USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Our county and its people : A history of Hampden County, Massachusetts. Volume 2 > Part 13
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1The commission as constituted in 1872-73 is not mentioned in the published city register.
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Ely and John Hooker were appointed a committee to carry out the will of the inhabitants. In 1802 the committee purchased from the heirs of John Worthington the property formerly owned by Ebenezer Hitchcock, paying therefor $660.67. In 1826 it was voted to build a new almshouse on the land, and to erect in connection therewith a workhouse, but as the county then was contemplating the erection of a house of correction, the idea was abandoned, and in 1827 the almshouse alone was built, at a cost of $3,000. In 1834 the property was sold and the town pur- chased the Benjamin Brown farm of 43 acres, paying $3,000 for the land and erecting new buildings at an additional cost of $5,500. In subsequent years the almshouse property was the frequent subject of attention on the part of the authorities. The present buildings were erected in 1873, and since that year the city's poor have been given considerate attention by a liberal board of overseers. The property is located on the Boston road, about two miles east of court square.
During the year ending November 30, 1900, the city expend- ed $47,453 for the support of the indigent poor, and the addi- tional sum of $1,932.30 for the maintenance of an isolation hos- pital. During the year 381 persons were cared for. One of the recent adjuncts of the institution is the wayfarer's lodge, where work is provided and shelter given to unemployed persons and transient applicants for assistance.
In Springfield the affairs of the almshouse are in charge of the overseers of the poor, who are appointed by the city council ; and of the board thus constituted the mayor and the city physi- cian are ex officio members.
THE CITY PARKS
Previous to the creation of the park commission, in pursu- ance of the act of 1882, neither the city authorities nor the people of Springfield had given much thought to the subject of parks, or of a single large place of public resort where business cares might be laid aside for rest and quiet and comfort in nature's inviting fields. In 1821, when certain enterprising citizens of the principal village gave land for the court house,
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they also donated to the public about one acre for use as a public square, or park, to be enjoyed by all the people in common. Later on, as the town continued to grow in population, it became necessary to lay out public streets in localities formerly occupied for 'farming purposes, and as the old roads of earlier years had been established to suit the convenience of owners rather than with regard to regularity, the systematic survey of street lines naturally created numerous small angular parcels at points of intersection, which eventually were transformed into delightful little parks ; and they were named in allusion to whomsoever had donated the land for park purposes or had beautified the same at personal expense, or who had in some manner been prominently identified with the locality.
In addition to the magnificent tract of land known as Forest park, the city owns or controls for park purposes twenty-eight other parcels, with an aggregate area of 22.52 acres, known and located as follows:
Benton lawn, State street, 3.55 acres in extent (this beautiful park tract almost in the heart of the city was the result of joint action by the municipal authorities and the commandant at the United States arsenal, Colonel J. G. Benton, whose efforts in the work endeared him to every loyal citizen) ; Calhoun square, Chestnut street, 2.4 acres, named in honor of the late William B. Calhoun ; Carew triangle, North Main street, .08, of an acre, named in allusion to the late Francis M. Carew ; City Hall square, Pynchon street, .16 of an acre; Clarendon fountain, Clarendon street, .10 of an acre, beautified and provided with a drinking fountain by John D. and W. H. McKnight, and donated to the public ; Concord terrace, Concord street, .15 of an acre; Court square,1 Main street, .93 of an acre (the Wesson fountain, the gift of Daniel B. Wesson, was placed on the Main street front of the square in 1884. Many years ago Charles Merriam gave two drinking fountains for use on the square, and in 1841 James Byers erected a handsome marble fountain in which the water fell in three consecutive basins) ; Dartmouth fountain, Dart-
1Court Square became city property by an act of the legislature passed in 1885.
