USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > History of Wakefield (Middlesex County) Massachusetts, compiled by William E. Eaton and History Committee > Part 19
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Additional areas were made subject to Federal Rent Control in April, 1942, and by January, 1943, seventy-six million people lived in rent controlled areas. Rent control meant that President Roosevelt had taken steps to check unjustified rises in rents. Tenants were informed that they should not pay higher rent than was charged for their quarters on a specified previous date. Between May 5, 1942 and March 29 1943 rationing of scarce essential commodities was extended to include sugar, gasoline, bicycles, men's rubber boots and work shoes, fuel oil, coffee, stoves, shoes, processed foods, meats and edible fats and oil. About one- third of all foods were rationed.
Under the Wakefield War Price and Rationing Board the "Hold the Line" executive order, which was issued by the President April 8, 1943, called for ceiling prices on all costs of living commodities. No further in- creases in ceiling prices, or reduction of unwarranted prices could be made except to further the war effort.
The merchants and the consumers in Wakefield have co-operated ex- tensively with the local War Price and Rationing Board in keeping prices down. This is borne out by the fact that in the first national emergency price check conducted by the local office it was found that only two stores were selling one item for lc above schedule price. Recognition of this fact was given to the Wakefield Board in a weekly letter published by the Office of Price Administration, Regional Department of Information,
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WAKEFIELD-1868 TO 1944
Boston. The achievement in keeping prices down was particularly strik- ing when compared with the cost of living prices of World War 1. At that time they rose 53% as compared with 26% during World War II.
The Wakefield Board is comprised also of community service mem- bers, with a chairman designated as the Information Officer. Through this Information Officer all news is made available to the public. A price education program was instituted in the High School with the co-opera- tion of the General Chairman, V. Richard Fazio; the Superintendent of Schools, Willard B. Atwell, and the President of the Chamber of Com- merce, William Blanchard. The purpose was to educate the High School children in price control and to help keep down the cost of living.
In February, 1944, War Certificates were awarded to volunteer work- ers outside of the members, who devoted a certain amount of hours to the Ration Board.
UNITED STATES EMPLOYMENT OFFICE
The United States Manpower Commission has an Employment Service office located in the Lafayette Building. This service came to Wakefield in September, 1943, as a branch of the Malden office, and caters to the employment needs of Wakefield industries, filling orders for help and making placements in essential manufacturing concerns. Since September, 1943, to April 1, 1944, this office, in charge of Catherine Sulli- can, supervisor, has made 1500 employment connections or placements.
THE DISTRICT HEALTH OFFICE
A division of the State Department of Public Health, entitled the District Health Office, was established in Wakefield in 1943, with Dr. Robert E. Archibald in charge. The office serves communities in the vicinity of Wakefield in matters that pertain to public health.
Dr. Archibald has both administrative and executive duties and serv- ing with him is a staff of men and women technically trained for the work which they carry on. The names of these follow: Miss Kepler, Public Health Nursing Supervisor; Mrs. Ellison, Nutritionist; Mrs. Sorli, Health Education Worker; Miss Henes, Medical Social Worker; Miss Crosly, Phisiotherapist; Mr. Taft, District Sanitary Officer, and Mr. Sullivan, Sanitary Engineer.
The work of these members of Dr. Archibald's staff is that of super- vision, advice and instruction, and its activities are keyed to the improve- ment and benefit of public health in the district.
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HISTORY OF WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
STATE ARMORY
On January 26, 1913, the Massachusetts State Armory on Main Street was officially dedicated in true Wakefieldian spirit of patriotism and pride of its local soldiering. The chief guest was Governor Eugene N. Foss, and other guests numbered over one hundred officers, prominent in military life.
Following a colorful reception, with music by the Lynn Cadet Band, the guests sat down to a satisfying banquet; after which Col. E. J. Gihon, as toastmaster conducted the post-prandial exercises. Rev. William F. Dusseault, Chaplain-in-chief of the U. S. W. V., delivered a stirring address. The Richardson Light Guard Fine Members' Association was well represented on this occasion. Three of the four living charter mem- bers were special guests. They were George Cox, Henry L. Eaton and William S. Arrington. Solon O. Richardson, and his wife and son, came from Toledo to attend this interesting and historic dedication.
