Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, Wakefield, Mass.

Items

• WHS baseball team, 1916
  "The Wakefield High School Baseball team held its first practice of the spring season on the park (Common) on April 6, 1916 under the direction of 'new' coach Bob Lane. According to the Wakefield Daily Item, the team made a 'fine showing' during the fall season, but 'with a coach, should make a better on and win the Middlesex League cup.' Team members included captain Eugene Sullivan, Thomas Dignan, Caswell Heustis, Frank Reid, John Kalaher, Warren Branch, Arthur McLeod, George Lane, Christie Barrett, and Maurice Donovan. The team also listed a Law and Clemons, without a first name."
• R.L. Pitman's Brookside Greenhouse, circa early 1900s
  "The Triplet Souvenir of Wakefield, Reading, and Stoneham, Mass. published in the early 1900s, identifies the greenhouse owned by R.L. Pitman as follows: 'The leading and largest business interest in Wakefield and vicinity representing the florist's line is the Brookside Greenhouses, located in the beautiful suburb of Wakefield called Greenwood. These were built in 1884 and Mr. R.L. Pitman has been the proprietor since the year 1894. The ground covered by the Greenhouses proper embraces about 9,000 square feet, while considerable uncovered acreage is utilized in the business'. Richard Pitman operated the greenhouse on land on the family's estate which was located at 840 Main Street. Richard maintained the greenhouse until his death in 1925. The estate, which was left to a distant relative, fell into disrepair. It was razed in 1945 and the land on which Brookside Greenhouses was located was developed into a 20-house subdivision by Ralph Morel of the Morel Building Trust of Greenwood."
• Corner of Yale Avenue and Main Street, circa 1908
  "Thomas Emerson first started his shoe manufacturing business at Lakeside, just north of Lawrence Street. He moved his operations to Albion Street, east of North Avenue, in 1859. He moved the Thomas Emerson & Sons shoe manufacturing company to Burrage Yale's tin shop at the corner of Yale Avenue and Main Street in 1863. The building was torn down in 1902, and in 1908, the Wakefield Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) broke ground on the land to build its new building. The cornerstone was laid on September 16, 19098 and the building was opened on April 7, 1909. The ceremony for the laying of the cornerstone was 'unusually interesting' with music provided by the Boston & Maine YMCA band and speeches by the YMCA's state secretary Edward W. Hearne and the Honorable James Logan, Mayor of the City of Worcester. After the YMCA Auxiliary presented a donation of $1,000, a copper box was placed beneath the cornerstone. The copper box, which was sealed with solder, included historical sketches of the YMCA and YMCA Auxiliary, a list of contributors, three views of Wakefield, the names of town officials, the names of school committee members and teachers, copies of the April 12, 1906, May 17, 1907, and September 15, 1908 Wakefield Daily Item, a copy of the September 15, 1908 Citizens' Banner, portraits of President Lee and Secretary Conlon, portraits of Hattie Butterfield (first president), Sarah Evans Howard (treasurer), and Adelaide Coburn (first secretary), the program of the festivities, and the names of the members of the YMCA board. Separate openings were held on April 7 and 8, 1909 for the Auxiliary, contributors, high school students and the general public."
• Wakefield Laundry, circa 1920s
  "Wakefield Steam Laundry, established around 1885 by Cox & Cheever, was located on Lincoln Street in the Taylor Building, the former Wakefield Building. Charles H. Cox became the sole owner and later sold the business to Clinton L. Newell. Ernest G. Willard, in the left of the picture with his staff and a 1920-era Ford Model T delivery wagon, bought the business from Newell in August 1909. The laundry, which became known as Wakefield Laundry, occupied a large part of the building for many years, eventually leasing the entire first floor, (with the exception of Taylor Hardware in the front of the building), as well as most of the rear basement and a one-story addition on the north side of the building. Willard was well-known for his attention to detail regarding the business and its equipment, including its fleet of vehicles. A large part of his business involved delivery to Wakefield residents and more than 4,000 customers in 13 area cities and towns. In its early years, the company utilized horse-drawn delivery wagons, later adding a fleet of 'motor trucks' which were meticulously maintained. In 1931, Wakefield Laundry added two light delivery trucks, bringing the number of trucks to seven in keeping with his 'desire to have the neatest-looking laundry delivery service in New England.' During the summer months, Wakefield Laundry continued its services to its vacationing customers by parcel post."
• Wakefield Square, circa 1925
  "This picture of downtown Wakefield was taken on the corner of Chestnut Street looking south on Main Street. The buildings at the left side of the photo were razed in the late 1930s. Taking a look down Main Street, one can see L.L. McMaster newsdealer and stationer, DeCecca Food Shoppe, Boothby's, Smith's Drug Store, Curley Bros. Coal, Young Sign Studio, and other well-known businesses. The top floor of the Wakefield Block, which was removed, is still intact, and the Wakefield Town Hall, dedicated in 1872, is still standing. The cars in front of McMaster's are parallel parked, while others are straight."
• Main Street, Lakeside, circa 1880s
  "This photo, part of a stereograph, was taken along the shore of Lake Quannapowitt, looking south toward what appears to be Beebe's Cove. The fence at the left could have been part of the Beebe Estate and its farm, which consisted of flower gardens, melon patches, and substantial corn fields. The family also maintained a herd of approximately 100 milk cows and a number of stable horses. The third home of the First Parish Congregational Church can be seen in the background. Built in 1768, the church building faced west when built, but was turned to face south in 1859. The church building was considered to be too small and in need to repair; in 1887, the church members took the necessary steps to erect a new church on the same site. Farewell services were held on May 24, 1890 and the building was razed soon after."
• Interior of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Water Street circa 1890s
  Erected in 1881 at a cost of $5,000, the Emmanuel Episcopal Church was located on Water Street near the Center Depot, on the site that later became the L.B. Evans' Son shoe factory. Ground was broken in March 1881, with the first service held in August 1881. The chapel was enlarged in the early 1890s and remodeled into a 'homelike and attractive place of worship'. The interior was 'thoroughly renovated and refurbished' the following year, at an expense of more than $4,000. The new altar was a gift of Mrs. Daniel G. Walton. In the 1890s, the church was considered to be 'one of the prettiest and most convenient churches of its size in this vicinity'. The church was moved to the corner of Main and Bryant Streets through the generosity of Lidia Wright Pearson in 1900."
• Movietime USA, Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, October 10, 1951
  "Attendance at movie theaters hit an all-time low in 1951 as people stayed home to watch television. At the urging of theater owners across the country, the movie industry embarked on a public relations campaign to bring people back into the theaters. Using the 50th anniversary of motion pictures as its theme, 240 actors, writers, directors and casting directors were divided into small groups and set out from Hollywood to 28 major cities and their surrounding cities and towns on a tour called Movietime USA. One group arrived in Boston and traveled throughout Greater Boston in a '15-car convoy of new DeSotos. The team, comprised of director Alfred Hitchcock; actors Dorothy Lamour, 18-year-old Debra Paget, Margaret Sheridan and Tom Breen; writer Welles Root; and MGM casting director Billy Grady arrived at Wakefield High School on Main Street. From there, 'the stars formed behind the high school band and drove to the Library where a crowd of 2,500 people were gathered to see their favorite screen personalities'. Greeting them on the steps of the library were Selectman Paul Lazzaro, (who presented Lamour with a bouquet of fall flowers), Herbert K. Noble and Raymond Dower; Town Clerk Charles F. Young; and Helen Carlson of the library staff. Hitchcock presented Miss Carlson and the library with a signed copy of the book, The Thirty-Nine Steps, from which his 1935 hit movie was made. Mistress of ceremonies Lamour introduced the team at the start of the 15-minute ceremony, noting that Wakefield's stop was the best and largest of the tour. Many in the crowd were high school students who were dismissed for an hour to see the celebrities. Newspaper reports noted that the 'high schoolers nearly prevented the departure of Miss Paget as hundreds of boys and girls closed about her car seeking a closer look'".
• Chuck Connors, the 'Rifleman', Pleasure Island 1961
  "When Pleasure Island opened in June 1959, the main venue for entertainment was the Pepsi-sponsored Diamond Lil' Saloon. When new owners took over the park in 1960 and Pepsi opted out of its sponsorship, the entertainment venue switched to a new amphitheater known as the 'Show Bowl'. The venue attracted national stars, including Chuck Connors who played Lucas McCain in the Rifleman series from 1958 to 1963. According to the August 21, 1961 Billboard Amusement Business Magazine, more than 57,000 patrons paid more than $114,000 to see Connors in his six-day stand at the Show Bowl. Pleasure Island, it said, 'had the biggest week in its history because of good weather and Rifleman Chuck Connors...This broke all existing records for the park and topped the previous record held by the Three Stooges last year.' Television western-themed shows and Pleasure Island were sharing their heydays during this time period. Other cowboy stars, such as Wagon Train's Robert Horten, and Bonanza's Michael Landon performed at the Show Bowl, as did Boston's own Rex Trailer who was a familiar entertainer at Pleasure Island throughout the park's 11 seasons. In addition to playing the Rifleman, the 6'5" Connors, whose real name was Kevin Joseph Aloysius Connors, played basketball for the Boston Celtics and minor league baseball before landing an acting career. Pleasure Island closed forever on Labor Day weekend 1969. At Pleasure Island, children and 'children-at-heart' entered into a world that traditional amusement parks could not provide, where character actors continually put on a show and the entire park was a stage!"
• Wakefield rattan factory, circa 1880
  "This photo, taken from the top of Melvin Street, shows the wooden buildings of the rattan factory established by Cyrus Wakefield. Wakefield, for whom the town was named in 1868, brought his growing enterprise to South Reading in 1855 on land he purchased on Water Street. The site consisted of two mill ponds, one on each side of the road, and a few buildings used for manufacturing purposes. Nearly all the buildings, including the Stout Building pictured to the right of the smokestack, named for prominent citizen and large shareholder Richard S. Stout, were destroyed in the great fire of 1881. The company rebuilt and was said to be 'the largest business of its kind in the world."
• Morrill-Atwood Ice Company, 1933
  "The Morrill-Atwood Ice Company on Spaulding Street was one of the many ice houses in Wakefield which operated from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. Owner John Merrill built an ice storage facility in 1878 on Spaulding Street and later joined forces with J. Reed Whipple, a Boston hotel owner, in 1890. They purchased a portion of Hartshorne's Meadow, now Veterans Field, and started supplying ice to Whipple's hotels and to other large users in Boston. Whipple sold his shares to Frank H. Atwood, a partner in Morrill's Spaulding Street ice house, in 1897. Whipple-Morrill exported its ice while Morrill-Atwood sold its ice locally. Atwood remained as the owner of both ice houses following Morrill's death in 1904. He left the wholesale ice business when he sold the Hartshorne Meadow ice houses to the Porter Milton Ice Company in 1919, and eventually sold the Morrill-Atwood company to Albert S. Anderson in 1926. Anderson started an electric ice manufacturing business in 1932 after several bad ice-harvesting years. He sold his business to the Metropolitan Ice Company of Somerville in 1945. Metropolitan eventually razed all the buildings, except one which was leased to Salvatore and Antonio Palumbo, who later purchased the property and operated their wholesale fruit and produce business there until the 1990s. The last remnants of the structure were demolished in 1988."
• Wakefield Police Department, November 1950
  "The Town voted at the 1947 Town Meeting to purchase '22,404 square feet of land north of the Central Fire Station at Mechanic (now Princess) and Crescent Streets to Centre Street, and westerly toward Wakefield square and Main Street to the A&P Super Market parking lot and southerly to Mechanic Street' on which to build its new Police headquarters. The Concrete Construction Company of Chelsea was selected as the general contractor and ground was broken on January 17, 1950. Plans also included an 80' street in front of the new building, between Centre and Mechanic Streets, which the Selectmen named Commercial Street just before the department moved into the new, modern facility on November 13, 1950. The department was previously housed in the old Town Hall on Main Street. The Wakefield Police Department and the Chief's secretary, Mrs. Dorothy (McGrail) Hagan, posed for an official photo in front of the new building. Pictured (front row, left to right): Sergeant Walter E. Peterson, Lieutenant George B. DeRoche, Chief John G. Gates, Mrs. Hagan, Sergeant John M. Wenzel, and Motorcycle Officer John E. Martin. (Second row, left to right) Special Officer Morton V. Griffin, Patrolmen Winslow R. Smith, George F. Sheridan, Daniel J. Sullivan, Henry F. Galvin, and James T. McKeon. (Third row, left to right) Patrolmen Thomas Hennessy, Maximilian J. Ramocki, John T. Curran, Raymond J. Beane, and Peter A. Quinn. (Back row, left to right) Patrolmen John L. Clark, Harold J. Maloney, William F. Hovey, John F. Mahoney, and F. Charles Huppprich, Jr."
