USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > South Boston > History of South Boston (its past and present) and prospects for the future, with sketches of prominent men > Part 29
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
specifications were prepared so that the foundations would be all ready for the building in the spring time, it being generally understood that a sufficient appropriation to finish the building would be forthcoming.
The work of excavating for the foundation began and that work was continued until it was completed. Progress on the building ceased then owing to the inability of the Bath Department to get the necessary money to continue the undertaking, and after that nothing further was done until Councilman Hickey of Ward 15, during the present year, 1901, introduced an order in the City Council, asking for $20,000 to complete the work. It passed both branches of the city government, only to be vetoed by Mayor Hart. Thus conditions remain at present. The entire cost of the land and foundations amounted to about $9,000, and to complete the structure, according to the plans already arranged, will cost about $36,000 more.
The Bath Trustees, in studying the situation in Ward 15 and in laying plans to give the best results, have prepared a very unique plan in that the building is designed to be used at the same time by both sexes, and by a very simple arrangement, while men and boys may have the privilege of the gymnasium and shower baths, women and girls may use the plunge tank and shower baths, and vice versa. Each department is planned entirely separate one from the other, thus shower baths for the men are removed from the shower baths used by women, and the gymnasium and plunge tank are separated from both so that one may choose either one of the three places on coming to this house. One may want to use the gymnasium with its shower bath or may take the public shower bath, or take a plunge bath with its shower bath. This arrangement will give splendid results, being sufficient to take care of a large number of people who come for different purposes.
The gymnasium is designed to be fitted with portable apparatus so that the floor can at any time be cleared and used for assemblages of one kind or another. The room itself will be about 50x80 ft .; the swimming tank under its own separate roof of glass, ventilated in a perfect manner, is planned to be 25x75 ft. in size and will easily accom- modate 1,500 to 2,000 per day.
There will be about 15 shower baths for women and 20 for men. The locker rooms will be conveniently arranged and may be reached from the gymnasium, shower bath room and the tank by private stairways. There will be about 300 lockers for women and 800 for men.
The heating and ventilating plan is designed to take care of the fullest needs of the building all the year round, and even the coldest day in winter the temperature of the water of the plunge bath will not be less than 700.
This structure, situated as it will be, in the midst of a thickly set- tled neighborhood, is destined to be of great usefulness, and it is hoped and expected that the necessary money to finish the building will soon be available.
CHAPTER VI.
RESIDENCES.
Extensive variety of houses - Growth and changes since time of the old " Ten-footers "- Many excellent residences - Scarcity of land - Introduction of flat-houses - Great building activity - Apartment houses.
A PECULIAR and prominent feature of our district is the extensive variety of the residences and the exceptionally large range of the architectural features manifested in their construction. This is accounted for owing to many of South Boston's oldest houses still standing today, coupled with the fact that building operations have been going on unabated up to the present time.
It will therefore be seen that any of the new features in construction introduced since the early days of South Boston can be found in our district, and it is not infrequent that a modern struc- ture, with all the latest improvements, can be found standing close beside one of the old landmarks, not only making an odd contrast, but giving evidence of the great improvements which time has brought about.
In the early days the popular style of houses was that known as the "ten-footers," low structures as the name would indicate, having all the rooms on one floor, with a loft above created by the gable roof. Following this the two-story structure, built much on the same plan, was introduced, and from time to time various changes have been made, until, coming down to the present day, the popular style of house and about the only kind now being constructed within our borders is that commonly known as the flat-house, each floor constructed for the accommodation of a family.
Though in recent years many hundred of these houses have been erected in South Boston, until it can safely be said that this style of structure is the prevailing one, it must be understood that in our dis- trict are many of the finest residences of their time. Many of these, although erected twenty or twenty five years ago, are as finely fitted and in as excellent condition as those recently constructed, for their owners have kept abreast of the times and have had placed in them all of the many modern conveniences with which the up-to-date house is equipped.
