USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Springfield > Springfield city directory, and business advertiser,1870-71 > Part 2
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22
Business and Trade,
23
Wanted, A Historian,
24
Springfield Club, .
63
Springfield Scientific Association, .
63
Stage Routes, Expresses, etc.,
69
State Government,
40
Streets, Avenues, Squares, Blocks,
Hills, Reservoirs, etc., 25, 28, 117
Street Railway,
71
Sunday-Schools,
44-50
Telegraph Companies,
.
69
Temperance Societies,
61
The Almshouse and the Poor,
65
Typographical Union,
66
United States Armory, .
65,74
United States Courts,
40
United States Government,
41
United States Internal Revenue,
39
Valuation of Springfield, .
66
Voting Places, .
37
Who may be Found at the City Hall
and Court House,
73
Young Men's Christian Association,
54
Young Catholic Friends' Society,
62
----
INDEX TO ADVERTISEMENTS.
Agents Wanted.
PAGE.
Bill, Nichols & Co.,
135
Fuller F. S.,
198
Holland W. J. & Co., .
xiii
Ziegler, McCurdy & Co.,
352
Agricultural Store.
Ferre, Batchelder & Co.,
86,191
Album Manufacturers.
Bowles Samuel & Co.,
90
Analytical Physician.
Kelley Dr. J. Wesley,
235
Architects.
Chapin A. L.,
xi, 156
Potter Geo. E., office Goodrich blk, 289
Shepard Chauncey,
311
Artificial Limbs.
Douglass D. De Forrest,
181
Attorneys and Counselors at Law.
Brown T. M.,
145
Donnelly Hugh, .
180
Greene & Bosworth,
207
McIntire James E.,
259
Sanders Sidney,
304
Smith & Maynard, .
316
Soule & Lathrop,
317
Auctioneers.
Beach T. D., .
PAGA.
Eldredge J. A. & Co.,
186
Bakers.
Carr J. S. & Co.,
153
Lobsitz John,
249
Batting Manufacturer.
Olmsted John,
viii
Bell Hanger.
Davison Henry O.,
175
Beer and Soda Manufacturers.
Brooks F. A.,
143
Cowles, A. F.,
159
Blank Book Manufacturers.
Bowles Samuel & Co.,
90
Smith & Sargent,
317
Boilers, Engines, Etc.
Hammond S. T. & Co.,
219
Boiler Makers.
Grimes & Ellison, :
-80, 20S
Book Publishers.
Bill, Nichols & Co.,
135
Bowles, Samuel & Co.,
90
Holland W. J. & Co.,
xiii
Merriam G. & C., .
84
Ziegler, McCurdy & Co.,
352
---
·
9
INDEX TO ADVERTISEMENTS.
Book Binders.
PAGE.
Bowles Samuel & Co.,
90
Smith & Sargent,
317
Books and Stationery.
Bridgman J. C. & Co.,
142
Burt A. & Co.,
149
Burt & Root, .
84
Clark Charles W.,
159
Rhees William J.,
iii, 294
Rude Horace,
301
Ryan Philip J.,
303
Boots and Shoes.
Wholesale Dealers.
Hixon & Birnie,
222
Morse O. D. & Co.,
269
Shaw Henry A., .
309
Retail Dealers, Makers and Repairers.
Burke James,
148
During John B.,
184
Hitchcock & Brewster,
222
Marsh W. P. & Co.,
255
Morse O. D. & Co.,
269
Shaw Henry A.,
309
Brass Founders.
E. Stebbins Manufacturing Co., .
xii
Emory P. P. & Co.,
85
Bridge Builders.
Briggs A. D. & Co.,
142
Hawkins, Herthel & Burrall, .
217
Car Builders.
Wason Manufacturing Co.,
viii
Card (Machine) Manufacturers.
Hampden Card Co.,
213
Carpenters and Builders. PAGE
Chapin A. L.,
xi, 156
Currier & Richards,
172
Eaton L. O., .
186
Ferry Charles S.,
191
Kingsbury George O.,
ix, 240
Ladd E. W.,
242
Marien & Prescott,
254
Moulton C. C.,
270
Shaw Charles L.,
308
Shepard Chauncey,
311
Carriage Maker.