• Moving of the Cutler barn, Albion Street, July 15, 1948
  "The Wakefield Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars purchased a barn at 6 Eaton Street, once home for 'Farmer' Allen and later to Nathaniel Cutler, owner of Cutler Bros. grocery and grain store. Known as the Cutler Barn, the structure was moved to 357 North Avenue by the VFW where it became its headquarters. Prior to the move, the barn had been relocated to the Lincoln School yard. On July 15, beginning at 4:30 a.m., the structure was placed on a 22-wheel truck, a process that took two hours. The move began at 6:30 a.m. along a route that took it up Main Street to Albion Street to North Avenue, passing by Mike's Bob Shop, at the left of the photo, and Bradley Real Estate, at the right. After a short delay due to traffic on North Avenue, the 'procession' moved to Chestnut Street where overhead wires were removed and tree limbs were removed from a large tree opposite 128 North Avenue to let the structure pass. At 9:35 a.m., the building arrived at its destination, a lot once occupied by Crescent Wet Wash Laundry which had been destroyed by fore a few years earlier. The structure was remodeled into the new home of the Wakefield Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars."
• Railroad marker, Cooper Street bridge, circa 1910
  The railroad marker in front of the Cooper Street Bridge in Greenwood indicated to travelers on the Boston & Maine Railroad that they could travel 60 miles to South Berwick, Maine and 107 miles to Portland, Maine along the Portland (West) Main Line which connected Boston with Lowell and points north. In the early 1900s, the rails carried more than 30 passenger trains in each direction every day. The Cooper Street Bridge in the background was built in 1903 by Joseph Ross, one of Boston's leading builders of wharves and bridges, including the bridge over the Merrimack River in Newburyport. The Town voted to appropriate $3,800 in 1902 to build the bridge to provide safe passage over the busy Boston & Maine right-of-way, primarily for students traveling to the newly enlarged Greenwood School on Main Street. It was one of two proposals voted on by the Town, the other being a spandrel-braced steel arch design with an option to be a six-foot wide pedestrian-only structure. The bridge is an early example of reinforced concrete arch construction 'notable for its substantial size, asymmetrical profile and the use of an unusual type of deformed rod for reinforcement'. It measures 100' long with a span length of 60' and is thicker at the west end by six inches. It was recently reported to be one of only two concrete arch bridges of its age spanning more than 50' still in use in Massachusetts."
• Charles F. Gilman, pharmacist, Railroad Street, circa 1894
  "Charles F. Gilman operated a retail pharmacy at 92 Railroad Street (now North Avenue) opposite the Upper Depot. According to Wakefield, Its Representative Business Men and Points of Interest, Gilman, a native of Maine, started the business in 1891 as successor to H.M. and L.W. Cross. His store was on one floor and measured 35' x 20'. He carried a complete stock of drugs, medicines and chemicals, 'besides toilet articles, cigars and choice confectionery.' The 1894 pubhlication also noted that prescriptions were compounded 'at short notice in a most skillful and painstaking manner' at a price that was uniformly moderate. In addition to pharmaceuticals and other items, Charles F. Gilman also sold bicycles. IN 1896, he also had one of four pay telephone stations in Wakefield where nonsubscribers could use the telephone at a cost of 15 cents per five minute conversation with any other subscriber on the Boston or Suburban Exchanges. The three other pay stations were located at E.A. Wheeler, Car Station in Greenwood; S.E. Ryder, Druggist on Main Street; and at the Town Hall. In 1918, records indicate that Gilman sold photo supplies."
• Wakefield DPW street line marker, Leo T. Gerrior, 1932
  "The National Conference on Street and Highway Safety published a Manual on Street Traffic Signs, Signals and Markings in 1930 which mandated that concrete street markings be painted white or black. In 1932, the Wakefield DPW's street marking crew, including Leo Gerrior, at right, was responsible for painting center lines, parking spaces, crosswalks, and restricted areas with two coats of paint. Gerrior, of Spring Avenue, a member of the DPW's Highway Department, was chiefly responsible for painting the traffic lines in the business district and 'much-traveled intersections' using the hand-operated equipment. On September 13, 1939, Leo Gerrior died after being struck by a car at the corner of Main and Bryant Streets while helping to prepare the street for tarring and sanding later in the day. Gerrior lived in Wakefield for 17 years and was employed by the DPW for 10 years. Before joining the DPW, he was employed in the machine department at the Heywood-Wakefield Company, and with CF Keyes of Albion Street as a painter. He left his wife and five children. His sixth child, a daughter, was born in February 1940."
• Main Street, May 23, 1959
  "This photo is from a series of photos taken by Bourdon Studios as part of a Pleasure Island pre-opening publicity campaign in the town's 'business district'. Note the street light, along with the stores that lined Main Street: Nagle's Drugs, Carol Ann's Card & Gift Shoppe, A&P, Santoro's Original Delicatessen, Adrian's Fabrics, and Crystal Fruit Exchange. According to a photo caption which accompanied the photo in the Wakefield Item, the six p[passenger carriage was pulled by a horse owned by Marshall Winkler of Cordis Street, who was also the driver for the publicity campaign. The carriage, which was owned by Pleasure Island, had been restored to be used at the park. The park opened its gates for the first time less than a month later on Saturday afternoon, June 20th. Approximately 4,500 guests and members of the press, radio and television got a special preview of the park at the invitation-only opening day. A special benefit premiere was held the following day, with all proceeds going to the Boys Club of Boston. Pleasure Island was open to the public at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 22, 1959. This year marks the 55th anniversary of its opening. By the sixth season, 50 years ago, it was under its third set of owners, Boston ventures, which operated the park for five seasons. They sold Pleasure Island to Fairbanks Amusements in 1969, closing that same year on Labor Day, after an 11-season run."
• Train accident, Junction Station, 1917
  "An engine engaged in shifting empty p[passenger cars on the Salem Branch crashed head-on into an outbound Georgetown line freight engine just below the signal tower at the Junction Station on August 2, 1917. A fireman on the freight train was killed in the accident which occurred shortly after 10:30 p.m. According to news reports, the Salem Branch engine had just passed the crossover to the main line and the freight train was traveling at a 'good rate of speed' when the 'mammoth' engines crashed. The collision sent the freight engine hurtling from the tracks, sending it sideways, and pitching it onto its side beside the inward bound track. It was reported to be 'smashed in half' and 'knocked at right angles'. The box car and the coal cars were also damaged with iron from one of the engines imbedded in the Georgetown box freight cars. The passenger cars on the shifting (Salem Branch) engine remained on the tracks, although the forward car next to the engine was destroyed. The Salem crew jumped to safety before the impact. An Otis Street youth, Harold Anderson, walking home from a dance in Melrose, was among the first rescuers on the scene. Work continued into the next day, with railroad officials moving the debris so other trains could pass through the busy station. The rails below the signal tower where the engines collides were 'twisted like paper' and new iron was laid in the morning. Scores of local residents remained at the scene throughout the day."
• Col. James Hartshorne House, circa 1930
  "The Col. James Hartshorne House on Church Street is situated on land first owned by William Hooper, who in 1644 and 1650 bought two parcels of land on which he built his homestead. According to historical records, Hooper sold his land to Mary Hodgman in 1664. A wealthy widow at the age of 24, Mary married Thomas Hodgman and bought Hooper's land and home with her own name on the deed. Sometime between 1664 and 1680, the Hodgmans either moved the original Hooper house across the road or built a new one. They sold the house and land in 1725 to the Widow Patterson who occupied the house for 13 years, until her death in 1738. Her son sold the homestead in two parcels, the first, with a 'small house' to Jonathan Cowdrey in 1757, and the second, across the road to Samuel Poole in 1758. It was Cowdrey who is believed to have added to the house during his 34 years of ownership, as did the next owner, D. John Hart. Dr. Hart, a Revolutionary War surgeon, owned the house from 1792-1802 and used it as an investment, eventually turning it into an inn, called the Lafayette House. The Blue Lodge of Masons also met in a second-floor room during his ownership. Shoemaker Col. James Hartshorne purchased the house in 1803 and lived there until he died in 1870. His second wife, Mary, lived there until 1884. In 1890, J. Reed Whipple and John G. Morrill, bought the house and turned it into a tenement for Morrill-Atwood Ice Company workers. The Town of Wakefield voted at a Special Town Meeting on October 14, 1929 to purchase the home and meadow for $14,999 following a devastating fire that destroyed the ice houses in September. The Town also voted to restore the home as part of Wakefield's participation in the Tercentennial Celebration of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1930. The Col. James Hartshorne House Association was formed in July 1930, and incorporated in 1936 for the purpose of preserving and maintaining the house."
• WMGLD Mark A. Delory Facility, 480 North Avenue
  "The Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department's Mark A. Delory facility at 480 North Avenue opened in June 2013 with a rededication and open house held on September 29th. The facility is named in memory of Mark A. Delory, a member of the Gas Division who lost his life on June 24, 2006. The former garage at the site was named in his memory in 2007. The facility is on the same site as the Citizens' Gas & Light Company which the citizens of Wakefield voted to purchase at Town Meeting in 1893. The Town of Wakefield assumed operation of the plant on August 4, 1894. In 1943, the light department physically expanded its operations with the purchase of 9-11 Albion Street office for its business office which had previously been located in the Town Hall and the Wakefield Savings Bank (now The Savings Bank). In 1951, the Town received permission from Town Meeting to erect a new building for a garage on its North Avenue site to replace the original structure. That building was razed in 2012 to make way for the new building. The business office moved from Albion Street in June 2013. The Mark A. Delory facility now houses all WMGLD operations."
• Wiley's Boathouse, 1897
  The original Wiley's Boathouse was located at the end of Spaulding Street in 1872, facing west in Hartshorne's cove. In 1887, Will Wiley built another boathouse at the end of Lake Avenue right on the shores of Lake Quannapowitt. This single-story boathouse was used by casual boating enthusiasts as well as members of the Quannapowitt Yacht Club who had their own pier at the Spaulding Street boathouse."
• Hodgdon Building, 1923
  "The Hodgdon Building, located on the east side of Main Street just south of Water Street, was built at the same time as the new Wakefield High School (former Atwell Building) and the time of the extensive enlargement of Barry's Garage at the corner of Main and Armory Streets. To accommodate the new growth in the immediate area, Main Street was significantly widened during that time period."
• Atwell building fire, December 1971
  "Wakefield High School's Atwell Building on Main Street was gutted by a multi-million dollar fire which was first noticed by a passing call firefighter at 8:23 p.m. on Sunday, December 12, 1971. Flames were discovered on the first floor of the building in a north wall partition opposite the office of Superintendent of Schools, Dr. George MacArthur. It was believed the fire started in a classroom on the second floor above the accounting section of the school system's central office which adjoined the Superintendent's office. It traveled westerly through the floor partitions, over the area of the boys' lockers and into the auditorium through the ventilating ducts. Firefighters from 19 communities fought the fire throughout the night and into the early morning hours. The flames spread throughout the building, following air ducts and hollow passages until firefighters opened several ventilation holes in the roof to stop the lateral movement of the fire. The fire broke through the roof after midnight. Thousands of local residents came to the scene after being alerted to the fire by a news bulletin on a Boston TV station. Many students joined teachers, coaches and school officials in retrieving musical instruments and uniforms, sports equipment, audio-visual equipment and business machines which were in the back of the building. When the fire was finally out 20 hours later, 30 firefighters had been overcome by the acrid smoke and two more had been injured. The building was condemned the next day by the Building Inspector and a representative from the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety. A professional company from Arlington was hired to remove anything that was salvageable. Wakefield High School students attended double sessions in the high school's adjacent Memorial Building from 7 a.m. to 12 noon, and 12 noon to 5 p.m. This led to a 'modified' open study concept since no classrooms were available to be used as study rooms. Lockers were shared by two students and underclassmen were limited in their participation in varsity sports. The 1923 high school building was razed and the site where the school stood is now the Galvin Middle School parking lot."
