USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Holden > History of the town of Holden, Massachusetts, 1667-1941 > Part 12
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Two new towers were built during the summer of 1941, so that at present there is one 325 foot and four 375 foot towers whose glowing red lights are seen for many miles in all directions.
The station started operating on February 2, 1937, and has contacted stations as far distant as Australia. It has an effective primary coverage of 250,700 families in a population of 1,014,000, which includes Worcester County, portions of Middlesex, Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden Counties in Massachusetts, and parts of Northern Connecticut and Rhode Island, and south- ern New Hampshire.
In June, 1940, a new frequency modulation station was installed. This was a 1000 watt experimental sta- tion and operated on 43,400 K.C.
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This frequency modulated station WIXTG, uses two brass rods as radiators near the top of the central tow- er, known as dipoles which radiates equally in all di- rections.
In charge of this station at the present time are, Clar- ence B. Kelley, transmitter operator, and radio oper- ators Joseph Devereux, Edgar W. Frost, Elton W. Morde, Henry French and Howard Fuller.
Chapter XIV
Town Departments and Property
TOWN PUMP
In 1879, a well was dug on the common, near the present location of the Hancock Common marker, and for years, townspeople and passersby enjoyed the pure cold water from this unfailing source.
The well served also the red house owned by Charles Flagg, next below the present post office. An under- ground pipe ran from the well into a huge cistern in the cellar, which provided an abundant water supply at all times for the occupants of the house.
GLEN SPRING
Glen Spring, located on the west side of Sunnyside, was owned by Henry W. Warren, and furnished an abundant supply of pure water to residents of that sec- tion of the town.
The circular watering trough at the junction of Park Avenue and Main Streets was piped from the spring, and water receipts in the possession of James Smith show that the system extended to the home of his grand- mother, Caroline B. Smith, who, in the '90's, lived in the house on the northwest corner of Fruit and Pleasant Streets, the present home of the Harold Hammonds.
In 1870, the house was owned by Leonard Fales.
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HOLDEN WATER WORKS
In July, 1897, the committee on Water Supply for Holden, Charles E. Parker, Edward W. Merrick and Fred T. Holt, had prepared a printed report of their committee, and that of Louis E. Hawes, Civil and Hydraulic Engineer, the latter report containing his design and estimation for a water system for Jeffer- son and Holden, the supply to be derived from the waters of Lake Muschopauge, located in the town of Rutland.
The estimated cost of the project was $43,661.15.
Lake Muschopauge is elevated more than a thou- sand feet above sea level, has an area of about 70 acres, and is fed largely by springs. One acre of land cov- ered by water one foot in depth contains 325,851 gal- lons.
300 families, each using 200 gallons of water per day for one year, would lower the lake less than one foot, even though the source of supply should be entirely cut off.
Since March, 1897, Chapter 180 of the Acts of the Legislature of 1896, "An Act to supply the Town of Holden with water from Muschopauge Lake in the Town of Rutland" went before the town at regular or special town meetings no less than seventeen times be- fore it received the necessary two-thirds vote on Sep- tember 22, 1904.
To finance its $55,000 appropriation the town se- cured a loan providing for annual payments by the town for three, ten year periods.
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The contract for the building of the intake at the Lake was awarded to Mr. Thomas Hennessey. Work at the Lake was begun about the 12th of April, 1905.
Nichols, Magee Construction Co. of Taunton, Mass. were the contractors for the laying of the cast iron pipe line.
This work was completed early in October at a cost of $11,120.60.
The first Water Commissioners elected were: Henry W. Warren, Peter Carr, Stillman F. Morse, and in De- cember, 1905, they appointed Arthur K. Warren, su- perintendent of the water works.
Upon the completion of the project the committee stated that the entire service of Engineer Hawes had been most satisfactory to them, and that great credit was due him for the efficiency with which his duties had been discharged.
The water system was extended to Dawson in 1905.
The cost of the system to March 1, 1910, was $69,- 918.53.
In 1934, the system was extended to Chaffins. A Master Water Meter was installed in 1931.
The report of the Water Commissioners for the year 1940, showed the profit from operation to be $6,274.10.
DRINKING FOUNTAIN
In 1909, a beautiful granite drinking fountain, the gift of the Hon. Henry W. Warren, replaced the black circular one, which stood for many years on Main Street, at the junction of Highland Street.
