Items
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Public buildings, Reading, MA Card is undated but bears a postmark of 1923 -
[The Square, Reading, Mass.] Card is undated but bears a postmark of 1909 -
Grouard house, Reading, Mass. "General Brooks drilled the Minutemen of 1776 in the kitchen of this house and Lafayette on his second visit to this country stopped here. The first missionary to India and the first missionary to the Sandwich Islands went from this house." -- from face of postcard -
New federal post office, Reading, Mass. Note on face of postcard reads "Published by M.F. Charles" -
Bay State Rifle Range, Reading, Mass. Made in Germany for M.F. Charles, Reading, Mass. -
Miss Hattie Walker's Sunday school class (Unitarian) "Taken at the Walker Homestead, junction of Pearl and Charles Sts., Reading about 189?. Front Row: Gertrude Francis (Mrs. Donald Houghton), Miss Hattie Walker, Pauline Foote, Helen E. Ruggles On wall: Elizabeth Choate (Mrs. Sidney Cassey), Helen Francis (Mrs. Carl Sawyer), Bertha Parker (Mrs. Robert Gray), Marion Eaton, Olive Horton." Written on the back of the photograph. -
The Reading High School Band Photograph is gift of Richard Watson to Reading Historical Commission -
The Center School "Built in 1867, was the first Reading High School and used as such until 1906. From 1906 until 1939, this building was used as an elementary school. During World War II, the Reading chapter of the American Red Cross and the Rationing Board were housed here and during the post-war days, the Center School accommodated the overflow of town offices from Town Hall." -
Lowell Street School Razed for residential lots in the late 1970s.;"Elementary school. Built about 1890. In 1909, it was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1911." -
Prospect Street School "Elementary school built ca. 1888." -
Prospect Street School "Remodeled to a 2-story building in 1916. Closed in 1977. Razed for residential lots." -
Cottage Hall "This building was used as a high school for three years, 1864-1867, when Union Hall became too crowded. It was generously donated to the town by Cyrus Smith, Esq. The school committee was not at all happy about the location, known as 'Mudville' because of the noise and distraction of the passing trains. The parents were even less enthusiastic about the location because 'it was so malarious that even the bullfrogs would not live there provided they had the power to die!' (from Town Report 1867). But a kind Providence interceded and allowed the students to survive this horrible place with no lasting effects. The town erected a new school beside the Old South Church and it opened in 1867. The smaller building is now Century 21 Real Estate. It was originally a slaughterhouse on John Street and was moved to the Main Street site in 1889. The field in the picture is now Crosby Road and Edwin Circle and here, holding the flags, are Miriam Nichols Barclay and Josephine Phillips Hunt. The small lad is Ben Nichols." -
Railroad yards at Reading Highlands "Taken from Mineral Street bridge." -
Train heading toward Boston "At Ash Street." -
Boston & Maine locomotive #3713 "Constitution" "The last steam engine through Reading, April 22 1956.";"'Constitution' approaching Woburn Street crossing." -
Reading Highlands "Looking north toward Mineral Street bridge." -
Reading Highlands "Looking south toward railroad depot." -
Railroad crossing Woburn Street "Eclectic was the word for the passenger-train consists. [sic] In this September 30, 1950, scene of P-3 3708 leaving Reading with 119, a noon-time run to Dover NH, the RPO is ex-PRR, the combine ex-Reading. To me, it looks like the return of 2914's cars to North Conway." -
Roundhouse Reading Highlands "Collection of H. K. Vollrath";"Five P-2 Pacifics, Schenectady products of 1911 and 1913 - 3652, 3669, 3627, 3662 and 3673 - are bedded down for an autumn night at the four-stall Reading Highlands roundhouse in September 1951. I don't know they decided who had to sleep outside." -
Reading depot heading south "Boston - 12 miles. " -
Old Reading Depot "B&M RR painting by Franklin Poole. Depot erected in 1845 and partly destroyed by fire April 18, 1868." -
Looking north on Chute Street "Looking north on Chute Street from the corner of Haven Street. House on left is the Moulton House. Top left is 42 Chute Street, built by Jos. Temple, 1842." -
Looking north on Haven Street from High Street "Looking north on Haven Street from High Street. 3 story building with mansard roof is 'Weston's Block'. Destroyed by fire on June 18, 1883. This is the site of Johnson's Hardware 1992 near corner of Haven and High Street." -
R. R. Station and Black's Block "The first Black's Block was built in 1887 on the corner of Haven and High Streets. There were stores on the ground floor and apartments above. It was destroyed by fire on March 6 1890. Mr. Black rebuilt the block around 1892. The second building, shown here, has been taken down in stages over the years to accommodate the building of the Reading Municipal Light Company." [Later torn down to build Brook's Pharmacy, now Rite-Aid.] -