• Abraham Sweetser House & Joseph Hughes Garage, Corner of Armory and Main Streets, circa 1920
  "The Abraham Sweetser house, at left, was the first home of Cyrus Wakefield. The house was built in the early 1800s by Sweetser himself, probably on land owned by his father, Paul Sweetser, a man who the Providence Rhode Island Journal said was 'the first to engage in the business of bringing ladies fine shoes from Boston to Providence.' The elder Sweetser was a 'considerable orchardist; he raised abundantly the best apples that were raised in the town. He owned a part of 'Walk Hill', a ridge of land then extending from-the-river, by the late Leonard Wiley's, southerly on Main Street, and easterly on Nahant Street, and all along its base, where, owned by Mr. Sweetser, was a continuous row of apple trees, which bore choice fruit, among which was a plentiful supply of the old 'Ben' apple.' The house was typical of the large, well-built dwellings of the period, with wide stairways, a large fireplace and brick ovens. Abraham was a shoemaker as were many of his neighbors, many of whom ran 'one-man shoe factories' in their homes. The house was razed in 1922 to make way for an addition to the garage. The Joseph Hughes garage was built around 1909 by Hughes who owned a small repair shop on Center Street. The garage, which measured 42' x 75' was determined to be inadequate when David Barry purchased it in 1919. It was Barry who razed the house and was responsible for building the tapestry-brick structure in 1922. Several more additions were added beginning in 1925. In later years it was home to W.T. Walker Oldsmobile, Sylvania's Semiconductor Division, and Verizon. The structure was recently razed to make way for CVS."
• Leonard Wiley House, Crescent and Water Streets, circa 1890
  "The Leonard Wiley House, at the corner of Water and Crescent Streets was built somewhere around 1765. According to Lilley Eaton's Genealogical History of the Town of Reading, Mass. the farm land was originally owned by early settler Benjamin Poole, Esq. and later by his nephew, Jonathan Poole. Jonathan Poole's son-in-law Nathaniel Wiley inherited the farm and later passed it on to his son, Leonard. Leonard Wiley was born in 1791, one of eight children of Nathaniel and Sally (Poole) Wiley. He died in 1872. The farm was occupied by his heirs until the house was moved to 35 Bartley Street to make room for the Crescent House."
• Hibernians at the Lincoln School, 1894
  "The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 26, was organized on August 1, 1868 as the Hibernian Aid Society with a membership of 33. Timothy Hurley was the first president. The organization became affiliated with the A.O.H., the oldest and largest Irish Catholic organization in the United States, on March 4, 1876. The Hibernians were among the many fraternal and civic organizations that participated in the 250th anniversary procession on Monday, May 28, 1894. The 85 members marched in the 1st Division of the procession which started on Main Street near the Wakefield residence, (now the corner of Main and Armory Street) up to Sweetser, Pleasant, Park, Main, Yale Avenue, Railroad (now North Avenue), West Chestnut, Park Avenue, Dell Avenue, Converse, Gould, Albion, Railroad, Chestnut to Main, where they passed in review before the Governor and other guests opposite the Town Hall on Main Street, at the corner of Water Street. Locally, the Hibernians were instrumental in the early growth of St. Joseph's Church. The members bought the buildings at the corner of Albion and Foster Streets in 1924, renovated it, and officially dedicated it on September 10th. It was said to be one of the largest and most successful fraternal gatherings ever held in Wakefield."
• Dulong wedding party, August 1917
  "Believed to be the wedding party of Wakefield residents James Walter Dulong and Sylvia Anne Amiro, this photo may have been take by Wakefield historian, painter and photographer Joseph Payro. Payro was known for experimenting with different papers and developing techniques when printing his photos. The back of this photo contains the notation: 'Monox Bromide 15 ticks by the kitchen clock, 24" from the big lamp'. An additional notation indicates that the paper was 'four years old before being printed.' Although the Wakefield Town report of 1917 noted the marriage of James and Sylvia, there is no mention of them in the 1917 list of residents."
• Volunteer Hose 2, Lakeside 1902
  "The 25-member company, formerly Fountain Engine 3, was reorganized as Volunteer Hose 2 on September 4, 1888. Shortly after reorganization, the members purchased a Rumsey four-wheel hand-drawn hose carriage by subscription at a cost of $275. The volunteer company, which for many years was an 'efficient, independent company', became a part of the Wakefield Dire Department following a Town Meeting vote in March 1892. Volunteer Hose 2 participated in many parades, including the dedication of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in June 1902. The processions consisted of four divisions: the GAR post of Wakefield and vicinity; military; Wakefield High School cadets; and the fire department led by Chief William E. Cade which consisted of the Steamer Hose Company; the Hook & Ladder Company; Volunteer Hose 2; the Carter Hose Company and the Greenwood Hose Company. The parade route started on Richardson Avenue (across from the former Town Hall), and traveled along Main Street to Chestnut, Railroad (now North Avenue), Yale, Main, Crescent, Eaton, Pleasant, Salem, Main to Sweetser, where the divisions counter matched [i.e. marched?] to Salem Street. The participants were reviewed by Governor Crane as they passed by the pagoda (bandstand)."
• Wakefield High School Students, Common Street at Lafayette Street, 1923
  "Wakefield High School pupils. teachers, staff and administrators walked through the downtown from their former school on Lafayette Street (now Town Hall) to their new school on Main Street, on Jun 4, 1923. The parade was led by the Superintendent of Schools Willard B. Atwell, Principal Charles J. Peterson, Sgt. Ernest Munroe, and Miss Irene Laughton of the office staff, followed by the high school battalion drum corps. The senior class was next in line, followed by the junior, sophomore and freshman classes who walked four-by-four to the school. The parade route was lined with students from the elementary schools, with the exception of the Greenwood and Montrose Schools. When they arrived at the new high school, the pupils wen to the rooms assigned to them and then assembled in the auditorium where Principal Peterson explained the rules and regulations and read the new orders students were to follow. Following recess and lunch, the students were dismissed for the day, with 'lessons' beginning the following day. The 'new' high school was located on Main Street where the Cyrus Wakefield estate once stood and was built at a cost of $450,000. The original high school building was destroyed by fire in December 1971. The site is now the Galvin Middle School parking lot."
• Corner of Main and Chestnut Streets, May 1, 1924
  "Once the site of the Town's fist church and meeting house, the land at the corner of Main and Chestnut Streets was also home to another landmark, Bessey Stable, until the structure was razed to make way for the Wakefield Trust Company. building. The property was purchased in August 1921 by Charles W. Hodgdon, the owner and manager of the Wakefield Theatre, with the intention of building a new playhouse. After the project was abandoned, the land was purchased by the Wakefield Trust Company. When the stable was torn down, local reports noted, 'The old stable has been a landmark for many years and marks another of the important changes of Main Street where an old wooden building ill be replaced by a modern structure.'"
• Unitarian Universalist Church, Main Street circa 1894
  "The Unitarian Universalist Church, the oldest existing religious building in Wakefield, had its beginnings on April 29, 1813, when seven South Reading men met at the Elm Street home of Col. Amos Boardman, a prominent local businessman and Revolutionary War Veteran. Joining him as founding members of the Universal Society in South Reading were Joseph Eaton, a grocer; John Rayner, a baker and Keeper of the Pound; Charles Emerson, and inventor and manufacturer Benjamin Goldthwait, a cobbler; Joshua Burnham, a clergyman; and Thomas Melborn, who is only referred to as being married to Joshua Burnham's sister. Meetings were held at members' homes or at the schoolhouse until they accumulated enough members and resources to build a Universalist Church. In 1839, the Universalist Society purchased a lot of land from John Rayner's widow, Mary, on the County Road, now Main Street, at the spot where the road divided. The Greek Revival-style building with its triangular pediment and four classical columns was dedicated on November 21, 1839. The original building was moved back 50 feet in 1859 and was raised, with the front portion of the church and steeple added. The style of the building remained unchanged into the 20th Century, with some interior and exterior alterations brought on by several fires in adjacent buildings. Major alterations occurred in 2008 when the church spire was removed due to serious structural issues throughout the steeple. The organization, founded as the Universalist Society and later as the First Universalist Society of Wakefield, became the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Wakefield when the two denominations merged in 1961. The church will celebrate its bicentennial year with festivities and a capital campaign to repair the steeple."
• First National Store, March 23, 1934
  The First National Store at 432 Main Street was one of eight markets that served the Town in 1934, the others being Reid's Market, 77 Albion Street; Railroad Market, across from the upper railroad station; City Hall Market, 6 Water Street; Sperbers Market, 14 Water Street (which advertised that it sold full-strength beer and wine); Quality Grocers, 87-89 Albion Street; McCarthy's Market, 412 Main Street, Wakefield Fish Market, 3 Mechanic Street; and Orde's Fish Market, 109A Albion Street. First National, known by its acronym Finast and 'The First National', was incorporated as the Ginter Company in 1917. It changed its name to First National Stores, Inc. in 1925 when it was consolidated with the John T. Connor Company and O'Keeffe's, Inc. Finast was a retail supermarket brand that existed in the northeastern United States until being absorbed by Edwards and its Dutch parent Royal Ahold in the mid-1990s. Finast was originally based in Somerville, prior to its change to the Edwards name. The base was then moved to Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
• EE Gray Company, 447 Main Street, circa 1909
  "The Main Street store, E.E. Gray Company, was one of 25 branch stores of the E.E. Gray Importers, Wholesale and Provision Dealers of Boston located throughout Greater Boston and Massachusetts. The company also had three Boston stores, on Hanover, Blackstone and Union Streets. The company was established by Elmer E. Gray in 1885 at the age of 23. Within four years, he had built up a large trade and reputation as a commission merchant in butter, cheese, eggs, and live and dressed poultry, and supplied goods to dealers, restaurants, hotel[s] and families. He received his supplies directly from the producers and was able to sell them at the lowest market prices. According to Illustrated Boston, the Metropolis of New England, 'this representative and progressive house was established by Mr. Gray, who has built up a large trade and through his extensive connections controls a large business. Consignments of choice creamery and dairy butter, cheese and fresh eggs are received daily, and also live and dressed poultry. Promptitude and quick sales form the policy upon which the business is conducted and the stock is always choice and fresh. The premises are of ample dimensions for the requirements of the business and a force of clerks are kept constantly employed. Liberal advances are made on consignments and in all matters pertaining to this special line of trade Mr. Gray is prepared to transact business in a manner satisfactory to all concerned.' By 1915, his stores were selling kitchen items, including galvanized iron watering or sprinkling pot[s], children's aluminum mugs, window and door screens, and gardening supplies. In 1927, company officers organized a new corporation to acquire the necessary funds to extend and enlarge the business of the E.E. Gray Company. The company filed for bankruptcy in December 1930."
• Curtis Bakery, circa 1890s
  "C.H. Curtis, 'caterer and dealer in plain and fancy crackers, ice cream, bread, confectionery, canned goods, etc.' operated his bakery at 430 Main Street. The business was established in 1888 and was regarded in the Representative Business Men of Wakefield 1894 publication as 'one of the most reliable enterprises of the kind in Wakefield, and those who have made a practice of dealing with this establishment speak of the even excellence of the goods offered, and the uniform courtesy extended to every customer.' The bakery consisted of a 50' x 10' building and a 35' x 20' bakehouse, and employed five skilled assistants. According to the publication, Mr. Curtis operated a large wholesale and retail business, specializing in 'weddings, parties, balls, and church fairs.'"
• Wakefield's Upper Common, circa 1909
  "Now known as Veterans' Memorial Common, Wakefield's Upper Common was once the original public land created by the Town's early settlers in 1741. The Soldiers and Sailors Civil War Monument, at the right of the photo, was erected in 1902 as a gift from Harriett Flint. At its dedication on June 17, 1902, it was described as, 'The monument, aside from its own beauty, makes a striking picture with its background of rich green foliage and the blue waters of the lake beyond. It stands in the center of a triangle of lofty elms. Immediately in front, a bed of brilliant hued flowers gives a touch of color to the scene'"
• Wakefield Common, circa 1905
  "The upper Common, pictured shortly after the dedication of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument which occurred in 1902. Before the Town received a bequest from Cornelius Sweetser of $10,000 which stipulated that the money be used to improve a public park, the common as we know it was a bit run down, with debris from a nearby tin shop littering the area and a ditch running through the upper Common. The Town agreed to match the donation in 1883 and the common was transformed by the park commissioners. The end result was the draining and regrading of the Upper Common and the addition of new fences. In 1990, the Common District, referred to as the land between Lake Quannapowitt, Main Street, Common Street, Church Street, and Lake Avenue, was added to the National Register of Historic places. The Upper Common was officially named as the Veterans' Memorial Common in 2011."
• Church Street, Wakefield Common, circa 1905
  "Wakefield's upper and lower Commons are visible in the circa 1905 panoramic photo. It is interesting to note that the road forks, with the left side leading to Salem Street and the right side leading to Pearl Street."