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Fresh running water is provided in three places. A generous basin on the road side, a bubbler and a small low basin for canines on the side next the sidewalk.
Over the bubbler are inscribed the lines, "Drink, pilgrim, here; here rest: and if thy heart be innocent, here too, shalt thou refresh they spirit,"-Coleridge.
On the street side the inscription reads : Holden, Massachusetts Town Incorporated, 1741 Water System introduced in 1905 Source, Muschapogue Lake "A merciful man regardeth the life of his beast." Presented by Henry W. Warren, 1909
It was largely through the tireless efforts of Mr. Warren, one of Holden's outstanding citizens, that the town arrived at the decision to secure the advantages of a pure water supply for Holden.
Mr. Warren served as Representative in 1882 and 1885, and served the town as Selectman, member of the Board of Overseers of the Poor, and as Town Treasurer, working ever for the best interests of the town and its people.
SWIMMING POOL
When the various ponds in town were no longer available for bathing privileges, through the taking of Holden streams for Metropolitan Water supply, the
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matter of a municipal pool became a much discussed topic.
The Civic League, Holden Woman's Club and in- dividuals worked tirelessly toward a solution of the problem.
Eagle Lake, in Jefferson was the popular objective, but swimming privileges here were refused by the Metropolitan Commission.
Through the efforts of Representative W. Goulding Warren and others, a bill was introduced in the Legis- lature calling for the Commission to provide bathing facilities in Holden.
The act was approved June 29, 1934, and $3,000 was paid by the Commission for the construction of a pool out of the former mill pond of Dawson's Mill on Salisbury Street, the cost of its yearly up keep to be paid by the town.
Bath houses have been erected and this recreation spot is well patronized by the young people of the town.
MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT
The town appropriated $500 in 1891, for street lights. In 1904, they voted $600 for maintaining street lights and also voted "that the street lamps be lighted twelve months in the year."
Under Article 4, at a town meeting on September 5, 1911, it was voted, "That the Selectmen be author- ized to construct and equip, by contract or otherwise, within the limits of the town, a plant for the distribu- tion of electricity, and furnishing light for municipal use, and light, heat and power for the use of its in-
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habitants, and under Article 5 it was voted that the Selectmen be authorized to sign a contract for the pur- chase of electricity for a term not exceeding ten years for use of an electric light distributing plant in town. It was also voted to raise the sum of $600 to install an electric lighting system in the Town Hall, Damon Memorial, two engine houses, the Rice School and the school house in Jefferson.
The contract for supplying electricity to the Holden Lighting plant by the Connecticut River Transmitting Company was signed February 27, 1912, the contract made for a term beginning on February 1, 1912, and terminating February 1, 1922.
The current was first turned on the commercial lines in Holden and Chaffins on January 26, 1912, and the streets of the town were first lighted by electricity on January 29th.
The first report showed that there were 120 street lights, the number being increased to 142 during the first year.
Chester LaCroix qualified as manager. Thomas F. Marlowe was appointed manager of the Plant Feb- ruary 1, 1913, and served until his death in 1928.
In April, 1914, the system was changed so that the town might obtain its current direct from the Connecti- cut River Transmitting Company at its substation in Greendale over a new line constructed on Doyle Street.
In 1928 the town purchased about 80 rods of land on Reservoir Street and authorized the Municipal Light Board to build and equip a Central Distributing Sta- tion thereon. This was completed that year.
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New Transformers were installed at this station in 1932.
The revenue loss due to the 1938 hurricane was esti- mated at about $1,200.
In 1940 the Light Board reported $11,757.99 as the net profit from operation for that year.
The present load capacity is 600 K. V. A. The new outdoor substation 1000 K. V. A., making the total load capacity 1600 K. V. A.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
At a special town meeting September 20, 1905, the Selectmen were authorized to take action in regard to forming one or more hose companies, and, accordingly, on October 9th, they appointed twelve fire engineers, to be equally divided between the center of the town and Jefferson.
October 17, 1905, Justice of Peace, Samuel W. Arm- ington administered the oath of office to Arthur K. Warren, Loring W. Hubbard, Milton Holden, Merle E. Stevens, and Fred F. Taylor.
The sworn engineers then retired to the G.A.R. Hall where they organized with the following choice of officers : Chief Engineer, Arthur K. Warren, Assistant Chief Engineer, George L. Stone, Treasurer and Clerk, Loring W. Hubbard.