There is but one feature that most of the best houses in the dis- trict lack, that is possessed by even most of the unpretentious houses of other districts and that is surrounding ground. A little extra ground in front, or at the sides of a house, for lawn or garden purposes, is an important adjunct, and in other districts where land is plentiful, it is conspicuous and lends a pretty and artistic appearance to the structures
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
themselves. In South Boston it is different. Land here is scarce, and consequently has additional value, and even though it might be a strong factor, so far as beautification is concerned, it has not had the power to appeal to builders here.
In consequence of this many houses that would be quite imposing with a lawn either about the sides or front, fail to attract attention when constructed on the street line, and even though excellently fin- ished and arranged inside, the exterior appearance has a tendency to detract from the entire structure.
There are, however, a few of these houses with small gardens or
O. D. DANA ESTATE - Corner of M Street and East Broadway. (Now Owned by James Duffy.)
lawns in front, while others have more or less land all about them, but such are by far the exception and by no means the rule.
Though there are many beautiful residences scattered throughout our district, it is generally conceded that Mt. Washington, Thomas Park, Broadway Hill and places in their vicinity are the prominent residential sections of our district and the places possessing the best residences.
The houses in these localities are for the most part structures erected at various times within the past quarter of a century, some even earlier than that, but, though not coming within the class that might be termed new houses, yet they have been kept in such excellent condition and have had added to them from time to time the most recent improve- ments, in plumbing, ventilation, heating, interior decorations and other
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of the modern improvements too numerous to specify, that they are by far the finest residences to be found here and will compare favorably with many of best residences of other districts.
Many of these houses are constructed in blocks while not a few stand by themselves or are built in the double form. Some of them are constructed of wood, but most of the better houses are built of brick, having either brownstone, sandstone or marble trimmings.
There are other residences, perhaps not so large, elaborate or imposing as this style already mentioned, but they are none the less comfortable, or in better condition. It might truthfully be said, that with the exception of a few sections in our district, that the residences are all that can be desired, for perhaps where one lacks magnificence
BENJAMIN DEAN ESTATE-East Broadway and Q Street ( Now Owned by William J Higgins )
in exterior appearance, its interior arrangement needs nothing in the way of improvement.
Flat-houses first made their appearance about 1880 to 1885, but at that time did not prove popular to the public taste, and consequently for several years only a few were erected. Something more than a decade later, however, they seem to have come into general favor, and it was at that time that much property was purchased throughout South Boston, for the purpose of erecting this style of dwelling.
It was predicted at that time that these houses were merely a novelty or a sort of public fad that would maintain their popular attractiveness for a short time only and would then be deserted by their occupants for the single family houses again.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Whether this prediction will ever become a reality is uncertain, but it is very certain that those who referred to these houses as novelties and fads and who prognosticated an early abandonment of them by their occupants, were, to say the least, somewhat mistaken as to the time.
After building operations were fairly under way it seemed as if nothing could stop the rapid growth of the flat-house. All of the
RESIDENCE OF HON. JOSEPH D FALLON, Corner M Street and East Broadway
GLYNN BUILDING, E Street and West Broadway.
John A. Stetson.
Wm. F. Tufts.
Hon. Henry F. Naphen.
Col. J. Payson Bradley.
RESIDENCES ON EAST BROADWAY.
streets throughout South Boston seemed to be invaded and almost every vacant piece of land throughout the district has been secured from time to time since the operations began, and flat-houses erected. Unfortunately some of the builders, through lack of pride in the district or who could not forsee an ultimate decrease in valuation
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
in their property, through their greed for heavy incomes on their investments, erected in some cases structures hardly worthy of the name.
In some cases these buildings were erected in extensive blocks, perfectly plain and with as few of the modern conveniences as pos- sible. They proved good paying investments while their newness remained, but were then deserted by their occupants who sought out other new houses.
As a result, they not only detracted from the appearance of the thoroughfares upon which they were erected, and had a tendency to cheapen the neighborhood, but through the poor form of construction and the lack of stability, they required constant repairs in order to keep them in rentable and tenable condition.
In this manner property that would have increased in value, had staunch and artistic houses been erected, either remained at its original value or had a tendency to decrease, while the constant and endless repairs required, reduced the income to such an extent, that the investor failed to realize a proper percentage on his investment, while at the same time, the defects that were constantly apparent through poor construction had a tendency to prevent a disposal of the property.
