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History of Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Southbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts
Home of the largest eye glass factory in the world
Southbridge includes: Brookside, Dennison District, Globe, Hooker District, Lensdale, Morse District, Sandersdale (Saundersdale), and Shuttleville.
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Old Photos, Pictures, Advertisements and Postcards from Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Harrington Cutlery Company
1818 Cutlers
Manufacturers "Dexter" Knives and Blades
established June 18, 1818 by Henry Harrington

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Hamilton Woolen Mills, postmarked 1910
"Located in the Globe Village section of Southbridge, the company incorporated in 1831, with a capital of $200,000, The company started a newsletter, called "The Hamiltonian", the first issue was published... Read MORE...

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Hotel Columbia, postmarked 1910
Built in 1867, by Leonard Cutler. Purchased by Thomas F. Murphy in 1904.
"This hotel has forty rooms and a restaurant for its guests, and is a leading hostelry of Southbridge." www.digitalcommonwealth.org

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Main American Optical Co. Factory, Southbridge, Mass.
"The name 'American Optical Co.' dates back to a meeting on Feb. 26, 1869, of members of two neighboring Southbridge firms, Robert H. Cole & Co. and H.C. Ammidown & Co. They met to combine... Read MORE...

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Charles Anger's blacksmith shop in the Westville section of Southbridge

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

C. C. C.
Connecticut Clothing Co.
Bates & Lindsey
Putnam, Conn.
Southbridge, Mass.

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

1882 ad
J. & W. Booth
Furniture & Coffin Warerooms
Paints of all kinds
paper Hangings, Curtain Fixtures, Frames, &c.
Alden's Block, Globe Village
1882 Massachusetts City Directory - Webster and Southbridge (MA)

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Westville section of Southbridge
"...The principal part of the population and of the property is the Village of Westville, situated in a bend of the Quinnebaug River, near the bridge, marked A., on the subjoined plan. The distance from this... Read MORE...

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Bank Building, Main Street, postmarked 1906, razed January 3, 1975
"Constructed of brick with brownstone trimmings, located on Main Street, the Southbridge Savings and the Southbridge National Banks are adjacent to the YMCA building (razed... Read MORE...

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Fire Department Headquarters, Elm Street, built in 1899, postmarked 1905
"The building for the Centre companies is in process of erection on Elm street and will cost upwards of $25,000, including land. The uniformed members of the department and... Read MORE...

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Marcy Street School
(built around 1898, demolished July 1962)
"Marcy Street Grammar School, located in the heart of the Centre Village. The front entrance of the Victorian brick facade is shown. The building has a Queen Anne style turret,... Read MORE...

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Union Church, Hamilton Street
"The Evangelical Free "Union" Church was organized in 1854. The agent, executives of the Hamilton Woolen Company and other Globe Village businessmen initiated the construction project. As a consequence, it was often... Read MORE...

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Residence of Channing M. Wells. This home was originally built by Moses Plimpton. Channing Wells was one of the owners of the American Optical Company.

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

American Optical Co. Works, Southbridge, Mass. - 1909
A portion of the American Optical Company Plant, Lensdale, Southbridge, Mass.

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Residence of Joel Cheney Wells
On the north side of Main Street were the side-by-side residences of George Washington Wells, founder of American Optical; and his son Joel Cheney (J.C.) Wells. This house no longer exists. It has been replaced by... Read MORE...

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Home of J. E. Paige
39 Elm Street
At one time this house was owned by United States Representative Calvin De Witt Paige, (1848-1930).

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Southbridge National Bank
"Southbridge National Bank built in 1930, by F. X. Laliberte & Co., of Southbridge. Stone plaque over door inscribed 1929. Located on the south side of Main Street between Elm and Everett streets. Four majestic columns... Read MORE...

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

The Harrington Memorial Hospital
"Built during the Depression, the Harrington Memorial Hospital was opened on Labor Day, September 7, 1931. The first facility had 34 adult beds and 6 children's cribs. The brick structure was constructed by local... Read MORE...