Lower Haven Street "Looking east toward Main Street." -
For a mere hole in the ground it has entertained a lot of people recently "Excavation has been going forward rapidly on the lot on Haven Street where the new Cooperative Bank building will be located. The building, formerly occupied by the Western Auto Associates store, is down and 'sidewalk superintendants' have been in attendance just about all day every day, watching the dirt and rocks being scooped out for the new foundation.";Photocopy from Reading Chronicle (newspaper) -
Rockport Fish Market "Haven Street, 1921 picture. This market was established in 1907 by Jack Olson." -- From the album containing the photograph -
Early morning fire at Seaport Fish Market and Restaurant on Haven Street "Formerly Rockport Fish Market" -
Painting by Reading resident Ellen Nelson "It is hanging in the Barclay-Bishop local history room at the Reading Public Library. Depicts Reading Shoe Hospital, owner - Harry Shapiro. It was located next to Rockport Fish Market." -
Business block "Haven Street opposite Sanborn Street" -
Motorcycle business Sign in window reads "Indian MoToCycles.";"Haven Street corner of Linden Street, note Socony Pump at sidewalk edge." -- From the album containing the photograph -
Middlesex County National Bank "First floor Masonic Block Haven Street, now Baybank." -- From the album containing the photograph -
Two views of Masonic Block Post-1937 address is 600 Main Street Reading MA;"Main and Haven Streets 1938 photo" -
Trolleys in Reading Square Post-1937 address is 600 Main Street Reading MA -
Willis' corner Post-1937 address is 600 Main Street, Reading MA;"Main and Haven Street (Masonic Block) - perhaps they were waiting for the trolley!" -
Haven Street looking west from Main Street "Willis' home on left side of photo, Lyceum building (with cupola), Masonic building. Lyceum was razed in 1959." -
Intersection of Main and Washington Street "Looking north toward Reading Square." -
Main Street looking south from Haven Street Lee Squibb Real Estate (Reading, Mass.) -
Reading Theatre Theater marquee reads "'How to be very very popular' and 'Moonfleet'. Now showing Cinemascope. Widescreen and Cinemascope." -
Main Street looking north from Chapin Avenue "Lyceum Hall - left, Masonic Hall - center, Theatre - right" -
Reading Theatre "Owners Mr. [Edward] Turnbull and Mr. [Timothy] Rogers";"Present site of Fabric Town" -
An end to elegance "Home of Wm. Perkins - YMCA - necktie factory - VFW meetinghouse. Destroyed by fire set 1975." -
The new VFW meeting house "Built late 1970s." -
Site of Willis home on Main Street "Now retail stores." -
July 4th parade in Reading "Willis house, SE corner of Main and Haven Streets. Moved around block to Elliott Street, corner of Chapin Avenue, ca. 1926. Built 1816-1817." " -- From the album containing the photograph -
E. C. Metcalf's store "Northeast corner of Main and Haven Streets, 1904 photo copy. 'Crockery and glassware'" -
"NE corner of Main and Haven Streets" "Retail establishments." -
Reading sign on common "Torre's [ice cream] and Malden Dry Cleaners." -
Torre's "Best ice cream and candy ever!" -
The Reading Inn "Built in 1825, was previously called Elmwood Hotel." -
The Elmwood Hotel "F. H. Martin, proprietor, Reading." -
Bank building "Bank building. Corner Main and Pleasant streets. Early 1930s photo." -
Reading Square "(1932 license plate)." -- From the album containing the photograph -
Bank building "Main and Pleasant Streets decorated for Reading's 250th anniversary 1894." -- from the album containing the photograph -
Bank building "Mechanics Savings and Cooperative mid to late 1920s photo." -- from the album containing the photograph -
Bank building "Library upstairs, Danforth's Pharmacy on left, George Prescott's market on right, Main Street corner of Pleasant Street." -- From the album containing the photograph -
View of Square, Reading, Mass. "East side of Main Street at beginning of Harnden Street. Sign over large awning on left 'Waiting room - Bay State Street RR. 1992 - Salon Muffie." -
Trolley car barns "Trolley car barns Salem Street, corner of Harrison Street." -
[Town Garage, Reading, MA] "John Street (now Walker's Brook drive) near the site of the Town Garage." -
Site of Reading Theatre "(Site of CVS store)" -
Reading Theatre in Square Theater marquee reads "Next Thursday: Edgar Selwyn's Pierre of the Plains, 5 parts. Matinee 2:30. Evening 7 & 8:30. All seats 10 cents.";"Fruit and vegetable store next door in 1914. Owners in doorway - L, Edward Turnbull R, Mr. Rogers." -
West side of Main Street "Barber shop - right side of photo. Theater in Chamberlain block. Electric trolley wires. ca 1914 photo." -
M. F. Charles, jeweler and stationer "Main Street 1904 photo (copy)" -
Intersection of Main and Haven Street "Early 1900s photo. M.F. Charles establishment in center of photo." -
Reading Square "Looking NW to Lowell Street. Good view of single trolley track! No cars, no buggies, and no trolley!" -
Lowell trolleys "Another view with trolleys! Busy intersection - then and now!"
