USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Taunton > Tercentenary of Taunton, Massachusetts, 1639 [to] 1939, June 4-10 > Part 7
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New York Lace Store-Founded in 1907. In 1906, Pincus Zwetchkenbaum, of New York City, left the hustle and bustle of the noisy metropolis for the peace and quiet of old New England. Coming to Whittenton, he established a lace and embroidery store at Whittenton four corners where the increasing demand for his merchandise soon necessitated a larger and more conveniently located establishment.
A year passed, and in 1907 there was founded in the city of Taunton, at the site of the old Taunton Inn building, the original New York Lace Store. At this location Mr. Zwetchkenbaum added to his stock of laces and embroideries, ladies' coats, dresses and furs. Again the space becoming inadequate, and the following year witnessed the removal of the business to the then newly built, "Wilbur Building". The new location proved ideal for the ex- pansion that was to follow. As the years rolled by, walls were
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broken through almost yearly to make room for new lines of mer- chandise and growing popularity.
During the year 1925, The New York Lace Store opened a second store with a space of 2300 square feet, in the city of Paw- tucket. A repetition of the phenomenal growth of the original Taunton store followed. Today it occupies 16,000 feet of floor space and employs 120 people. Already plans are in progress to double the present space within the year.
In 1932 Mr. Zwetchkenbaum purchased the Dana Building and moved his store to its present location.
A complete infant's department was added in 1937 with the idea in mind that a life-long customer is made in the cradle. This department has proved one of the store's most valuable assets.
In the year 1938, in step with progress the entire store was renovated, making it one of Taunton's most beautiful apparel shops.
Today the founder of the New York Lace Store often expresses his good fortune in having located in the beautiful city of Taunton ; and on the occasion of the 300th Anniversary of its founding, pledges himself to a continuance of the high standards of mer- chandising and service which have earned the friendship and patronage of thousands throughout the State. These standards are established; their continuation will add to the excellent reputation now enjoyed by the NEW YORK LACE STORE, at 89-91-93 Main Street. FROM LACES TO A FASHION CENTER.
The Bostock Furniture Company, 10-12 Trescott Street, was established in 1917. The store was built by J. E. Bostock and was the original store of the present Trescott Street business district. It was established as the J. E. Bostock Furniture Com- pany. In October of 1919 it was incorporated under its present name by Joseph E. Bostock, Oscar G. Thomas and William J. Davison. It has grown from its original floor space of 2600 square feet to a store with display floors of 21,000 square feet. The original number of employees was four; nthere are now seventeen employed in the business. The members of the corporation now directly active in the business are Joseph E. Bostock, Francis J. Robinson and Wilfred Al Hathaway. Trescott Street was the original "White Way" of Taunton's present business street lighting plan which was installed through the efforts of the merchants of that street.
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Taunton's Sears-Roebuck Co. was opened in the Fall of 1931; and, being a branch of a nation-wide institution, shares in its large scale research plans. Quietly working behind the scenes at "Sears" is the largest Merchandise Control Laboratory in the world. Here are skilled engineers, chemists, and technicians whose sole job is to see that highest standards of Quality are met and main- tained. Thousands upon thousands of items are tested, checked and compared each year. Only those that can prove their worth are ever carried in a Sears Store. "Because we watch Quality and Value so closely, we are able to back every article we sell with the most sincere Guarantee ever written," and that is "To Satisfy You Perfectly."
Durand's. Owned and Operated by Claire F. Brennan. A tightening of reins and jamming of brakes once brought four mottled gray horses drawing the yellow, Boston express coach to a stop on the very spot where you can now enjoy Durand's delightful candies and ice creams.
We are located at Taunton Green, Number 19. Across the way once stood the Bristol County House to which the weary traveler repaired for refreshment. On the site now occupied by Durand's store of dignified design and charm, a century past stood the office and coach houses of Jesse Smith, who in his day operated the most extensive line of stage coaches south of Boston. Now again, it is the place for stranger and friend to pause for either refreshment or thirst, perchance recalling the early travelers who stopped here first.
