USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1880 > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27
Crossing from BURNCOAT Space where there is a useful, if not particularly ornamental watering-trough; crossing too, by a street which should be presented by the Grand Jury, for its perilous character ; we find broad, open plots, at the intersec- tion of West Boylston, with Holden, Streets; as well as farther South, where Grove Street joins PARK AVENUE. The merger of Forest Street in the Holden Road is not forgotten. Nor is it
146
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 35.
deemed worth while to dwell upon the opportunities for im- provement, by the authority to which it may pertain, that are offered where Highland, or Pleasant, Streets, severally cross PARK AVENUE. Along this whole periphery, and it surrounds the City, there may be discovered, here and there, at intervals of miles, a watering-trough for beasts. If the owner of an an- imal would quench his thirst, he is presumed to be able to find a Beer Saloon or a Rum Shop. Suppose, however, that it is Winter as now, when everything is frozen solid; and that there is a rigid law of prohibition-enforced ! The human being may be trusted to endure-or evade! although thirst is tor- ture. But to the dumb and helpless animal, a similar depriva- tion, protracted too long, is surely death. What more is needed to demonstrate the imperative want of an adequate supply of Public Water,-to which easy and free access may be furnished, along our thoroughfares; and also copious enough for every purpose and application of beauty.
The COMMISSION have never ceased urging upon the Honor- able Council the construction of a broad Avenue that should encircle the City. All the Reports prepared by the Chairman, during the last decade, have concurred to impress upon the popular mind the permanent benefits of such a far-reaching policy. But three years ago, revealing the hopes of the COMMISSION, he was frank to confess that their fancy pictured the City environed with a broad Avenue, convenient for traffic and pleasant for travel-from which the whole community should derive advantage, and by whose use a keener zest of enjoyment and health should inure to those in possession of sufficient lei- sure. ‘It is given unto men to see visions and to dream dreams ; yet it is vouchsafed to few to behold their realization. But the COMMISSION, from their constant engagement upon the PUBLIC GROUNDS, have been permitted to look upon the line of traction prolonged over PARK AVENUE, as its facilities for the passage of heavy freight became better understood. To the man con- fined rigidly to Main Street, who can take no cognizance of any- thing that transpires off that great thoroughfare, this AVENUE, may appear but an unprofitable investment. To that same
147
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
man, after the cares of the day are over, that AVENUE will afford new life as, in due proportion, he inhales the exhilaration of motion and the oxygen of the atmosphere. Built wide, for common convenience; thoroughly built, for public comfort ; built as flat as might be and allow the flow of surface water, nor spoiled, as are too many road-beds, by the conceited igno- rance which would substitute the hemisphere for its plane; it stretches out along the western edge of the City,-a constant pleasure to its original advocates and a singular fascination for its irrational foes. Its immediate extension to the intersection of Leicester, with Stafford, Streets, is a measure of public pol- icy which should be conceded to that numerous body of peti- tioners who so fully represent the wealth and intellgence of Webster Square. The route is short ;- the materials are upon the spot; the labor is waiting. The time to do a thing which is inevitable, is that time when it can be done to the best advan- tage. And the completion of a work that is both inevitable and expedient, cannot be delayed long without incurring a re- sponsibility that no servant of the People should covet.'
When, therefore, opportunity for action offered, the COMMIS- SION could not be expected to show themselves dilatory. There was a chance of opening-up and beautifying the larger moiety of the city; a reasonable prospect of carrying out a plan that had been their dearest wish, for years. Actuated by such feelings the Chairman 'evolved from his inner conscious- ness' an argument in behalf of the petition of John Dean, et als., which is here inserted ; partly, because of requests to that ef- fect; but more,-since it met with favor, at the time; and is reputed to have had decisive weight in influencing the final decision.
To the Honorable the MAYOR and ALDERMEN.
Indulge me in a prelude, after a recent fashion ?
It is sometimes objected to petitions for the construction or extension of roads, whereof PARK AVENUE is but a single, if marked, feature, that they are but the request of those who own horses !
148
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 35.
Most assuredly such persons are likely to make use of the Public Streets: an easement, however, which by no means pre- cludes their enjoyment by asses. But the law does not yet prohibit the ownership of a horse, nor make the fact a misde- meanor. And the idea has even occurred to the writer that, were the property of those who own, or use horses, to be elimi- nated, an assessment upon the remaining valuation would yield but a scant revenue for ordinary purposes, and certainly not warrant the luxury of ample Turtle for this Honorable Board.