• Henry F. Miller Piano Factory, circa 1894
  "The Henry F. Miller Piano Factory was one of three imposing buildings in the downtown area that were built in the 1870s. The building, located behind the Town Hall at Water and Main Streets, was the factory for the company's Boston, Philadelphia and Cincinnati showrooms. The company was established in Boston by Henry F. Miller in 1863. A musician, Miller was described as an inventive genius with great skills as a 'mechanician'. He was joined in the business by his five sons who moved the factory into the stately building in 1884. The company continued under the direction of Henry F. Miller, Jr. and his brothers after his father's death in 1884, and Henry F. Miller & Sons continued to produce high quality pianos made by master craftsmen until a decline in demand caused the company to discontinue its own piano line in the late 1920s. The company became a part of the Continental Piano Company. The Miller Piano Factory building was sold to William T. Curley, Sr. in 1930 and houses various businesses over the next 30 years, including a furniture store, several shoe manufacturers, and an antique store. The building was razed in 1960 to make way for the Surety Bank and Trust Company building."
• Main Street, between Chestnut and Avon Streets, circa 1905
  "The Wakefield National Bank, later the Wakefield Trust Company, purchased the Hannah S. Brown land at the northwest corner of Main and Chestnut Streets in the early 1900s, and erected the building in 1902. The bank, incorporated as the South reading Mechanical and Agricultural Institution in 1833, shared the building with the Wakefield Savings Bank, now The Savings Bank, from 1902 to 1924, when the Trust Company moved into its new building across Chestnut Street. the building on the corner of Avon Street was known as the Flanery Building, and later as the Odd Fellows Building. Erected in the late 1890s, a fire gutted the interior of the building in January 1997. The building was renovated and restored by The Savings Bank, which now occupies the building. The Mansfield, estate, now the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, is pictured at the right."
• Firefighter William Tyzzer, circa 1906
  "The Wakefield Fire Department replaced its 1894 Abbot-Downing hose wagon with a 1906 American LaFrance combination chemical and hose wagon it purchased at a cost of $1,450. The horse-drawn wagon carried two 30-gallon chemical tanks and 1,900 feet of hose. During the eight years it was in service, the American LaFrance responded to several major fires, including the great Chelsea fire which destroyed nearly a quarter of the city in 1908, and the February 1909 fire that destroyed the First Parish Congregational Church. Other major fires included the 1907 fire at George Taylor's store at Main and Princess Streets, and the Cutler Brothers Grocery and Grain Store fire in 1911 at the corner of Main and Water Streets that destroyed several other businesses and buildings in the area. The Fire Department started adding motorized equipment in 1908 when it converted a second-hand touring car into a hose wagon, effectively ending its use of hand-drawn equipment. Additional motorized pieces of equipment were added, and by 1912, the American LaFrance combination chemical and hose wagon was reassigned to the Greenwood station. A Peerless chemical and hose wagon replaced the 1906 apparatus in 1914. The department's horses were no longer needed and were given to the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department and the Department of Public Works."
• Wakefield High School, Lafayette and Common Streets, circa 1907
  "Wakefield dedicated its new high school 140 years ago, on the site of the former Parson Prentice House - the third parsonage in the First Parish - on October 10, 1872. The new school replaced the South Reading Academy, which was located on the site of the Lincoln School. The school was built just one year after the commodious Town Hall at the corner of Main and Water Streets (1871), and four years after the Town changed its name from South Reading to Wakefield (1868). A six-room addition was added in 1900, and the building remained in use as the high school until 1923 when a new school opened on Main Street. Renamed the Lafayette School, the building housed the Town's eighth grade until 1936. In 1937, the building was remodeled as part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project, and its distinctive Italianate features were removed, with the wood replaced by brick. The Lafayette Building was used for municipal and veterans' purposes until a fire at the 1871 Town Hall in December 1950 rendered that building inhabitable [i.e.uninhabitable]. In April 1951, Town Meeting voted to move Town equipment and records to the Lafayette Building. In subsequent years, Town Meeting voters voted against repairing or restoring the vacant Main Street Town Hall, and voted to move all Town offices to Lafayette Street. The old Town Hall was razed in October 1958. The Lafayette Building, now the William J. Lee Memorial Town Hall, has undergone renovations since the 1950s, including a major accessibility renovation in 1998."
• Main Street, circa 1952
  "In 1952, Town Meeting unanimously voted to purchase, or take by right of eminent domain, five parcels of land and their structures to enable the Town to build a new senior high school on Main Street, adjacent to the high school. The cost of the five parcels was reported to be $67,500. The owners were listed as Mildred Hawkes, Marjorie Cook, John Marshall, Jennie Willey, and Edna Brown. One house was later moved to the corner of Park Avenue and Prospect Street. The 1952 meeting lasted over three hours, with several votes taken during the evening. One article that was soundly defeated was to put an addition on the existing building to the west. Another defeated article included the building of a senior high school at the site of the Town Farm, (the current location of Wakefield High School). The 940 voters also voted to establish a 6-3-3 (elementary-junior high school- high school) school system. Initial plans also included the junior high school moving into the former high school building, later named the Willard B. Atwell School. The total to build a new school, with the purchase of the land, was said to be $2,130,500. The new high school opened in 1955 and is now the Galvin Middle School, with the exception of the Atwell wing of the school."
• Princess Theatre, 1938
  "The Princess Theatre on Mechanic Street, now Princess Street, opened in 1912 in a building previously used for storage, and, at one time, had housed the Thomas E. Stapleton mattress factory. The theatre was owned and managed by Charles W. Hodgdon, who was also the manager-owner of the Wakefield Theatre on Main Street. The Princess Theatre underwent a major renovation in 1938, with the addition of a 'modernistic' main entrance (the previous entrance became the exit), a spacious circular-shaped lobby (with a 'light, airy dome slightly over 20' high'), lounging smoking and reception rooms for men and women (the men's and ladies' rooms were similar although the ladies' room was furnished more 'luxuriously'), wider seats, built-in aisle lights with dimmers in every second row of seats (which ended the ushers' need for flashlights), a spacious room for ushers, a ticket booth, an 'attractive' candy counter, an electrically-cooled drinking fountain at the foot of the balcony stairs, and wider, larger balcony staircases to make the accent [i.e. ascent] easier for older patrons. The theater was closed during World War II for lack of employees, but reopened in 1945. The Princess Theatre continued to operate until the 1950s. The building was later used for storage by Parke Snows, and was sold to C. Harry Olson, as part of a three-property deal, for nearly $50,000 in 1958. The building was occupied by various businesses, including the Nearly New Thrift Shop, until 1971 when it was razed."
• Harvard Knitting Mill, Albion, Foundry and Maple Streets, June 1913
  "Flatlock Operators at Harvard Knitting Mills used Flatlock machines which created a 'very strong, soft almost flat seam no thicker than the fabric itself'. The seam, patented on March 31, 1908 and introduced to the trade in 1913, was made in one 'operation' at a very high speed. The company touted its 'Harvard Mills (hand-finished) Underwear' with it's 'flat-lock single thickness seam' in national advertisements, with a disclaimer at the bottom stating that if a dealer didn't carry 'Harvard Mills', they undoubtedly carried the company's Merode brand, in the same attractive styles and p[rice. Established by Charles N. Winship and Elizabeth E. Boit in Cambridgeport, MA as Winship-Boit Company in 1888, the company moved to Wakefield's Taylor Building in 1889. Due to the success of their Merode hand-finished knit underwear, the company bought land at Albion and Foundry Streets in 1897, and a three-story building, with basement, was built on the land. The company continued to grow rapidly, with six major additions from 1901 to 1921. The popularity of knit undergarments started to decline in the late 1920s, and by the mid 1930s, parts of the buildings were rented out to other companies. Parts of the complex were sold, and in 1955, the main mill was sold."
• Southern corner, Main and Centre Streets, circa 1938
  "The downtown area of Wakefield was transformed in the late 1930s and early 1940s, with the razing of houses and brick buildings. The Gould Block, on the northern corner of Main and Centre Streets, was razed in the late 1930s and, like most of the older buildings, replaced with a one or two story 'modern' building that housed a variety of new and established businesses. The Cheney Block on the southern corner of Main and Centre Streets was home to Wakefield's first jewelry store, Cheney's, which also served as a periodical and newsstand. Mr. McMasters, who was well known for his newsstand, eventually bought the business. After the buildings within the block were razed, new one-story structures were built to house Nagle's Drug Store, Friend's Bakery, the Atlantic and Pacific store, and Russell's Electric. Boothby's (at the far right) remained intact while buildings on either side were razed and rebuilt."
• Main Street, between Princess and Lincoln Streets, 1971
  "Local residents gathered along Main Street to watch the Little League parade, which traveled from the Common to the Little League Field behind the former St. Florence Chapel on Del Carmine Street, off Water Street. It is interesting to note that the former Walton Block in the center of the photograph was occupied by the Post Office during the expansion of its current building at the corner of Main Street and Yale Avenue which began in 1970. After weather-related delays, the addition was completed and the Post Office moved from its temporary location in the First National Supermarket in late 1971."
• Tractor engine & hoist, March 1935
  "The Town of Wakefield was among the most active communities that worked with the CWA (Civil Works Administration, which was established in 1933 by the New Deal during the Great Depression to create manual labor jobs for millions of unemployed during the winter, until it ended in March 1934); and the WPA (Works Progress Administration, the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency which employed millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads). As a result, several road and sewer projects were undertaken throughout the Town, including the relaying of water mains which employed 393 men, and the 'dressing up of the Town' at all the entrances into the community, with new curbing. Additional projects included adding cement sidewalks and widening streets. These may have been local contractors, public works employees, or WPA works involved in the operation that used the tractor engine and hoist to operate the dragline."
• Robie Industrial fire aftermath, February 1972
  "An arsonist set a number of devastating fires in the early 1970s, including the 10.5 acre Robie Industrial Park fire on Saturday, February 5, 1972. The Water Street complex was once home to Cyrus Wakefield's Rattan Company, and later, the Heywood-Wakefield Company. The site is now occupied by Shaw's supermarket. Firefighters first encountered heavy smoke in the basement of the Continental Chemical Company, and within minutes, flames fully engulfed the four-story structure. A catwalk which connected the building to another helped spread the fire, as did an underground tunnel between two of the buildings. Five of the seven buildings were completely destroyed. The evening blaze was reported to be the worst 'disaster' in the Town's history, with more than 500 firefighters from 40 communities first reported to be battling the wind-driven flames which quickly spread from building to building. Reports also said that aid came from 'as far as Brockton, Concord (New Hampshire), and Worcester'. Because of high winds and freezing temperatures, the water used to fight the fire turned to ice which coated the streets, hoses, couplings, hydrants and the firefighters. The fire continued to smolder the next day, and crews from the Department of Public Works scraped ice from the pavement in the complex, as well as Water and New Salem Streets. They worked with fire and police to thaw the couplings and hydrants and removed the frozen hoses to the Greenwood Fire Station. Initial reports indicated that approximately 1,000 people would be unemployed because of the fire, and losses would total $15 million. These figures were quickly downgraded to approximately 150 to 150 unemployed and the loss set at $2.5 million."
• Lake Quannapowitt, 1969
  "Lake Quannapowitt, the center of recreational activities in Wakefield, drew scores of local youth to its shores during the winter months for skating and pick-up hockey games. Although winter 1969 was cold, the ice remained unsafe well into January, with Safety Officer Max Ramocki issuing a caution to residents of unsafe conditions. Despite several below-freezing days, the Lake was partially open in early 1969. This unusual pattern led to much speculation, and it was determined that the first theories - that vegetation controlling chemicals were responsible, and that the American Mutual building at the head of the Lake caused air currents - were not the case; rather, the winds that accompanied the cold temperatures caused the water to remain in motion. At the time, it was common for alerts to be issued by the Town about skating conditions and for parents to call the Police of Fire Department to see if the Lake was safe. The Department of Public Works was also called in many times to plow sections of the Lake near the boat ramp at Veterans' Field, for skaters."
• Upper depot, early 1900s
  "The Wakefield Real Estate and Building Association was listed as the owner of several properties in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The company owned the land between Chestnut and Murray Streets which was purchased for $15,000 by the Boston & Maine Railroad in 1888 to build a new station. The B&M started building its commodious structure in 1990; it was completed, and opened in 1890. In the background is North Avenue, formerly Railroad Avenue. It is interested to note the horse and buggies in front of the businesses and the Bank Building, near the center of the photo."
• Bickford's saw mill, 1890
  "Bickford's Saw Mill was located on Vernon Street at the Lynnfield line."
