USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > History of Wakefield (Middlesex County) Massachusetts, compiled by William E. Eaton and History Committee > Part 16
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WAKEFIELD UPPER STATION
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HISTORY OF WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
Sunday service. Wakefield Junction has a fair daily service and Wake- field Center a few daily but no Sunday trains.
The present Wakefield Upper Station was built in 1890. The old "depot" was removed to the Junction on North Avenue where it does duty as a freight office. With this new station came several changes in this locality. By agreements with the Boston & Maine R. R. that portion my Railroad Street (North Avenue) lying east of the old station was deeded to the town; the land west of the new station to Murray Street was bought by the Railroad, and is now under lease to the town as a parking space. Over this land, and some land south bought from the St. Joseph's Church, was laid out the street now known as Tuttle Street. A 20-foot strip east of the church had previously been set aside for street purposes. The said lot at the corner of West Chestnut and Tuttle Streets has been held against the day when it would be required if and when the railroad should elevate its tracks over the Albion and Chestnut Streets crossings.
In May, 1892, the Wakefield and Stoneham Street Railway was char- tered and the first trip was made on August 14 to Stoneham with con- nections for Woburn, Winchester, and Medford. The following year the line was extended to Melrose, and the next year to Reading via Main Street and Lake Quannapowitt, and to Lynn. On May 6, 1898, the Wakefield, Peabody and Salem Electric Street Service opened. A branch line to Wakefield Park was opened in 1902, and operated until 1919 when a bus service was operated by Andrew Perham for only a few years. Gradually the electric car service passed into the discard and in recent years similar lines have been taken over by the buses of the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway, to Melrose, Malden and Everett to connect with the Boston Elevated; to Stoneham, Winchester and Arlington; to Reading, Lowell and Lawrence. The Lynnfield Com- munity Bus has regular service to Lynnfield Centre, Lynnfield and Lynn.
NEW HIGHWAY ROUTE 128
The present Route 128 passing through Wakefield is from the Stone- ham line, via Albion Street across North Avenue, up West Water Street, and via Water Street, New Salem and Salem Streets to connect at Mon- trose with the newly-built highway to Peabody, Danvers and the North Shore.
The new Route 128, planned by the Department of Public Works of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, lies within the limits of the Town of Wakefield.
The plan, here shown, when described, was the first public announce- ment of the new route. Briefly, the new highway starts at Montrose and
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Lynmelde Center
Bre
Reading
100
PORT
WOR
WBUR
unfang Lake
Highlands
owch Street
Statio
Mation
son
Saarland Hill
Wakefiel
YNN
NEW HIGHWAY ROUTE 128
runs northwesterly across private lands, and the Forest Glade Cemetery and at some distance northerly of our present Salem and Lowell Streets; it crosses the Danvers-Newburyport railroad north of the Lowell Street station; crosses Vernon Street, south of the Lynnfield-Wakefield line; then, still northwesterly over the Edward's Hill to Main Street, crossing the Saugus River about half way between Vernon Street and Main Street; `thence, the new route turns sharply to the southwest crossing Lowell Street, at or near the Building Wrecking Company's yard; crossing North Avenue west of the present Quannapowitt Highway; thence, southwesterly across swamp land, crossing Elm Street to the south of Bear Hill, crossing Brook Road at or near its junction with Elm Street west; thence, across Hopkins Street and the Bear Hill Golf course, Prospect Street and across Main Street south of its intersection with North Street, just north of the Stoneham line. This is the extent of the new 128 route now planned.
R. W. Coburn, chief engineer, in his letter to the Tercentenary Com- mittee adds this further information :
"I am enclosing a section of the topographical map on which is shown in red the proposed location for the new Route 128 in Wakefield. The detailed plans are not yet sufficiently complete to give out.
"This route will be constructed as a four-lane divided highway, with highway grade separations at all important cross roads. Entrance from abutting land will be restricted under the Limited Access law, and the entire design will be comparable to the finest examples of express highway con- struction in the United States.
"No prediction can be made as to when this work will be done as this depends on future State and Federal appropriations. However, it is hoped that sufficient appropriations will be made so that the work may be done immediately after the war."