And now, let me ask His Honor and the Aldermen to examine with me, a map of the City. Here is Main Street, at Lincoln Square. To the west Harvard Street, commencing from High- land, is lost in a right angle at Bowdoin ; or, under the alias of Chestnut, comes to an abrupt end at Pleasant Street. Farther on, West Street, beginning from Salisbury, descends a difficult hill; and closes a profitable course, also at Pleasant Street. Still farther-Fruit, and Sever-of goodly proportions and promise from Highland to Elm; narrow thenceforward and get a devious outlet through Chandler or Piedmont Strects. And then Agri- cultural Street, last of all, commencing at Sunnyside and running south; here thirty (30) fect, there eighty (80) or, at Russell, but forty (40) ; and finally stopped short in that pestilential district, whose deadly miasma has not ceased to envelope the Jaques Hospital-lot since that philanthropist died !
Not one of those Streets is direct; not one that does not trend east of south as it nears its termination. They supply a useful narrow-guage for local convenience. But, for the future Wor- cester, something more capacious and direct is imperatively required.
In the boyhood of him who now asks your attention to a mat- ter, in his judgment of vital consequence to the permanent wel- fare of Worcester, the travelled way of Main Street was equal in width to the strip of greensward that extended throughout its entire length upon either side. Over that travelled way the Boston and Hartford stage-coaches; the meat-cart of Capt. Burnett; or the occasional load of wood brought in by some farmer to exchange with Deacon Butman for rum and molasses ;
149
PUBLIC : GROUNDS.
sufficed to denote that a right of passage existed, and that it 4 was used. Otherwise the Street was surrendered to those of us who were interested in games of tag or single cat; with the unwritten, but yet recognized, law that we must keep out of the 'way of Dr. Green's gig, when bearing that most excellent physi- "cian on his missions in aid of the village census. At that time Main Street was understood to be six (6) rods wide; although, (as subsequently learned) no metes and bounds existed to indi- 'cate such limits. To what degree that breadth has been re- duced, by encroachments or otherwise, this Honorable Board is painfully aware. That the roadway is none too spacious at the City Hall; and becomes wholly inadequate above FRANKLIN Square; you do not now learn for the first time. "The trouble must increase with the growth of the City. "What possible relief can be devised, save that which is obvi- ous, in the diversion from Main Street of all travel and transit that does not belong to it, and only seeks it of necessity.
Fifty years ago it was commonly assumed that the distance between the Salisbury mansion and the old red farm house, due west; as also between Judge Paine's house, at the foot of Pleas- -ant Street and the old red gate at the southeasterly declivity of Newton Hill, was, in either case, a mile. Throughout that entire territory, from Northville to New Worcester, there was not, until the construction of PARK AVENUE, any way of getting through the City, from north to south, save by Main Street. Of slight consequence once, can you not realize of what serious inconven- ience this difficulty of transit has become, to that great and grow- ing population upon and beyond the ridge west of Main Street? It is like telling us to double our journey, to send us to Web- ster Square, or Northville, through Main Street. And besides,- Main Street suffers from the encumbrance of a Horse Railway, with its tracks and switches. Looking back to note the encroach- ments that have so restricted our chief thoroughfare, I come here, with the other Petitioners, to ask you to continue PARK AVENUE of uniform width, throughout its entire length; in the firm belief that you. can, in no other way, so cheaply and effect- wally promote the best interests of Worcester.
20
150
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 35.
You may object that the road-way need not be so wide. But it is ever excess for which the wise legislator must provide, and whose exigencies he must, if possible, anticipate. The dam that will not resist a flood, is useless; no matter how effectually- it may restrain the water at its usual stage. It is not sufficient that the arch should allow the passage of a stream, if it obstructs that stream when swollen into a torrent. March the General of the Army, and the Vice-President of the Republic, around that way to the Agricultural Grounds, next September, and see if sixty (60) feet between kerbs is extravagant !
