USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1945 > Part 4
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The average number of appointments re- quired per person for aptitude testing and
counseling is between three and four. A total of over 350 veterans have been given this intensive help.
Quincy has been highly commended by the state for the completeness of its serv- ice to veterans.
Veterans are urged to go to the Depart- ment of Veterans' Services to get accurate information regarding their rights, and the privileges which are available to them.
Attention is called to the fact that an adequate understanding of state and fed- eral benefits to veterans on the part of a community can be consequential in terms of budget expenditures.
It is estimated that approximately 8000 Quincy men served in World War II. Of these, 238 died in service.
It is pointed out that veterans' services will continue as long as there are any vet- erans or dependents of veterans.
A performance test used in the measurement of mechanical aptitude
50
Library Service
Public library service in Quincy dates back to 1871.
During the past seventy-five years the Quincy Public Library* has grown from a one-room library located in Adams Acad- emy to a system of libraries, consisting of a main library and administration center in the Crane Memorial buildings, and twelve branches located at key points throughout the city. An extension library with ward service is maintained at the Quincy City Hospital, and a book deposit station at the Cranch School.
The facilities and services within the main library have gradually been expanded.
There is a children's room with a trained children's librarian who selects the juvenile books for the branches, and makes contacts with the elementary schools. There is a special section for high school pupils, an art and technical department, and a law alcove. A total of 160 newspapers and magazines are available.
A reference department answers more than 3000 inquiries annually, many by telephone. A readers' advisory service offers help to individuals and clubs in the selection of books, and maintains a weekly book column in the Quincy Patriot Ledger. A special library service has been set up for veterans.
Other features of the library include a picture collection of more than 19,000 items, and a music room with phonographs and listening booths.
In 1945, through a special appropria- tion, the library acquired the Warren S. Parker collection of Quincy historical material. This collection is extensive and of great value to the city. It is estimated that three years may be required to cata- logue and prepare it for ordinary use.
Another recent acquisition is a collection of mineral specimens presented to the lib- rary by Hon. William A. Bradford.
'The library book collection has grown from less than 5000 volumes to over 130,000. It is pointed out that the present total is not up to standard for the size of the city and the library set-up.
The circulation of library books, which as recorded in 1871 was 44,775, reached a high of 901,823 in 1933. During the war years and subsequently, it has averaged around 500,000.
As further evidence of the interesting changes which have taken place, we were informed that in 1871 children under fourteen could not use the library, only one book could be borrowed at a time, and no person except a librarian or trustee could remove a book from the shelf!
The original fine of 2 cents a day for overdue books has remained constant. The fines collected during the first year of the library's existence amounted to less than $200. Currently they amount to over $5000. This money must by law be turned over to the City Treasurer.
* In 1882 by vote of the town, the name of the Quincy Public Library was changed to the Thomas Crane Public Library.
Children's librarian giving a talk to high school seniors studying child care
Browsing in the neu reading room
At the reference desk
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Public Parks & Recreational Facilities
There are within the city proper 40 pub- lic parks and 17 public playgrounds not in- cluding school playgrounds, representing a total of over 280 acres set aside for recrea- tional purposes. This is in addition to the Blue Hills Reservation, which consists of approximately 6000 acres.
The local parks and playgrounds are under the care of the Park Department, which consists of a maintenance crew and foreman, and an unpaid Board of Commis- sioners.
The Park Department maintains a summer playground program for children. On twenty playgrounds scattered through- out the city, children may enjoy organized games, community singing, storytelling, arts and crafts, and other activities. Some educational trips are arranged, and inter- playground athletic competition held. The season culminates in a field day at the sta- dium. Horseshoe pitching has become especially popular, and has been featured.
Last summer there was a staff of 36 men and women employed to carry on the play- ground program.
Throughout the city there are play- grounds available to young people and adults. During 1946 over 1700 permits were issued for the use of baseball, football, and softball fields. Due to difficulty in getting nets, tennis has been limited. Late last summer it was possible to equip 20 of the 29 courts The bowling greens were in constant use.
The stadium is increasingly in demand, especially for night football games. Atten- tion is being called to the need for addi- tional stands.
The Park Department is at present filling in a section back of the stadium for a parking space.