CAMP CURTIS GUILD RIFLE RANGE
The first permanent rifle range was located in the rear of the Wake- field Rattan Company adjacent to the Salem Branch of the Boston & Maine Railroad (now abandoned) at the then established range of 200 yards. The State troops were armed with Model 45/70 Springfield breech loading rifles, which were issued to the local Militia, Co. A, 6th Regiment, M. V. M., in 1887. In later years qualification requirements called for shooting at greater distances and the local company was obliged to travel to Walnut Hill rifle range (Mass. Rifle Association) in Woburn, Mass.
As the town began to grow, buildings were erected in the rear of the butts of the old rifle range and complaints of bullets flying over the roofs were frequent. Eventually in August, 1891, the Selectmen granted author- ity for a range to permit firing at 500 and 600-yard distances, which was then a part of the necessary rifle qualification and included in all compe- titions. This called for quite a drain on the Town and Company treas- uries.
A suitable site was finally located in Cox's woods at the corner of Haverhill and Pine Streets (the latter now known as Bay State Road) by Armorer James H. Keough, who was well acquainted with the terrain in that section through his outdoor and hunting activities. The next year the shooting house was loaded on a special rigging and teamed to the pines in the rear of the present 200-yard firing point of the Bay State range, the 500-yard firing point established 300 yards to the left rear, and the 600- yard firing point to the rear of that near a big pine quite handy to what is now the sentry box at the Camp Curtis Guild Range.
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WAKEFIELD-1868 TO 1944
Things went on with regularity until the advent of the Krag rifle, when the executives of the Walnut Hill range began to receive complaints from farmers that high speed bullets were going through their chicken coops and it was decided to bar the militia from using the range.
As Sergt. Keough and other members of the local militia company who were members of the Mass. State Rifle Team were about to depart for the matches at Sea Girt, New Jersey, with no chance for practice, the services of the company range were offered to Colonel James G. White, then Inspector General of Rifle Practice, by Captain John H. McMahon and gladly accepted. The surroundings and set-up so well pleased the State militia men that a canvass was made among the leading military men of the state and an organization formed and called the Bay State Mili- tary Rifle Association with Captain John M. Blanchard of the Ist Corps Cadets as President.
The tenure of the lease of the Cox land by the town for the local militia had two years to run, and in lieu of this the new owners gave the company the use of three targets (furnish their own markers) and paid the Selectmen $200 for the company building, targets, equipment and good will. Since then it has been the same with the local company as with all other military organizations using the range. Other land including that of Charles Derby was acquired and now consists of a large acreage.
Outside of Camp Perry, Ohio, this range probably is the next best in the United States, and is certainly the hardest for the long range shooters, due to the currents of air that start from the Shawsheen River section and seep across the range on their way toward the North Shore and the sea. The U. S. Marines early recognized this advantage of condi- tions for training of their crack rifle teams and have been coming here year after year since 1904. The Navy Rifle Team was the first to train here in 1903 under Commander Babbin with Doctor Scott of Washington as Coach. Major James H. Keough was the first Range Officer. During the first World War the name was changed to Camp Curtis Guild, in honor of Curtis Guild, Jr., a former Governor of Massachusetts. Some years ago the State took over the property.
Since the start of World War 11, the Government has made extensive use of the range and camp for military training and as a mobilization and overseas evacuation post.