Or, it may be urged against the prayer of the Petition, that there need be no hurry. That there are other matters of more. pressing public moment ; and that when the crowd blocks the way- will be the time to provide more room. But, as in the flagrant case of Main Street, metes and bounds get effaced or lost. En- croachments contract the actual road-way, and usurp sanction, by the lapse of years and memory. Abutters take possession of ground that has awaited your tardy action to be included within the street. So that when delay becomes no longer tolerable; you are confronted by an array of opponents, and a schedule of prospective damages, that may well exact hesitation or denial. No! in the terse phrase of Methodism, now is the accepted time! Adopt your Decree ! and, for its execution, avail your- selves of the forces of the Highway Department, at its conven- ience, and when disengaged. Construct it,-after the decree,- in summer or winter; when no other work oppresses; when it can be done cheapest, because you have nothing else to do ; and. done best, because labor would otherwise be idle.
The Petitioners are neither enemies to Worcester nor foes to. her growth. Some of them have watched the expansion of a small country village into a city, whose prominence is not the. least significant sign in the development of a model Common- wealth. With few natural advantages, at the outset ; with none, but that of a central location, that were not immeasurably sur- passed by those of her more remote or immediate rivals within the County ; we enjoy the Worcester of to-day, as she has been. fashioned by the wit of man. And there is pith in the old say-
151
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
ing,-What man has done, man may do! What our fathers achieved in the green tree, we, unless we confess to degeneracy, can continue and fulfill in the dry.
In this particular matter, so much having been accomplished, it is only an ordinary assumption that the work should be fin- ished; in due time, and with all proper regard for economy. For nothing can thrive that is left at loose ends. The value of a work, two-thirds executed, may be largely contingent upon its absolute completion. This is especially true of a thoroughfare. whereof use is an essential feature. And the use of PARK AVENUE, in its present disrupted state, is nevertheless such as to demand its ultimate construction,-southerly-in behalf of a public interest that will not, and ought not to be, denied.
Sought patiently and urged persistently, that extension of PARK AVENUE is at last decreed ; work upon it having even been begun. Decried, vilified indeed, by the niggardly and short- sighted ; it will endure, to bless generations that play upon the unheeded graves of those who sneered at its bare suggestion. And foremost among the names that should be inscribed upon the handsome stones which private liberality ought to erect; to mark the measures of distance and indicate the speed of ani- mals ; in partial recognition of their judicious and sure action in the premises; are those of George P. Kendrick and George R. Spurr.
Once at Mill Street,-and the completion to the intersection of Stafford, with Leicester, Streets, will not be long delayed.
And-for the North! Shall there be no way of getting from East to West, between Highland Street and the Five Points, except we expose our lives to ever-imminent peril at the cross- ing of Mill Brook, near the Tan-yard? A people flourish in proportion to their facilities of intercommunication. Living strangers to each other, they feel as though they had no interests in common; and incline to oppose a measure that will benefit the man just across the ridge, because they cannot see any possible advantage it may be to themselves. But the construc- tion of a Street, of the character and dimensions of PARK . AVENUE, which shall afford an easy and safe passage from West
152
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 35. .
Boylston Street, on the West; to Lincoln Street on the East ; would be a public improvement so obviously useful; which is even now almost indispensable ; that the most inveterate grum- bler would be stricken dumb. The faith of the COMMISSION in the ultimate good sense of their fellow-citizens has never wavered. They feel as well assured now, of the construction of the proposed AVENUE; from West to East, in North Wor- cester ; as they were ever, when ridicule assailed its earliest mention by them, that the superb Street along the western side, which now finds universal acceptance, would be imperatively demanded and certainly built. And, indeed, there can be no alternative. A single broad Avenue will suffice : supplying the place of a multitude of cow-paths and lanes; giving character to the entire section; and affording the local population full assurance that they are valued for other reasons than because they pay a certain sum in taxes. The municipal government should be blessed as a general benefit: not endured as a local burden that cannot be thrown off.
The development of ELM PARK has progressed steadily. The task of excavating an additional and final Pool, towards the Northern end of the territory; commenced in the mild spell of weather that succeeded the first snow-fall ; greatly to the surprise of the COMMISSION was at no time prevented,-scarcely even interrupted by cold or storm. The ground itself offered unusual facilities for working. Drainage already existed, along the course of the artificial outlet; and the soil needed neither to be paved nor puddled, to furnish a solid bottom. Large amounts of fairly good earth became available, wherewith to grade the plots beside Highland and Agricultural Streets; which, if compelled to await the purchase of dirt, might be unfilled to this day. The Highland Street plot met an imperative need. The COMMISSION have kept pretty close watch of the improvements upon the " Island;" so-called, it is presumed, because, when not. sur- rounded by water, it is submerged. They had bargained for one thousand Norway Maples ; designing them, when sufficiently grown, for Millbury, Quinsigamond, and Vernon Avenues, with their direct affluents. Those maples were delivered just after a
153.