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RIVER
L
ding
Quannapowitt Lakes
ntrose
BRANCH
ROU
ST
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Lakes, Parks and Playgrounds
Wakefield's Lakes, Parks and Playgrounds - Incentive to Healthful Recreation - Veterans', Moulton, Mapleway and Nasella Playgrounds
Wakefield has been unusually favored by nature for the laying out of parks and playgrounds. First credit goes to the early settlers in provid- ing a Common and a wide main street through the center of the town. This has been a valuable heritage for later generations. Few towns in the state are so favored.
The second definite action to preserve open areas came in 1741 when our present Main Street, Common, Lakeside, Church, Prospect and Elm Streets were declared common land to be held forever for the use and benefit of the inhabitants of the town. Any change was to be by unanimous consent of all the townspeople. This restriction has never been violated!
Wakefield's scenic park between Church Street and Lake Quanna- powitt was acquired in 1883 through a generous bequest of $10,000 by Cornelius Sweetser, Jr., of Saco, Maine, a native of our town. The south- erly section had long been occupied, first as the first cemetery, later by the parsonage of Parson Reuben Emerson, the first Town House, the old Yale engine house and Bryant's blacksmith shop. All these, in time, gave way to modern needs. Our Common and Park combine to make Wakefield's civic center a public playground of inestimable value for all time.
In recent years the town has recognized the need of additional open spaces in various parts of the town. The old Morrill and Atwood ice house property, located on the southwest shore of Lake Quannapowitt, was acquired and on this picturesque spot there was laid out the Church Street Playground of spacious size, now named Veterans' Field.
The Hart's Hill 23-acre Reservation, on whose summit is a fire tower; Maple Way Playground in Greenwood; the Moulton Field between Albion and Gould Streets; and the Nasella Playground on Water Street are more recent additions to our Park System, one of the best in the state. The present generation has met its obligations with sensible recognition of the demands of our youth for athletic sports and physical development, as well as for the use by the public as occasions arise.
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Included in our Park System is the Bath House on Lake Quannapow- itt, recently modernized and conducted by the town for the use and pro- tection of the young people and by soldiers from Camp Curtis Guild.
At the upper, end of Lake Quannapowitt the Metropolitan District has a free bathing beach under state control and supervision.
Walton Field, a playground primarily for the High School-for foot- ball and baseball-occupies a large area of level land west of the High School. This Field was a gift of the late Mr. and Mrs. Arthur G. Walton, and its frequent use has justified the donors' philanthropic attitude toward healthful sports.
SOLDIERS' MONUMENT On the Common
LAKES, HILLS AND COMMON
When the first settlers came to Linn Village in 1639, the topography was as it is three hundred years later. The two lakes, ample in size, beau- tiful in their setting-a crown of glory to our town. The larger was called the "Greate Pond" and by the first settlers, Reading Pond. No early Indian name is known to have existed, although evidences of Indian life on its borders have been found. The old name appeared inappropriate,
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HISTORY OF WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
as the lake lies entirely within the bounds of Wakefield and so, in 1847, it was given the name of Quannapowitt, in honor of one of the signers of the old Indian deed of 1686. Its area is 247 acres, with sandy beaches at either end. Its outlet is the Saugus River to the ocean and its waters go into Lynn's water supply.
Our public Park fronts beautifully against the clear waters of the lake on which craft of the Quannapowitt Yacht Club dot its surface in good weather. Its winter ice is a lure for skaters of all ages, with a few ice boats doing their varied stunts. For long years ice has been harvested annually for home consumption, although for many years the Boston Ice Company shipped their ice to Boston. There is little good fishing, although the lake has often been stocked.
At the south end of the center of the town is a smaller lake of only eighty-two acres of area, early known as Wahpatuck Pond, later Smith's Pond, (named for the early Smiths) and now known as Crystal Lake. This is Wakefield's original and principal supply of domestic water for drinking and industry. At the south end two small islands dot its surface. At the north end are located the town's water pumping station and filtra-
CRYSTAL LAKE (64 Acres) Town Water Supply
tion bed. The outlet is Mill River, flowing east to join the Saugus River at the Lynnfield-Saugus town line. In earlier years the Boston Ice Company operated a large ice house on the northerly shores, long since destroyed by fire. Fishing and boating are prohibited.
"From rounded Cedar's airy crest,
View lake, with leafy hem, -- Two farie islands on its brest, Shining a CRYSTAL gem."