This, however, was by no means general and in many cases some excellent samples of both two and three flat-houses can be seen in our district, each flat containing every convenience.
Another style of building that has been introduced within recent years is the apartment house, or hotel as some are called, and some excellent specimens of this style of architecture can also be found in South Boston. Notable among these latter are Hotel Eaton, The Hawes, Glynn Building and The Stebbins.
Many former South Boston residents have moved from the district, for one reason or another, and, even at the present time, there are familiar faces gradually departing to other sections of the city. Quite a number have purchased houses in Dorchester, Brookline or Brighton. Were it not for this latter circumstance, it is known that there are many who would gladly return to their old abiding place. Year after year sees the return to the district of some who, perhaps, thought they would like a change and thus sought another community, but not having purchased elsewhere return joyously to old South Boston.
CHAPTER VII.
MEMORIALS AND STATUES.
Tablet on Dorchester Heights- Farragut Statue, Marine Park - Its unveiling and the attending ceremonies - Nook Hill memorial on Lawrence School - The magnificent Dorchester Heights monument - High School tablet.
C OMMEMORATIVE of men of valor whose acts, overflowing with heroism, fearlessness and patriotism, have given our country the exalted position it holds today and who have brought, not alone honor, liberty and union to our own country, but freedom from oppression to our neighbor, South Boston has dedicated imposing and lasting memorials of stone and metal.
The first of these was a small granite stone that was located on Dorchester Heights to mark that place for the conspicuous part it took in compelling the British to evacuate Boston, March 17, 1776.
It was not until 1876, however, that an appropriation was asked for this memorial. At that time an order was introduced in the City Council asking for the necessary funds. The order was passed without difficulty and a design was immediately gotten up, which, on being accepted, was given to the stone cutter and work on the memorial promptly commenced.
The design called for a stone of granite, the extreme height being about six feet and having a base about five feet long and three feet wide, to rest on a solid stone foundation and to be suitably carved and inscribed.
It did not take a great while to complete the memorial, and the following year, 1877, it was placed in position on the apex of the Heights close to a point where the various walks united, forming a small open place.
The design was quite simple, the east and west sides containing representations in bas-relief of old Revolutionary cannon, surmounted by a cannon-ball.
Both the north and south faces of the memorial were polished and bore inscriptions cut into the stone. On the north was cut :
THE ERECTION OF THIS TABLET WAS AUTHORIZED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSTON A.D. 1876 SAMUEL C. COBB MAYOR. COMPLETED A.D. 1877. FREDERICK O. PRINCE MAYOR.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
The south side bore the following :
LOCATION OF THE AMERICAN REDOUBTS ON DORCHESTER HEIGHTS WHICH COMPELLED THE EVACUATION OF BOSTON BY THE BRITISH ARMY MARCH 17, 1776.
On top the four sides of the stone slope towards the centre and the whole is surmounted by a group of five cannon balls in pyramid form.
There are but two statues in the United States erected to the memory of the dauntless naval commander, Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, " the hero of Mobile Bay," one erected by the nation he served so well and occupying a position in the centre of Farragut Square, Washington, D. C., the other erected in his honor by the City of Boston and occupying the most prominent site at Marine Park.
It was through an order introduced by Councilman Kelley of Ward 8, December 6, 1888, in which it was ordered " That the Special Committee on the Grant and Sheridan Statues consider the expediency of erecting monuments or statues to the memory of Generals George B. McClellan and Winfield S. Hancock and Admiral David G. Farra- gut," that this statue was erected.
An order was introduced December 27, recommending reference of the matter to the next City Council and it was so referred. Council- man Keenan, also of Ward 8, introduced the matter again, February 14, 1889. The order was passed, the Board of Aldermen concurred, and a committee was appointed to take charge. The committee com- prised Aldermen Homer Rogers, John A. Mclaughlin, Albert A. Folsom, Councilman Horace G. Allen, Louis M. Clark, Thomas F. Keenan, Benjamin F. Hatch and Richard Sullivan.