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
snow storm, in the latter part of March, had covered what frost still remained in the earth. Had it not been for the loose deposit: already specified, there would have been difficulty enough, if not even distrust or hopelessness, of saving such untimely stock. . As it happened, they could be "heeled in :- and very shortly" thereafter, in the advancing Spring, they could be planted out. Owing to the care and skill of Mr. Charles Madaus, in whose charge they were, so few perished that the COMMISSION have not computed the percentage. They grew well, appeared thor- oughly rooted and thrifty in the Autumn, and should be fit for their intended location, some while before that is likely to be fit for them.
The new, or Angular Pool, (arbitrary names answer as well as others for simple designation), occupies an area of thirty-six thousand four hundred and four (36,404) square feet-more or less-according to the precision with which its retaining walls were built. Those walls, strongly laid by Mr. Steven Rowe; who has constructed so much of the dry masonry within the limits of the PARK; were so planned that when finished, they should afford a foot-walk three feet wide throughout. Carefully and solidly built of heavy stone; built, too, against a bank of stiff clay, or bog-iron ore ; it is unlikely that they will need re- pair soon, if ever: 'The COMMISSION have learned, from dire experience of the soil wherewith they have to deal in ELM PARK, that it can be treated in but one way :- it must be mastered ! Here, you can strike fire with a pick axe as from flint; but a few rods off, possibly yards, thirty feet of gas pipe will pierce the peat. as if it were so much butter. And yet, the COMMISSION would have been obliged to relinquish their task, long since, but for that very diversity. The bog-iron ore crumbled into a nice red gravel, that supplied finer materials for Paths than money could. buy. The soft peat, mixed with manure and turned over .as compost, formed those mounds and pits which were such attractive and congenial homes for the Geranium or Petunia; thereafter yielding suitable and ripe food, or shelter, for the Lily. Pæony, or Tulip. Homely proverbs are but the echo, or tradi- . tions, of household truth. And so, one hand was made to wash
154
CITY DOCUMENT .- NO. 35.
the other. It is not so very long-say a twelvemonth-since a writer in a local newspaper contrasted the work that had been done upon the Public Grounds of Worcester to its disadvantage, with what he had been pleased to observe in and about the Pub- lic Garden of Boston. None are better aware than this COM- MISSION of the natural drawbacks under which they labor. Born in Worcester, they cannot help being rustics. The good old town begets Governors; supplies Senators; adapts law to the Federal exigencies ; and has even been sought to fill vacan- cies upon the Judicial bench, when the Commonwealth knew not where else to turn. But, in a matter of taste, faugh ! set up her ebenezer against æsthetic Athens !
Nevertheless,-the COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS, of the City of Worcester, dare to attempt the shield of the Templar. Organized as at present ;- within the last ten years they have taken the COMMON, theretofore formless and void ;- have filled it, raised it to a proper grade and, in fact, constructed it anew. Its Paths have been laid out; its Gutters paved with ocean- washed stone; its lawns leveled, sown to grass, and transformed from an eyesore to a pleasant landscape. ELM PARK was taken in hand-only within the last six (6) years : the results are open for inspection. Much that was acccomplished during the first three (3) years, can never be retraced upon the chart; and endures fresh in but few memories. The almost hopeless exca- vations in bottomless ooze-with hands stiffened by frost as the sun set, or feet drenched in water as he rose; the treachery of the soil, where dykes slid in upon the workman, whose sole chance of progress was to mine by a system of segments as from a honey comb; with no foundation whereon to build but unfathomable mud; and which yet, from being fathomless seemed to be rendered buoyant, as even the specific gravity of a stone is counterpoised in water. A neat and substantial bridge built, where thirty (30) feet of boring-rod detected no hard bottom ; yet built to endure-without piles ! The earth needed to be reconstructed, so to speak. And the COMMISSION know, whether others see it or not, that the arduous task has been per- formed thoroughly and economically.
!