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WAKEFIELD-1868 TO 1944
Wakefield lies in a valley, left by the retreat of the ice in glacial years of centuries past. Hart's Hill at the Junction, commands a wide view for many miles, and looks down on placid Crystal Lake. On its sum- mit is a Fire Tower, placed there in 1913. Over Castle Rock, farther to the east and on the Wakefield-Saugus line, is a bold promontory from whose crest, on a clear day, may be seen the Atlantic Ocea. To the west of the town is Cowdrey's Hill, named for William Cowdrey, a first settler. This hill has always been popular as a residential section. Farther west is Bear Hill, so called according to tradition, for its lack of trees, a condition that still exists. On its slopes the Bear Hill golfers play the game. How aptly is an entry in Ralph W. Emerson's diary of 1848, "Finest picture, through wintry air of the russet Massachusetts, the landscape is democratic, not gathered into one city or baronial castle, but equally scattered into these white steeples, round which a town clusters in every place where six roads meet."
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Exceptional playground opportunities exist in several sections of the town
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CHAPTER TWENTY
Civic and Philanthropic
Organizations Aiding Cultural and Philanthropic Progress Objects -- Activities
SWEETSER LECTURES
Cornelius Sweetser, of Saco, Maine, and a native of the old town of Reading (born April 6, 1808) made the Sweetser Lectures possible with a bequest of $10,000-in trust to the town of Wakefield "to expend the income yearly in providing lectures as will tend to improve and elevate the public mind" ... the proceeds to go "to such charitable organizations as the municipal officers may designate, to be distributed among the worthy poor of the town." From 1886 to 1943, inclusive, lectures have been provided for the public, with nationally known lecturers, and speak- ers on national and international subjects, personages of note, of scientific and notable explorations, music, etc., in endless variety of wholesome and instructive entertainment-all under able direction and management of appointed town citizens.
All balances, as profit, are turned over to the Sweetser Charity, organ- ized in 1891, for the distribution to needy people of the town. The income and receipts on hand in 1943 amounted to $514.38. During the existence of the Sweetser Lectures goodly sums have annually been turned over to the Sweetser Charity.
WAKEFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Wakefield merchants and local industry have been more or less united, generally speaking, over the years, commencing with the old Board of Trade organized November 30, 1886, and particularly flourishing in the early '90's. Then came the former Wakefield Merchants' and Business Men's Association about 1904.
Many outstanding leaders have guided the destinies of various groups. Outings were held in the earlier days, and "Wakefield Days," "Dollar Days" and various other special shopping attractions, including the offer- ing of costly merchandise prizes via the coupon system, have been success- fully launched.
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WAKEFIELD-1868 TO 1944
In 1921, a movement was started for the organization of an active Chamber of Commerce, which was successfully undertaken in succeeding months under the leadership of Lauren L. McMaster, president, and a loyal group of officers and more than 500 active members. A professional execu- tive secretary, Donald G. Roby, was in charge of all Chamber activities for the years 1922 and 1923, during which time there resulted definite, organ- ized programs of major civic accomplishments, with widespread publicity in both newspaper and pamphlet form.
In the succeeding years interest in such an ambitious and costly pro- gram began to wane; then came the "depression" of 1929, when local chamber activity practically ceased.
In an attempt to retain what industrial activity the town had, during the early '30's, and at the same time try to attract new, diversified indus- tries to Wakefield, a group of leading citizens banded themselves together under the name of the Wakefield Expansion Board, and successfully func- tioned as an industrial group, whose major interest was industrial expan- sion.
Later, about 1934, the need for a Chamber of Commerce again became manifest, and the present organization was effected, with Expansion Board leaders merging with the new and wider interests, under the leadership of Frederick W. Bliss, president.
In 1935, William Blanchard was elected president, which office he retains at the time of publication of this history, with credit to himself and to the town, and with the aid of a supporting board of directors, whose interest and loyalty towards the town, state and national chamber activ- ities is commendable.
As constituted in 1944, the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce is a vital, progressive force in Wakefield, and has sponsored many notable occasions. Outstanding among recent endeavors were the Old Home Week celebration and pageant of 1934, and the dedication of the new post office building.
The Chamber has achieved a record for the introduction of new in- dustries. It maintains a Bureau of Business Research, containing thou- sands of references on 133 business subjects. It has published "come hither" booklets, setting forth the advantages of Wakefield for business and homes.
