USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Monson > History of Monson, Massachusetts > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16
August 8, 1928-McCray's Barn, Cushman Street
November 2, 1939 McCray's Barn Cushman Street
January 25, 1940-Maguire Building (for- merly the Blacksmith Shop) opposite Memorial Hall
March 12, 1945-Thorin Block, same site as the old Central Block
February 24, 1953-Monson Academy, Main Street
FIRE CHIEFS
April 1887
Alvin A. Gage
May 1889
Arthur D. Norcross
June 1892
David B. Needham
April 1905
Robert J. Murphy
May 1907
Frank J. Entwistle
May 1909
David B. Needham
May 1914
Alfred B. Norcross
May 1919
Nelson A. Bugbee
May 1921
Robert K. Squier
May 1924
Albert P. Stewart
May 1925
John T. Murray
May 1937
Myron H. Pease
May 1939
Chester A. Comee
May 1947
Lloyd E. Partelo
Water Department
Because of Monson's location along both sides of the Chicopee Brook, water for early industrial plants was available in sufficient quantities. Water for domestic use was ob- tained from individual wells and springs on the hills both east and west of the village. Private systems were developed to supply many homes as time went on. Among them were the Flynt system at the north end of town; the Norcross, Munn and Fuller sys- tems in the center; and the Reynolds system at the south end.
As the town grew and the municipal sys- tem came into being and expanded, these systems gradually went out of use, the hurri-
Monson Well
Page 53
HISTORY OF MONSON
cane and high water of September 1938 having a great deal to do with this. Yet even now a few homes still have a connec- tion to both sources of supply.
In 1893 and 1894 plans were made for developing a water supply for the town and an act was obtained from the Legis- lature allowing the town to build such a system and to issue bonds in the sum of $65,000 to finance the same. With the elec- tion of A. D. Norcross, E. F. Morris and R. M. Reynolds as the first Water Com- missioners in March of 1894, nine test wells, two and one-half inches in diameter, were driven on land owned by Charles Callahan, east of Conant Pond. A good supply of water was located which was found by the State Board of Health to be remarkably pure.
Rustic Watering Trough on Wales Road
The area of the watershed in which these wells were driven is about six and one-half square miles and is located south- east of the center of the town at an ele- vation of 322 feet above Main Street or 699.3 feet above sea level, sufficient to give excellent pressure.
A circular well, seventy-two feet in diameter and twenty-three feet deep below ground level, was constructed. The entire structure rests on natural material, which is sand and gravel, and has a capacity of 675,000 gallons-sufficient to supply ten good fire streams at two hundred-fifty gal- lons per minute each for four and one-half hours. The water running into the well as soon as the level began to fall, would much more than supply the demand for domestic consumption during this time.
The well was covered with a roof of corrugated iron which has since had to be replaced by a roof of transit. This well is the largest of its kind in this country, though there is one larger located in Ger-
many. Due to its location, it supplies water at a static pressure in the center of the town, varying from 140 pounds to 150 pounds, dropping to 50 to 60 pounds at the highest elevations above the quarry and on Crest Road to the east of the town.
Arthur H. Makepeace was appointed Superintendent of the Water Department in 1916 to succeed J. S. Nelligan. He served for thirty years, retiring in 1946. A bi- cycle was provided for use of the super- intendent in reading meters, and in a weekly inspection trip to the town reservoir. The first truck for the Water Department was a Model T beach wagon purchased from R. K. Squier in 1918 at a cost of $455.
In 1926 to meet the increased demand for water, a survey and tests were made and as a result a rectangular well, 59.5 feet by 18.3 feet, was built about 650 feet southeast of the circular well and connected to the same by a ten-inch pipe. The capacity of the well is 300,000 gallons. In addition to these two wells a valve connection at Conant's Pond, a short distance below, al- lows the water from the pond to be turned into the main in case of an emergency. The worth of this was proven during the 1938 hurricane when an eight-inch line at the Cushman Street Bridge broke and the well emptied. In 1950 an additional supply of water was obtained by installing a gravel- packed well on land purchased from Alfred Borgeson on Bethany Road. This well, fifty- seven feet deep, will safely supply three hundred gallons per minute, or 432,000 gal-
Conant's Dam, constructed to impound water for use in an emergency. The Conant Mill property was purchased by the Water Department in 1913 and the old dam rebuilt to a height six inches above the original. A weakness developed when the ponl started to fill, resulting in the entire spillway giving way on October 10, 1913. It was not rebuilt until 1921.