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mouth street, .15 of an acre; Dartmouth terrace, end of Dart- mouth street, .39 of an acre; Dorchester rest, Dorchester street, .11 of an acre; Gunn square, Westford avenue, .80 of an acre; Kenwood terrace, Belmont avenue, .39 of an acre; Kibbe foun- tain, Federal street, .07 of an acre ; Lafayette rest, end of Lafay- ette street, .10 of an acre ; Magnolia terrace, Magnolia terrace, .29 of an acre; Maplewood terrace, Maplewood terrace, .76 of an acre : McKnight glen, Ingersoll grove, 6 acres ; McKnight trian- gle, Bay street, .62 of an acre, improved and donated by John D. and W. H. McKnight; Merrick terrace, State street, .55 of an acre : Mill street fountain, Mill street, .05 of an acre ; Mill river
Winchester Park and Buckingham School
rest, Mill street, .08 of an acre; Public lawn, Main street, .53 of an acre; Sargeant's rest, North Main street, .24 of an acre : Stearns' square, Bridge street, .46 of an acre (donated to the public about 1845 by and named in honor of the late Charles Stearns) ; Tapley playground, Sherman street, 1.07 acres; the levee, foot of Elm street, .80 of an acre : Thompson triangle, St. James avenue, 1.06 acres : Winchester triangle, State street, .62 of an acre (named in honor of the late Charles A. Winchester).
Before the park commission was established these tracts were under the supervision of committees of the city legislative bodies
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and the care they received was such as could be given by the employees of the department, except as liberal citizens improved and beautified them ; but when the commission was created a new order of things was established, and the entire people of the city proper were awakened to an earnest interest in a general park proposition.
Fortunately, the original park commission comprised five of Springfield's progressive, public-spirited citizens-Daniel J. Marsh, John Olmsted, Orick H. Greenleaf, Walter H. Wesson and John D. McKnight, whose names must be forever associated with the measures which led to the establishment of what is now known as Forest park, one of the most beautiful and attractive home resorts in the state. Yet this great end was not attained without difficulties and personal sacrifices and some adverse criticism, for the spirit of opposition is ever manifest in measures proposed for the public good. For several years prior to the passage of the act there had been felt the need of a public park, and while such had been considered in local official circles, the most approved method of accomplishing that end had not been suggested. The act of 1882, general in its character and scope, opened the way and "made straight the path" for that element of the people who desired the benefits of a park resort; but when the end was finally reached the lesser parks of the city were not in any way neglected, and they have since received the same care- ful attention as the larger and more popular resort. In estab- lishing the wide reputation of Springfield as a "city of homes" the public parks have played a prominent part.
Forest Park-On September 29, 1883, the park commission- ers completed their official organization by electing John Olmsted chairman, and Walter H. Wesson clerk. At that time neither the commissioners themselves nor any other persons in authority had proposed a definite plan for a city park, yet dozens of sug- gestions had been set afloat through the medium of the press and the utterances of those who assumed to know the wants of the city. Having no funds at their disposal, the commissioners could accomplish little except a supervisory control over the small parks.
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The Pavilion at Forest Park Entrance
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In his inaugural address in the year mentioned Mayor Phil- lips said : "I should be glad if, during the current year, some steps could be taken toward the inauguration of a system of public parks. Nature has been wonderfully lavish with our beautiful city, and I have only to point to the possibilities which might result from even a slight expenditure along the east bank of our river at almost any point."
For some time previous to this there had existed a strong sentiment in favor of a public park on the bank of the Con- necticut, and when the commission came into life a careful exam- ination of the premises was made. It was learned that there was an available tract of land on the river bank between Bridge and Howard streets, which, in the opinion of the commissioners, could be transformed into a beautiful park, 100 feet wide and about 2,000 feet long, at an expense of about $125,000. It was then hoped that the railroad company, being greatly benefited by the improvement, would take an interest in the matter and bear a portion of the cost, and some negotiations were had with that end in view.
While awaiting some action on the part of the railroad com- pany, and at the same time casting about in every direction for a desirable location, in October, 1884, the commissioners were agreeably surprised by the magnanimous offer of one of their own number-Orick H. Greenleaf-who proposed to present the tract of land known as "Forest park" for the purposes for which the commission was constituted, and to convey the same to the city free of any cost. This splendid offer was made in perfect good faith and was followed by a deed of conveyance, vesting title in the city to 65.08 acres of land located south of Sumner avenue and about one and one-half miles south of court square. The land was accepted, and in the same year the commissioners pur- chased from Linus Dickinson, for $2,200, a tract of 17.11 acres, and from William L. Dickinson, for $1,000, a tract of 7.99 acres, both adjoining the Greenleaf lands. Thus at the end of 1884 Forest park comprised 90.18 acres of land of as good quality and as well situated as could be desired for that purpose.