Rogers John H.,
XV
Carriage and Saddlery Hard-
ware and Trimmings.
Baker Henry K.,
126
Children's Carriages.
Warner, Peck & Co., .
339
Cigars and Tobacco.
Case & Clark,
154
Frost Samuel N.,
198
Circulating Libraries.
Leavitt, Gillespie & Gilmore,
.
245
Rhees William J., .
iii, 294
Civil Engineers.
Briggs A. D. & Co.,
142
Gillespie J. E.,
84 .
Hawkins, Herthel & Burrall,
217
Claim Agent.
Tifft L. A., .
331
Clairvoyant.
Manley Mrs. A. B.,
253 .
Clock and Watch Repairer.
Rice Joseph H.,
295
2
للـ
10
INDEX TO ADVERTISEMENTS.
Coal Dealers.
PAGE.
Banks J. H. & Son,
vi, 127
Bemis, Phillips & Co.,
vi
Fisher, Buckhause & Knappe,
192
Wiese F.,
346
Gray, Henry & Sons, .
iv, 206
Coffee and Spice Manufacturer.
Fowler George,
196
Commission Merchants.
Adams & Bates, .
119
Bigelow & Adams,
134
Eldredge J. A. & Co., .
186
Palmer Samuel & Co.,
280
Sibley & Rathbun,
312
Smith Hinsdale & Co.,
315
Wilder & Puffer, .
347
Confectionery and Fruit.
Barr E. C. & Co.,
129
Gunn & Merrill,
209
Pierce H. A.,
286
Pierce & Stebbins,
85
Confectionery Manufacturers.
Cowles A. F.,
169
Kibbe Brothers & Co.,
238
Copper-smiths.
Emory P. P. & Co., .
85
Cotton Waste Dealers.
Arms William S.,
123
Olmsted John,.
viii
Crockery and Glass Ware.
Dearden William,
176
Eldredge J. A. & Co.,
186
Livermore, Ball & Co.,
2,248
White Alfred H.,
344
Croquet Manufacturers.
Bradley Milton & Co., .
87,140
Curtain Fixtures.
PAGE.
Bridgman J. C. & Co., .
142
Dentists. .
Ames Dr. N. E., .
122
Anderson Dr. J. J.,
122
Noble Dr. Lester,
274
Searle Dr. F., .
307
Dentist's Materials and Instru- ments.
Williams William M., .
348
Designers and Engravers.
Bradley Milton & Co.,
87, 140
Richards W. A.,
296
Drain and Sewer Pipe.
Wilcox J. P. & Co., .
Dress and Cloak Makers.
Jennison & Kendall,
231
Druggists.
Alden & Brewster,
120
Bigelow Edmund,
134
Brewer H. & J., .
XV
Brown George C.,
144
Dickinson Frank S.,
178
Hooker John,
224
Merritt & Hall,
262
Webber J. T. & Co.,
341
Dry Goods.
Bushnell H. S. & Co.,
150
Currier, Hodskins & A. G. Lord,
172
Forbes & Smith,
.
see top of pages
Hallock L. E. & Co.,
84, 212
ـع الة
11
INDEX TO ADVERTISEMENTS.
PAGE.
Rockwood J. T., .
299
Sterns E. H. & Co.,
323
Tinkham & Co.,
84, 332
Dye-Houses.
Broadhurst & Son,
143
Harmon Israel & Co.,
2, 214
Eave Trough Manufacturers.
Child, Hall & Russell,
158
Electrotypers.
.
Bowles Samuel & Co.,
90
Eye and Ear Infirmary.
Gardner William W.,
200
Expresses.
American Merchants Union,
.
122
Fancy Dry Goods.
Fallon John, .
189
Ilull Mrs. J. S., .
228
Jennison & Kendall,
231
Kinsman W. D.,
240
Leavitt, Gillespie & Gilmore Misses, 245
Newton A. J., .
273
Pierce William,
286
Stern Jacob,
322
Wallach, Schwab & Zinsser,
338
Fish and Oyster Dealers.
Granger T. M.,
205
Quimby H. A.,
291
Webber J. W. & Co., .
341
Flour and Grain.
Adams & Bates,
119
Bangs John,
127
Bigelow & Adams,
134
During John,
184
Palmer S. & Co.,
280
PAGE.