• Wakefield Memorial High School, Main Street, circa 1955
  "Town Meeting voted in 1952 to build a new high school on Main Street next to the high school built in 1923. Wakefield Memorial High School opened in 1955 and was named to honor all those killed on the battlefield since the Civil War. The former high school, the Willard B. Atwell School, housed grades seven, eight and nine until the junior high school on Farm Street opened in December 1960 for grades seven and eight. The Willard B. Atwell building, which became part of the high school, was destroyed by fire in December 1971. Double sessions were held at Wakefield High School until a new high school was built on Farm Street in 1974. Wakefield Memorial High School was moved to Farm Street, and the junior high school, now the Galvin Middle School, moved to Main Street."
• Atkinson's Grocery Store, 1912
  "Ira Atkinson owned Atkinson's grocery and grain store located in the 1890s at 470 Main Street. According to an advertisement in the publication Representative Business Men of Wakefield, published in the late 1890s, Ira Atkinson opened the store in 1874. It also noted that the store was one of the 'oldest and most complete of its kind in Wakefield', and that Atkinson had three assistants. Atkinson dealt in 'groceries of all kinds, flour and grain, choice teas, coffees, spices, etc.', and was 'in a position to supply these commodities in any desired quantity and bottom prices to both large and small buyers.' The store occupied a space of 100' x 25' with a storeroom that enabled Atkinson to carry a large and complete stock of the items mentioned, 'together with others of minor importance.' The ad also boasted that Atkinson guaranteed everything he sold and 'always paid once hundred cents on the dollar'. Among the items sold was Butterine a name for margarine that was most often made from animal fat such as pork lard or beef tallow. When first introduced in England in 1869, it was called butterine until the late 1880s. The use of the word 'butterine' continued longer in America. Note the wooden barrels and scales throughout the store, as well as the grinder."
• Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department, Railroad Avenue, early 1900s
  "The Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department has operated from the North Avenue (formerly Railroad Avenue) plant, overlooking Lake Quannapowitt, since the town purchased the Citizens Gas and Light Company for $180,000 in 1894. The purchase included the land and buildings, as well as the equipment. The buildings also included a house for the Superintendent, as well as the barn. The site has undergone physical changes over the years, including repairs and additions to the building, the addition - and later the dismantling - of a gas holder, and the complete replacement of the original buildings on the site in 1951. The WMGLD expects to consolidate all operations at the North Avenue site in the next few years."
• Wakefield YMCA Leaders Corp., undated
  "It is reported that the first Young Men's Christian Association in the United States was founded in 1851 by a group of evangelicals from several Boston churches who modeled it on the original YMCA established in London in 1844. This new organization offered a safe gathering place, opportunities for socializing, bible study classes and prayer meetings to young men who flocked to the cities during the industrial revolution. During the late 1870s and early 1880s, the Y's first physical education instructor, Robert J. Roberts, created the first fitness movement in American through his new exercise program for 'bodybuilding', a phrase he coined. Classes utilized exercise drills, wooden dumbbells, 'Indian Clubs', and heavy medicine balls, eventually leading to the introduction of basketball in at [sic] the Y's Springfield College in 1891, volleyball at the Holyoke YMCA in 1895, and racquetball in 1950. Roberts went on to start the Leaders Corps in 1884 to select and train physical education instructors. The YMCA's famous inverted red triangle symbolized the unity of 'body, mind, spirit.' The letters, YMCA across the logo, were added after 1917. The Wakefield YMCA was established on February 12, 1902. After the Emerson Shoe factory ceased operations in the early 1900s, the organization purchased the site at the corner of Main Street and Yale Avenue. The cornerstone was laid on September 16, 1908 and the building opened on April 7, 1909."
• Montrose railroad bridge, 1890
  "Charles Perkins sits atop the railroad bridge built to accommodate the South Reading Branch Railroad. The bridge was reported to have been built around 1854, although the charter for the railroad was granted to a group of 'promoters' in 1848. The group received permission to build a line from South Reading (Wakefield) to South Danvers (Peabody). The line started at the Wakefield Junction station on the Boston and Maine line, crossing over to the Centre [i.e. Center] Station on Water Street, and through the woods to what is now Salem Street, and into Lynnfield. The line opened in 1850 and provided a new, more direct and competitive route into Boston for those South Danvers passengers who rode the Eastern Railroad into East Boston and took a ferry into Boston. Eastern subsequently bought the line the following year, with the B&M taking it over in 1884. In 1869, eight daily passenger trains passed over the bridge. There were seven daily trains in 1893 and nine in 1919. Passenger service ended in 1926. A short portion of the railroad right of way near Montrose became part of Route 128."
• Main Street rebuilding, August 1949
  "What was to be a state-funded rebuilding of Main Street from the Rockery to Greenwood, and the removal of the streetcar rails in 1949, led to the laying of a new drainage system down the middle of Main Street. Crews discovered an old natural drainage system covered with capstone when a specialized trench digger began taking out the old rails. The Commonwealth stepped in and ordered that new 18" and 20" reinforced concrete pipes replace the existing drain in the downtown area. The street was to be open in both directions during the rebuilding, with work limited to the center of the wide street. The extensive work led to traffic being rerouted and one-way traffic from Albion Street southward. Temperatures during the rebuilding project soared into the 90s with no rain. As a result, the town's water levels were low. When the time came to 'puddle' the ditch, the water pumped from the old fire cistern below the ground at Main and Avon Street was not enough, leading the town to think creatively by running 2,500' of hose from the Lake, beginning at the the cement platform at the foot of Spaulding Street, across from the Common to the ditch on Main Street."
• July 4th Celebration, Wakefield Common, 1887
  "The country's first Independence Day celebration took place on July 4, 1777, and by the early 1800s, the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were established as the way to celebrate. The Town of Wakefield has celebrated with activities centered on the Common or more than a century. Wakefield's early celebrations were generally scattered throughout the neighborhoods until the 1880s when townspeople could gather on the newly developed Common for part of the day to listen to band concerts on the 'pagoda', which was erected in 1885, play games and cast their rowboats and canoes off one of the many docks that lined the shores. The Common was beautified by funds bequeathed to the town by Cornelius Sweetser in 1883. Improvements included the bandstand/pagoda, grading, new gravel, concrete walks, and malls, new fences, drainage, and the addition of the rockery. Within three years of this photo, the third meetinghouse of the First Parish Congregational Church, in the center of the photo, was razed, in 1890, and rebuilt."
• Main and Albion Streets, circa 1919
  "The Perkins block at the south corner of Main and Albion Streets was once owned by Capt. John Perkins of Lynnfield Centre. At the time of the Civil War, the southern portion of the building was removed to the corner of North Avenue and Avon Street, making room for the building at the left of the picture which once houses the Crystal Spa, Wilkinson Shoe and later, the Colonial Spa. Beasley's Variety Store, a kitchen furnishing and general variety store, was once of several businesses located in the building. Owner George Beasley of Reading relocated his store to North Avenue before 1940, making way for the First National market and grocery store, one of the first 'chain' stores in the area. Bonney & Dutton's 'Old Corner Drug Store' was first established in 1847 by Dr. Joseph D. Mansfield, a well-known practicing physician, and William H. Willis, on Main Street, opposite Avon Street. Dr. Mansfield purchased Willis' share of the business in 1855 and moved to Main and Albion Streets. At the time, the drug store was reported to be only the second such business between Boston and Haverhill, the other being in Malden. Josiah S. Bonney became a partner in 1885, and bought out Dr. Mansfield in 1892. He was the sole proprietor until pharmacist Riberot Dutton became a partner in 1906. He owned the store until his retirement in 1940. The upper floors were occupied by many businesses, including the photography studio of Charles F. Richardson whose work graces many old postcards and photos still in circulation. Others included photographer A.C. Saunders, the dental offices of Dr. Charles Magoon, and the Wakefield Bulletin. The Perkins Building was razed in late 1940."
• Bear Hill Golf Club, Hopkins Street, circa 1912
  "The Bear Hill Golf Club was established in 1900, with the clubhouse built on Bear Hill, near the Reading line. Work on the clubhouse started in January 1901. It was designed by architects Hartwell, Richardson & Driver, who was an 'enthusiastic' club member, and built by Feindel & Brockbank. The club held a 'formal informal' dedication of the clubhouse in mid-April 1901, complete with a scratch tournament and a chafing dish supper. Club membership was limited to 100. The 1901 clubhouse on Hopkins Street was built with ample room for its 100 members and friends. The building measured 15' wide with an 8' ell, and 46' long, with a piazza (porch) that measured 10'6" wide and ran the entire length of the building. The 'open rustic' 7' x 4' deep fireplace was a unique feature of the building, as was the eyebrow window on the roof. By 1913, the club was said to be among the most active in town, with 125 members and a long waiting list. The men, it was noted, had the 2132-yard golf course to themselves, but many of the ladies took part in the tennis matches on the club's two courts. Everyone enjoyed 'the luncheon and regular Saturday evening supper at which the attendance was seldom less than 100.' To better accommodate its members, the club voted to move the club and purchase an additional lot of land, at the present site, in 1913."
• West Side of Wakefield, circa 1909
  "This photograph was probably taken somewhere in the vicinity of Fairmount Avenue in the early 1900s. Although it is interesting to note the various architectural styles of the houses, it is even more interesting to note the buildings which grace the skyline, all of which are no longer standing. At the upper right of the picture stands St. Joseph's Church on Albion Street. In the center of the skyline is the spire of the Methodist Episcopal Church on Albion Street, east of the railroad tracks. Dedicated in 1874, the Methodist Church was built of Swiss timber construction adapted to 14th Century Gothic outline. The 130' spire was struck by lightning three times; in 1916, 1917 and 1926. The church's chimney crashed through the roof during the Hurricane of 1928, doing enough damage to weaken the structure of the building. The church building was condemned and razed on October 11, 1938. Just to the left of the Methodist Church in the picture was the Town Hall at the corner of Main and Water Streets. Built with funding from Cyrus Wakefield, and dedicated in 1871, the Town Hall served the community until a fire in the building in December 1950 left it unoccupied. The building was razed in October 1958. In the upper left is a billowing smoke stack at the Heywood Brothers & Wakefield Company rattan factory on Water Street. Founded by Cyrus Wakefield, the rattan factory relocated to South Reading (Wakefield) in 1855 on the Mill Rover. The Wakefield Rattan Company prospered over the years, eventually ceasing operations as the Heywood-Wakefield Company in 1930. A major fire destroyed all but three of the original buildings in 1972."
• Wakefield Post Office, Corner of Richardson Avenue and Main Street, circa early 1900s
  "Built on land once occupied by the Solon Richardson mansion, the Richardson Building was home to Wakefield's Post Office from 1902 until 1924. As was the custom during the 1800s and early 1900s, the Richardson house was moved from its site facing Main Street to another locations at the corner of Richardson Avenue and Foster Street when the family's extensive land holdings were developed in the early 1900s. Erected in 1901, and occupied in early 1902, the building was home to several stores and businesses in addition to the post office. In announcing the building, Solon Richardson said the the building would be made of brick with a frontage of 138' on Main Street and 130' in the rear. It was originally designed to accommodate seven stores on the first floor, and 17 offices on the second floor. The building was constructed so that another two or three floors could be added in the future. The 1,100' post office was located in the corner storefront at Main Street and Richardson Avenue. With the introduction of rural free delivery of the mail during the late 1890s, the post office was busy, with mail carriers added frequently. A schedule published in the newspaper in 1901 indicated when areas could expect their mail delivery and the hours of the post office; on most days the post office was open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., with Sunday hours. In addition to handling the mail, longtime Postmaster Stanley Dearborn and his staff were directed by Postmaster General Hitchcock in 1911 to establish a postal savings bank in the Wakefield Office. According to written accounts, the chief purpose of the postal savings bank was to 'keep money earner by foreigners in the country and in circulation'. It was also noted that the 'foreigners had little confidence in the banks, but repose great trust in anything directed by the government and cities and towns.' The post office outgrew the building and moved to a new facility, now the WMGLD business office, in 1924."