Page 54
HISTORY OF MONSON
lons per day, and in an emergency will sup- ply in excess of 500,000 per day. The town is now assured of an adequate supply for years to come, the average daily use at pres- ent being 450,000 gallons. Chlorination of the water was commenced in 1935 and in 1942 a proportional feed chlorinator was in- stalled in a building erected on the Wales Road.
Water Department employees, James O'Connell, Herman Winter, and John Gola at the town
reservoir.
In the mid 1930's about 100,000 pine trees were set out on the 260-acre water-
shed around the two wells. Some of these trees are now of good size and should event- ually bring in quite a bit of revenue in the form of lumber.
In recent years the A. D. Ellis Mills and the C. F. Church Manufacturing Com- pany have installed wells to supply water for their own use. This has greatly lightened the load on the town system. The Monson State Hospital has also enlarged their well field and storage capacity.
In passing, it might be of interest to note that the first home connection was made on May 11, 1895, at the residence of Dr. P. W. Soule.
Note should also be made of the damage caused to the system at the time of the 1938 hurricane and flood of 1955. The latter caused damage of $25,000, the entire Ely Road and Mill Street lines having to be re- placed. The 1938 damage was not as costly.
At present the distribution system is made up of twenty-five miles of pipelines so connected by cross lines, and with a system of valves so located, that in case of a break, only a few homes might be affected at one time. For fire protection, one hundred fifty-three hydrants are connected to the mains. Our excellent water system is super- intended by Herman Winter, assisted by John Gola and James O'Connell. The Water Commissioners are John L. Murphy, James F. McConchie and Charles H. F. Osborn.
Page 55
HISTORY OF MONSON
Memorials
MEMORIAL TOWN HALL
Among the many beautiful public build- ings in the town, is the Memorial Town Hall, located on Main Street. It is the outcome of a movement on the part of the Soldiers' Memorial Association and public spirited citizens.
Joseph L. Reynolds and his sons, Rice M. and Theodore Reynolds, gave seventeen
Memorial Town Hall
thousand dollars, including the land which was the property of R. M. Reynolds. It was dedicated in 1885 - cost forty-two thou- sand dollars.
1
Town Hall Annex
The imposing structure is of Monson granite. On the ground floor is the public hall, on which walls have been placed the bronze memorial tablets, containing the names of the veterans of the Civil, Spanish
American, and World War I. At this writing preparations are made to add the names of World War II and Korean Veterans.
There are also rooms for the use of the selectmen and other town officers. Marcus Keep Post 155 G.A.R. have a hall and rooms on the second floor. The basement contains the town safe, storage and heating rooms and the "Town Lockup."
The town meetings which had previous- ly been held in the "Meeting House" (Con- gregational Church) and according to town records, later in the Methodist Church, were held in the newly finished building on Aug- ust 15, 1885. The report of the building committee - R. M. Reynolds, Cyrus W. Holmes Jr., S. F. Cushman, Dr. G. E. Fuller, A. D. Ellis, J. C. Aldrich and A. A. Gage --- was accepted and a note of thanks extended to them and the contractors, the Flynt Build- ing and Construction Co.
In 1902 the stage was rebuilt and thoroughly fitted up with the latest theatri- cal equipment. The roof in the rear of the hall was raised to admit more light when the stage was enlarged, and four dressing
Francis Hickey --- Custodian
rooms were built underneath it. The heavy asbestos drop curtain was installed. It was decorated with a scene from Housatonic Valley, copied from a painting by Bellows. The Scenic artist who decorated the curtain was Arthur Greenus of Brooklyn, N. Y.
Citizens of the town regret the misuse
Page 56
HISTORY OF MONSON
of this outstanding mural. Actors have punched holes in it, and during depression days attempts were made to patch it, caus- ing the distortion of the perspective. There were seven scenes painted for back drops- a parlor, chamber, prison, street, garden, forest and landscape. These stage fixings ranked among the foremost in halls of this kind.
The committee in charge of alterations, consisted of Arthur Norcross, chairman, Rufus P. Cushman and H. M. Smith. The carpenter work was done by Julius N. Graves; roofing and plumbing by C. J. Leary; mason work by C. A. Sweet; stage rigging by L. J. Couch of Hartford, Conn- ecticut ; painting by E. J. Osborne; electrical equipment by Bowman and Gregg of Spring- field.
The building still stands, a credit to Monson and an honor to the patriotic soldiers in whose memory it was designed and built.