We feature Fresh Candies, Delicious Ice Cream, Sodas and Sundaes, at the Lowest Prices Consistent With the Highest Quality.
"THE SMARTEST SHOP IN TOWN"
Carroll Cut Rate Perfumer, Locally Owned 16 Taunton Green.
A. C. Lewis Co., Inc., Wallpaper, Paints and Varnishes
Sullivan's Office Supply Co.
6 Trescott St. 19 Weir St.
Clearweave Hosiery, Inc. 20 Main St.
Homer's, Jewelers 13 Main St.
Downyflake Doughnut Shop & Luncheonette 41 Main St.
J. C. Penney Co., Inc. 49 Main St.
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Martin's Cut Rate 5 & 10 H. L. Davis Co., Inc.
63 Main St. 16 Trescott St. 44 Weir St.
Waldron Hardware Co.
Nelson News Dealer
E. A. Thomas Co.
Dana Furniture Co.
Goldstein & Antine, Inc.
9 Broadway 77 Main.St. 85 Main St. 107 Main St. 48 Main St.
Pober's
Taunton Hardware & Plumbing Supply Co., Inc. 12 Main St.
Beers Jewelry Store
Sylvia's Millinery
Metropolitan Store
6 Main St. 4 Main St. 36-38 Main St. 44 Main St.
Morton's Shoe Stores
Puritan Clothing Store
54 Main St.
W. P. Hinton Men's and Boys' Shop
62 Main St.
Gordon Drapery Shop
62 Main St.
The Sweater Shop
2 Main St.
Taunton Bakery 7 Main St.
Mulhern's Pharmacy, John F. Mulhern, Prop., 1904-1939
5 Broadway
Lawrence J. Laughlin, Meats
21 Broadway
V. B. Olson, Florist 26 Broadway
Hanson & Co. Inc., Prescription Druggists since 1870, 27 Broadway
Loft Inc., Quality Candies 10 Main St.
Taunton Public Market, Inc., "Where Taunton Buys Its Food"
69-71 Main St.
W. T. Grant Co., Department Store 21 Main St. S. S. Kresge Co., Five and ten cent store 24 Main St.
Sawyers Market 22 Main St.
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Assiran, Yard Goods, Curtains and Draperies 71 Main St. Kennedy & Co., Inc., Butter & Eggs-Teas & Coffees 18 Main St. R. M. Tucker, Women's Wearing Apparel, Cor. Cedar & Main Sts. Plank & Hansen, Complete Home Outfitters 80-86 Main St. Clark's Shoe Store 30 Main St.
The Flower Shop, Edith M. Woodward 5-7-9 Trescott St.
H. A. Dickerman & Son, Book Store 74 Main St.
Priscilla Shop, Mary G. Hennessy, Grace E.Tweedy, Amy L. Dary 97 Main St.
Brook's-Women's Apparel & Millinery 75 Main St.
B. E. Stanton-Millinery & Children's Wear 67 Main St.
Morgan's Shoe Stores, Inc. 37 Main St.
Arctic Fruit Stores
31 Main St.
Storey & Company-Wearing Apparel and Accessories for Women Taunton Green
Catherine G. Gormley-Millinery Taylor Building
THE BUSINESS WOMEN OF TAUNTON
Just as Taunton's men throughout her three hundred years were always the first to register support in their Country's needs, so the women of our fair city founded by a woman were also among the first to contribute to the business life of the Country.
Elizabeth Pole was actually the first business woman in Taun- ton, in that she made the trade with the Indians for the land, and was a member of the Corporation of Purchasers and of the Dor- chester Company. Thus, she set the stage for the progress women have made in business down through the centuries in Taunton.
Widow Randall's name appears among the 46 purchasers of the City in 1639; and the first nurse in the country to enlist in the Spanish American War in 1898 was Taunton's Lulu Plant.