• St. Joseph's Church, Albion Street, circa 1909
  "The stately St. Joseph's Church was erected in several stages, beginning with the purchase of land on Albion Street in 1852 and concluding with the dedication of the church in 1890. According to a souvenir booklet published in 1890, Father Thomas H. Shahan of Malden purchased land on Albion Street in 1851 and built a church 100' from the railroad tracks, facing Albion Street. As the Catholic population grew, especially with the development of the rattan industry, South Reading was a mission of several parishes, including those located in Malden, Woburn, and Stoneham. It was in 1868, as a parish of Stoneham, that a lot of 30,000' of land on Albion Street was purchased, and a chapel, transept and the first nave section built at the corner of Albion and Murray Streets in 1870. In 1873, the church became a parochial dignity and 19,000' of land at the junction of Albion and Gould Streets was purchased from the Beebe family. Another lot was purchased on Murray Street in 1876 and the old church, which was built in 1851, was moved, becoming the Lyceum Hall, later used for many years as the church hall. The new church was moved further down Albion Street and turned to face the railroad. A rectory (at the left in the picture) was built at the corner of Murray and Albion Streets sometime around 1885. Between 1888 and when the church was dedicated on November 9, 1890, a basement was added to the new church, the nave was completed, lengthening the church by 75', the cruciform was built and crowned with a spire, and the cornerstone was laid in September 1889. Additional land was purchased in 1891 and 1892. The church was destroyed by fire on March 24, 1977. The present St, Joseph's Church was dedicated on June 27, 1890."
• Cutting Ice on Lake Quannapowitt, circa 1910
  "Taken on Cowdrey Hill on Prospect Street, this circa 1910 photo captures the ice cutting operations probably conducted by the Peoples Ice Company, which had six ice houses at Hall's Park at the upper left, opposite the WMGLD plant on North Avenue, and the Whipple & Morrill ice houses (later Porter-Milton) at the right in the photo, built on Hartshorne's Meadow. According to former historian Ruth Woodbury in a presentation to the Historical Society in the 1950s, more than $100,000 worth of ice was shipped out of town annually. Built in 1890 through a partnership between ice dealer John G. Morrill and Boston hotel owner J. Reed Whipple, the Whipple & Morrill ice-houses shipped much of its ice to Whipple's hotels: the Parker House, Young's and the Touraine. The photo also shows the WMGLD barn. In the foreground are houses along Prospect Street. Note the structures in the rear of the houses, which were probably outhouses."
• Wakefield Common circa 1910
  "Referred to as the 'Central Park' in the Descriptive Sketch of Wakefield, published in 1894, the Common was described as follows: 'The Central Park is most appropriately named, for it begins in the very heart of the town and extends along the eastern shore of Lake Quannapowitt for almost a mile. Of this beautiful sheet of water Mr. Sylvester Baxter has written 'Wakefield's lake, cherished and beautiful, plays an unusually important part in the life of the place. There is bathing in its waters, boating, canoeing and sailing on its surface in the summer; skating and ice-boating in the winter, besides band concerts, promenading and driving on its shores. The view up the lake deserves to rank among the notable park scenes in the country. There is a vista of something over a mile of sparkling blue water to the northward, where white-sailed yachts skim like swallows over the surface, and rowboats, and canoes glide gracefully about."
• The Adria Smith Trio
  Plaza Jazz is an annual program that runs throughout the summer months. Each week, on Thursdays from 6-8 pm, various musicians play a concert on the Main St. Plaza at the front of the library. Upwards of 70 people attend each event, every Thursday. The band in this photo is The Adria Smith Trio. Adria Smith has been playing professional jazz piano on the North Shore for 16 years since her Berklee days. The Adria Smith Trio, with Zach Bridges on bass, and Tony Bender on drums plays jazz standards from funky to original compositions.
• The Bengerstobal Trio
  Plaza Jazz is an annual program that runs throughout the summer months. Each week, on Thursdays from 6-8 pm, various musicians play a concert on the Main St. Plaza at the front of the library. Upwards of 70 people attend each event, every Thursday. The band in this photo is The Bengerstobal Trio. The Bengerstobal String Trio, which plays world music, is composed of Bengisu Gokce on violin and vocals, Gerson Eguiguren on viola and vocals, and Cristobal Cruz Garcia on cello and vocals.
• Lucius Beebe
  "Lucius Beebe,immortalized in Wakefield history by the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, was active in the town, both politically and personally, for the 32 years he resided in the community. Born in Hebron, Connecticut on March 2, 1810, Lucius Beebe set off at the age of 15 to seek his fortune in his uncle's flannel factory. The factory soon folded and he later went to work as an apprentice at the Yantic Factory in Norwich, Connecticut. At the age of 18, he took charge of one of the departments, a position he held until he and his four brothers opened a store in New Orleans, shipping goods from the New England area for sale at the store. Business was brisk in all sorts of commodities and, after a short time, the brothers opened an office in Boston for the sale of cotton and for the purchase of merchandise for the New Orleans store. He eventually setlled in Cambridge in 1844 and later moved to Melrose in 1851. In 1852 he settled in South Reading on the eastern shores of Lake Quannapowitt at the estate on Main Street known as the Beebe Farm. It was there that he and his wife Sylenda settled to raise their growing family of 12 children, nine of which survived to reach adulthood. At this time, he was a highly respected businessman in Boston, New York, and New Orleans. He immediately settled into his adoptive town, working in various organizations and holding several offices in the town. He was a Trustee for the public library from the time of its formation in 1856. In 1868 the library was renamed Beebe Town Library of Wakefield in his honor, as he was a major contributor, both in terms of financial contributions and his influence in its support. He was a member of the School Board, serving as its Chairman for several of those years. He was a Selectman and served as Trustee of the Wakefield Savings Bank, President of the National Bank of South Reading, President of the Real Estate and Building Association and served as a Justice of the Peace. Mr. Beebe was Chairman of the Hamilton School Building Committee and was a Co; Captions: 1. The Lucius Beebe Memorial Library in 1929. -- 2. Lucius Beebe was one of several influential Wakefield citizens on the Board of Directors of the South Reading Bank. (Standing left to right) Cyrus Wakefield and George O. Carpenter. (Seated, left to right) Samuel Gardner, Lucius Beebe, Thomas Emerson, Lilley Eaton, and Edward Mansfield.
• Woodville School, 1930
  "The new Woodville School building opened its doors on September 8, 1920 on an extension of the 'old' lot, immediately to the rear of the former school building. The school was built in the center of the grounds which were reported to be between two to three acres. Its first principal was George E. Hayes of Marlboro, a graduate of Bridgewater Normal School. He also took 'special courses' at Boston University. The exterior of the building was made of red brick and granite trim, with three entrances. The porches were equipped with wrought-iron gates that were closed when school was not in session. The building was 'thoroughly modern' in every aspect, with electricity throughout, and more light in the school than in any other building in town. There were six classrooms to hold approximately 250 students in seven grades. One of the most attractive features and 'valuable provisions' of the building was the assembly hall to the right of the main entrance that was intended to host community/neighborhood activities. It had a spacious stage, portable footlights, connections for a stereopticon, and a trap door in the ceiling for a moving picture machine. The first floor contained the assembly hall, kitchen suite, principal's office, three classrooms, and lavatories the second floor held three classrooms, a library for reference and reading, a storeroom for books and supplies, an 'attractive' teachers' room, and an emergency room. A section of the roof was lower than the general roof to allow for the creation of an 'open air' classroom for children whose 'health indicated the need for this type of classroom.' The basement housed the modern furnace room, coal bins, lavatories for boys and girls, and separate playrooms for boys and girls, accessible from the outside, independent of the entrances to the buildings. After the passage of Proposition 2 1/2, the Woodville School was closed in the early 1980s, later opening as an alternative high school. The Woodville was rebuilt and opened as an elementary school in
• Woodville Chapel, Farm Street, circa 1912
  "The Woodville Chapel on Farm Street was dedicated on February 16, 1896 under the auspices of the Massachusetts Baptist Sunday School Association. The 24' x 30' building had a seating capacity of 'little more' than 125 people. During the dedication ceremonies, the chapel was completely filled with an 'interested' congregation, many of whom were from out of town. The two-hour afternoon ceremony included singing by a Wakefield male quartet, the presentation of keys to Stephen Moore, President of the Massachusetts Baptist Society Sunday School Association, and remarks from invited local officials. A 'social' service was held later that evening, with singing and a 'brief address'. The Woodville chapel closed in 1939 and is now a private home." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• Winship Mansion, Jordan Avenue, circa 1922
  "The Winship Mansion, also known as the Winship estate, was home to Charles Newell Winship, who along with Elizabeth E. Boit formed a partnership under the firm name of Winship, Boit & Company. In 1888, the two established the Harvard Knitting Mills in Cambridgeport, relocating to Wakefield's Taylor Block in 1889, and later to Albion Street. A native of Needham, Charles Winship lived on Pleasant Street before building the spacious home on Jordan Avenue in the early 1900s. The estate overlooked much of the town, particularly the Harvard Knitting Mills. In 1922, he purchased 12 acres of surrounding land which he developed. The development, comprised of Newell Road, Walter Avenue and Fox Road, was known at the time as Winship Manor. After his death in 1946, his family sold the 9.1 acre estate to the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in early 1947. The estate was used as a convent which housed more than 40 Sisters of Nazareth. An academy was later built on the convent grounds. The convent and its grounds were sold in 1978 to a developer who built single family residences." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• William J. Lee and Ruth Woodbury
  "Wakefield is fortunate to have another 'Mr. Wakefield,' a man who has played an active role in the town throughout the 20th century. William J. Lee, one of Wakefield's most prominent citizens has earned a reputation as both a successful lawyer and a friend to the community. A resident of Wakefield since the age of three, Attorney Lee attended the Warren and Hamilton Schools and graduated from Wakefield High School in 1919. He earned his baccalaureate degree from Fordham University and graduated from Boston University School of Law in 1930. After graduation he was admitted to the Massachusetts and Federal bars. In 1942, Mr. Lee graduated from the Naval Training School in Dartmouth and was commissioned a Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserve. He subsequently served aboard the USS Lexington in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. After returning to civilian life and Wakefield, Attorney Lee became actively involved in the community, serving as a member of the School Committee and later as Chairman. He was also a Trustee of the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, Town Moderator and Town Counsel. His involvement was not limited to elected office - he was one of the original founders of the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation in Wakefield and served as an active member of the Wakefield Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Chamber of Commerce, the West Side Social Club, St. Joseph's Church, the Wakefield Trust Company, the Wakefield Saving Bank and the First District Eastern Middlesex Bar Association. Throughout the years he was honored by numerous organizations for his unselfish contributions to Wakefield. William J. Lee passed away on October 24, 1988. Prior to her death in 1985 at the age of 82, many townspeople, young and old alike, were fortunate to hear the history of Reading, South Reading and Wakefield from Ruth Woodbury, Wakefield's Honorary Town Historian. A descendant of five of the town's first settlers, Miss Woodbury was well known for her knowledge of Wakefield history. She was a frequent lecturer and guest speaker at various schools, clubs and organizational meetings over the years and was an active member of the Wakefield Historical Society, holding several offices in the organization. In addition to her involvement in the Historical Society, she was a member of the Wakefield Planning Board for 29 years, the Wakefield Garden Club and the Hartshorne House Association. She was a member of numerous town committees including the Hall Park Commitee, a salary study commitee under the School Committee, the Elementary School Building Committee and the School Building Needs Survey Committee. To honor her years of service to the community, the Board of Selectmen appointed Miss Woodbury the Honorary Town Historian in 1976 during the nation's bicentennial celebration. The 1974 Annual Report was also dedicated to Miss Woodbury in recognition of her outstanding talent and service to the town." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• Wilkins Shoe Store, circa 1912
  "Owned by Fred I. Wilkins, Wilkins Shoe Store was located at 443 Main Street at the site of the homestead of Samuel Wiley, and one of three parts of the Quannpowitt House later moved to the corner of Avon Street and North Avenue. Prior to Wilkins, the building had been owned by Greeley Merrill and Richard Britton. Wilkins was proprietor of the Britton Shoe Store before he became owner of the establishment in the early 1900s. A sign on the right side of the building notes 'Established in 1875.' Newspaper advertisements of 1910 proclaimed '40 years - Home of Good Shoes.' The building was later purchased by Charles J. Klapes of the Colonial Spa. Fred I. Wilkins placed the fund-raising clock for the Melrose Hospital Association during its $100,000 inter-city fundraising campaign in 1912 to build a new 75-bed hospital at the corner of Lebanon and Porter Streets in that city. A vigorous nine-day fundraising campaign that began on March 23, 1912 raised over $126,243. The hospital moved into its new home in May 1913. Wakefield's efforts to build its own hospital began with the creation of the Wakefield Hospital Association in 1929. Lloyd Thayer and Junius Beebe purchased a 12-acre tract of land on Hopkins Street from Bear Hill Associates with the intention of working with Reading (which had a $150,000 grant to build a hospital) to erect two 30-unit hospital buildings on the site, half in Reading, half in Wakefield. After several public meetings, definite plans for the hospital never materialized." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• Wiley's Boathouse, 1905
  "Wiley's Boathouse was built at the end of Spaulding Street in 1872, facing west in Hartshorne's cove. Many years later, in 1887, Will Wiley built another boathouse at the end of Lake Avenue right on the shores of Lake Quannapowitt. This single-story boathouse was used by casual boating enthusiasts as well as members of the Quannapowitt Yacht Club who had their own pier at the Spaulding Street boathouse. In 1912, Will Wiley added a second story dance hall. Although it is reported that Will died during the construction of the second story, his widow took over the business and turned it into one of the area's most popular dancing spots. Wiley's Boathouse became Hill's Boathouse, when Gertrude and Harold Hill bought it in 1923. Throughout the years, Hill's remained among the most popular dance halls. The property was purchased by the Town of Wakefield after a Town Meeting vote in October 1963. The boathouse was razed in August 1964." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• Welcome home parade, October 13, 1919