Parker & Wood, .
281
Peebles & Mattoon,
284
Sibley & Rathbun,
312
Wilder & Puffer,
347
Fresco Painter.
Wiese F.,
346
Furniture Dealers.
Aiken & Judd, .
119
Eldredge J. A. & Co.,
186
Fisher, Buckhause & Knappe,
81,192
Maxfield, Kellogg & Cole,
Y
General Jobbers.
Gifford John H.,
88, 202
Gouch George, .
204
Stacy E. S., .
83
Gold Beater.
Harwood F. W.,
216
Gold Pen Manufacturer.
Packard Clarles N.,
279
Gold and Silver Platers.
Kane J. T., .
234
Warner J. M.,
339
Grocers.
Wholesale.
Marsh J. S. & Co.,
ix, 254
Palmer S. & Co.,
280
Remington F. B.,?
293
West, Stone & Co., .
343
Retail.
Call Charles A.,
152
Camp Alonzo, .
152
Cate Nathaniel,
155
Cornell T. W., .
168
Davison Henry J.,
175
Dwight Elihu,
185
--
اللـ
12
INDEX TO ADVERTISEMENTS.
PAGE.
Fox John, .
196
Houghton E. T.,
225
Joy & Chandler,
233
Kimberly John & Co., .
238
Marsh J. S. & Co ..
ix, 254
Merritt & Hall,
262
Niles A. F. & H. L.,
274
Pomeroy Wilbur H.,
288
Pynchon Daniel & Co.,
291
Remington F. B., :
293
Rice John L. & Co.,
295
Shaw S. A. & Co.,
309
Winter L. S. & J. K.,
349
Woolson Charles A.,
351
Hair Dressers.
Montague W. H.,
266
Hardware.
Bemis, Phillips & Co., .
vi
Bemis S. Augustus,
133
Blackstone C. J.,
136
Brewer J. D. & Son,
79
Foot Homer & Co.,
79
Graves George A., .
206
Harnesses, Saddlery and Trunks.
Cummings Josiah,
171
Hewitt J. R., .
85, 220
Payne William,
282
White Daniel G.,
345
Wilkinson, Wellman & Co.,
347
Hats, Caps, Furs, etc.
Avery Seth W., . .
125
Brigham D. H. & Co., .
142
Sanderson & Son,
305
Tobey Frank G.,
332
Hoop Skirt Manufacturers.
Ferre C. D. & Co.,
191
Hotels.
PAGE.
Pynchon House,
77
Springfield House, .
311
Insurance.
Burt A. & Co.,
149
Chapin & Lee, after each letter in names.
Gilmore H. G.,
bottom alternate pages.
Hall John A.,
211
Holmes J. W.,
bottom alternate pages.
Johnson James L., .
ii
Ladd Brothers,
89
Lee H. C.,
86
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance
Co., see colored leaf at end of book.
Miller Henry D.,
264
Moseley Harvey E.,
269
Porter James M. & Co., third page cover.
Quinby B. F.,
291
Remington Henry H., .
294
Sedgwick J. S., .
307
Springfield Fire and Marine Ins. Co.,
3
Taylor E. R., .
back of map.
Tifft L. A.,
331
Warriner S. C., .
340
Wood Warren S.,
xvi, 350
Intelligence Office.
Ryan Philip J.,
303
Iron Founders.
Wright & Emerson,
.
. xii, 352
Jewelry, Watches and Plate.
Bailey S. E., .
126
Porter & Prince,
288
Stickney E. R.,
324
Stowe L. S. & Co.,
325
Whipple & Skiff,
344
Junk Dealers.
Dickinson & Mayo, .
179
Hammond S. T. & Co.,
212
13
INDEX TO ADVERTISEMENTS.
Ladder Manufacturers.
PAGE. Child, Hall & Russell, 158
Lime, Cement, &c.
Bigelow & Adams,
.134
Gray Henry & Sons,
iv, 206
Parker & Wood,
281
Peebles & Mattoon,
284
Lithographers.
Bradley Milton & Co.,
. 89, 140
Livery and Feeding Stables.
Henry & Marsh,
xi, 219
Richmond F. & J. M.,
296
Robinson Ethan C.,
298
Locksmith.