The Wakefield Chamber is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, and of the American Statistical Association.
It subscribes to twenty business information services covering every branch of business and industry, and all new developments from industrial research.
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HISTORY OF WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
The executive secretary, N. J. Busby, is an alumnus of the National Institute for Commercial and Trade Organization Executives of North- western University, of Evanston, Illinois.
A description of Wakefield in attractive literature, is listed in six of the leading trade directories which have national distribution in every public library listed in the cities of the United States.
THE WAKEFIELD CLUB
The Wakefield Club, originally the Wakefield Athletic Club, was formed on March 12, 1879, as a result of a preliminary meeting of a num- ber of young men, at the residence of Otis V. Waterman.
The first quarters of the club were in the present Boothby building on Main Street, opposite Albion Street. Ira O. Wiley was the first president. The club was formed to provide a meeting place which would afford suit- able amusements and diversions for its members. It was and always has been a private, social, non-political group, although its membership has included many town and state officials.
Quarters have been occupied in the former Cartwright Block, and in the Gould Building, both now removed, before going in 1938 to the present location in the Hodgdon Building, 506A Main Street.
Harry Marshall is president.
THE KOSMOS CLUB
The Kosmos Club was organized on April 12, 1895. Mrs. Edward P. Colby was its first president. The object of the club, as stated in the con- stitution, is "to broaden and strengthen the moral, social, and intellectual life of its members and through them to make itself a power for good in the community."
The club has a student loan fund established in 1905. Through this fund many Wakefield boys and girls have received financial aid in secur- ing higher education. In 1912, a committee from the club arranged an open meeting to interest Wakefield citizens in a District Nurse Association ; the present Visiting Nurse Association is the outcome of that meeting. In 1926, a living Christmas tree was presented to the town. In 1930, the Wakefield Garden Club was organized under the sponsorship of the Kosmos Club.
At the first annual meeting, 18 members were present; on February 28, 1944, there were 300 members with a waiting list of 16.
Mrs. Arthur A. Fulton is president.
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WAKEFIELD-1868 TO 1944
WAKEFIELD YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
The Wakefield Y. M. C. A. is a part of a world-wide fellowship. This year, 1944, the Wakefield Association joins with 10,000 other Y. M. C. A.'s around the world in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the first Y. M. C. A. in London, England, by George Williams, on June 6, 1844.
The Wakefield Association was organized on February 12, 1902, by a group of twenty-five representative male citizens of the community, at a meeting held in Flanley's Hall. The men attending this meeting were: A. D. Dimick, E. R. Patridge, Edward Winkler, W. F. Deadman, J. S. Griffiths, E. C. Hodges, H. B. Evans, C. L. Harlow, W. H. Flanders, H. W. Jackson, Frederick Emerson, W. J. Brenan, Wallace Bennett, G. A. John- son, W. O. Abbott, H. A. Perkins, G. S. Grattan, and F. A. Sweetser.
The first meeting of a Board of Directors was held at the home of John W. White on February 16, 1903. Mr. White was elected the first president, and Harvey B. Evans, the first vice-president.
The cornerstone for the present building was laid on September 16, 1908 and the building was opened on April 7, 1909. Ernest P. Conlon was called as the first General Secretary.
The Association has sought to serve the youth of Wakefield over the past 35 years through an extensive program of educational, physical, social, and spiritual activities.
Some idea as to the present scope of its program is indicated in sta- tistics released by General Secretary Frank H. Terhune for the year 1943. During this year, 46 organized Y. M. C. A. groups held a total enrollment of 786 members. These groups held 907 sessions which were attended by 10,648 people. "Y" groups also held 61 special events which recorded an attendance of 1,828. Such organized clubs as the Y's men, Hi-Y and Tri- Hi-Y had 219 members enrolled. Two summer day camps, enrolling 71 boys and 49 girls, held 30 sessions which were attended by 1,375 campers. The Y. M. C. A. dormitory of 12 rooms recorded an occupancy of 3,916 bed nights.
In addition to its own program in 1943, the Association in serving as a recreation center for men in the armed forces stationed in and near Wake- field, provided 1,876 men with shower baths free of charge, while 2,701 men in uniform made use of the reading, writing and game room facilities in the Association building.
The Association also rendered service to 36 other organizations in Wakefield by providing them meeting room space on a regular or occa- sional schedule. At 367 such meetings held in the Association building, there was a recorded attendance of 8,516.