Women folk of the early settlers carried on the business of managing the homes for the men, wove the cloth and made the clothes for their families, baked and cooked the foods and tended the sick. Thus, our women of Taunton have always been in busi- ness, but they have not been recorded as such until the nineteenth century.
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For many years, dressmaking and millinery were the only occupations outside the home which attracted women. Sarah Thayer Hall, Rachel Morse's grandmother, is said to have made a small fortune in such a business on the site of the present Morse home on Pleasant Street.
In such a brief survey as this, it will be impossible to do more than mention the "first" woman to be remembered in each kind of business.
The career-woman of today is not as new a creature as people are led to believe, and there is no agitation today because she is married. Mrs. James Sproat, the mother of twelve, found time to write prose and poetry widely read at the time: and she wrote and had published a series of lectures, valuable for their moral teachings.
Taunton's first newspaper was edited and published by a "coterie of ladies" in August 1813. It was called the "Saturday Miscellany", and was sold for fifty cents a quarter.
Women began to be more numerous in the business world by 1850. Three nurses were registered that year,-Frindly Dean, Peggy Leonard and Mary Stall. Five women were managing . boarding houses,-Sarah Colburn, Ellen McGowan, Harriet Porter, Polly Wilbur and Betsey Danforth. In that year, Sarah Barney was listed as a band-box maker, and Mrs. L. M. Perkins ran a bonnet warehouse, while Theodora Brown and Deborah Reed were tailoresses. In 1857, Mrs. J. F. Mason conducted a Dry Goods Store on Main Street, and Harriet Gould, a Ladies' Boot Shop. All the hairdressers in those days were men: and the first woman hairdresser to appear some years later was Margaret A. Scott.
In 1849, women began to appear in the teaching profession. In the 1870's Variety Stores became popular, and Mrs. William Johnston opened the first one at Whittenton. In 1876, we find the first woman proprietor of a hotel, Mrs. Maria F. Francis of the Eagle Exchange Hotel. In 1870, Miss E. E. Atherton was assistant librarian at the Public Library. In 1873, Miss Mary E. Hathaway was the author of children's books, and Miss Mary Caswell was made Secretary to the President of Wellesley College.
An Employment Bureau was established in 1885 by Mrs. W. W. Davis on Main Street; and in 1887, the first woman-owned florist shop was opened by the Misses A. & M. A. Husband, while Mrs. C. W. Webster, the well known Creole hairdresser, was making the ladies' coiffures beautiful throughout the "gay nineties". The first woman-photographer was Mrs. Mary A. Cross, in 1889, whose place of business was at the corner of Broadway and Dartmouth
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Street. Later, she made tintypes, reaping a living out of that feature so typical of our mothers' days. At that time, Mrs. Fanny Golliff opened a restaurant on High Street, Mrs. M. J. Wilmarth opened a fruit store, and Mrs. Annie W. Burgess opened a Fancy- work Pattern Shop. Elocution was taught by Alice M. Williams. In 1890 there blossomed forth the first woman-editor of a maga- zine in Taunton, Florence A. Ellery, editor of the "Welcome Maga- zine."
The first representative of the rising generation of professional women was Dr. Emily F. Murphy, the first woman-surgeon and gynecologist in Taunton. Descended from Thomas Lincoln, the miller, of the first settlers, and married to Dr. Joseph B. Murphy who hailed directly from the original settler, Richard Williams, she was graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music, and raised a family of two children. Taking her Degree in Medi- cine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Boston in 1892, and becoming a Fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1895, she began a career of service for the citizens of Taunton which lasted forty-two years.
In 1876, the McNamara sisters opened their millinery shop which was famous for many years; Mrs. C. M. Woodward was a dealer in provisions; Mrs. W. R. Davol ran an "Eating House" on High Street; Mrs. Annie J. Hyland ran a Grocery Store at Washington Street. In 1890, Mary J. Dwinells ran a Sewing Machine and Fancy Goods Store, and Marian K. Dean was listed as the first artist.
