USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Springfield > King's handbook of Springfield, Massachusetts : a series of monographs, historical and descriptive > Part 11
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The United-States Post-Office is in the fine four-story, brick, fire-proof building, with granite trimmings, on the corner of Main and Court Streets, extending back to Market Street. It is well fitted with 1,000 Yale-lock boxes, stamp-window, register and money-order window. The large, well-lighted mailing-room on Market Street, with the many other conveniences, make this an excellent office. The building is owned by the Five Cents Savings Bank, for which it was completed in 1879. Among the earlier postmasters were Moses Church, Daniel Lombard, Albert Morgan, and Col. Harvey Chapin. The present postmaster I is Gen. H. C. Lee, who was, during the late war, colonel of the Twenty-seventh Regiment of Massachusetts Vol- unteers. In Postmaster Church's time, the office was on very near its present location ; it having then occupied the site of the present "Springfield Republican " building. It was kept for many years in a small room of the postmaster's house, corner of Main and Elm Streets. Postmaster Morgan removed it to a small wooden building, corner of State and Market Streets, where it remained several years, and was then again moved to a new brick building on Elm Street, near its former location. The business of the office once more outgrowing its room, it was removed, in 1866, to the Haynes Hotel building; and, after several years of service there, it was in 1879 transferred to its present convenient locality, which is a compromise between the centre of population and centre of business.
The County Buildings are the court-house, the jail, and the truant- school. Springfield was, on the first organization of the old county of I While this book is in press E. Chapin has been appointed.
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KING'S HANDBOOK OF SPRINGFIELD.
Hampshire, which extended from Connecticut to the Vermont and New- Hampshire lines, the original county-seat; and, though this honor was after- wards gained by Northampton, yet on the setting off, in 1812, of the county which bears the name of the patriotic John Hampden, it again became a shire town. Here is holden the Superior Court for the county; and twice a year is held a term of the Supreme Judicial Court, so called in distinction from the General Court, the constitutional appellation of the supreme legis- lative body.
The Hampden-county Court-House, a fine building constructed in the later Italian style, of gneiss from the quarries at Monson, and popularly known as Monson granite, stands on Elm Street, and, though somewhat obscurely placed, adds much to the views in the neighborhood of Court Square.
The original court-house, built about 1723, and only demolished in 1871, was a building of much historic interest. It was built mainly at the expense of the town, and stood on the spot where Sanford Street now enters Main. It was used as a court-house until 1792, from which date, to the organiza- tion of Hampden County, the courts were held at Northampton. It seems to have been used as a town-house before the construction of the old town- hall, shown on page 113. It passed through a succession of ownerships after its sale, about 1828, to the First Parish, and was several times removed, until it was finally demolished by Kibbe Brothers. It was this building, of which the forces of the insurgents in Shays' Rebellion took possession on Christmas Day. 1791, and prevented the holding of the term of court which was to begin on a following day.
In 1821 this building gave place to the court-house standing on the west side of Court Square, but now owned by the Odd Fellows, and devoted almost entirely to their use. In the latter building, which had formerly a tower in which the merry clatter of a bell used to summon the suitors to the sessions in the room below, Judge Lord, then of the Superior Court, was once holding a session, when he found himself much disturbed by the noise of the band of a passing procession. The sheriff having been sent out to remonstrate, without avail, the judge had the whole band arrested and brought in for contempt of court. In the court-room of this building for thirty years, beginning in 1830, was seen each year the portly form of the celebrated Chief Justice Shaw, when he came with the full court to hold the September term; and in this room Reuben Atwater Chapman, the future chief-justice, and his partner the brilliant George Ashmun, a favorite friend of Webster, won their earliest triumphs.