Gifford John H.,
88, 202
Lumber Dealers.
Chase, Currier & Co.,
82
Day, Jobson & Chase,
176
Martin Horace & Co., .
255
Robinson, Marsh & Co.,
viii
Machinists.
Gillespie, J. E., .
84
Grimes & Ellison,
. 80, 208
Stacy E. S.,
83
Johnson Alonzo,
232
Marble and Slate Dealers.
Cooley H. K.,
88
Crabtree & Short,
vi, 169
Mason.
Curtis Daniel J.,
172
Meat Markets.
Holbrook Clark B., Jr.,
222
Perkins & Co.,
284
Rice John L.,
295
Richards & Dumbleton,
296
PAGE.
Smith A. C., .
313
Smith George B. & Brother,
314
Whitney & Fuller,
346
Merchant Tailors.
Avery Henry,
125
Blodgett A. & Brother,
137
Brigham D. H. & Co.,
142
Haynes & Co.,
218
Merrick & Huber,
262
Miller, Allen & Co.,
263
Paine Charles,
280
Ray S. C.,
77,292
Schober Charles,
306
Milliners and Millinery Goods.
Fallon John,
189
Hull Mrs. J. S.,
228
Pierce William,
286
Tinkham & Co.,
84, 332
Wallach, Schwab & Zinsser,
338
Wilcox O. W.,
346
Model and Pattern Makers.
Johnson Alonzo,
232
Marshall J. C.,
255
Piper E. J.,
287
Music Stores.
Burt Augustine & Co.,
149
Fay, Hoadly & Co., first p cover and
190
Rude Horace,
301
Spear Wilson & Co., .
318
Music Teacher.
.
Hutchins Mrs. M. J. D., .
4
Newspapers.
Burt Henry M. & Co.,
xiv
Bowles Samuel & Co.,
90
14
INDEX TO ADVERTISEMENTS.
Nurseries.
PAGE.
Adams John W.,
118
Optician.
Chapin D. M.,
84
Ornamental Hair Work.
Montague W. H.,
266
Painters.
McIntire Charles, .
259
Ryan & Powell,
303
Walker T. M. & Co.,
337
Paper Dealers, (Wholesale.)
Bay State Paper Co., .
13
Greenleaf & Taylor Mfg. Co., .
207
Union Paper Manufacturing Co.,
335
Paper Stock, Etc.
Arms William S.,
123
Dickinson & Mayo, .
179
Olmsted John,
viii
Paper Hangings.
Bridgman J. C. & Co.,
142
Dearden William,
176
Walker T. M. & Co.,
337
Warner David,
338
Wiese F.,
346
Paints and Oils, etc.
Walker T. M. & Co.,
337
Warner David, .
338
Patent Solicitors.
Sanders Sidney, .
304
Photographers.
Alden A. E. & A. J.,
82
Moore Brothers,
267
Nason J. H.,
272
Townsend A. C.,
332
[Picture Frames, Mirrors, Etc.
PAGE.
Burnham A. V.,
14:
Holcomb Brothers,
223
Robinson Brothers,
298
Planing Mills.
Child, Hall & Russell,
158
Cutler A. D.,
173
Day, Jobson & Chase,
176
Plumbers.
Knight A. M. & Son, .
81
Printers.
Bowles Samuel & Co.,
90
Miller JJoseph, .
263
Tannatt J. F. & Co.,
328
Produce Dealers.
Adams & Bates,
119
Bigelow & Adams,
134
Fox John,
196
Palmer Samuel & Co.,
280
Remington F. B.,
293
Provision Dealers, (Wholesale)
Allen Thomas H. & Brother,
121
Arnold & Lyon,
123
Paper Box Manufacturers.
Seymour & Brother.
.
308
Paper Collar Manufacturers.
Ray & Taylor,
293
Physicians.
Gardner Dr. William W.,
200
Kelley Dr. J. Wesley, .
235
Manley Mrs. A. B., .
253
Ready-Made Clothing.
Baldwin & Vaughan,
78
Brigham D. H. & Co.,
142
Empire Clothing House,
188
15
INDEX TO ADVERTISEMENTS.
PAGE.