For twenty years, beginning in 1891, Mrs. L. W. Williams was the only Chiropodist in Taunton. She passed on her profession to her daughter, Mrs. Lila B. Atkins in 1904. In 1899, Mrs. Amelia F. Southgate became the Preceptress of Bristol Academy, and in 1900, Mrs. E. W. Crowell was manufacturing corsets on Union Street.
From 1900 on, women seemed to be displaced in the small business shops by men, and those women who did work outside the home sought the classified groups. More and more women were considered capable of teaching and more and more took up nursing until today these professions are filled to capacity, as is also that of bookkeeper and stenographer.
The first woman lawyer in Taunton was Mrs. Florence A. Tracy, who, like Doctor Emily Murphy, had raised a family before she began the study of law with her husband. She has the dis- tinction of having two daughters following in her footsteps as attorneys-at-law. Miss Mae Perkins has not only managed a
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brass foundry, but has invented certain types of brass fixtures.
In 1922, Esther Kingman was elected County Treasurer for Bristol County. She was not only the first woman in Taunton to be elected a County Treasurer, but also the first woman in the State of Massachusetts to be so honored. Miss Maydelle Murphy is our first woman-librarian. In 1937, Miss Irene Foley was made Dean of Girls at the High School, the first Taunton woman to hold such a position.
Irene Foley
Clubs and Associations
The Business and Professional Women's Club was organ- ized in Taunton in 1930 as a unit of the International Federation. The local club, starting with a charter membership of 65, has be- come one of the most active groups in the City for advancing the interests of all working women and for service to the community. Its motto is "Better Business Women for a Better Business World."
A club for all business and professional women. Officers, 1938-1939-President, Miss Esther Kingman; First Vice President, Miss Anna Donovan; Second Vice President, Miss Alice M. Doh- erty; Recording Secretary, Miss Helen Carpenter; Corresponding Secretary, Miss Alice C. Winslow; Treasurer, Miss S. Hautie O. Piper; Auditor, Miss M. Agnes Murray.
The Taunton Teachers' Association was founded in 1932. The objectives of the Association are:
(A) To promote the educational interests of our city for the purpose of assisting the individual child to function on the highest level of efficiency as a member of a democratic society.
(B) To elevate the profession of teaching by means of Public, Professional, and Personal Service:
(a) By Public Service to assist other educational and social agencies that are seeking to promote the general welfare to initiate and support movements for better educational legislation, and to keep the public informed of the pur- poses, conditions, needs and progress of the schools.
(b) £ By Professional Service to promote among the profession the highest ideals of service, to develop in the teachers of Taunton a sense of personal responsibility for raising the professional standards of teaching, and to stimulate professional training and growth by means of educational meetings and cooperation with other educational organi- zations.
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(c) By Personal Service to study the personal and professional problems of the teachers and to promote movements looking toward improved professional, social, and economic status consistent with the best public policy.
The Taunton Teachers' Association is affiliated with the Massa- chusetts Teachers' Federation and the National Education Asso- tiation. The following have served as presidents of the Associa- cion: Mary Carr, Katherine McKenna, Fred U. Ward, Charles J. McManus.
The Taunton Garden Club. The first meeting of this organization was held March 8, 1934 at the Oakland Engine House with 36 prospective members present. At the present time there are 100 members. The club now meets at Historical Hall on the first Wednesday of each month.
During the year we have one large spring flower show supple- mented with a smaller fall show and a Christmas exhibit. We have one or two pilgrimages a year and an active horticultural and civic committee. This year our sixth annual flower show is in keeping with the Tercentenary spirit with a reproduction of the famous "Knotty Walk", old English gardens and Colonial arrangements.