At the beginning of the last decade, it became evident that the growth of population demanded ampler and more convenient quarters for the courts ; and, proceeding under the act of 1871, the county commissioners purchased some 13,000 square feet of land extending from Elm Street to State ; and
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upon it the present structure was built, being completed in 1874 at a cost of $300,000. Its extreme length is 1583 feet, and its extreme width 893 feet. The tower is 150 feet high, and is modelled after that of the Palazzo Vecchio of Florence, Italy. The woodwork on the outside of the building is painted in India-red. There is a noble flight of steps in front, and in the centre of the building the word LEX is inscribed.
In adaptation to its uses, and in general appearance, it is not excelled by any public building in the city ; being in these respects much more fortunate than in its location, whose only recommendation is its central character and the quiet that makes easy the transaction of business within its walls. The façade, with its imposing arches and tower with crenellated battlements, makes an attractive background to the view beyond the elms of Court Square. On approaching the main entrance on Elm Street, the visitor ascends a flight of stone steps, and, passing beneath one of the three arches supported by massive piers, finds himself within a portico floored with mosaic and opening into the middle hallway. On the right of this hallway one arrives first at the registry of probate. This room, as well as the regis- try of deeds and the clerk's office, is built fire-proof. Opposite the registry of probate is the registry of deeds, where the ancient muniments of title will be shown upon request. Beyond these rooms are staircases ascending to the court-room on the second floor; and, still farther, doors open into the police court-room, deputy sheriff's office, and county commissioner's room. At the end of the corridor, are the rooms of the court of probate and of insolvency, and of the clerk of the Supreme and Superior Courts. In the clerk's office hangs a portrait of the late James W. Hale, the founder of the Hale fund for the relief of the poor by supplying them with stoves and fuel. There are also portraits of George Ashmun, and other past and present members of the bar. At the end of the hallway, another staircase provides, for the judges and members of the bar, a passage to the rooms above, the largest of which is the court-room, which is called one of the best in the State. It is finished in ash, and upon the fall of the plastering overhead, a few years since, was ceiled in the same wood. On the left of the bench is a painting, perfect in likeness, of the late Chief Justice Chapman ; and, on the right, a similar portrait of the Hon. John Wells, who, upon his death, was on the bench of the Supreme Court, which place he took upon resigning the office of judge of the court of probate for this county. Both these por- traits are the gift of the members of the Hampden-county bar. In the rear of the court-room, is the law library, purchased and annually increased from an appropriation by the county commissioners. Besides a good selection of text-books, it contains the common-law and equity reports of England, together with the reports of all the New-England and Middle States, and some of the Western and Southern States. Adjoining the library, is a con-
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THE HAMPDEN-COUNTY COURT-HOUSE.
On Court Square.
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sultation-room for lawyers, in which the visitor's attention is attracted by a portrait in oil of the late William G. Bates of Westfield, for half a century a prominent member of the Hampden bar. A photograph of Chief Justice Shaw also adorns the walls. The front of the building, on this floor, is occupied by the offices of the county treasurer, the high sheriff, and rooms for witnesses.
County Jail, on State Street.
On the third floor are the retiring- rooms of the juries, from whose windows the light. streaming out over the city in the small hours of the night, tells of the imprisoned citizens within striving for an "agreement."
The Hampden-county Jail and House of Correction is located on State Street, nearly opposite the City Library; and the importance which that vicinity has now attained, by reason of the public buildings and finer resi- dences, makes it an inharmonious object in an otherwise pleasing view. Its exterior is presentable ; its interior neat, and as well-arranged as the limited space will allow. Besides the small apartments for women, there are 120 cells for men; and the increase of crime makes it impossible to accom- modate all the offenders within the county, and some are sent to adjoining counties. The county is indictable for not providing better accommoda- tions, and the time is not far distant when a new jail must be built. The prisoners confined here are engaged in making harnesses, upon a contract with the county and a private citizen.
- CHARLES HENRY BARROWS.
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The Educational Institutions.
THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS; COLLEGES; EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.