  "Under the direction of Adjt. G.H.S. Driver, the Grand Army Veterans marched in a welcome home parade for returning veterans of the World War. An estimated 10-15,000 people 'paid loyal and heartfelt thanks to the sturdy lads who served from the town.' The Monday afternoon parade featured over 500 veterans among the ranks of 4,000 men, women and children who stepped off promptly at 2 p.m. The parade route traveled from the armory on Main Street to Chestnut Street to North Avenue, to Yale Ave to Main at the Rockery, up Park Street to Pleasant Street to Salem Street to the bandstand. The school children joined the parade on Yale Avenue at Main Street. It was the biggest and best parade Wakefield ever saw and was said to far surpass any other welcome home processions in larger cities. Following the parade and ceremony, a banquet for veterans and invited guests was held at the armory. Following the banquet, the Princess Theatre provided entertainment for veterans only who were treated to six vaudeville acts and Charlie Chaplin and Fatty Arbuckle moving pictures. A ball for veterans and ladies was held the following evening." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• Welcome Home Day, October 13, 1919
  "Veterans of the Grand Army celebrated with more than 10,000 townspeople as they paid tribute to the soldiers of World War I during the Welcome Home Day festivities. The town was resplendent in its decorations with all public buildings 'bright with the national colors in streamers and festoons.' A parade to honor the WWI veterans was held with more than 4000 men, women and children joining in the line of march. The marching units were comprised of veterans, the semi-military, war-work, fraternal organizations and school children. Uniformed organizations were in full regalia. The Grand Army veterans were considered to be the 'most impressive feature of the parade, aside from the service men themselves.' Under the leadership of Adjt. G.H.S. Driver, many of these veterans 'marched sturdily over the route...other members who were unable to march rode in automobiles.' A ceremony was held on the Common, followed by a banquet at the armory." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• Water Street, looking toward Main Street, circa 1901
  "This picture, taken sometime around 1901, shows the L.B. Evans Son shoe factory (at left), Ira Atkinson's grocery store, the Cutler Bros.' grocery and grain store (at the center of the picture) and the Miller Piano Factory (at right). The street railway tracks are also visible. L.B. Evans Son shoe-making business moved from Salem Street to Water Street in 1894, requiring the relocation of the Episcopal Church building. In its place, Harvey B. Evans built a three-story building near the Center Depot which employed approximately 100 men and women. There were many additions and renovations made to the building over the years, the last one being in 1968. Business eventually slowed in the 1890s , leading to its closing in 1987. The Henry F. Miller & Sons Piano Company moved to Wakefield from Washington Street in Boston in 1884 into a building behind the old Town Hall. The factory building was built by Cyrus Wakefield in the early 1870s. The company manufactured its pianos in Wakefield from 1884 to 1932 the pianos were sold in 'warerooms' in Boston, Philadelphia and Cincinnati. The impressive brick building was razed in 1960 to make way for the Surety Bank and Trust Company. Ira Atkinson's Grocery Store was located at 470 Main Street in 1894, according to the Business History of Wakefield. It was founded in 1874 and supplied 'groceries of all kinds, flour and grain, choice teas, coffee and spices, etc.' The Cutler Bros.' grocery and grain store was established by Nathaniel and David Cutler in the Wakefield Block on Main Street in 1876. It was called 'one of the finest and best equipped modern grocery stores in this part of Massachusetts.' Business was so good that the brothers purchased a lot of land on the southwest corner of Main and Water Street in 1891 where they built a three-story building with a floor area of 28,000 sq. ft. The building was destroyed by fire in 1911." - Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Donofrio.
• Water Street, 1915
  "This view of Water Street from Cyrus Street looking west toward Wakefield Square shows the construction of the building at the corner of Columbia Road. According to the 1913 Town Report, Wakefield was growing rapidly with new construction throughout the Town. As a result, Town Meeting voted to create the position of Building Inspector on May 5, 1913. The Building Inspector reported two building permits issued from July 16 to December 1, 1914. The number of permits issued in 1915 increased to 53 by year's end. To accommodate the new construction and the increasing number of customers, the gas and light department was also busy, installing a gas main along Water Street to Farm Street, as well as the side streets. The street railway also traveled along Water Street from the car barns and power house at the intersection of Valley and Melvin Streets. The WMGLD was also working with the street railway to make the pole lines safer and more stable. This resulted in all utilities sharing the poles." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• Water filtration plant - Broadway, 1927
  "In March and April, 1927, Town Meeting voted to build a water filtration plant at Crystal Lake. The project began on July 5th, 1927 with A.P. Rounds of Stoneham winning the contract with his low bid of $104,406. In all, 11 contractors submitted bids, the highest being $191,321. The project was so significant that tours were conducted throughout the first week, during the day, night and on the weekend when it was completed in February, 1928. The gates were open on February 9th, 1928, marking the completion of the project. The two filtered water basins had a capacity of 404,972 gallons. Water from Crystal Lake was taken in through pipes to a 10" main, to the low-lift pumping apparatus, then pumped from the station to the aerators. The two aerators were 5' high, 44' long and 28' wide, with 70, 2" pipes with brass nozzles, each of which contained 27 small holes through which water poured in a thin mist. Newspaper reports indicated that contact with the air 'tends to purify the water and relieve it of any unpleasant vegetable odor, which people in some sections of town believed they experienced in years gone by, especially during the warm summer months.' The water was pumped from the lake to the aerators and filters by the two low-lift pumps, and to the mains by the two high-lift pumps. Each of the station's pumps was capable of pumping 2.5 million gallons of water every 24-hours, or around 1,750 gallons every minute. The filter beds had a foundation of 7" of course [sic] ground stone, 2" of screened gravel, and topped with 3" of pure white, specially selected beach sand. Engineers from Weston & Sampson found the 3,500 tons of sand in 40' of water off Plum Island and Ipswich. The sand was transported from off Plum Island to Boston in barges, where it traveled by rail and truck to the station. The short stretch of beach directly in front of the station was eliminated and replaced with a seawall, the materials for which were taken from pavements on Water Street, near the Heywood Wakefield plant and in Greenwood near the Greenwood School. A 646,000 gallon standpipe was erected on Harts Hill, linked to the station by a 16" main which in turn joined a 12" main at the corner of Main and Green Streets. A second 550,000-gallon standpipe with a 12" cement-lined main linked the station to Stoneham. Both had the same water levels, rising and falling at the same speed and frequency." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• Water festival, Wednesday, August 14, 1935
  "The Wakefield Chamber of Commerce and several other local organizations sponsored a Water Carnival on Lake Quannpowitt which attracted 20,000 to 30,000 spectators. Crowds lined the shores of the lake and many others sat comfortably in cars along Main Street to watch the events which began with swimming races at 1:30 p.m. and ended with fireworks and the singing of 'Auld Lang Syne' at 10:30 p.m. The weather was ideal for a day at the Lake, although the sailboat races were postponed due to a lack of a 'sufficient' breeze. The day's schedule also included a diving exhibition, a canoe tilting contest, exhibitions by the Riverview Canoe Club and the Sea Scouts, a twilight regatta, a war canoe race (with six five-man canoes), a concert by St. Joseph's Band and the grand community chorus, the selection of a carnival queen, an illuminated diving exhibition by the Boston Swimming Club, a float parade, and an aerial fireworks display which was set off from a diving raft in the lake. The Veterans of Foreign Wars also sponsored a Carnival Ball at the ballroom. Among the highlights of the carnival was the entrance of the Wakefield Red Men who marched in full uniform down Main Street to the common, paddled their canoes down the lake, and performed a war dance near their teepee which was erected on the shore." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• Warren School, circa 1930's
  "The Warren School was built in 1895, one of six schools built in Wakefield between 1883 and 1902 to accommodate the increasing number of new residents and their children. Previously, the school children attended one of four district schools which were approved by the school committee in 1844: the West Ward School (on Prospect Street), the North Ward School (on Cordis Street), the East Ward School (on Salem Street near Lowell Street) and the South Ward School (in Greenwood, south of the Meriam Street bridge). The Hamilton School (now the site of a parking lot on Albion Street at Lake Street) was built in 1883, followed soon after by the Lincoln School (1892), Warren (1895), Greenwood (1896), Hurd (1899), and Franklin (1902). Three other schools were built within the next two decades: Montrose (1918), Woodville (1920) and St. Joseph's (1924). The Warren School was named in honor of Horace M. Warren, a resident who served with the Richardson Light Guard (and later with the 20th Regiment) in the Civil War. He was wounded in the Battle of Ball's Bluff and went on to serve in the siege of Port Hudson, later succumbing to injuries sustained in a battle outside Pittsburgh. On the day of his funeral, local stores were closed, school was suspended and flags were flown at half-staff. In 1867, the GAR post was named in his honor. His dedication to his country was remembered nearly 30 years later when Town Meeting members rejected the School Committee's recommended name for the school (Highland) and voted instead to name the new school as the H.M. Warren School." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• Walton-Winship estate, North Avenue & Chestnut Street, 1914
  "The French-roof house, once owned by the Honorable Daniel G. Walton and the Honorable Thomas Winship, was offered for sale in October 1914. Arthur G. Walton, who had purchased the interest of the Winship and Walton heirs, planned to keep the land to build a one-story, seven-business brick block on the site. He entered into an agreement with contractor/real estate agent William Prescott to sell only the house, which was to be removed by the new owners. The Selectmen intervened and decided it was impractical to move the house to any of the three sites selected by the potential owners on North Avenue and West Water Street, 26 Chestnut Street, or 70 Elm Street. The eventual buyer, Selectman Nathaniel Cutler, and his son Fred moved the house in sections to the fomer site of the North Avenue ball field. The site for the new stores was excavated by contractor Charles Doyle who removed the soil to fill in low land owned by Arthur Walton on Gould Street. The building plans included a store on the corner, four stores on North Avenue, and two on Chestnut Street. The new building was helping make North Avenue 'quite the business thoroughfare' and was in keeping with the growth of the town." - Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Donofrio.
• Walsh's Diner, winter, 1936
  "Walsh's Diner was located at the corner of Main and West Water Streets, on what is now the parking lot of Eastern Bank. It opened in the Fall of 1936, and remained in operation until June, 1950 when a larger diner was built on the back of the site, facing Main Street. Walsh's Dinner [i.e. Diner] was sold by Joseph Walsh to the Gillis family who moved the diner to Newburyport, where it became Gillis' Diner. It remained open until it was destroyed by fire in the mid-1960's. Wakefield residents frequented the diner 'for a bite that's right, day or night'." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• Wakefield's Volunteer Hose Company, 1894
  "The Volunteer Hose Company participated in the 250th Anniversary Parade as part of the Third Division. They were joined in the division by the Eighth Regiment Band of Salem Marshal Levi Flanders and staff the Steamer Lucius Beebe, No. 1 and hose wagon Washington Hook and Ladder (with apparatus), Carter Hose Company, Melrose, Drum, Fife and Bugle Corps, Greenwood Hose Company Wakefield Veteran Firemen's Association and the old Yale engine, as well as Chief Engineers from several surrounding communities. The parade participants posed for this picture 'a day or two later.' Among the members of the Volunteer Hose Company were: (front row, left to right) Billy Hamilton, Fred Simonds and Elmo Hines. (second row, left to right) Harry Simonds, Charles Pope, Frank Cade, Al Cate, Ben Flockton, Bob Boyd, Billy Hanley, and Andy Parker. (third row, left to right) Van Wagner, Charles Hanscam, Ernest Heywood, Byron Foster, Lee Tupper, Frank Godfrey, Alstead Brownwell, and Bob Singer. (fourth row, left to right) Toby Porter, John Brewer, Arthur Abbott, Charles Parker, Crozier Latimer and Arthur LaMonte. Six-year-old Fred Simonds had the honor of riding on the hose carriage during the parade." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• Wakefield's history and industry
  "Since the mid-1800s, Wakefield has been a residential suburb within commuting distance to Boston. In 1845 when the Boston & Maine railroad completed its Boston to Wilmington line, the community and its appeal grew by leaps and bounds. Because of its proximity to Boston, Wakefield has attracted a mix of industry and new citizens throughout the past century. One of Wakefield's major contributions came from the rattan and reed industry founded by Cyrus Wakefield. As a young boy, Mr. Wakefield found he could turn the useless rattan thrown overboard by stevedores into useful products for everyday use. He began making furniture, mats, floor coverings, baling cloth and baskets from the rattan. As the interest in his products grew, Mr. Wakefield purchased homes and land in the center of South Reading and later bought a mill site on the Mill River. The railroad itself brought a number of industries to the town. Ice houses were opened on the banks of Lake Quannapowitt and ice from the lake was shipped to Boston on the trains. Foundries were opened along the railroad line and the shoe industry, an important part of Wakefield's rich history, played an enormous role in the community's population growth. Other larger industries included a knitting mill and a piano factory. When these industries closed shop, other companies moved into town. The buildings vacated when the rattan industry stopped production were quickly occupied by other industries. New industries also cropped up in the mid 1990s when Rte. 128, now known as Technology Highway, was created. Today, corporate headquarters for major industries are located throughout the town, and scores of commuters travel in and out of the community each day. Wakefield has become a vital asset in the Commonwealth's economy." -- Text from calendar.;Captions: 1. The bandstand in Wakefield Park, better known as the Common. -- 2. The Wakefield Rockery.