TAUNTON'S MUSIC HISTORY
Taunton is justified in feeling proud of its music history. We can point with pride to so many musical achievements of the high- est type that we place our fair city in the front rank of New Eng- land communities. In fact only Boston and Worcester surpassed us in music activities up to the year 1900. The years 1830 to 1900 comprise the golden age of music in Taunton. Probably the reason for our prestige in music was due to four energetic indivi- duals, William B. Crandall, Alvin B. Winch, Leander Soule, and Jacob Orth, the "Big Four" in the life of Taunton's music. When anything worthwhile in music was presented from 1830 to 1900, whether by local talent or by artists from Boston and New York, one could rest assured that, with few exceptions, one of these gentlemen was behind the venture. They were tireless workers, and did all in their power to give Taunton the finest music obtain- able. In fact, the music history of Taunton for seventy years was built around the lives of these four men.
One of the earliest references to music to be found in Taunton was in 1794. The first Congregational Society had just built a
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new church; and it was voted to purchase two bass viols at a cost of seven pounds four shillings. These were the first musical in- struments used in a church in Taunton, and they created a great deal of interest. In fact, some of the parishioners thought it sacrilegious to have any kind of musical instrument inside the church. These instruments were made by Zephaniah Hodges who had the reputation of producing the finest bass viols in America. Mr. Hodges in conjunction with Nathan Fisher built the first two pipe organs installed in Taunton. The first was for the Trini- tarian Congregational Church on Broadway in 1830, and the other was placed in the St. Thomas Church shortly afterwards.
The first choral organization in Taunton was the Beethoven Society, founded in 1821; and, although it had a few inactive years, it continued until 1890. Practically all the known oratories were given during its lifetime. Up to the time of his death in 1872. Mr. Crandell was the man who held the organization together. He also formed an orchestra that was always used in conjunction with the chorus at the concerts of the Society.
In 1879, the Beethoven Society combined with the choral societies of the surrounding cities and towns and formed the South- eastern Massachusetts Musical Association. This organization under the direction of the renowned Carl Zerrahn brought to Taunton the finest artists in America, both vocalists and instru- mentalists, and gave the most finished and artistic concerts ever held in this city. These music festivals continued until Novem- ber 1893, when, through lack of interest, they were discontinued.
Mention should be made of the fine presentation of Gilbert and Sullivan Operas from 1879 to 1896 at the old Music Hall. Taun- ton was very fortunate in having in its midst at that time a group of fine singers who were equally proficient as actors. Under the able direction of Mr. A. B. Winch, "Pinafore" was presented for the first time in 1879; and, before the public had had its fill, this opera, alone, was given nineteen times to crowded houses. For real genuine enthusiasm, and devotion to a group of entertainers, nothing like it has ever been seen in Taunton.
For a city of its size, Taunton has had a wonderful array of bands. Up to the year 1900, there were no less than twenty-two bands. The first for which we have authentic record was known as the Taunton Band. It was formed in 1821 under the leadership of Jotham Colburn, and was in existence for ten years. However, the band that made Taunton the envy of all its neighbors was the Taunton National Military Band. This organization elicited more praise both at home and abroad than any other group of
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musicians that Taunton has possessed. In competition with bands from New England and New York it brought home many prizes. It was organized by Leander Soule in the spring of 1864; and, under the direction of some of the finest bandmasters of the day, it continued until the autumn of 1879.
These outstanding features in Taunton's music history and other interesting events and fine organizations helped keep Taun- ton's prestige in music.
W. Wallace Austin, Jr.
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TERCENTENARY ODE
A Town's Best Friend and Neighbor.
We halt on the march of a town's advance, at the selfsame spot, whereto
Came pioneers for a hearth and home, the ties of their old land breaking ----
A frugal clan, of courageous hearts, and the will to dare and do For the one grand prize of all mankind --- the place of the free- man making.
Give thought for a woman who led the way with the group devout and plain,
That delved and builded and set their bounds by the course of the winding river;
Give thought to their patience and steadfast zeal, their poverty, peril and pain,
And the paths they dared, and the hopes they shared, in the presence of God, the Giver.
Give heed to the purpose that raised a flag on the site of our Taunton Green,
When the ruinous rule of a tyrant's sway encountered the free- man's ire.
