for thirteen years. Then he took charge of Union Co. store for a year, after which he purchased the business and block, conducting a general store for twenty-five years. In 1891 he gave up half the store for a drugstore, renting to A. C. Essom. In 1894 this business was sold to Frank L. Wiswall, who later sold to W. C. Thompson. After Mr. Thayer's death the store became entirely a drugstore and around 1930 Mr. Thompson sold to Andrew March.
Mr. Thompson, who had married a daughter of Joel Thayer, became the owner of the building and while in business he added an addition on the west side of the block. He sold the block to Andrew March. Owners of the drug business since Mr. March, in order, are the late Paul Doneilo, A. B. Vezina, and Raymond Fournier. The John March barber shop was in the east store for a long period in the front part, and in 1906 Earl Gould operated a restaurant in the back part and sold to George Warner in 1908. After the addition on the west was erected, the March barber shop moved into it and the Western Mass. Electric Co. opened up an appliance store in the east store, and Henry Schack bought the business around 1917, which is now conducted by Mrs. Schack.
The Rod and Gun Club occupies the second floor and the block was purchased by them in 1954.
SCHMIDT BLOCK
Erected around 1907. Simon Schmidt operated a variety store in the west side and the Post Office opened up in the east side in 1908. Mr. LaFogg pur- chased the variety store. William Blassberg purchased the block in 1942. David Blassberg operated the Toy and Variety Store from 1947 to 1957. W. C. Thomp- son erected the small building west of this block and John March operated a barber shop here until he moved into the Schack Block. Philip Joyce had a clothing store afterwards and it is now the Optician's parlor of Dr. Harold Toy, which opened in 1946.
Before this block was erected G. F. Mitchell had a tin shop on the bank of the river, which was washed out in the flood of 1869.
The white building in the middle distance is the Thayer Block. Across Deerfield Avenue to the right is the Spencer Block and on the left near the bridge is the Mitchell Tin Shop that washed away.
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NORTH SIDE
CHAPMAN BLOCK
This block was no doubt erected prior to 1850. William Sherwin was a jeweler and his store was in the east part of this block. Theodore Wood learned the trade from him and probably bought him out, as Mr. Wood in the '50's bought the block across the street and moved over there.
D. M. Bissell was a jeweler in this east store in the '60's. J. G. Brown operated a jewelry store here in the '80's and '90's and Benjamin Kemp bought the business in 1901 and retired when the block was pur- chased by The National Bank around 1952.
Mr. Chapman was a tinsmith and the east store might have been his, as that part has been a tin shop and plumbing business most of the time, as Newell & Gillette conducted such a store here in the '80's and early '90's, followed by F. G. Mitchell and his son Carl. In the 1900's an addition was erected in the rear of this store and the Mitchell business moved in there, the business being carried on by Carl until he sold to the Shelburne Falls Plumbing Co.
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