There were no further acquisitions of land for the park for several years, and the annual appropriations were used in devel-
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oping and improving that which had previously come into posses- sion of the city. Between 1884 and 1890 the city fathers appro- priated the total sum of $46,300 for park improvements, the greater portion of which was expended in Forest park while the smaller tracts were not in any manner neglected. In 1889 the county contributed $500 to the park fund. To enumerate the multitude of improvements made during this five-year period would require more space than is at our command, and would add little of interest to our narrative. The immediate work of improvement was placed under charge of Justin Sackett, a con- tractor of Springfield, and in the most admirable and satisfactory manner he performed every duty committed to his care.
The year 1890 constituted an eventful period in the history of the park. By this time the people of the entire city had be- come thoroughly interested in the project and all opposing ele- ments had been subdued in the general approval of what had been accomplished. In this year the park was brought nearer to the heart of the city by the completion of the electric street rail- way, and whereas the tract was previously reached only at con- siderable inconvenience and expense of time and money, the opening of the "trolley road" afforded ready access to the park as a popular resort for all Springfield.
In the same year the city was made the recipient of still greater benefactions at the hands of generous citizens. First, John Olmsted, former commissioner, and commissioners Mc- Knight, Greenleaf, Wesson and Kirkham purchased at their own expense a tract of nearly fifty acres and conveyed the same gratis to the city. Then followed the magnificent and characteristic gift of Everett H. Barney, who from the outset had taken a com- mendable interest in the park movement, yet who had entered into the active councils of the commissioners in this year.
Mr. Barney gave to the city for the park enterprise his ele- gant homestead property, comprising 104.56 acres of land, re- serving to himself only a life occupancy of the Barney residence. But this was not all. In 1892 he erected the splendid granite "Memorial and Lookout," also caused to be built the beautiful white marble monument, "Faith, Hope and Charity," which
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attracts admiring attention from all who chance to pass down the Long Hill road which borders the improved portion of the park on the west. More than this, Mr. Barney has given other valu- able lands, and has devoted his time and contributed liberally of his means to park improvements independent, and with the full approval, of the other commissioners, until the western limits of the tract have become a perfect garden of beauty-an Eden of horticultural art.
In 1890 the city appropriated $13,000 for park maintenance and improvement and $14,000 for the purchase of the property of the Dickinson estate, the latter adding 89.70 acres to the lands of the park tract. In the same year also, President Marsh, of the commission, purchased at his own expense and donated one and one-half acres of land, making the total area 334.33 acres. In 1891 Mr. Greenleaf bought and gave to the park 4.12 acres, this being his third contribution in land for the good of the city's people. His work always was unselfish and earnest. His was the original gift for the park, and by his generosity and public- spiritedness it was made possible. He died May 14, 1896, but his good works are fondly remembered by all loyal citizens.
In 1892 six more parcels, aggregating 61.21 acres were added to the park lands by these donors: Theodore A. Havemyer, 3.68 acres; Ida M. Southworth, 6.33 acres; Marvin Chapin, 10.50 acres ; Moses Field, 7.20 acres ; Ella F. Allen, 7.20 acres ; Everett H. Barney, 26.29 acres. The park now aggregated 399.66 acres of land.
Still further acquisitions of land were made in 1894, by gift and by purchase as follows: Helen Spring, 1.74 acres ; Celia C. Merriam, 1.74 acres; Everett H. Barney, 22.02 and 4.24 acres in separate donations ; Marvin Kirkland, 3 acres; and the William Barry tract of 1.86 acres which was acquired by purchase and the process of law, at a cost of $800.
In 1896 five more parcels were secured, four by gift and one by purchase. The donors of the year were John B. Stebbins, 4.15 acres; George Nye, 4.15 acres; Elisha Gunn, 4.15 acres; Everett Barney, 17.26 acres. The fifth parcel, 7.12 acres, was purchased from the sisters of St. Joseph, at an ultimate cost to the city of $18,921.11.