At that same meeting the town voted to purchase two hose carriages, one to be kept at Jefferson, and the other at the Centre, also one thousand feet of linen hose, to be equally divided between the two villages. $500 was appropriated for the latter. Fire Chiefs of
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the two companies were James H. Jackson, Jefferson, and Arthur K. Warren, Holden.
In March, 1906, the town voted to build two fire houses, one at Jefferson and one at the centre, and ap- propriated $3,000 for that purpose.
The building contract was awarded to Waldo E. Austin.
During that year the Holden Fire Company had a membership of 24.
The bell in the Baptist Church was used to sound the alarm for fire.
In 1908, Jefferson had a volunteer fire company of 36 members.
In 1916, the town voted to purchase an automobile combination double tank chemical and hose truck at a cost of $3,750.
The sum of $550 was voted in 1927, for the purchase of a Siren Fire Alarm, and in 1927, a combination hose and chemical truck was purchased for use at Chaffins, also a triple combination fire truck for Holden Center.
In 1934, a new forest fire truck was purchased.
In 1940, the board of engineers listed the value of their equipment at $10,736.
The prompt, efficient service rendered by this de- partment is a valuable asset to the town, and through this protection Holden has escaped the severe property losses by fire which have occurred in many towns.
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN
HIGHWAYS
The Six-Rod Roads
The first mention of any roads in what is now the town of Holden is found in the Proprietors' Records, under the date of April 22, 1724, and is as follows :
"At a Meeting of the Proprietors of the Comon and undivided Lands in Worcester orderly met at Worcester by an adjournment from the 18th March 1723-4 to the 22nd April 1724."
"Voted By the Proprietors At Sd meeting that there be a committee of five men Chosen to Lay out four Publique Roads Six Rods wide in the North half of Worcester as shall be thought necessary to be Laid out before the Lotts are pitched and Laid out in Sd half part Which are to be Laid out from the Centre of Sd half part in Such waies As Shall be most Serv- iceable To Sd half part and the Towns next adjoyn- ing." Under date of October 22, 1724.
"Also a Road six rod wide beginning at the Center of Sd north part marked on the westerly side of Sd Road and so Leading on the westerly side of stone house hill and on the Easterly side of Hassinnabum- skuck hill so to run to Leicester Line."
"October 24, 1724
Laid out a highway six rod wide from the center of the Sd North part of Worcester E over Quinipoxet River & so to Worcester Line by Marked Trees on the most northerly side of said Road, October 26, 1724. Laid out a road Six rods wide from the centre of ye
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north part of Worcester to Rutland line by marked trees of ye north side of said Road."
Benj. Flagg, Jr., Nathaniel Jone, Moses Lenard,
Committee
Each year a number of similar roads were made. At a town meeting, Oct. 9, 1741, it was "voted that Every man Shall give two days work Tords building the Brige over the river at Lieut. Davises mills on the countree roade."
From year to year country roads were built.
In 1752. Laid out from Worcester Court House to Lunenburg Meeting House through Holden, Sterling, etc.
In 1758. Laid out from Petersham Meeting House to Worcester Court House through Rutland, Holden, etc.
In 1770. Laid out from Winchendon to Worcester, through Ashburnham, Westminster, Princeton, Hold- en, etc.
In 1793. Laid out from County road in Worcester to Holden Meeting House, running by Wm. McFar- land's in Worcester.
Altered portion of County road leading from Ste- phen Salisbury's in Worcester, to near Isaac Chenery's in Holden.
In 1741 two highway surveyors were chosen.
The number was increased year by year, till in 1750 there were six; in 1770, eleven; in 1790, fifteen; in 1830, twenty-one; and in 1850, twenty-five.
STATE POLICE BARRACKS
I
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN
The Sixth Massachusetts Turnpike
"When the Turnpike fever ran high, the following Act was passed, "Be it therefore enacted by the Senate, and House of Representatives in General Court as- sembled, and by authority of the same, that Jonathan Warner, Samuel Parkman, Josiah Knapp, and such persons as shall be associated with them, and their suc- cessors, be and they are hereby constituted a corpora- tion by the name of the Sixth Massachusetts Turnpike Corporation, for the laying out and making a Turn- pike Road from the East line of Amherst near William Breton's House, through the Towns of Pelham, Green- wich, Hardwick, New Braintree, Oakham, Rutland, Holden, Worcester, to the great road in Shrewsbury, etc."