Haynes & Co.,
218
Keyes Henry & Co.,
237
Miller, Allen & Co.,
263
Packard Sidney,
280
Real Estate Brokers.
Burbank J. & Co.,
147
Burt A. & Co.,
149
Jordan Josiah,
233
Kingsbury George O.,
ix, 240
Ladd E. W.,
242
Restaurants.
Johnson N. C.,
232
Barr E. C. & Co.,
129
Safes (Fire-Proof.)
Gray Henry & Sons, .
. iv, 206
Savings Banks.
Hampden Savings Bank, .
vii
Springfield Five Cents Savings
Bank,
vii
Springfield Institution for Savings,
vii
Seeds.
Ferre, Batchelder & Co.,
.
.
86,191
.Silver Plate Manufacturers.
Springfield Silver Plate Co.,
.
. 320
Sewing Machines.
Ferre C. D. & Co.,
191
Lee Charles M., (Lee & Williams,)
245
Otis S. G.,
279
Shirt Manufacturers.
Dewey H. S.,
178
Lee & Williams, .
245
Sieve Manufacturer.
Bigelow Cheney,
134
Soap and Candle Manufacturers.
Arnold & Lyou, .
123
Stair Builder.
PAGE.
Fitts Lewis L.,
193
Steam and Gas Pipe Fitters.
Appleton J. H. & Co.,
123
Steel Letter Cutter.
Mathewson J. E.,
. 256
Spectacle Manufacturer.
Burbank Samuel D.,
. 147
.
Stoves and Tin Ware.
Alexander John,
120
Clark Leonard, .
160
Clark Simpson,
160
Cushman E. J. & Co.,
80
Montague D. B. & Co.,
266
Spooner W. A. & Co.,
318, 319
Wilcox W. L.,
346
Teas, Coffees and Spices.
Bourke Brothers,
139
Crowell & Blakeslee,
171
Fowler George,
196
Tool Manufacturers.
Bemis & Call Co., .
133
Truckman.
Howard J. N.,
226
Turner.
Fernald William,
190
Undertakers.
Fiske & Dickinson, .
193
Washburn E. G.,
x, 340
Tobacconists.
Smith Hinsdale & Co.,
315
Wright W. H.,
352
Yankee Notions.
William Patton,
282
ADVERTISEMENTS FROM OTHER CITIES.
Agricultural Tools.
PAGE.
Belcher & Taylor Ag'l Tool Co., . 113
Albany Ag'1 Works,
opposite p. 352
Book-Binders' Materials, Etc.
Copper & Fry,
101
Gane Henry A. & Son,
102
Gane's H. A. Sons & Co.,
102
Griffin H. & Sons,
96
Hoole John R. & Son,
98
Rockwell J. S. & Co.,
97
Book Clasps, Etc.
Berney & Callaghan,
112
Chisel Manufacturers.
Buck Brothers,
111
Cutting Dies.
Howe A. M., .
110
Engravers.
J. & J. Berry,
104
Flavoring Extracts.
Colton J. W., .
115
Furnace Manufacturers, etc.
Dighton Furnace Co.,
107
Glue.
King D. Webster & Co., .
.
106
Magic Oil.
PAGE.
Renne,
114
Paper Cutter.
Curtis & Mitchell,
108
Paper and Paper Makers' Ma-
terials.
Parson W. H. & Brother,
91
Magarge Charles & Co.,
99
Rice, Kendall & Co.,
103
Pegging Machine. Varney Chas., colored leaf at end of book
Printing Inks.
Collins Sheldon, .
95
MacKellar, Smiths & Jordan,
100
Mather's George Sons,
opposite p. 353
Wade H. D. & Co.,
94.
Printing Machinery, Etc.
Hoe R. & Co.,
92
Shipping Tags.
Dennison & Co., .
109
Type Foundries.
Farmer, Little, & Co.,
93
Hoe R. & Co.,
'92
MacKellar, Smiths & Jordan,
100
Phelps, Dalton & Co.,
105
1
Springfield in 1870.
A GENERAL VIEW.