T THE educational advantages of Springfield have long maintained a character for general excellence and thorough instruction that has added to the desirability of the city as a place of residence, and attracted residents from elsewhere. Even from China have come those to whom their own government saw fit to give such a New-England education as these schools had to furnish. A liberal policy has not been wanting in the city government, which expends annually over $100,000 for public-school purposes ; the public-school committee are inclined to retain and encourage faithful teachers ; and the desire of the community for careful supervision was long since shown by the appointment in 1840 of the first superintendent of schools in the Commonwealth, and the second in New England. The ambition of Massachusetts as a manufacturing State to excel in the arts of design has manifested itself in Springfield in an attention to drawing which has produced, even in the lower grades, extremely creditable original designs. And, in addition to the usual curriculum of studies pursued, careful attention is given to moral instruction and to the formation of character. In these schools the children of the rich and the poor, the native and the foreign born, meet together in a healthful competition in which no favorites are known; and it is a noticeable fact, that among those who have here received an excellent training for business and for college, are many sons of foreign- born citizens. Besides the public schools, there are several private institu- tions which have gained a reputation far beyond the limits of the State ; and there are also secular schools, that compare favorably with those of cities much larger than Springfield.
The Public-school System in this community, according to history, practically had its beginning with the first settlers, who gave early attention to the education of their children. In 1641 "ye selectmen " were ordered "to see that all children be taughtt to read and learn a chattechisme," and "to see schools erected and maintained." Twelve years later a "parcelle of land at ye lower end of Chickkuppy plaine " was set apart for the sup- port of schools and other "town charges." In 1677 William Maddison was employed as schoolmaster, receiving " three pence per week" for those who learned to read, and four pence if writing was added. In the follow-
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ing year David Denton was engaged as teacher at a salary of £20 per year. During this year, as the town-records show, there was a school in the tower of the meeting-house ; although it is evident that some of the schools were kept in private houses, for in 1679 the town paid to " Goodman Merricke Ios. 6d. for his house for school- ing," and 9s. to Sam- uel Ely for the same purpose. The younger children were some-
The High School, State Street.
times taught by married women at their homes, and such schools were called " dame schools." The records show that Good- wife Merricke was employed by the town for such a school.
The town authorities had charge of the moral training of children at church as well as at school. In 1679 the selectmen assigned certain seats for the children, " near the deacon's seat ;" and Deacon Parsons and others were directed " to have an eye on
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the boys." It was in this year that the first schoolhouse was built, "in the lane going to the upper wharf." This lane is the modern Cypress Street, north of the Boston and Albany Railroad, extending from Main Street west- ward towards Connecticut River. The length of the house was "twenty- two foot, breadth seventeen foot, and stud six foot and a halfe," with "three light spaces on one side, and two on one end," and a "rung chimney
Central-street Grammar School.
daubed." The contract price was £14; but it was agreed that if the builder, Thomas Stebbins, jun., should " have a hard bargain," he should "have Ios. more of the towne." Samuel Ely was paid "3s. 8d. for entertaining the schoolhouse raisers."
In 1685 all parents and householders were required to send their chil- dren and servants to school; and a vote was passed, that all persons living between " Round Hill and Mill River," who failed to send their children between the ages of 5 and 9 years, should "pay two pence per week for the space of half a year." This was compulsory education. In 1708 each
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person sending a child to school was ordered "to send a load of wood with- in two weeks, or pay enough to buy a load." It was easier, in those days, to pay taxes and bills in produce than in money ; and hence we find, that, in 1709, the salary of the "Grammar-school master, John Sherman," was "£40 in grain ; viz., Pease, Rye, Indian corn, and Barley, at the town price."
The "grammar school" of this period was a school for the common and also for the higher branches. Such schools were required by a law of the Province, of 1647, in all towns of one hundred families or more; and it was furthermore required, that the master of the school should be "able to instruct youth so farr as they can be fitted for ye university." It is a matter of record, that, from their establishment onward, schools continued to be maintained in the town; and it is also known that many of their teachers were persons of scholarship and ability. The schools were under the care of the selectmen. School-committees were not appointed regularly until about 1827.