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Within its present boundaries Forest park comprises 463.24 acres of land. It has been made up of 29 separate parcels, five of which were purchased by the commissioners in their official capacity, while the 24 other parcels were donated by interested individual citizens. It cannot be said that the city authorities have been miserly, or even conservative, in their appropriations for park purposes, as the following table will give direct contra- diction to such an assertion. During the seventeen years of the history of the park the city has raised moneys for park mainte- nance and improvement as follows: 1884, $9,500; 1885, $6,300; 1886, $4,000; 1887, $6,500 ; 1888, $12,000; 1889, $8,000, and $500 from the county; 1890, $13,000; 1891, $18,000; 1892, $18,500; 1893, $20,000 ; 1894, $20,000; 1895, $22,500; 1896, $25,000; 1897, $28,050; 1898, $28,000; 1899, $28,000; 1900, $25,000. The Park Commissioners.
The city park commissioners have always performed the duties of office with great care and zeal. They have given their time and service frequently at the sacrifice of personal interests and comfort. That their work has been well done no person will care to dispute, and there never has been raised against their official action so much as a breath of suspicion. The personnel of the first board is given in a preceding paragraph, but of the first members who comprised that body only one-Daniel J. Marsh is now in office. The first president was John Olmsted, who retired from the board in 1886, upon which Mr. Marsh became presi- dent and has so continued to the present time. Walter H. Wes- son served as clerk until 1886, when he was succeeded by Fred- erick Harris, who served until 1891. William F. Callender was then chosen clerk and continued until 1896, when he retired from the board, and was followed in office by Azel F. Packard, who served two years. The next clerk was Charles E. Ladd, who still performs the duties of that office, although not now a member of the commission.
The park commissioners have been as follows: John Olm- sted, 1883-March 1, 1886; Daniel J. Marsh, 1883-still in office ; Orick H. Greenleaf, 1883-died March 14, 1896; Walter H. Wes- son, 1883-Jan. 11, 1890; John D. McKnight, 1883-died Dec. 20,
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1890; John E. Taylor, 1886-April 21, 1892; Frederick Harris, 1889-Jan. 2, 1891; Everett H. Barney, 1890-still in office; Will- iam F. Callender, 1891-May 1, 1896; James Kirkham, 1892-died Feb. 8, 1893; Azel A. Packard, 1896-May 1, 1898; Edward S. Bradford, 1893-Dec. 1, 1899; Charles E. Ladd, 1896-1901, now park superintendent; Robert O. Morris, 1898-1901; Nathan D. Bill, 1899-still in office; William E. Wright, 1901-still in office ; Herman Buchholz, 1901-still in office.
LIBRARIES
Naturally, in a city whose people can establish and maintain one of the finest and most complete library institutions in the country, much interest attaches to all that can be said concerning the subject of libraries. Still, the library association of the city had a beginning as humble and almost as primitive as that of any other of its institutions, and it was in fact the outgrowth of older literary societies, one of which was founded in the town more than three-quarters of a century ago.
Sometime during the closing years of the eighteenth century a number of interested citizens of the town associated together and founded what was known as the Springfield library com- pany, which, according to meagre traces of its history, possessed a few hundred volumes of books, chiefly devoted to subjects of history, voyages, travels and poetry, with some attempt at a col- lection relating to divinity and ethical topics, biography (chiefly European ) and also a few miscellaneous works. But just when and how the library company came into existence and the causes of its dissolution, no person now assumes to state.
The second library was opened by the Franklin library asso- ciation, undoubtedly so named in allusion to Benjamin Franklin, who then had achieved more than national fame in the world of science. The patrons and founders of the association were chiefly persons connected with the U. S. armory, and its existence was continued until 1844, when it was merged in the Young Men's institute, the latter having been established in the preced- ing year.