Within the last two years, lilac gardens and walks have been laid out in Merry- mount Park. This is the first step in carry- ing out a plan designed by a landscape .
artist for the beautification of the park.
The Quincy Shore Reservation, con- sisting of 41 acres, is part of the Metro- politan Park System. Other public beaches are the responsibility of the local Park De- partment.
During the summers of 1945 and 1946, considerable work was done on the Ward 2 beach property, including the erection of a shelter. Improvements were also made at Avalon Beach.
The Park Depaartment is recommend- ing that a study be made to determine possibilities with respect to additional pub- lic bathing areas.
A new skating pond has recently been constructed at Squantum near the U. S. Naval Air Station. This makes a total of eight skating ponds within the city, three of which have hockey rinks and are illu- minated.
All of the recreational facilities main- tained by the Park Department are avail- able without charge to Quincy residents.
" Over 2500 acres of the Blue Hills Reservation are in Quincy. Park System.
The reservation is part of the Metropolitan
"Here we go!"
5
11
N
The stadium at night
Arts and crafts on the playground
Bowling on the green
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Preservation of the Presidents' Birthplaces
In 1940 the historic birthplaces of John Adams and John Quincy Adams, second and sixth presidents of the United States, were deeded by the Adams Family Trustees to the City of Quincy. The deed stipulated that the birthplaces were to be preserved and maintained "as places of historic and public interest" for the purpose of "foster- ing civic virtue and patriotism".
Subsequently by city ordinance a De- partment of Historical Places was estab- lished under an unpaid Board of Managers. The responsibility of the board was defined as including the management and main- tenance of the birthplaces and of "any other places or property of historical interest not otherwise devoted to public use."
The city pays for the upkeep of the birthplaces. Historical societies provide the furnishings, and employ custodians who act as hostesses to the many visitors.
During 1946 there were 1913 visitors at the John Adams birthplace, and 1143 at the John Quincy Adams birthplace. The latter is closed for five months during the winter-November through March.
Visitors to the birthplaces come from all states in the union and from other coun- tries. One of the most interesting recent visitors was the English High Commissioner of Public Lands and Houses.
It is claimed that there are no other birthplaces of early presidents extant.
l'isitor from Georgia and his daughter examining the cradle in which John Adams was rocked as an infant
-
.
*
Girl Scouts visiting the John Quincy Adams birthplace* The Brownie is sitting in John Adams' favorite chair.
City Planning
An unpaid Planning Board serving in an advisory capacity submits recommendations to the Mayor relative to the future develop- ment of the city.
These recommendations pertain to such matters as new highways, parks and play- grounds, parking areas, the opening up of new sections for business purposes, and other civic improvements.
The City Engineer serves as clerk of the Planning Board.
The Planning Board is obligated to hold public hearings relative to any proposed
changes in the zoning ordinance. Three public hearings were held during the past year. Following such hearings, the Plan- ning Board submits recommendations to the City Council.
Sometimes the Planning Board meets jointly with the City Council. A number of such meetings have been held within the past two years to discuss the over-all de- velopment of the business section of Quincy.
The Planning Board is issuing a book- let covering a program of capital outlay for the City of Quincy for 1947-1952.
* It was in this room that the Constitution of Massachusetts was drafted. A mural in the State House depicts the episode. It is a picture of the mural that the hostess is showing her visitors.
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Engineering Service
The Engineering Department renders professional service as needed to the City Council and to various city departments, officials, and administrative boards-also to the public.
All meetings of the City Council and the Finance Committee are attended by the City Engineer.
Plans for construction work to be done by the city must be drawn by the Engineer- ing Department. These include plans for sewers and drains, water mains, streets, sidewalks, curbings, and special projects.
Before new streets are accepted by the city, the Engineering Department must es- tablish the betterment assessments to be levied against the property owners. The cost of the betterments is borne equally by property owners and the city.
The City Engineer works cooperatively with the City Solicitor in the investigation of accident claims against the city, and in cases of land-taking.
The Assessors' plans are drawn by the Engineering Department. From 5000 to 8000 changes are made in these plans each year. These changes include property transfers, of which there were 2553 in 1945, and 3327 in 1946.
There are on file in the office of the City Engineer approximately 25,000 plans of various kinds.