• Wakefield's electric light plant, North Avenue, circa 1893, circa 1895-1900
  "The citizens of Wakefield voted in 1893 to purchase the land, buildings and equipment of the Citizen's Gas and Light Company. The company was the predecessor of the Wakefield Municipal Light Department." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• Wakefield, circa 1931
  Image from the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department annual calendar, 1993
• Wakefield, circa 1929
  Image from the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department annual calendar, 1995
• Wakefield, 1894
  "This view of the town of Wakefield was taken from Curve Street in 1894. Among the landmarks and buildings which can be seen are the Col. James Hartshorne House on Church Street, First Baptist Church, Unitarian Universalist Church, Lincoln School, the Wakefield Rattan Company chimney, the Wakefield Town Hall, and the Methodist Church (which was then located on Albion Street.)" -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• Wakefield Upper Common, circa 1890
  "Wakefield has always had 'common lands' since the first division of land among the early settlers. A special committee was selected to lay out the 'ways and watering places' through the Common in 1727, and a vote was taken in 1741 that required that land remain unfenced and that parish land 'never be disposed of for any other use whatsoever, without the consent of every freeholder in the parish.' The Town made a large purchase of land between the 'old Common' and Lake Quannapowitt in 1871, and, in 1883, the towsnpeople accepted a $10,000 gift from the will of Cornelius Sweetser which was to be 'used and expended in furnishing and beautifying a public park.' A Board of Park Commissioners was selected in 1884, and under their supervision, two lots of land were purchased, the park was graded, new concrete sidewalks were added, a mall was laid out, and a new music pavilion 'of unique and elaborate design' was constructed. In the background of the picture (from left) stands the Third Meeting House of the First Parish (razed in 1890), icehouses and private homes, the Park Music Pavilion (referred to as the Pagoda, now the Bandstand, built in 1885), and the Church Street Fire Engine House that was in use on the lower Common until 1891." - Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Donofrio.
• Wakefield Trust Company, 1924
  "When the Wakefield Trust Company building at the corner of Main and Chestnut Streets was dedicated in December 1924, it was heralded as having all the modern conveniences, including vaults and electric protective systems. More than 5,000 people marveled at the 'architectural beauty' of the rooms and offices as they toured the bank building during the Saturday afternoon and evening open house. Cigars were in abundance for the men while more than 1,000 rosebuds were given to the women. Organized as a State Bank in 1854, the bank became the National Bank of South Reading in 1865, and the Wakefield National Bank in 1902, the same year that the bank built a building on the opposite corner with the Wakefield Savings Bank, (now The Savings Bank). The bank became the Wakefield Trust Company in 1916." - Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Donofrio.
• Wakefield town officials
  "The first Reading Board of Selectmen was created in 1647, consisting of seven men who were assigned the task of overseeing the settlement and creating the modified, democratic government of the 1600s. The first Reading Board consisted of: Robert Dunton (1647, 1649) Francis Smith (1647, 1649) William Cowdrey (1647 to 1680, excluding 1659 and 1661) Thomas Marshall (1647-1652 and 1654) Henry Felch (1647-1648 and 1651) William Martin (1647-1848 and 1651) Richard Walker (1647-1650 and 1653). It was these first Selectmen who were charged with running the Town Meeting, a meeting which, if not attended by all the men, would punish and fine all those who did not attend. Meetings were held in the early morning, unlike those of today, which are held at night. In 1812, the town of Reading was officially divided and the area now known as Wakefield took the name of South Reading. The first Board of Selectmen for the town of South Reading included: James Gould (1812) Benjamin Badger (1812, 1814) and John Gould (1812-1820). It was during this time that the differences between the First parish (Wakefield) and the Second and Third Parishes could no longer be resolved and a division was approved after 168 years of unity. In 1868 the town of South Reading, whose citizens were contemplating changing their name, decided to honor one of its most influential and active citizens, Cyrus Wakefield, by changing its name to the town of Wakefield. The change was made on July 4th, 1868 and overseeing the change were Selectmen James Oliver, James P. Mansfield, and Richard Britton. Throughout its history as Reading, South Reading and Wakefield, the town has been ably served by hundreds of men and women who have been selected or elected to the Board of Selectmen. Among its ranks have been several generations of Cowdreys, Eatons, Hartshornes, Flints, Parkers and Emersons and individuals like Lucius Beebe. The position of Town Clerk is the oldest of town-elected offices. The first Town Clerk was William Cowdrey who was elected in 1644 an;Captions: 1. The 1902 Board of Selectmen: (left to right) John Maloney Col. E.J. Gihon George M. Tompson E.K. Bowser, Esq. Thomas O'COnnell Charles E. Walton, Clerk and Albert Flint, Town Treasurer. -- 2. The 1949 Board of Selectmen and associated town officers: (standing, left to right) Harry Marshall, John Preston, Harry Denning, Police Chief John Gates, and Charles Cox. (seated, left to right) Burt Whitcomb, William Lindsay, Raymond Dower, Philip Flanders, and William Dill.
• Wakefield Town Hall, Main Street at Water Street, 1893
  "Cyrus Wakefield, for whom the Town is named, generously donated land and money to build a Town Hall and a fitting monument to South Reading soldiers. Because of his generosity and his service to the community, the Town changed its name from South Reading to Wakefield on July 4th, 1868. The Town Hall was completed and deeded to the Town on February 22, 1871. It was described in 1885 as 'ranking first in beauty, as well as in seating and stage accommodations. The seating capacity is 1164 divided as follows: floor 704, and galleries, 460. Memorial Hall, situated in the northeast corner of the same building, on the first floor, is handsomely and appropriately furnished. This hall contains marble tablets, encased in a black walnut finish, on which are inscribed the names of those honored soldiers of Wakefield who died victims of the Great Rebellion.' As pictured in 1893, the Town Hall was adorned with flags and buntings on the 25th anniversary of the changing of the Town's name, as were most public buildings. The Town Hall was demolished in 1958 after a fire occurred in December, 1950." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• Wakefield Town Hall, 1927
  "In 1867, Cyrus Wakefield presented a donation of $30,000 and a building lot to the town to build a soldiers memorial hall. As a result, the Wakefield Town Hall was built at the corner of Main and Water Streets and was officially dedicated on February 22, 1871. The Town Hall was destroyed by fire and was subsequently razed in 1958." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• Wakefield Theatre Building, circa late 1930s
  "During the 1930's, there were a number of movies for Wakefield residents to see, and two theaters from which to choose - the Wakefield Theatre at the corner of Main and West Water Streets, and the Princess Theatre on Princess Street. The Wakefield Theatre Building was built in 1915 and was originally referred to as the Appleton Building after the builder, H.A. Appleton. In 1916, the Wakefield Theatre opened its doors for business and boasted of having the first cushioned seats in town. Charles W. Hodgdon, owner of the Princess Theatre, was also owner of the Wakefield Theatre. The marquee on the front of the building was added, with lights, in March 1930. Several new movies were introduced each week, and matinees for children were available until 5 p.m. Children under 12 who arrived before 1:30 p.m. paid a $.10 admission fee. Matinee prices were $.25 for adults and $.15 for children evening prices were $.35 for adults and $.25 for children accompanied by their parents. Continuous performances ran from 1:30 to 10:30 p.m. In addition to the theatre, the building was occupied by A.C. Verge Real Estate and Insurance, W.T. Grant, Thom McCann, Cataldo's Pharmacy, and Schreider's Apparel Shop (on the corner, at left). The second floor offices were occupied by several organizations and businesses over the years, including the American Legion, Spanish War Veterans and, in the 1940s, the John Hancock Life Insurance Company. The building was plagued by several fires throughout the years, including one on March 25, 1971, which gutted the second floor offices." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• Wakefield Theatre Block circa late 1940s
  "The 1915 Appleton Building (named for the builder H.A. Appleton of Boston) housed the Wakefield Theatre, W.T. Grant Co. department store, Cataldos Pharmacy and Thom McAn shoe store. W.T. Grant moved into the building in August 1929 in a storefront previously occupied by three stores. A number of offices, business establishments, the Appleton Hall, and the social rooms of the American Legion and the Spanish War Veterans were located on the second floor. The Wakefield Theatre opened for business in January 1916 in the building owned by Samual Singer. Within 14 months, Princess Theatre owner Charles W. Hodgdon leased the Wakefield Theatre and remained as the owner for decades. The Wakefield Theatre Block had many fires throughout the years, the last one destroying the building in 1972. The Town Hall, at the right of the photo, was razed in October 1958." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• Wakefield Theatre
  "For over 50 years, the Wakefield Theatre provided hours and hours of entertainment to Wakefield area residents and their family members, long before VCRs were ever imagined. Nestled in the Appleton Building (named for the builder H.A. Appleton of Boston) at the corner of Main and West Water Streets, the Wakefield Theatre was the principal feature when the block was built in 1915 and became the second movie house in the town. The building itself was owned by Samuel Singer of Boston and Brookline, one of the town's largest real estate holders. Throughout the years, the Wakefield Theatre Block, as it became known, was the home to many businesses and stores: W.T. Grant, Schreider's Apparel Shop, Crystal Market, Princess Beauty Shop, Thom McAns, Cataldo Pharmacy, Diskay Department Store, the offices of James J. Curley, Nute's Dry Goods Store, the Shoe Horn and was the headquarters of the Corp. Harry Nelson American Legion Post. Several others came and went over the years. The Wakefield Theatre was the only enterprise to stay in business from the time it was built in 1915 until the building was razed in 1972. The theatre did, however, change to the Wakefield Cinema when it was sold in 1967 by longtime owner Charles W. Hodgdon. Hodgdon was Wakefield's 'movie man', having owned both the Wakefield and Princess Theatres. The Wakefield Cinema was officially closed in August 1972 and 'The Concert for Bangladesh' had the honor of being the last film to be played at the theatre." -- Text from calendar.;Captions: 1. 1931 movie goers were treated to a Silvia Sidney and Robert Cogan movie, while the bottom marquee heralds an upcoming Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. movie. -- 2. In 1940 the trolley tracks were gone and the cars were a little sportier, but the Wakefield Theatre still remained. -- 3. This pre-1930 photo of the Wakefield Theatre shows the building without the marquee. -- 4. Today the Appleton Building is long gone but the Wakefield Theatre has been memorialized in the name 'The Olde Theatre Block.'
• Wakefield Square, circa 1940s
  "Downtown Wakefield is illuminated for the Christmas holidays in this photo taken sometime in the early 1940s. The one-story building at the left of the photo was built in 1939, and the building on the same block, near the center of the photo, was built soon after. This latter building housed Smith's Drug Store and the Cubby Hole (Stationery). Further down the street another one-story building was built around the same time at the site of the old Walton (Odd Fellows) Building." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.
• Wakefield Square in 1903
  Image from the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department annual calendar, 1989
• Wakefield Square as it looked in 1904
  "Wakefield Square as it looked in 1904, complete with an electric street railway. The picture was taken facing South from Chestnut Street." -- Text from calendar.