March forth, in thought, with your Minute Men, to their triumphs unforeseen,
And a freed land's high attainment to its National desire. Hold fast to your claims in the patriot names, on the Scroll with the Signer, Paine,
And your Cobbs, and Leonards, the Williams and Deanes, and the Halls of their generations;
Your gallant men of the Civil strife, and the conflict with war- torn Spain,
And the sacrifices of World War men, in the Battles of the Nations.
Be proud of the worth of industrious hosts, from the age of the pioneers ---
The metal-workers, the fishermen, and the plodding ranks of labor ---
Their task was never an easeful one, through all our three hun- dred years ---
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But the burden-bearer ('tis old as time) is a town's best friend and neighbor.
It's a brand new city we're dwelling in, from the town that the builders knew ;
To the one old race, as the years have sped, you have added a score of races;
Yet, name but one tie of fellowship that is modern Taunton's due, And show us a sign of citizenship that alien fear effaces.
Your Saxon men, with the freeman's pride in King Alfred's heart of oak ---
Your Celts, who mention O'Connell's name, with the freeman's zeal abounding ---
Your Portuguese --- the De Gama clans of the brave, sea-faring folk --- Your Jews, who hold the Mosaic pledge through the centuries resounding ---
Your Scandinavian brotherhoods, of the utmost sea-kings born --- Your Teuton Alemanni, of the long, long march empiric ---
Italians, of that vanguard of old Time's historic morn ---
Your Greek custodians, of an age Olympian and lyric ---
Your French, who join with us all in praise of the freeman, Lafayette ---
Your Poles, who utter Pulaski's name with the freeman's exultation ---
Your Mediterranean peoples --- all your townsmen, blond or jet --- Ingathering of remotest tribes of every land and nation ---
Yet townsmen all, on our Taunton Green, and under the Flag we prize ---
A folkmete of a score of tongues, now in one speech united --- Give thought to the group of an early time, whose humble enterprise Their homes, their labors, their zealous lives to God and country plighted.
These, ours and yours, were a sturdy band, that ventured much, and won,
Not in the bonds of idyllic ease, but the freedom of honest labor ; Look East or West, no surer test exists beneath the sun
Than this --- the burden-bearer is a town's best friend and neighbor.
Frank Walcott Hutt Secretary of the Old Colony Historical Society
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44,4 To the Cape.
I tay To New Bedford
CUNGELL
ARLINGTON
BENNETT
سعدلهعـ
SUMMER
SUSHIMAN
7.
ST
PURCHASE
BENEFIT
MONICA
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7.
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WEIR
ILEAVETIR
TABSLUTT
MA
2.
WAY
SOMERSET
---
PRESDEET
10.
79
[IETER)
(MKT MEYIN
SUKAM
BRADFORD
ST.
CHURCH
WASHINGTON 1
WINTHROP
HARRISON
CLINTON
n.
CROCKER
PARK
BARNEN
MILL
RIVER
140.1 To Mansfield To Clam Bake
44. x To Providence
MAP OF A PORTION OF TAUNTON
1. The "Green"
4. City Hall
7. Historical Hall
10. Memorial Park
2. Grave of Elizabeth Pole
5. Court House
8. Church Green
3. Hopewell Park
6. Roseland
9. High School
Route of Parade
!HARRISON
WEBSTER
E. WALNUT
WHITE
٨٧٠
-ITHAMILTON
3.
ADAMS
PLEASANT
WALNUT
ORCHARD
DOKTER
W. WEIL
SON
138 % To Fall River
138.1 To Boston
ST.
:PRI
BRYANT
SUMNER
--
BOW
CoopES Yy
AS
GRAN
BROADWAY
RAND
HIGH
-
GACYE-
--
MJMLAND
PROSPECT
TERCENTENARY PROGRAM
Headquarters* at 27 Summer Street.
Every day Registration and Information in a Log-Cabint on the Common, designed from a picture of the Oldest Iron Works in the country. Open from 9 A. M. to 9 P. M.
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