THE term "infant city," so often applied to Springfield in a spirit of good-natured raillery, with sometimes an admixture of jealousy, also, by the inhabitants of neighboring villages, when this most ancient of towns in the Connecticut Valley was first incorporated a city, and for several years thereafter, is no longer heard. Spring- field has since achieved such a lusty growth, and taken on so visibly and unmistakably the best characteristics of a city, that even our most jealous neighbors have ceased to deride us, and, when they will speak soberly and honestly, even acknowledge that they take a pride in the growth of Springfield almost equal to that of our own citizens. And well they may ; for in one sense the city and the neighboring towns are members of the same family, children of the same mother,-the old town of Springfield, which originally included an area much larger than at present. The city may now be designated as the oldest child, which has succeeded to the old homestead ; and Chicopee, Longmeadow, etc., as children who have gone out a little to set up for themselves. They are not so large, or so rich, as the eldest of the family ; but they are all "well off," and the interests of the whole are, to a great degree, identical. Hence, whatever benefits Springfield and contributes to its growth and fame, benefits the surrounding towns as well, and the converse is equally true. Therefore, in a little glorification of Springfield, which is certainly. proper in a Directory, enlarged this year to quite metropolitan dimensions, we trust that our neighbors will excuse any crowing over our position as the metropolis of Western Massachusetts that may seem to be too loud, remembering that we have them and their good ever in mind, though our space as well as our theme may demand a pretty close sticking to the first person singular.
3
-
Animge
18
SPRINGFIELD CITY DIRECTORY.
THE GROWTH OF EIGHTEEN YEARS.
Springfield was incorporated as a city May 25, 1852, that day being, by a happy coincidence, the two hundred and sixteenth anni- versary of the foundation of the town. The population at that time was probably not far from 12,000, as the census of 1850 made it 11,330. The valuation in 1854, two years later, was $7,762,250. In 1860, the population of the city was 15,199, and the valuation $8,669,806 ; and by the census of 1865, our population was shown to be 22,035, valuation 813,379,212. The last report of the assessors makes the valuation of the city $20,448,160, of which $15,125,520, is real estate; and the population is variously estimated at from 25,000 to 30,000. We incline to the belief that the last number is nearest the truth, though it is hardly worth while to guess about a matter that will be so soon determined for us by this year's census.
It will be seen by the above figures that the increase in population and wealth since Springfield became a city, has been mostly in the last ten years. From 1852 to 1860, the city, indeed, had continuous, healthy growth; but it was slow compared to that since 1860. The war, which necessitated great increase in the force and production of the Armory, gave a fillip to business and enterprise, and furnished us an impetus whose influence will be felt in the prosperity of the city for many years to come, though, as usual, there were plenty of old fogies who predicted that Springfield would become a "dead town" when the war closed.
The advance of the city is shown, not alone by the statistics of population and valuation, but by increase in all the religious and in- tellectual facilities, and material appliances and surroundings that mark the thriving place. The ten years, now closing, have been a marked era in Springfield on account of the erection of new churches, school-houses, and business blocks ; by reason of the dig- ging of sewers and the macadamizing of streets ; through the intro- duction of an unlimited supply of pure water, and the general introduction of gas for public and private use; by the substitution of the horse railroad for the ancient omnibus,-as much as by the increase in population and the growth in wealth; and some of these things we will look at a little in detail, though briefly.
NEW CHURCHES.
The value of the new churches erected in Springfield since 1860 falls little, if any, short of half a million dollars; indeed, with the exception of St. Michael's, this increase in the church property of the city is to be reckoned up as the work of the last five years.
19
SPRINGFIELD CITY DIRECTORY.
Springfield now ranks the third place in the State in the value of its church property, only Boston and Cambridge going ahead of it, while in population and valuation this was the eighth city in the State by the census of 1865, though probably our rank ought now to be advanced to the fifth or sixth place. The new churches, in detail, with their cost in round numbers, are as follows: St. Michael's, $60,000; Church of the Unity, $150,000; Memorial Church, $125,000; State Street Baptist Church, $50,000; St. Paul's, $50,000; Trinity Church, $75,000; Florence Street Church, 815,000; and besides these there have been chapels erected by the Second Adventists, the Swedenborgians, and the Union Methodists, (colored,) the total value of which cannot be less than $15,000, while it is more likely to exceed that sum. As new religious so- cieties have been formed as fast as new churches have been erected, all the old edifices are still used, with possibly one exception, so that it will be seen the religious needs of the city are well provided for, at least in comparison with other places, though if all our people should suddenly have a disposition to go to church we fear the meeting-houses of the city would still be too few to contain them. The North Congregational and the Episcopal Churches have had new edifices in contemplation for some time, and will probably achieve them in the near future.