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HISTORY OF WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
Wakefield citizens have generously financed the work of the associa- tion and helped maintain the building through public financial appeals. Since 1943 this phase of the activity has been handled through membership in the Wakefield Community Chest and its affiliation . with the Greater Boston United War Fund.
ยท WAKEFIELD Y. M. C. A. BUILDING
Men now serving on the Y. M. C. A. Board of Directors are: Irving Burwen, President; Roy A. Hovey, Vice President; Donald A. Bartlett, Recording Secretary; John S. Hird, Treasurer; George E. Blair, Forrest . E. Carter, Rev. LeRoy A. Congdon, George J. Evans, Lawrence R. Gard- ner, Prescott R. Harmon, Milan L. Hatch, Jabez Hollett, Thomas F. Kenney, John M. Petersen, and Kenneth W. Thomson.
THE WAKEFIELD CATHOLIC CLUB
The Wakefield Catholic Club was established in 1905. The first pres- ident was Mrs. Minnie Gihon. Purpose: the moral, social and intellectual uplift of its members; the making of the club a power for good in all move- ments for the betterment of the community. Its members conduct many charities and a variety of classes-painting, physical culture, cooking, needlework and a Book Club, started in 1906. The 1944 president is Miss Helen M. Kelley.
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THE BOOK AND THIMBLE CLUB
The Book and Thimble Club is an organization whose object is social, intellectual and charitable. Organized in 1908, with 14 members, the club has met, regularly, on Monday from November to May.
Originally interested in general charity, it has concentrated in recent years, on the Sharon Fund, which has sent tubercular contact children to the Sharon Health Camp. The club has also sponsored the work of send- ing out the Christmas seals.
Since the beginning of World War II, the members of the club work as a surgical-dressings unit of the Red Cross.
The president is Mrs. Allyn T. Gilbert.
WAKEFIELD ARTS AND CRAFTS SOCIETY
This society, first known as the Handcraft Society, was organized February 12, 1915, "to raise the standard of handcraft in the community and to furnish a means of exchange between producer and consumer."
During the first World War, the society established a melting pot to which articles of silver and gold were contributed. These were sold to buy wool for the special aid.
The society also presented and interpreted living pictures of Abbey's frieze of the Holy Grail, with Parsifal music. This artistic achievement, in which 70 persons took part, was given in the Princess Theatre February 25, 1918, and is still remembered with enthusiasm. It made possible another substantial contribution for the much-needed wool.
On its twenty-fifth anniversary, the society presented a fine pair of andirons to the Beebe Memorial Library.
It also furnished a room at the Colonel James Hartshorne House.
The name Wakefield Arts and Crafts Society was adopted November 7, 1922.
Exhibits and sales have been sponsored, often with craftsmen at work; guilds in the crafts have been maintained, and there have been classes in art appreciation and pilgrimages to places of interest.
Membership is limited to 75 and there is usually a waiting list.
The president is Mrs. Arthur L. Denton.
THE WAKEFIELD MOTHERS' CLUB
The Wakefield Mothers' Club, formed in 1915, endeavors to bring about conditions under which children may develop physically, mentally, morally and spiritually to their fullest extent, and to arouse in mothers a
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HISTORY OF WAKEFIELD, , MASSACHUSETTS
sense of their responsibility. The club has 250 members, and new mem- bers are added at each meeting. It meets the fourth Monday of each month in one of the churches and at each meeting there is a devotional service, music and a speaker who brings a message especially valuable to mothers.
The club is affiliated with Union Mothers' Association and members attend its meetings and render reports of them twice a year.
Its charities include every local worthy cause, including Community Chest, Red Cross, donations to children's wards in nearby hospitals, special gifts to Sharon Health Fund, Floating Hospital, and Little Wanderers' Home. This year, in addition to the donation for the Y. M. C. A. included in the Community Fund, the members voted to give a sum of money for membership in the "Y" to deserving boys and girls who could not afford to belong, otherwise.
The president, at this time, is Mrs. Ray Cutter.
SANTISSIMA MARIA DEL CARMINE SOCIETY
This society was organized and incorporated on July 10, 1916. Its purpose is to spread among Italian men and women the importance of holding on to their Catholic faith; and to build a church where all persons of the Catholic faith, living in the Italian section, may worship.
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