The committee then advertised for designs and models for statues and having made a selection of a model of Admiral Farragut, it sub- mitted its report accompanied by an order authorizing the Mayor to contract for the statue of Admiral Farragut. The order was adopted by the Common Council, concurred in by the Aldermen at the meeting held January 4, 1890, and approved by the Mayor January 4, 1890.
Work on the statue was immediately begun, and though several un- avoidable delays occurred, the statue was finished within two years. Marine Park was selected as the place for the statue and a committee was appointed to make necessary arrangements for the dedication. It was first proposed to dedicate the statue September 17th 1892, and later on Memorial Day, May 30, 1893, and it was finally fixed for June 28, 1893.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
That day was one long to be remembered by South Boston. It was a gala day. The city offices and schools throughout the city were closed. Flags were displayed on public buildings and in many ways the event was observed.
In South Boston everything assumed gala attire, and here the event was observed as a holiday, stores and offices being closed in honor of the occasion. Houses and buildings were decorated and the citizens displayed their hospitality by holding open-house and during the day and evening thousands were entertained.
The programme as arranged by the committee was carried out successfully, the main feature being a parade, military and civic, preceed- ing the dedication and unveiling of the statue, followed in the afternoon and evening with band concerts and a pyrotechnic display.
Dr. William H. Ruddick of South Boston was selected as chief marshal of the parade and his staff contained many other well known residents. The parade was a lengthy and varied one, consisting of eight divisions which formed on West Fourth Street and the cross streets between A and E Streets. The start was made at 2.40 o'clock, the line of march being through Broadway, direct to Marine Park.
With colors flying and bands playing the procession passed, there being in line U. S. Marines from the Charlestown Navy Yard, sailors and naval cadets from the U. S. S. San Francisco, naval cadets from the training-ship Enterprise, the Massachusetts Naval Brigade, four companies of the Ninth Regiment, a platoon from Light Battery A Second Brigade, Kearsarge Naval Veterans, Admiral Kimberley Gar- rison 73, Farragut Garrison 26, Gen. I. S. Mckenzie Garrison 4, Dahl- gren Post 2, G. A. R., Washington Post 32, G. A. R., Gettysburg Com- mand, U. V. U. Following these were officers of the United States Navy and the officers of the Russian fleet, at that time in Boston Har- bor, who were in carriages, and they were in turn followed by members of the state and city governments and United States senators and rep- resentatives also in carriages. The remainder of the procession con- sisted of the letter carriers, members of the various yacht clubs and social organizations and various floats.
On the arrival of the procession at Marine Park, the place was thronged. The unveiling exercises commenced immediately and after the rendition of Keller's American Hymn by Carter's band the Rev. Edward A. Horton offered prayer, and this was followed by the reading of a poem written and dedicated to the occasion by Henry O'Meara. Wagner's " Pilgrim Chorus " was then rendered by the band, after which the oration of the day was delivered by former Governor Alexander H. Rice.
The oration was a masterly one and a fitting tribute to the hero whose memory was being honored. Toward the end of his remarks the speaker exclaimed, " Unveil the statue and let the bronze lips for- evermore accentuate his fame," and as the words were uttered Miss Annie E. Flood, daughter of Alderman Flood, drew the cord that
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
319
allowed the covering to drop from the statue and reveal the likeness of Admiral Farragut.
Captain N. Zelonoy commanding the Russian cruiser Dimitry Donskoi, was introduced to the assemblage after the plaudits that greeted the unveiling had ceased, and he delivered a short address. His remarks were followed with benediction, closing the ceremonies.
June 28 received the name of Farra- gut Day throughout South Boston and each year from the time of the dedication until 1901 with the exception of 1899, the city granted an appropriation for the observ- ance of the day. It was then discontinued owing to the introduction of Evacuation Day.
Though time has brought about the disappearance of Nook Hill it has not obliterated from history or the minds of a patriotic people the part that this site took in the evacuation of Boston by the British soldiers. It was the taking and fortifying of this hill by Washington's troops, after they had taken Dorchester Heights, that convinced the soldiers of King George, that there was no choice for them- it was fight or evacuate, and they decided to do the latter.