About this time there was much public agitation of the subject of educa- tion, and the records of town-meetings show that the leading citizens of the town made strenuous efforts for the improvement of the schools. In 1840 the late S. S. Green was appointed town superintendent of the schools, the first appointment of the kind in Massachusetts. He remained two years, and did a good work for the schools. Afterwards he became well known as the author of a popular series of English grammars for schools, also as a teacher in Worcester and in Boston, and, during the latter part of his life, as professor in Brown University.
Prominent among the firm and active friends of the public schools, is the name of the late Josiah Hooker, for nearly twenty years a member of the school-committee. By his wise counsels, and unceasing efforts for their improvement, he contributed largely to their advancement and high character. In this work he received the hearty and efficient co-operation of members of the school-board, of the city council, and of citizens interested in the general welfare of the city. In 1865 E. A. Hubbard was appointed superintendent of the schools ; and during his administration several new schoolhouses were erected, a better organization and grading of the schools were secured, and improved methods of instruction introduced. Mr. Hub- bard resigned in 1873, and was succeeded by Admiral P. Stone, the present incumbent.
The organization of the schools includes three grades, -primary schools, grammar schools, and high school. The primary grade occupies three years, and the grammar grade six years. In these schools, thorough and system- atic instruction is given in all the common English branches, including book-keeping, and United-States and English history ; and special teachers give instruction in penmanship, music, and drawing.
THE HOOKER SCHOOL: A PUBLIC GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
On North Main Street.
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The number of pupils in the day schools is more than 6,000, with 125 teachers. There are maintained, during the winter months, two free evening schools for adults, in which the last enrolment was about 450; also a free evening draughting-school, where more than 200 persons, during the past winter, were taught mechanical drawing.
The total value of the buildings, with their lots, furniture, and fixtures, is $550,000; and the current expense of the schools, including repairs of buildings for 1882, was about $101,000. The control of the schools is vested in a school-committee, composed of the mayor as ex-officio chairman, and 9 persons, one-third elected annually by the people.
The High School dates, in its first organization, to the year 1827, when the town established a high school for boys on the north-east corner of School and High Streets, which was main- tained for about ten years, and in which many of the city's present business men, of the elder class, were educated. The late Rev. S. H. Calhoun, missionary to Syria, was one of its principals; and two principals are now residents of this vi- cinity, - Dr. Henry R. Vaille, and C. C. Burnett. A high school for the centre district of the town was established in 1841, on State Street, on the site of the present court-house. Its first principal was the late Rev. Sanford Lawton, who was succeeded in 1844 by Ariel Parish. Old High-School Building, Court Street. In 1848 the school was transferred to a new building on Court Street, now known as the "old high-school building," but occupied by the Court-street primary school. In the following year it became the high school for the whole town ; and Mr. Parish continued as its principal until 1865, when he was succeeded by the Rev. M. C. Stebbins. The high-school building now in use was completed in 1874. It stands on State Street, nearly opposite the City Library. In 1874 W. W. Colburn, the present incumbent, became principal of the school. The cost of the building, including the lot, was $170,000. It is of brick, with Ohio gray sandstone trimmings. It is situated within a short distance of the old high- school building of 1827, and as near as practicable to the centre of popu- lation. Its proximity to the city library offers facilities for the use of books of reference, and the room in the library building containing the natural- history collection is found a convenient place for recitations in that branch by the classes pursuing it in the school. The façade of the building is defectively narrow in its proportions, and the stone ornamentation is un-
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finished; but within, the rooms are commodious and cheerful. In the base- ment is the draughting-school and chemical laboratory. The first floor contains a reception-room, principal's room, and a schoolroom seating 135 pupils, a room for scientific lectures, beside cloak-rooms and recitation- rooms. Here also is the philosophical apparatus, valued at $3,500. The second floor is nearly a duplicate of the first; and on the third floor is an assembly-room, capable of seating 800 persons. The high-school course occupies four years, and embraces the higher English branches, including American and English literature, higher book-keeping, the science of government and political economy, the higher mathematics and metaphys- ics, the sciences, and the ancient and modern languages. Pupils are pre- pared for college, for business, and for high intellectual culture. Classes have been regularly graduated from this school for nearly thirty years. In 1883 the number of pupils in the school was 322, 46 of whom graduated in June.