The Engineering Department renders direct service to the public in supplying in- formation. For example, a prospective pur- chaser of a piece of property may wish in- formation relative to sewer and water, soil composition, or the types of buildings which may be erected.
Frequently banks want information rela- tive to betterment assessments which have been levied or are pending, or any liens which there may be on property in question.
At the request of the Tax Collector, the Engineering Department prepares descrip- tions to be used in the advertising of tax sales-that is, the advertising for sale of property taken by the city for taxes. During the past year a total of 915 descriptions were requested.
All applications for building permits are sent by the Building Department to the Engineering Department. The City En- gineer must "establish a grade"-that is, he must give the elevation of the sewer, the elevation of the street, and the lowest grade at which the applicant may build his cellar. During 1946, grades were established for 252 building permits, as opposed to 93 during 1945.
The City Engineer serves as clerk of the Board of Survey. The responsibility of this board is to hold hearings for the con- sideration of petitions for the laying out of new streets.
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Legal Service
Legal service to and in behalf of the city is rendered by the City Solicitor.
The City Solicitor is the legal advisor to the city. He interprets the law to the Mayor, the City Council, department heads, and administrative boards. Laws are con- tinually being amended. We were told that almost every year the activities of a city department will be modified by a new statute. If requested, the City Solicitor must furnish a written opinion on any legal question.
Many of the business transactions of the city entail legal service. For example, when the city acquires real estate, legal papers are necessary to transfer the title to the city. When real estate is taken by eminent do- main for streets or other public purposes, settlements have to be made with the own- ers, and additional legal papers prepared.
The City Solicitor prepares all "legal instruments" for the city.
Claims for personal injury or property damage for which the city may be held responsible are investigated by the City Solicitor with the assistance of the Police and Engineering departments.
A claim against the city might involve an alleged street defect, collision with a city truck, or a flooded cellar due to the bursting of a water main. Sometimes, however, the city becomes the complainant-for example, when a motorist runs into a hydrant, which we understand is not an infrequent occurrence !
Welfare claims against other communi- ties must in some instances be settled through the City Solicitor.
The City Solicitor appears in behalf of the city in all litigated cases-that is, in all law suits in which the city is involved. Litigation may arise in connection with any city activity. The City Solicitor defends or prosecutes according to the case.
City Purchasing
For the past nine years, city purchasing in Quincy has been centralized.
The office of the Purchasing Agent an- nually receives about 6000 requisitions from the various city departments.
There is a wide range of requisitions- from office supplies to fire engines. Print-
ing, gasoline, and materials for highway maintenance are common items.
For all orders amounting to more than $500, bids are advertised.
The total amount expended through the office of the Purchasing Agent in 1946 was $+33,849.68.
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Highlights from " Historic Quincy"
By WILLIAM C. EDWARDS
Published by the City of Quincy in 1945 in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Town House of Quincy, now City Hall.
The following items were selected for this booklet by Mr. Edwards.
1614-Captain John Smith explores coast of New England. On his map. territory including what is now Quincy is given the name London .*
1614-Moswetuset Hummock on what is now Quincy Shore Boulevard, the chief seat of Chickatabot "House-a-fire"), sachem of a tribe of Indians, 3,000 strong. It was from Moswetuset that the name Massachusetts was derived.
1621-Captain Myles Standish and party from Plymouth, guided by the faithful Indian Squanto, land on the shores of Quincy, at Squantum.
1625-Trading post established by Captain Wollaston at Passonagessit, later named in his honor, Mount Wollaston. To this settlement, Quincy dates its origin. This section of Quincy is today known as Merrymount.
1627-Morton's famous maypole set up at Merry Mount-"A goodly pine tree of eighty foot longe, garlanded with ribbons and sur- mounted with the spreading antlers of a buck." Nearby stood the cedar tree of the seal of Quincy. (Although the maypole was cut down by Governor Endicott in 1629, the cedar tree remained until it was blown down in 1898.)
1634-Mount Wollaston annexed to Boston. First grants made at Mount Wollaston by the General Court at Boston. (Mount Wollaston remained a part of Boston until 1640.)
1634-General Court at Boston enacts a law to regulate diets by for- bidding the use of cake or buns, except at burials and marriages. Dress was also regulated. The wearing of gold and silver orna- ments and silk lace was forbidden-also beaver hats, ruffs, and embroidery. The wearing of long hair at the time was "an abomination in the sight of God."