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CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Jercentenary Observance
Committees - Outline of Proposed Programs by the Town Veterans and the First Parish
TERCENTENARY COMMITTEE Orrin J. Hale, Chairman
Mrs. W. S. Ripley, Secretary
George W. Abbott, Treasurer
J. Frank Anderson
Herbert M. Hopkins
Bertha F. Ayscough
Howard A. Jones
Marcus Beebe, 2nd
James F. Keating
Eden K. Bowser
Gaston E. Loubris
Clara L. Brownell
Morrison 1. Merrill
Helen Frances Carleton
Thomas G. O'Connell
William G. Dill
Joseph C. Payro
Cyrus M. Dolbeare
*Edward F. Preston Elwin I. Purrington
William E. Eaton
Daniel C. Stewart
George J. Evans
John T. Stringer
Percival B. Evans
Eugene J. Sullivan
Mrs. Earl W. Fell
Patrick H. Tenney
*Albert W. Flint
Stanley O. Urquhart
Frederick G. Gorman
Frank P. Wakefield
Rev. Florence J. Halloran
Dr. Frank T. Woodbury
Mrs. Mary Harrington
Mary Hickey
Charles F. Young *Fred W. Young
WV. Laurence Young
SPECIAL COMMITTEES FINANCE Orrin J. Hale, Chairman
Theodore Eaton
Frank P. Wakefield
HISTORY William E. Eaton, Chairman
Mrs. W. S. Ripley
Helen Frances Carleton
* Deceased.
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Theodore Eaton
WAKEFIELD-1868 TO 1944
Cyrus M. Dolbeare
GENERAL PUBLICITY Stanley O. Urquhart Mrs. W. S. Ripley
HISTORIC SITES AND MARKERS Morrison 1. Merrill, Chairman
Joseph C. Payro *Fred W. Young Elwin 1. Purrington Herbert M. Hopkins
W. Laurence Young
PROGRAM James F. Keating, Chairman
John T. Stringer, Vice Chairman
Bertha F. Ayscough, Secretary
Sunday Chairman, J. Frank Anderson Monday Chairman, Katheryn Carney Tuesday Chairman, William H. Condon Wednesday Chairman, Mrs. Arthur A. Fulton Publicity Chairman, Harland R. Ratcliffe
Marcus Beebe, 2nd
Helen F. Carleton Mary G. Hickey
George J. Evans
William G. Dill
Mrs. Robert D. King
John F. White
Grace A. Jenkins"
Daniel C. Stewart
Frederick G. Gorman
CONDUCTED TOURS Gaston E. Loubris, Chairman
Mrs. Earl W. Fell Dr. Frank T. Woodbury
TRI-TOWN CO-ORDINATION Thomas G. O'Connell, Chairman
Mrs. W. S. Ripley
*Fred W. Young
BADGES AND DECORATIONS George W. Abbott, Chairman
Morrison I. Merrill W. Laurence Young * Deceased.
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HISTORY OF WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES SUNDAY, MAY 28, 1944
Patriotic Service at 10:45 a.m. in the First Congregational Church with patriotic and veterans' organizations. Sermon by Lt .- Com. Frank F. Smart, U. S. Navy Chaplain.
From 1 to 3 o'clock-concert by Army-Navy Band.
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, on the Common, dedication of Wake- field's Honor Roll Plaque.
Preceding the dedication of the Honor Roll Plaque there will be a parade of military units, patriotic, fraternal and civic organizations, which will start at Wakefield High School, move up Main Street to Yale Avenue, to North Avenue, to Church Street, to Main Street, and proceed to the Rockery, forming around the south end of the Common.
The plaque committee officers are J. Frank Anderson, General Chair- man ; William H. Condon, Secretary; Ervine E. Laughton, Treasurer.
The marshal of the parade is Frederick G. Gorman; chief of staff, Col. Edward J. Connelly.
The master of ceremonies at the plaque will be Frederick G. Gorman.
The invocation at the plaque ceremony will be given by Rev. Father Francis J. Murphy of St. Joseph's Church.
The unveiling of the plaque will be by Emil Nelson.
The speakers will be J. Frank Anderson, general chairman; William H. Condon, Commander Corp. Harry E. Nelson Post 63, American Legion ; Mrs. Rose Findlay, President of the Legion Auxiliary, and John Delay, State Commander of the American Legion.
The orator of the day will be Hon. David 1. Walsh, U. S. Senator from Massachusetts, and chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee of the Senate.
Music will be furnished by Warren H. Gibson, a member of the Post.