Libraries
Libraries in the strict sense of the term date back to antiquity, but the free public library is comparatively young. In the
-
Monson Library
United States the growth of the free public library gained strength in the mid 1800's. New England - and in particular Massa- chusetts s an early leader in the movement. In 1851 the Massachusetts legis- lature passed the Public Library Law en- abling municipalities to raise and appro- priate funds for the support of the public libraries.
Monson residents can be proud of the fact that the need for this type of library was recognized early, and the present Mon- son Free Library and Reading Room Associa- tion, organized in 1878, was one of the first 135 libraries in the state. However, other types of libraries existed in Monson in much earlier times.
The first library of which records have been preserved was organized January 1, 1796, under the name of the Social Library Company and was kept in the house of Jonathan Torrey, librarian and one of the prime movers of the enterprise. This was a share-holding library, the type which be- came important in Massachusetts in 1790 and which was a forerunner of the modern free public library. It was owned by 31 persons and contained some 235 volumes predominantly on theology and great litera- ture. One Saturday each month was desig- nated as library day and people came from a radius of 12 miles bringing their lunches and visiting with friends for the day. In 1852, after 56 years the library was divided among its members.
The second library, the Augmenting Social Library, was formed in 1800 as a joint stock association with 18 members; this was incorporated in 1805. The number of books was small but grew steadily with the emphasis on their content, and the re- sult was that the character of the books was higher than that of the average in a library of those times. The li- brary, housed in the home of its librarian, Mr. Rufus Flynt, was open the first Mon- day evening of each month when all books were to be returned. Records show that meetings were held for about twenty years. At the last meeting the members voted to put their books into a new library to be formed if 50 persons would agree to take shares in it. No trace of the proposed library has been found.
The present library has in its possession several volumes inscribed thus: "Property of the Stafford and Monson Circulating Li- brary - to be returned the first Thursday in January, April, July and October at 1
Page 57
HISTORY OF MONSON
p.m." The date of the origin of such a li- brary has not been ascertained.
The Flynt and Packard Library, named for its donors, was established in 1835 for the benefit of Monson Academy. About this same time the farmers in the town contrib- uted $5.00 each for the purchase of books. This Agricultural Library of 84 volumes was later given to the Monson Free Library. In 1916 this same Rural Farmers Club gave to the library a fund for the purchase of books relating to agriculture.
Membership in these early libraries was evidently limited to men. The ladies of the town became active in 1860 and formed a book club, known as the Monson Book Club but popularly referred to as the Ladies' Book Club. A notation in the Club's record book mentions that they donated books to the S. S. Library, which was being formed in 1866. No other references to such a li- brary have been found to date, although the initials could have stood for Sunday School Library.
As early as 1872 Monson had a drug- store rental library, for the Club's minutes show that after use by the members the books were loaned to John Phipps, druggist, for outside circulation with the Club receiv- ing part, or perhaps all, of the rental fees. This book club was still in existence when the free public library was formed at which time the ladies voted to give all their books to the new library.
An authoritative account states that "Certain things which occurred in the vil- lage in the early part of the year 1875 turned the attention of the people to the need of a reading room and library for the young men who found employment here, as well as for permanent residents." Consequently a read- ing Room Association was informally organ- ized and the citizens set about to earn the necessary funds with which to begin. Late in 1875 a Reading Room was opened in the Barton Block and was maintained for two and a half years. Experience gained in the above venture showed the importance of connecting a public library with it.
Accordingly there met on March 27, 1877, sixteen prominent men: Dr. G. E. Fuller, A. A. Gage, Charles Fowler, R. S. Munn, S. F. Cushman, Charles H. Merrick, C. W. Holmes, Jr., William K. Flynt, Dr. Charles Hammond, E. F. Morris, Wilbur J. McElwain, G. H. Newton, the Reverend Charles B. Sumner, F. E. Morris, the Rever- end James Tufts and Benjamin A. Day. These men formally organized the Monson
Free Library and Reading Room Associa- tion as a corporation under provision of the state laws. A constitution and by-laws were adopted May 4, 1877.