Said road was forty-three miles and one hundred and twelve rods long and four rods wide and passed through Holden partly over the line of the old six-rod road. It was made in one summer, and cost about $33,000.
"The Corporation relinquished its franchise and. on August 11, 1828, held its last meeting. The turn- pike became a county road, or common highway."
The old Toll House stood a little west of the Center. Peter Hubbard was voted a committee to have said house erected. "Said house to be clapboarded on the studs, ceiled with matched boards inside and overhead, a window of twelve squares of 9 x 7. Glass at each end and in front." One of the oldest maps of Holden bears the date May 20, 1795. The location of the meeting house is shown on the map, also three bridges, at Eagleville, Chaffins and below Lovelville.
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN
Probably these were the only bridges in town at that time.
In 1856 the stone arch bridge in Chaffinville was constructed. In 1866 the town voted to construct a stone bridge over the stream near Nathan Howe's Mills. 1884: Voted to build an iron bridge at Jeffer- son, on Mount Pleasant Avenue.
At a special town meeting the town voted to con- tract with the State Highway Commission for the con- struction of a section of state road. This was built in 1894-5 and the first mile cost the town $7,129.54. For the next twenty years money was appropriated, and another section of these splendid roads was built year- ly. Later, appropriations were made for improved county roads.
Those who can recall the spring mud and summer dust encountered years ago on our town roads can well appreciate the comfort and convenience of these smooth, modern expanses of highway along which one may travel from town to town.
It is of interest to note that the shortest one way street in the world is in Holden, at the junction of Main and Highland Streets. From the point where the road divides to Main Street is 90 feet.
CARE OF THE POOR Poor Farm Association
The care of paupers was long a problem. In 1794 it had been voted that the Selectmen provide a house for the town's poor, but at the same meeting it was afterward voted that the Selectmen should use their
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discretion in the matter, and no house seems to have been procured.
In 1797, we find it voted "to dispose of the town's poor to the lowest bidder-voted also that the Select- men appoint a time and put up an advertisement for a Vendue for that purpose." This method of arrang- ing for their care, however repellent to the sentiment of today, was common at that time, and we may fair- ly presume that it was continued until the establish- ment of a town Poor Farm. After repeated discus- sions, in 1830, the "James Davis" place containing about 280 acres was bought for $3,000, and a house was soon fitted up for the reception of the paupers, of whom, in 1837, there were no less than twenty.
The cost of their support in 1838 was $557.39. In 1879 the net amount drawn from the Treasury for the support of the poor was $1,411.32.
November 5, 1889 the town voted to authorize the co-operative care of the poor, and on April 1, 1890 the Poor Farm Association was organized, after a committee from Holden, consisting of Charles E. Parker, Edward W. Merrick and William J. Prender- gast had conferred several times with committees from Hubbardston and Paxton, and a committee from Princeton, chosen to investigate the matter more fully.
The Association was at first formed for a period of three years, and by-laws stated, "it shall be managed by one person from each board of Overseers of the Poor of the towns forming the Association."
The annual report for the year ending January 1898 showed that they had cared for 30 to 36 inmates and
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577 "tramps" and their outlay for that year was $1,871.17.
On February 21, 1904, the Poor Farm buildings on Newell Road, which had been built about seventy-five years before, were destroyed by fire.
At that time there were twenty-one inmates. The establishment had cared for the poor of Holden, Hub- bardston, Oakham, Rutland, Paxton, Templeton, Princeton, Phillipston and Westminster.
On March I, at a meeting of the Association, it was voted to have each town care for its own charges for a time, at least.
Also, a resolution was adopted thanking the warden, Mr. Aaron L. Potter, for the efficient services during the past eight years, and for having all of the inmates brought to safety at the time of the fire.
In 1908 the town voted to join the Charlton Poor Farm Association.
In 1927 the name of the Board of Overseers of the Poor was changed to the Board of Public Welfare.
The first board to serve under this new name was: George H. Marsh, Aaron L. Potter, T. Walter Howe.
In 1928, $5,200 was appropriated and seventeen per- son having a settlement in Holden were given aid.
In 1937 the town accepted a bequest under the will of Cora I. Dean to be known as the "Welcome Aldrich Relief Fund," the income only to be used for the re- lief of the worthy poor of Holden.
The town voted that this money be expended under the direction of the Board of Public Welfare.