Benediction will be given by Rev. Austin Rice, D.D., pastor of the First Parish Congregational Church.
At 7:30 in the evening, Union Service in the Congregational Church sponsored by the Wakefield Council of Churches.
MONDAY, MAY 29, 1944
Morning-Special Pre-Memorial Day exercises in the Public Schools.
. Afternoon-Exhibit at the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library.
Historical Society's exhibition hall open to visitors from 2 to 5 o'clock.
Evening-Illustrated Historical Lecture at the Library Hall, sponsored by the Wakefield Historical Society.
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WAKEFIELD-1868 TO 1944
TUESDAY, MAY 30, 1944 MEMORIAL DAY
Memorial Day exercises by the American Legion commencing at 9:30 a.m. by the playing of patriotic music on the Thayer Memorial Chimes in the tower of the Congregational Church, followed by a Solemn High Mili- tary Mass at 10:00 o'clock, on the Common. Reverend Francis J. Murphy, Celebrant; Reverend John P. Cosgrove, Deacon; Reverend James J. McCarthy, Sub-deacon. Reverend Florence J. Halloran, LL.D., Pastor of St. Joseph's Church, will deliver the sermon. Music will be rendered by the Senior Choir of St. Joseph's Church, accompanied by Mrs. Edward J. Connelly. Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus of the Boston Chapter will be Guard of Honor at this Mass. The committee extends a cordial invitation to all the townspeople to participate at the first military outdoor Mass to be held in this town.
In the afternoon, starting at 2:00 o'clock, the annual parade will leave the Armory to go to the Common for the usual exercises. The speaker of the day will be the Honorable Arthur D. Healey, Judge of the Federal Court. The parade will then proceed along the rest of its route. All veterans of World War II who are on leave or furlough will participate in the parade. William L. Wenzel will be chief marshal; Ernest E. John- son, P. C., chief of staff.
Memorial Day Committee: Harold A. McMann, P. C., Chairman; William H. Condon, Commander; Ernest E. Johnson, P. C .; Arthur H. McTague; Daniel C. Stewart, P. C .; Frank L. Champagne, P. C .; Daniel P. Kelliher, P. C .; Charles L. Sullivan; Charles E. Walton, P. C .; Herbert A. Ramsdell; George W. Richardson.
11:30, Invitation from the Reading Tercentenary Committee to join their late morning historical exercises on Reading Common.
North Reading is observing Incorporation Day with interesting exer- cises and with the usual Memorial Day program.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1944
Afternoon-3 to 5:30 o'clock. Open House at the Col. Hartshorne House on Church Street-the oldest house in Wakefield. There will be ladies in costume in each room. A hostess, also in Colonial costume, will greet visitors at the door. The Wakefield Garden Club will have flower arrangements in each room. Refreshments will be served on the terrace, or if stormy, in the old kitchen. Members of the Garden Club, in costume, will serve as guides in the garden and describe the garden exhibits.
Exhibits open at the Beebe Library and the Historical Society's hall.
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HISTORY OF WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
Evening-An hour's program of old-time music at the High School Audi- torium, under the direction of Mrs. Robert King, acting Supervisor of Music in the public schools. A historical lecture by William E. Eaton, town historian, will be an added feature.
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1944
The Hartshorne House will be open from 3 to 5:30 with the same cordial spirit of hospitality as on Wednesday.
Committees: John F. White and Mrs. Arthur A. Fulton, co-chairmen ; Miss Helen F. Carleton, Mrs. J. Lewis Coon, Mrs. Louis F. Greene and Mrs. Howard S. Glynn.
As a part of the Reading observance the Quannapowitt Players will give a Historical Play on the evenings of May 26 and 27.
4:30 to 5 o'clock, daily concerts by Arthur A. Fulton on the Thayer Memorial Chimes in the tower of the First Parish Congregational Church.