The Association received its charter March 1, 1878, and on June 17, 1878, the library was first opened with 753 volumes
Library Interiors
1882
Page 58
HISTORY OF MONSON
and was still located in the Barton Block. Mrs. W. K. Flynt and Miss Molly Flynt served as volunteer librarians. The library was open two afternoons and two evenings a week until the appointment of Ralph Clifford, the first paid librarian, on Novem- ber 27, 1879. Beginning then the library has been open daily except Sundays and holi- days. In connection with Mr. Clifford there is an interesting item in the library records which states: "Whereas I, Ralph Clifford, of Monson, Mass., having entered into an agreement with the Monson Free Library Association the conditions of which are as follows: In consideration of the use of such part of the front of the Library Room as I may need for the purpose of carrying on my business of retailing boots and shoes; I am to assume the office of Librarian, to furnish fuel and lights, and to take proper care of the room and its appurtenances. I also bind myself to enforce all of the Rules and Regulations of the Association and hold myself responsible for any loss or damage to the Library, resulting from any careless- ness of mine. (Signed) Ralph Clifford. Nov. 22, 1879."
In the fall of 1880, Mrs. Carrie Lyon Dale informed the Association of her inten- tion to present to them a library building as a memorial to her father, Horatio Lyon, owner of the Monson Woolen Manufactur- ing Co. At the same time Mrs. Lyon, widow of Horatio Lyon, said that she would pre- sent to the library $20,000 as a permanent fund. The cost of the building and furnish- ings amounted to $35,000. The building, constructed of Monson granite, was formal- ly dedicated March 28, 1882, at which time it contained 1639 volumes.
The growth of the library has been steady, both in number of books and in use- fulness. At present it houses some 25,000 volumes. In pre-automobile days book de- posits were placed in district schools and in outlying farmhouses so that the greatest number of residents could be reached. On June 16, 1919, the Branch Library was open- ed at South Main Street School for the con- venience of adults and school children at the south end of town. Beginning March 1, 1957, the service to adults was discontinued and the Branch now functions as a Junior High School Library. In November 1957 a Branch Library for children was opened at Hillside Elementary School. At the close of the fiscal year February 29, 1960, the book circulation for the three libraries total- ed 39,426 and the number of active borrow- ers was 1698.
At present the trustees of the Associ- ation are: George D. Morrow, President; Mrs. Laura Keith, Vice-president; George E. Rogers, Secretary; Carlos H. Ball, Treas- urer; Bert P. Anderson, Joseph E. Avella, Omer E. Bradway, Mrs. D. W. Ellis, II, E. Russell Sprague. Corporators are the above and also Mrs. H. Wesley Benton, Dr. James E. Bush, Mrs. Cedric Cross, Edward M. Heffer- nan, Normand A. Laflamme, Clarence L. Martin, Mrs. Allen Midyette, Victor E. Rosenlund, Mrs. Francis Sweeney, Walter E. Swift.
Present library staff members are: Li- brarian, Miss Sylvia DeSantis; First Assist- ant and Hillside School Librarian, Miss Emily V. Wood; South Main School Librar- ian, Mrs. Dorothy K. Lyons; library assist- ants, Mrs. Gladys B. Belville, Miss Irene Walinski and Miss Alice E. Holda.
Soldiers' Monuments
The Soldiers' Monument was erected by Cyrus W. Holmes, Sr., presented to the Marcus Keep Post No. 155, G.A.R. and dedi- cated July 4, 1884.
Dedication of Soldiers' Monument
The monument is of Vermont granite, designed and constructed by R. F. Carter. The dimensions are 12 feet square at the base and 461/2 feet high. The soldier is col- ossal - 71/2 feet in height and weighing about four tons. The conception of the artist is, that a soldier on picket, being sud- denly aroused by an unusual noise, starts up, grasping his musket and looks intently in the direction of the disturbance. The statue is a fine one and holds the eye of the spectator.
The inscriptions are intended to em-
HISTORY OF MONSON
Page 59
phasize the union of States, and its emblems to represent the four branches of the ser- vice.
On the south is the United States coat of arms, representing the Infantry - be-
TOWN
WNFLYNT
-
Flynt Memorial
F
E
Soldiers' Monument
neath is 1884 - then the words, "Erected by Cyrus W. Holmes to commemorate the valor and patriotism of the soldiers, who on land and sea upheld the National Cause, 1861- 1865."
-
1
Cushman Memorial
-
Dr. Frank Maguire
The Navy, on the West side, has the anchor and shots, and a sentence from Web- ster's reply to Hayne in 1830, "To the union
Page 60
HISTORY OF MONSON
we owe our safety at home and our consider- ation and dignity abroad."
At the North are crossed cannons, rep- resenting the Artillery, beneath which is written, "Without Union Our Independence and Liberty can never be maintained," from Jackson's inaugural - 1833.
The crossed sabres represent the Cav- alry, and beneath is a sentence from Lin- coln's speech at Gettysburg, November 19, 1863. "Under God the government of the
people, for the people, and by the people, shall not perish from the earth." This is on the Main Street side where all may see when passing by.