· On Captain John Smith's map, a castle and cathedral mark the location of what is now Quincy. In his history (Smith's "Generall Historie"), Captain John Smith says: "Signs of a cast e and arh dral are indicative of . . . future prosperity and grandeur."
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1635-Ferry established across the Neponset River between Boston and Mount Wollaston.
1637-First Meeting House erected by the Rev. John Wheelwright. Location, middle of what is now Hancock Street at Cliveden.
1639-First independent church "gathered": Church of Christ, now First Parish Church.
1640-May 23, Mount Wollaston incorporated as the Town of Brain- tree. Area of Braintree at the time, 50 square miles, including what is now the City of Quincy, and the towns of Braintree, Ran- dolph and Holbrook.
1645-First Military draft. Order from General Court: "August 5- It is ordered, three horses should be pressed from Dorchester, Braintree, and Weymouth, with saddles and bridles, to go against the Narragansett Indians."
1645-Public Latin School established.
1646-Iron Works established on Furnace Brook.
1665-Lands of Old Braintree purchased from the Indians for twenty- one pounds and ten shillings-approximately $75.00.
1678-First schoolmaster appointed.
1696-Shipbuilding established at Ship Cove. Site now a part of the Quincy Yard of the Bethlehem Steel Company.
1709-Colonel John Quincy takes posession of Mount Wollaston Farm, thus becoming a citizen of Old Braintree.
1728-First attempt to establish Quincy as a separate town.
1735-John Adams born.
1737-John Hancock born.
1749-52-King's Chapel of Boston built of boulders and surface stones from the south common of Quincy.
1752-Glass Works and other projects established at Germantown.
1775-Three British sloops of war and a cutter anchor below Great Hill, Houghs Neck.
1775-Expedition from Braintree, Dorchester, and Weymouth burn Boston Lighthouse to prevent enemy ships from entering harbor.
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1775-83-American Revolution. Estimated about 550 men served from Old Braintree. Number of casualties unknown.
1776-July 4, John Hancock and John Adams sign the Declaration of Independence.
1789-The Massachusetts, the largest merchant ship to have been built on the continent of North America, launched at Germantown.
1789-John Adams elected Vice President of the United States.
1792-February 22, the North Precinct of Braintree incorporated as a separate town and named Quincy in honor of Colonel John Quincy. Population about 900, representing a total of less than 200 families.
1792-A hospital established for smallpox inoculation.
1793-March 8, first town meeting of the Town of Quincy.
1793-Town votes to build a school house.
1795-First post office in Quincy. Postmaster: Hon. Richard Cranch.
1795-Norfolk County established with Quincy a part.
1796-Town House and School House completed on training field. 1797-First almshouse erected.
1797-John Adams elected President of the United States.
1803-John Quincy Adams elected to the U. S. Senate. (No one from Quincy has since been elected to the U. S. Senate.)
1803-Neponset Turnpike and Bridge opened. Total cost, including land, $34,000.
1804-Combination baggage wagon and passenger carriage service from Quincy to Boston inaugurated.
1812-First hand engine purchased by the Fire Society.
1815-Town House and School House destroyed by fire.
1817-New Town House and School House completed at a cost of $2,127.19. Town "hired" money for the first time to erect this building.
1820-School consists of one room for 204 pupils, one teacher, and an occasional assistant.
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1822-Deeds of gift executed by John Adams for the erection of a Stone Temple, and an Academy "for the teaching of the Arts and Classics."
1823-Stage coach service established between Quincy and Boston. 1824-John Quincy Adams elected President of the United States. 1824-Separation of the affairs of church and town.
1825-Town River Canal completed.
1826-First railway in the United States opened to transport large blocks of granite from Bunker Hill Ledge, West Quincy, to the Neponset River. The granite was used in the building of Bunker Hill monument.
1828-First Parish Church edifice, fourth of the parish, dedicated. In this edifice, a national shrine, are the tombs of John Adams and John Quincy Adams, second and sixth Presidents of the United States and their wives, Abigail (Smith) Adams and Louisa Catherine (Johnson) Adams.
1831-John Quincy Adams elected to the U. S. House of Representa- tives. Here he served the nation until his death, February 21, 1848.