Many years after, Nook Hill was reduced, and later the Lawrence School was erected on a part of the site of the hill, while houses were erected on the remainder. In this way its prominence was obliterated gradually and would per- haps in years be forgotten had it not been for the Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the Revolution.
FARRAGUT
STATUE OF ADMIRAL DAVID G FARRAGUT. Marine Park.
This society, realizing the historic value of the place and also the danger that threatened it, arranged to have a bronze tablet cast, telling of the part that Nook Hill took in the evacuation of Boston and secured permission from the school board to place the tablet on the front of the Lawrence School when it was completed.
This was done, and on Friday, March 16, 1901, the tablet was unveiled for the first time. Principal Amos Leonard of the Lawrence School had arranged an excellent programme for the occasion in which the scholars took part and the exercises proved to be appropriate and interesting.
After the tablet had been unveiled all adjourned to the school hall and under the direction of Principal Leonard the exercises began at 3
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
o'clock. A piano solo, " My Country 'Tis of Thee," was rendered on the pianoby Miss Jennie E. Bailey, " Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean," was sung by the scholars of the first class, " Warren's Address to His Soldiers Before the Battle of Bunker Hill," was read by Master Axel G. Dehly, " Patriotic Statues of Boston," was the subject of a recitation by Master Flynn, " The American Soldier," was a recitation given by Master Matthew V. Callahan. At the conclusion of the recitations the school sang " My Own, My Native Land."
Principal Leonard then introduced Maj. Frank Harrison Briggs,
118 TELET LE
MARCH 10 1500
--
MARCH 17 1776.
LAWRENCE SCHOOL TABLET-Commemorating Important Action on March 16, 1776.
president of the Massachusetts Society of Sons of the Revolution, who delivered an historical address on the evacuation of Boston. Toward the conclusion of his remarks he presented the tablet to the City of Boston. School Committeeman Nichols in a short address accepted the tablet for the city.
Mr. Thomas Hill, president of the South Boston Savings Bank and one of the oldest and most esteemed residents of South Boston, delivered a short address, telling of South Boston in its early days and of the progress made since the time of Nook Hill.
Dorchester Heights monument, the handsome massive marble shaft that rises from the apex of Dorchester Heights to mark that his-
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
toric place, is not only the most important of South Boston's memorials, but also bears the distinction of being the only memorial of its kind ever erected by the state of Massachusetts.
One of the first acts of Representative John J. Toomey, after he became a member of the House of 1897, was to give his attention to the erection of a memorial that would be a fitting tribute to the great vic- tory of Gen. Washington and his soldiers in compelling the British troops under Gen. Howe to evacuate Boston, and to mark in an appro- priate manner this historic spot, upon which the American patriots constructed the redoubts that made this great victory possible.
Representative Toomey introduced the resolve asking for an appro- priation for the construction of this monument January 31, 1897, and, strange though it may seem, there was no body of men or organization in South Boston willing to co-operate with him. He, however, interested Dr. William H. Ruddick and Col. J. Payson Bradley, who attended the first hearing before the Committee on Military Affairs, held at the State House, March 4, 1897. Representatives of the Sons of the Rev- olution, Daughters of the Revolution, Society of Cincinnati, Grand Army of the Republic, Union Veterans Union, Union Veterans Legion and Sons of Veterans were also present.
Speeches were made by President Edward S. Barrett of the Sons of the Revolution, Senator James A. Gallivan, Mrs. William Lee of the Daughters of the Revolution, Col. D. S. Lamson, Dr. William H. Ruddick, Hon. William S. McNary, Representative Toomey and Col. J. Payson Bradley.
A week later the Committee on Military Affairs visited Dorchester Heights and the members, after looking over the place, expressed themselves as being much in favor of a suitable memorial for the place. Unfortunately there was opposition to the proposed monument by some of the residents, who intimated to the committee that its erection would interfere with the project for a high school, which it was intended to erect on the reservoir lot of Dorchester Heights. This delayed action on the part of the Committee on Military Affairs, and it finally referred the matter to the next General Court, and on April 26, 1897, the Senate voted to refer the resolve to the next General Court.
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