The Grammar Schools are six in number, including the one at Indian Orchard. In these schools, thorough instruction is given in all the common English branches, including book-keeping, and United-States and English history; and special teachers give instruction in penmanship, music, and drawing.
The Hooker School on North Main Street, built in 1865, is the finest of the grammar-school buildings in external appearance, for which it is in- debted to its imposing tower (containing a clock with illuminated dial), as well as to the beautiful network of vines which in summer relieve the bare- ness of its brick walls. It contains nine rooms devoted to the grammar and intermediate grades, and in this last respect resembles the other grammar- school buildings, except the Worthington-street and Central-street Schools, which have rooms for the primary grade. The building is named for Josiah Hooker, whose portrait may be seen in the hall. J. Dwight Stratton has been the principal for 28 years. ...
The Elm-street Grammar School (fin- ished in 1867) is one story too high for prac- tical use, but possibly was built to rival the magnificent elm which stands in front of it, and which Oliver Wendell Holmes has commended to fame in his “ Auto- crat of the Breakfast Table," calling it "beautiful and stately beyond all praise." The principal is Simeon F. Chester.
Worthington-street Grammar School.
The Worthington-street School was built in 1869; and, on the organiza- tion of the new district in this locality, E. F. Foster became principal, and
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still remains such, having previously held for 15 years a like position in the Central-street School.
The Central-street Grammar School (building constructed in 1871) be- longs to an ancient district sometimes known as the Water-shops. Its prin cipal is Elias Brookings.
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Oak-street Grammar School.
The Oak-street Grammar School, which, like all the foregoing, is a sub- stantial brick structure, was finished in 1868, and replaced a building on Union Street. In the hall for public exercises hangs an excellent portrait in crayon of the present principal, Charles Barrows, placed there by the alumni of the school at the time of a celebration
in his honor in 1876. Mr. Barrows was appointed master of this school in 1841, and has now under his instruction a boy whose father and grandfather have both been his pupils since he began to teach in Springfield.
The Hampden-county Truant School is located on the Armory road, and connected with a farm, upon which the truants, who average about 25 in number, are to some extent employed.
Oak-street Primary School House, corner of Oak and Union Streets, is considered the finest school-build- ـو ing in the city. It was built in 1883, by Amaziah Mayo, jun., contractor ; Richmond and Seabury being the architects. It is of brick, two stories high, besides a light and dry base- Oak-street Primary School House, corner of Oak and Union Streets. ment, and contains four schoolrooms for fifty-six pupils each. For each school there is also a recitation-room, cloak-rooms, and a marble sink.
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KING'S HANDBOOK OF SPRINGFIELD.
The sunlight is admitted to each schoolroom during the entire school day. Cost, $ 14,000.
The Private Schools begin their history with the year 1812, about which time a private academy was established on the north side of Elm Street, and continued nearly a dozen years. Miss Julia Hawkes opened a private school for young ladies, in 1829, on Maple Street, near Union Street, which was of a high order, and received a generous patronage. It was succeeded by a school at the corner of Main and State Streets, taught by Rev. George
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Miss Howard's Family School for Girls, Union Street.
Nichols, who removed it the next year to Court Street, in the building next west of the old Court-House, where it continued, under different teachers, until about 1881. It was latterly known as the Springfield English and Classical Institute ; was for both sexes ; and its reputation and patronage extended far beyond the limits of the town and county. Its later and best- remembered principals were Misses Celia and Mary Campbell, and Messrs. E. D. Bangs and C. C. Burnett.
Miss Catherine L. Howard's Family School for Girls leads the private schools in point of age, and is behind none of them in point of reputation. Among its pupils are the representatives of many States. It is pleasantly located on the corner of Union and School Streets. This is strictly a
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