Here each Memorial Day the patriotic organizations place flags and wreaths and pause in memory of "those who gave their last full measure of devotion," while Dr. Frank Maguire gives the whole of Lincoln's famous speech.
"Let us not forget"
Flynt Park
W. N. Flynt was a great lover of nature, and he was not ashamed to talk about nature and the loveliness of the world about us. He often remarked to his friends, "This is a beautiful world to live in. I should like to live here a thousand years if I could." His favorite poem was Wordsworth's words-
"Therefore am I still
A lover of the meadows and the woods And mountains; and of all we behold From this green earth.
Nature never did betray
The heart that loved her; 'tis her privilege Through all the years of this our life, to lead From joy to joy."
Mr. Flynt exemplified his love of nature by building a beautiful park in 1883, which for many years bore his name. It was a tract of land, about 200 acres, lying west of the village with entrances on High Street and Ely Road (then West Hill).
On the first level above the street was a large green, set apart for a baseball field ; nearby were tennis courts, croquet grounds, and a military training field. Around the field was a driving track. Our fathers have
-
-
-
Picnic at Flynt's Park - children of No. 1 School about 1905. Can you pick out the following? Frank Carter, Herbert Anderson, Cecile Alonzo, Marion Keep, Roy Hale, Harold Bennett, Clark Parsons, Eunice McPherson, Forrest Hale, John Sullivan, Grace Patterson, Kate Guihan, Katherine Shea.
HISTORY OF MONSON
Page 61
watched famous race horses perform here before large crowds. We cannot forget Eugene Foskit who was always there on such occasions with home-made ice cream, pop-corn, candy and soda-pop.
The park was most tastefully laid out in walks, (lovers lane a favorite) and drives. There was a pavilion for gatherings and roll- er skating, rustic seats, bandstand and three towers made of cedars from Cedar Swamp. One tower was beside the well, containing the coldest water, which ran into a natural stone basin. Another, a one hundred foot tower was situated on top of Mt. Ella, six hundred feet high, containing a fine tele- scope, with which on a clear day one could see Boston Harbor. The third tower was situated on top of a rocky cliff beside the children's playground and picnic area. One will never forget the swings suspended from those gigantic oaks, the see-saws with the sturdy handles, the children playing house, or lovers sitting upon the benches conven- iently placed therein. Rare flowers surprised the strollers and gladdened the botany seek- ers.
The Pavilion
There was also a museum containing many rare curios - especially shells and minerals - of all kinds. A menagerie of birds and animals was there; the bears in the stone pit were favorites - or perhaps some preferred the monkeys. When the park was closed, these birds and animals were killed and stuffed and placed with the valuable relics in a building behind Flynt's
Flynt Tower
Mt. Ella Tower
Page 62
HISTORY OF MONSON
Store. They were all burned at the time the store was destroyed.
The swimming pool cannot be forgotten. Long after the park was closed, the boys would gather and clean their favorite swim- ming hole, or some father would bring over the cellar digger and make it deeper. It was
Entrance to Flynt Park
fun to listen to the tales of the 'old swim- ming hole'.
Rev. F. S. Hatch wrote in his address in memory of William Norcross Flynt, "Ac- cording to the terms of Mr. Flynt's will, the park is left in the care of the trustees, who are annually to expend thereon the income of a specified sum. Flynt Park is to be main- tained for public use during a term of years measured in some degree, by the benefit and pleasure the people derive therefrom." The Monson Directory of 1894-1895 states, "Mr. Flynt has also established a fund of $5000 the income to be applied to its per- petual care."
Trolleys came into general use and one could go to Forest Lake for ten cents and enjoy the canoes on the lake or the thrilling stock company, twenty cents would take them to Forest Park, 25 cents to Mountain Park to see the latest plays. So, "the plea- sures of Flynt Park began to wane and the Belted Dutch roamed the plain."
Industry
More than one-fifth of the area of Mon- son was covered by forest when the first settlers arrived in the early 1700's. In ad- dition to supplying abundant lumber for homes, and fuel for fires, these forests pro- vided the raw materials for the first in- dustries.
A glance at the map will reveal the many streams within our boundaries which were soon harnessed to provide power for the saw mills which sprang up in all parts of the town. Many flourished until the beginning of the twentieth century, but only one water-powered saw mill remains in operation today. This is owned by William C. Moulton, and is located at his home on Palmer Road.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.