Next in the order of formation was the Hampden Mechanics" association, organized in January 1824, for the commendable
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purpose of maintaining a public library for the benefit of its members, and also for the purpose of establishing an evening school for mechanics and apprentices. The association also pro- vided for lecture courses for the general welfare. It was a worthy organization and was productive of much good in the town for a quarter of a century. Its collection of books was transferred to the Young Men's institute in 1845, and four years later the association passed out of existence. The members, how- ever, were not unprovided for, as the transfer was made on con- dition that they should have free access to the library and read- ing rooms of the institute for all time. In 1834 the "Appren- tices' library," as it was commonly known, contained 627 vol- umes.
The Young Men's institute, which seems to have absorbed the earlier literary societies of the town, was founded in 1843 and was an improvement on all its predecessor bodies. It acquired an excellent local reputation and a large membership, receiving material support from prominent citizens. Its courses of lec- tures were of more advanced character than was before attempt- ed, and its weekly debates attracted much attention by reason of the forensic efforts of its orators, particularly the young "limbs of the law," who were pursuing their studies in the village; and if local tradition be true these meetings were not without interest among the older professional men, who not only found their way into the weekly gatherings, but who took part in the discussions and occasionally were "worsted" by their younger brethren.
In 1854, after the Young Men's institute had been in opera- tion about ten years, a similar organization under the name of the Young Men's literary association was brought into existence, but the causes which led to its organization are not now clearly apparent. Its character and objects were the same as those of the older society, and it is believed that the new association was created to stimulate discussion of general topics in open debating contests, and also to interest a new element of citizenship in liter- ary work. However this may have been we know not, but the ultimate result of the two societies was a consolidation of inter- ests and a general request, in 1855, supported by a petition with
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1,200 signers, upon the new municipal government for an appro- priation of $2,000 for the establishment of a city library. The petition and request were referred to committees and in due . season a favorable report was made, yet the city council failed to act, setting forth as its chief reason that the expenditure would be unwise in view of the contemplated erection of a city hall at great cost to taxpayers.
"Disappointed in this direction," said the late Dr. Rice in one of his articles on library history, "the friends of the enter- prise determined to make a vigorous effort for the establishment of a public library by means of a voluntary association and by seeking private subscriptions. For this purpose the City Library association was organized, November 27, 1857. The members of the two existing organizations, the Springfield institute and the Young Men's literary association, united in the new enterprise, and their small libraries were made over to the City Library asso- ciation. A committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions among the citizens, a considerable sum was raised, and accessions were made to the library by donations of books. In 1859 Mayor Calhoun again brought the subject to the notice of the city gov- ernment and recommended an appropriation to the association, claiming 'that in view of the benefits of a public library as the fruitful source, not of the ordinary and acknowledged blessings of intelligence merely, but of an efficient and all-pervading economy,' it would be literally an 'institution of saving.' But in view probably of the 'heavy indebtedness of the city,' no ac- tion was had on this recommendation. During the year, how- ever, the library was removed to rooms in the city hall with the approval of the mayor and the committee on city property. The same year the association established as an adjunct in its work a museum of art and natural history."
"Simultaneously with the occupancy of these rooms, com- menced an earnest and persistent effort to increase the resources of the association. A subscription of about $8,000 was raised, and in the following year a fair was held by the ladies for the benefit of the enterprise, which resulted in adding about $1,800 to its funds. A reference theological department was com-
Dr. William Rice
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
menced, and donations were secured in money and books from the various religious denominations. The agricultural depart- ment was largely increased by the addition of the Hampden agri- cultural library. Courses of lectures were likewise given which for several years resulted in a considerable income. No funds, however, were received from the city until 1864, and no help except the room rent, fuel and lights" furnished after the re- moval of the library to the city hall in 1859.
"In 1864 the city began making appropriations for the library. It then contained 17,000 volumes and at least $45,000 had been contributed to the funds of the association. The rooms in the city hall now were filled to overflowing, and it was felt that provision must be made for its permanent accommodation and continued growth. The association was therefore reorgan- ized under a new charter which constituted it a corporation for the purpose of 'establishing and maintaining a social library and a museum of natural history and art for the diffusion of knowl- edge and the promotion of intellectual improvement in the city of Springfield.' With this reorganization an effort was made by the association to secure funds for a library building, which resulted in the erection of the present library on the site donated by George Bliss."
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