1836-Quincy Stone Bank, now the Granite Trust Company, estab- lished.
1837-First newspaper "The Quincy Patriot" established.
1837-Quincy Charitable Society, now Quincy Welfare Society, or- ganized.
1837-Surplus United States revenue distributed. Quincy received $5,148.36, as its share, which was applied towards the payment of town debt.
1842-First Catholic Church, Saint Mary's, dedicated.
1843-Gillet's Quincy to Boston stage coach robbed of $4,000 belonging to Quincy Stone Bank.
1844-Town House built of Quincy granite. Opened for municipal business. This is the present City Hall.
1845-The Old Colony Railroad Company opens its line through Quincy for travel from South Boston to Plymouth.
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1845-Quincy Savings Bank established.
1849-Many Quincy men leave for California "Gold Rush." 1850-Ten hour system for labor comes into general operation. 1851-Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Company incorporated.
1851-Attempt made to introduce "the bloomer costume" for ladies. So much prejudice existed against the idea of ladies wearing "breeches" that the attempt was not successful.
1852-Quincy High School opened with 51 pupils. Schools of the town from 1792-1852 had given an elementary education only.
1852-Town and school reports first printed in book form. Records
· from this date now available at Thomas Crane Public Library.
1855-Volunteer firemen's pay raised to $5.00 a year.
1858-Charles Francis Adams elected to the U. S. House of Representa- tives. Re-elected in 1860. (No one from Quincy has been elected to the House since that date.)
1858-Sixty local bootmakers, becoming dissatisfied, "strike on the shop." Strike lasted four days.
1860-Citizens' Gas Light Company organized. Houses and stores in Quincy Center illuminated for the first time.
1861-A horseless truck built by Badger Brothers makes a successful run from West Quincy to the Town House in Quincy Center. This was one of the first "steam buggies" built in the United States.
186,1-65-Civil War. 954 men of Quincy served, of whom 105 lost their lives.
1862-Quincy Horse Railroad, first street railway in Quincy, opens its line from Penn's Hill to Fields Corner.
1869-School for Quincy-born girls endowed by Dr. Ebenezer Wood- ward. '
1870-Evening schools opened, one in the Adams School and one in the Willard School.
1871-Quincy Public Library opened in Adams Academy building.
1872-Adams Academy opened with 24 pupils, 6 of whom were from Quincy.
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1872-District Court of East Norfolk established at Quincy.
1875-Colonel Francis W. Parker elected first Superintendent of Schools. Introduced "Quincy System" which became famous throughout the country.
1877-Telegraph service opened by the Western Union Telegraph Company.
1877-The "Red Cloud," the last of the Clipper ships built at Quincy, launched at Quincy Point.
1880-Gift of the Thomas Crane Public Library to the Town of Quincy by the family of Thomas Crane.
1882-Dedication of the Thomas Crane Public Library.
1882-Quincy Electric Light Company organized.
1882-First public telephone station installed in Hayward's Drugstore on Temple Street. At that time there was only one other tele- phone in Quincy.
1882-Design of the seal of the Town of Quincy adopted. Ordinance concerning city seal approved 1889.
1885-Merry Mount Park presented to the town by Charles Francis Adams, Jr.
1885-Faxon Park presented to the town by Henry Hardwick Faxon. (In 1935 and subsequently, Henry Munroe Faxon, his son, has presented additional acres to the city for recreational purposes.)
1886-First permanent firemen.
1888-June 11, citizens of the Town of Quincy accept charter making Quincy a city.
1888-December 4, first city election. Mayor and twenty-three council- men, five at-large and three from each of the six wards of the city, elected to serve one year.
1889-January 7, inauguration of the Honorable Charles H. Porter as first Mayor.
1889-Fire Department established under first ordinance of city.
1890-City Hospital of Quincy opened for service. This was a private hospital.
1891-Quincy Young Men's Christian Association established.
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1892-Police Department established with a manager and eight patrolmen.
1893-Quincy Historical Society organized.
1894-Woodward School for Girls opened.
1895-Quincy Chamber of Commerce established as the Quincy Board of Trade.
1898-Spanish American War. 110 Quincy men served, of whom 3 lost their lives.
1900-Fore River Engine Company, now Quincy Yard of the Bethlehem Steel Company, moves to Quincy.
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