In 1940 the expenditure for Public Welfare was $29,512.07.
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN
TOWN SEAL
At a special town meeting July 15, 1899, it was vot- ed to establish a town seal in accordance with Section 2, Chapter 256 of the Acts of the Legislature of 1899.
A committee chosen for the purpose made a report, which was accepted and adopted, as follows:
"Town of Holden, Mass. Incorporated, 1741."
For a device for the centre, "The First Meeting House. Erected, 1737."
TOWN HOUSE
"Not till 1836, well toward the close of its first cen- tury of corporate existence, did Holden have a Town House. Up to that time, town meetings were regular- ly held in the meeting house of the Congregational Church, which was first built and later repaired at public expense, and consequently up to the separation of Church and State, was properly controlled and used by the town."
The first town meeting was called in the new Hall, November 14th, 1836, but the report of the Building Committee, Samuel Damon, Daniel Knowlton, Wil- liam Metcalf, George Flagg, and Charles Chaffin was not rendered until a year later.
"According to their report, the building was 'built in a permanent and workman like manner on a strong substantial foundation and most of the (work) and ma- terials have been much to their satisfaction, is sixty feet long including the piaza and thirty-eight feet wide.
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The building was erected under contract by Martin Harrington, and cost $3,869.58."
In 1876, the hall was enlarged by the addition of twenty-six feet to its length, and the entire building ! was remodeled. The alteration plans were furnished by James E. Fuller of Worcester. The work was done under contract by Waldo E. Austin, the total cost ex- ceeding $4,000.
In 1934, a new steam heating plant was installed with an oil burner having a one thousand gallon stor- age tank, the interior of the hall was painted and re- decorated with E.R.A. and C.W.A. funds and the horse sheds in the rear of the building were torn down and the material used to build a large storage shed and fire station at the Street Department Garage.
THE JAIL
In 1892, the town voted $500 for the erection of a jail. This building, constructed of stone stands close to the street, on the right, just before one enters the village of Jefferson.
At that time a "floating" population was constantly on the move, going from one village to another in search of employment.
Some towns provided what were termed "tramp houses" for these individuals.
In Jefferson, Deputy Sheriff Edward W. Merrick held the keys of this building and passing "travelers" without means were given shelter here for the night.
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN
TOWN FOREST
In 1933, George S. Gramham presented to the town a tract of wood land consisting of 100 acres more or less, situated on the southerly side of Harris Street.
The town voted unanimously to accept the gift and to name the tract in honor of the donor.
BUILDING AND REAL ESTATE
The past few years have seen many changes in resi- dential sections of the town.
New tracts of land have been developed, streets laid out, and in all parts of the town very attractive new homes are being built. Many of these are of the "Cape Cod type."
During the year 1940 the selectmen issued permits for the construction and alteration of 114 dwellings, this being by far the largest number ever recorded for one year.
In 1895 the valuation of Real Estate in Holden was $1,203,233.
For the year 1941 it was $3,418,273.
Chapter XV
Organizations
The early settlers from far and near came to the church on Sabbath for "all day preaching." They carried with them their foot-stoves containing live coals to supply them with a bit of warmth during the long hours, for in those days churches were un- heated.
At intermission the women and children went to one of the "noon houses," and, warming themselves around the great circular fireplace, ate their lunches, which they brought from home. One of these "noon houses" stood opposite the church.
The men, meanwhile, were assembled at the "Old Abbott Tavern."
This brief season of sociability may often have been their only contact with other persons living in various parts of the town, and across the many years it is diffi- cult for us to visualize what an important place in their lives these weekly gatherings held.
As the town grew, and conditions changed, and as need was felt for organized effort of any sort, always there appeared one or more individuals with a "vision," who were willing to devote time and effort to its ac- complishment. So, with keen interest we note the various organizations which have been formed in town.
Some have served their purpose and are disbanded, making way for others in the forward march of time but each one fulfilled some definite requirement dur- ing the time of its activity.
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN
HOLDEN THIEF DETECTING SOCIETY
A society for detecting thieves was organized with thirty-two members in the year 1818. The purpose of its organization may be learned from the following ex- tract from the constitution adopted February 23, 1818:
"tAs energy, vigilance, and union are highly ex- pedient to suppress the sons of violence, often found in society, the persons whose names are hereunto an- nexed, do agree to form themselves into a society, for the purpose of detecting thieves and recovering stolen property."
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