SCHOOL-HOUSES AND SCHOOLS.
Five years ago Springfield was as poorly equipped in the way of school-houses as a thriving city well could be, and our schools were only of ordinary excellence. To-day we have a full complement of elegant and commodious school-houses, and our schools rank among the best in the State; indeed we believe the average percentage of attendance is higher than in any other city or town. The new school-houses erected since 1866, with their cost, including ground, are as follows: Hooker school-house, North Main Street, $45,688; Elm Street school-house, $48,253; Oak Street, $45,688; Worthing- . ton Street, $52,636; Indian Orchard, $28,842. Two hundred and ten thousand dollars, in round numbers, for school-houses, in five years, in a place like Springfield, is doing pretty well, and it is no wonder that people who have children to educate are coming here in large numbers. A new high school-house is greatly needed and must come in a year or two. The present edifice is much too small, even for our own scholars, and we want and must have a building that will allow us to invite in the best scholars from the surrounding towns which may not feel able to keep up high schools of their own. Our schools are now thoroughly graded, are under the charge of an
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efficient superintendent, and bid fair to be still better in the future than they are now. The new school-houses mentioned above will accommodate from 400 to 450 scholars each; and the total number of scholars in our eighty-seven schools last year was 3,768, which was 90 per cent. of the whole number of children of the school age returned to the assessors.
THE CITY LIBRARY.
So closely connected with our schools in the work of educating the people is the City Library, that here seems to be the place for noticing that institution, of which our citizens are all proud, and deservedly so. The library has been located heretofore in rooms in the City Hall building; but there has just been completed, especially for it, a new building on State Street, on a lot given by Mr. George Bliss. This building is from designs by George Hathorne, a young New York architect of much promise, is modified Gothic in style, built of brick, with Nova Scotia stone trimmings, on a foundation of granite, and is beautiful to look upon, as well as convenient and commodious in its inside arrangements. It will furnish accommoda- tions for the library, with room for growth, for many years to come. The present number of books in the library is 30,000, and is rapidly increasing. Connected with the library is a museum, which, under the fostering care of several of our citizens, has already attained quite large proportions; and with improved quarters in the new library building, is sure to grow, and receive more attention from the people than it yet has done.
NEW BUILDINGS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE.
The rapid increase in the population and business of the city have of course necessitated the erection of many new buildings, and the value of edifices completed in 1869 alone is estimated at a million and a half of dollars. Probably it is not much out of the way to say that the annual average values of the buildings erected in the city for the last five years has been a million of dollars. To a large extent these buildings have been cheap structures, adapted to im- mediate wants. Shelter is the first necessity, and truth compels us to say that most of the new dwellings and a large proportion of the new business edifices have seemed to have only this end in view. But there has been a good beginning of buildings of a better and more permanent character. There are many dwellings in town now which testify to the taste and wealth as well as the necessities of their owners; and architectural excellence, as well as solid and substantial work, mark many of the more lately erected public and business
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SPRINGFIELD CITY DIRECTORY.
edifices. We have already mentioned the new churches, school- houses, and the city library building, and in the line of business blocks of which any city might well be proud, we may point to the elegant granite building containing the offices of the Boston and Albany Railroad Company, the blocks erected and occupied respect- ively by the Springfield Institution for Savings, the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, the First and Second National Banks, the lately remodeled Foot's block, the new Opera House, Haynes' Hotel block, Barnes' and Union blocks, the beginning of Hurlbut's block, and a long list of others only less costly and elegant. A new and commodious passenger depot for the joint use of the sev- eral railroads centering here, a new granite block to be built the com- ing season by the Agawam National Bank and the Powers Paper Company acting in unison, and a new Court House, to be built by the County, are already decided on for construction in the near future, and other lesser enterprises that are in contemplation will make building brisk for a long time to come. The ten years to come may not see so many new edifices erected in the city as the ten years just past, but there is sure to be a goodly number and of a permanent character.
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