ART PRIZES
The Wakefield Historical Society made a gift of $35 to the Tercen- tenary History Committee to be awarded to pupils of the Art Department of the Wakefield High School for acceptable designs for cover and chapter plates. Fourteen pupils participated under the direction of Miss Isabel M. Hirst, head of the Art Department. The winners:
COVER DESIGN - IST PRIZE, $15 To: Lois-Ann Goldsbury 74 Fairmount Road South Lynnfield
WAKEFIELD TITLE PAGE-2ND PRIZE, $10 To: Barbara Anne Williams 11 Walnut Street Lynnfield Center
SOUTH READING TITLE PAGE - 3RD PRIZE, $5 To: Barbara Emerson Brackett 13 Charles Street Wakefield
READING TITLE PAGE - 3RD PRIZE, $5 To: Richard Ramsdell 29 Converse Street Wakefield
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WAKEFIELD-1868 TO 1944
FIRST PARISH EXTENSION PROGRAM SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 1944
10:45 A. M. - FOUNDERS' DAY
Sermon by Rev. David N. Beach, D.D. Pastor First Church (Center Church) New Haven, Conn.
7:45 P. M. - BACCALAUREATE SERVICE Wakefield High School - Class of 1944 Sermon by Rev. Carl Heath Kopf Pastor Mt. Vernon Church, Boston SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 1944 10:45 A. M. - CHILDREN'S DAY SERVICE Tableaux, "Children of the Church" by Mary Louise Tredinnick 7:45 P. M. - HISTORIC COMMUNION SERVICE Pastors, Deacons, friends from Churches historically connected with the First Parish, as guests THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1944 8:30 P. M. -- "PAGEANT OF THE PASTORS" by Eva Gowing Ripley SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 1944
10:45 A. M. - CONSECRATION SUNDAY Sermon by Rev. Austin Rice, D.D. Pastor First Congregational Church, Wakefield
7:45 P. M. - CONCLUDING SERVICE . Address by Rev. Halford E. Luccock, D.D., Litt.D. Professor of Homiletics Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Conn.
FIRST PARISH MEETING-HOUSE, 1644
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CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Historian's Scrapbook
Wakefield of 1944 - Looking Backward - Items that Fell by the Wayside Incidents Down the Years, Amusing and Otherwise
WAKEFIELD OF 1944
Wakefield is in the Eighth Congressional District; in the Sixth Coun- cillor District; in the Seventh Middlesex Senatorial District; and in the Twenty-second Middlesex Representative District, which annually elects three Representatives from Wakefield, Stoneham and Melrose. Wakefield is in the jurisdiction of the East Middlesex District Court at Malden. All deeds and mortgages and attachments are recorded in the Registry of Deeds and all wills and administrative documents in the Registry of Pro- bate at East Cambridge.
Wakefield, Mass., is a picturesque town of approximately 18,000 inhabitants, ten miles north of Boston and eight miles from the Atlantic Ocean at Lynn and Salem. Its two lakes, parks and playgrounds add charm to the picture.
The town owns its electric and gas utilities, its water supply and excel- lent equipment of pumping plant and auxiliary supplies of water of first quality.
Its schools, library, police and fire departments and, in fact, all public departments are keyed to efficient service. Its train and bus service, extending in all directions, is adequate for the town's needs. Its churches attest to the religious progress of the times. Its daily newspaper is one of the best in the state. Its streets and highways radiating from the civic center, efficiently bear the traffic as they should.
The town is proud of its Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, an edifice of outstanding architectural completeness, and for the service rendered by this educational department and its two district library branches.
It is also conscious of having a beautiful post office built, owned and staffed by the United States Government, and a military armory built by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The new High School building and the financial edifices are to be numbered among Wakefield's many progressive endeavors.
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WAKEFIELD-1868 TO 1944
The town, mindful of its obligations to the youths within its borders, has laid out, landscaped and made useful to all its people, several recre- ation parks and playgrounds.
Its industries are numerous, progressive and varied in goods produced, including millions of dollars of defense goods in World War 11.
Its 110 retail stores meet fully the every-day demands of the people. Its civic, philanthropic, social and fraternal organizations cover a wide range of worthwhile activities.
All this sums up to a progressive community of happy homes and a contented people-a town proud of her past and rich in historic memories, and planning enriching activities for the future.