155
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
'Consider now, the Public Garden of Boston, which excites so much admiration among a class of people who are fond of eat- ing their cake and-keeping it! and who seldom realize, until too late, that "far-fetched is dear bought !" The very territory, early granted by the Town of Boston as the site for a Rope- Walk, was subsequently re-purchased, during the Mayoralty of Josiah Quincy, Senior, for the sum of fifty-four thousand dollars, ($54,000). Years afterwards, an Iron Fence was built around it at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars, ($25,000). Flower beds and Paths were laid out, from time to time, and five (5) granite basins with fountains constructed : the expense, doubt- less large, not being specified in the somewhat minute article from which these facts are condensed. Add to all this the massive Bridge, whose construction must have required a pretty penny ; and we come down to a date at which exact figures begin to confront the modern Athenian. The following state- ment shows the cost for the past eleven seasons ;- the financial year of Boston beginning May 1st, and ending on the 30th of April, subsequent :
Year.
Appropriation.
1869-70
$17,175 42
1870-71
11,653 62
1871-72
15,294 24
1872-73
25,882 74
1873-74
19,437 36
1874-75
20,044 18
1875-76
21,474 62
1876-77
18,748 76
1877-78
22,419 00
1878-79
14,873 81
1879-80
16,800 00
The cost for the season ending April 30, A. D., 1881, was roughly computed at from $12,000 to $15,000. And every cent of this expenditure, mind you! upon the Public Garden, only,-twenty-four and one-quarter (24}) acres of land. Our own ELM PARK comprises an area, larger by three and one- quarter (31) acres. Upon it nothing was done, or attempted, until the winter of 1874 ;- when, in consequence of the dis-
156
CITY DOCUMENT. - NO. 35.
tress assumed to prevail from lack of employment, the City Council adopted the following :
Ordered,-that the Joint Standing Committee on Highways be, and they hereby- are, authorised, with the concurrence of the COMMISSION OF PUBLIC GROUNDS, to. cause the earth to be excavated and spread, in ELM PARK, in such places and to. such extent as said COMMISSION shatl direct : the expense not to exceed Two Thon~ sand Dollars ($2,000:) and to be charged to the appropriation for Shade Trees and Public Grounds, when such appropriation shall be made."
Such eleemosynary labor was not likely to tire itself; and it- easily wearied in well-doing. However, a great pile of dirt was. heaped up, which this COMMISSION had to spread, subsequently» at considerable extra cost. The sum charged, to the COMMIS- SION for that out-door Relief was $1867.76: to which should: be added $134.00, the amount spent for Plank and Wheel- barrows; all which were finally carted to the City Barn, and so forever lost to the Public Grounds. But the excavation re- mained ; and, enlarged as it has been, subsequently, from year .. to year, became agreeably manifest in the Pools : whose waters. sparkle in the Summer sun; or, frozen, yield convenient and .. safe skating throughout the Winter. The Pond, in the Public Garden of Boston, is represented as measuring Three and One-, Quarter (3}) acres. The Pools in Elm Park are somewhat im excess of Three and One-Half (3}) Acres, and lack something- like a half acre of their proposed dimensions. Of course, -. no contrast is intended between that elaborate Garden and our own unpretending PARK. It was considered pertinent to show what had to be done, in either case; and to indicate, in some faint degree, the proportion of achievement to available means. The appropriation for this COMMISSION, are meant to be ap- plied to its entire work. The development of ELM PARK can- not be allowed to absorb the whole sum, whatever that may be .. The planting and care of Shade-Trees; with incessant if irreg- ular charges for pruning decayed or dangerous limbs; im- poses a sure and inevitable burden. The proper care of the- COMMON, occupies the time of one man, at least, whose labor. must be paid for. At this present writing, all the workmen im the service of the COMMISSION are engaged, and bid fair to be? .
157
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
for a while, in rendering the Walks merely practicable. These are constant expenses, petty in detail, yet combining to foot up a large aggregate, that can never be estimated in advance. Theft and damage occasioned an outlay of nearly Thirty Dol- lars ($30) in a single year, upon the Pumps on the COMMON and in ELM PARK. Add, to all this, the purchase and setting- out of Shade-Trees along our principal thoroughfares, for an indefinite amount of which expenditure the COMMISSION esti- mate and allow annually; and it will be evident that there is not much opportunity for extravagance. Indeed,-the COM- MISSION, resolute not to exceed their appropriation, often find themselves constrained to the practice of a frugality, that is only not parsimony, because there is in it no taint of meanness. The cost of their every plan of ornamentation could not be more painfully studied, had they reason to believe that each dollar would be their last. Thus harshly cramped, it is only astonish- ing that their landscape has not approved itself more inflexible than the stiffest outlines of Le Notre.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.