PUBLIC HALLS
Wakefield has several halls for public rental. The Town Hall, the Lafayette Building, Hibernian Hall, Princess Theatre, Bourdon Building and St. Joseph's Hall.
APARTMENT HOUSES
The Boit and the New Richardson on Richardson Avenue; the Crys- tal Apartments on Main Street, the Erickson on Church Street, the Sawyer Apartments on Salem Street, and for the accommodation of the public, the Crescent House on Water Street, the Wakefield House on Main Street, and the Colonial Inn on Richardson Avenue.
CRYSTAL APARTMENTS
THEATRES
The Princess and the Wakefield operated by the Princess Amusement Co., Charles W. Hodgdon of Greenwood, principal owner.
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HISTORY OF WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
LOOKING BACKWARD
It is 1944. From the front of the Wakefield Trust Company's build- ing on Main Street one looks up and down a wide thoroughfare and notes the changes the recent years have made-the OLD going out, and the NEW coming in! The Episcopal Church is on the site of Jeremiah Bryant's Homestead. The Eaton residence has been replaced by a brick residence, now owned by Dr. Holleran .. The Crystal Apartments are on the site of the earlier residence of the late James H. Carter, previously the site of the second Baptist meeting house. A one-story brick building replaces the old Day's Bakery; two unsightly holes are all that remain of the old Brown and the Walton Blocks. The old buildings from Centre Street to Mechanic Street, earlier Cate's Clothing Store, and the Cheney's periodical and jewelry stores except the Butler (Boothby) Block, now have given way to modern business stores. The new Curley Block has replaced the old Curley Building. Beyond to Water Street things are much as of old except that a new business block has replaced Alexander's Restaurant and the Atkinson grocery store. South of Water Street, Cutler's Block and the Richardson Light Guard Armory are no more. Here new store buildings have taken their places.
On the west side the second high school, now remodeled, is the Lafa- yette Building, the Baptist Church is located where once stood the old Hale's tavern, the Y. M. C. A. home is on the site of the former Emerson Shoe factory. The new Post Office edifice is on the site of the Yale-Stearns- White homes. The old Mansfield residence, and the Hickok Building, have been replaced by the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library. The banking home of the Wakefield Savings Bank is on the earlier garden lot of the late Mrs. Brown, earlier the home of the Rayner family. The Wakefield Trust Company's banking house stands where Bessey's stable and Joshua Eames' blacksmith shop once faced Main Street. Beyond Albion Street south, there have been similar changes. The old Perkins Block, the Wiley House, and the Richardson homestead (removed to Richardson Avenue) have gone with progress, replaced by modern business structures, the Trader's Block and the Richardson Building. The State Armory and the new High School now occupy the sites of several dwellings and the Wakefield Mansion. Wakefield has gone modern!
FIRST BIRTH IN WAKEFIELD
WALTER MERRILL, male, born July 5, 1868. Son of Israel and Angeline. Residence of parents: Melrose.
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WAKEFIELD-1868 TO 1944
FIRST MARRIAGE IN WAKEFIELD
MANSFIELD-NEWHALL, Albert A. Mansfield and Carrie E. New- hall. July 22, 1868.
Age of groom: 25. Age of bride: 24.
Occupation of groom : Coal dealer.
Birthplace of groom: South Reading.
Birthplace of bride: Lynnfield.
Parents: James A. and Martha B. Mansfield, and Allen B. and Augusta V. Newhall.
FIRST DEATH IN WAKEFIELD
LOIS SHUTE. Maiden name: Smith. Age: 56 years, 1 month, and 20 days. Female. Widow. Birthplace: Lynnfield. Parents: William and Lois. July 4, 1868.
THE HISTORIAN'S SCRAPBOOK
Broadcast of Events that are Past
The first regular mail service from Boston to South Reading was in 1837. Contract was with Hiram Plummer of the Stage Coach Company.
In 1827 Tanner Evans leased land to the town for a school house in Greenwood. The lease was to run "for the natural life of said Green" at an annual rental of $3.
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