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Southbridge Tool Company, Charlton Street, Southbridge, MA - 1941 - Edgar Tremblay, Archie Gagnon, Joseph Seremet

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

A Portion of the American Optical Company Plant, Lensdale, Southbridge, Mass.

Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Southbridge Tool Company, Curtis Street, Southbridge, MA - 1949 (approx. 5,000 sq ft of space)
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History and News of Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
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About Southbridge, Massachusetts
Southbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
The area was initially inhabited by the Nipmuck and Mohegan tribes, with the Quinebaug River dividing... Read MORE...
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John Winthrop, Jr. purchased a tract of land around 1638 in what was to become Southbridge. It was purchased for mining ore for graphic deposits.
Street Corners of Southbridge, "The Way We Were" by Joe Capillo, 1996
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1730 - Southbridge is settled
Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
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In 1732 (Southbridge), Moses Marcy built a saw mill and a few years later, a grist mill.
Street Corners of Southbridge,
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By 1775, small businesses like coopering and carpentry were started in Southbridge. The town reached a population of about 400 inhabitants and a school and a meeting house were erected.
Street Corners of Southbridge, "The Way We Were" by Joe Capillo, 1996
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By 1814, some textile mills were built in the Globe section of Southbridge, and downstream, in an area known as Centre Village, the business district began to establish itself.
Street Corners of Southbridge, "The Way We Were" by Joe Capillo, 1996
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February 15, 1816, Southbridge was officially recognized as a town. Population 830.
The first town meeting was held several weeks later, March 6, 1816, which included the election of five selectmen. They included Capt. Gershom... Read MORE...
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1826 - William Beecher comes to Southbridge
In 1826 William Beecher, a jeweler and watchmaker, settles in Southbridge, a small town on the Massachusetts / Connecticut border. He is part of a... Read MORE...
1830 - Water Snakes
Mr. Ephraim Wheelock, of Southbridge, Mass. while mowing, came in contact with a large water snake, measuring 3 feet 9 inches. After killing it, he... Read MORE...
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1833 - Manufacturing of Spectacles Begins
Within seven years of his arrival in Southbridge, William Beecher opens a shop above his jewelry store to manufacture spectacles. Business prospers.... Read MORE...
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1845 - SOUTHBRIDGE. [Pop. 2,031.Inc. 1816.]
Southbridge was composed of portions of Sturbridge, Charlton, and Dudley.
The Quinebaug passes across the township, and affords abundance... Read MORE...
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1848 - Southbridge
SOUTHBRIDGE was originally a part of Sturbridge, Chariton, and Dudley. It was incorporated as a town in 1814. The first church was organized here in... Read MORE...
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French Canadian Emigration to the United States 1840-1930
Source:
Marianopolis College
faculty.marianopolis.edu/ c.belanger/ quebechistory/ readings/ leaving.htm
"...the emigration of French Canadians ... Read MORE...
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1854 - Southbridge
Southbridge, a post-village in Worcester co., Massachusetts, near Quinnebaug river, 60 miles S. W. from Boston, contains 2 or 3 churches, and 1 bank. ... Read MORE...
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1862 - Robert Cole Takes Over
Southbridge, Massachusetts - William Beecher, prominent spectacle maker, retires in 1862 and Robert Cole takes over the firm... George Wells, a... Read MORE...
1863 - Fire
A fire in Southbridge, Mass., on Saturday morning, destroyed the Baptist church, the Tammany Hall Building, the Amidon brick block, and Dr.... Read MORE...
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1869 - American Optical is Formed
Southbridge, Massachusetts - The merging of two competing spectacle making companies results in the formation of the American Optical Company.
(massmoments.org)
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Blacksmith Shop in Westville
"The Blacksmith shop, located between the bridge and the river bend, was operated by Mr. Charles Anger, maternal grandfather of the large Laliberte... Read MORE...
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1879 - George Wells accumulates AO stock
George Wells has accumulates a majority share in the stock of the American Optical Company. Wells builds the A.O. into the largest optical company in ... Read MORE...
1883 - Bound to Get Away
BOSTON, June 22. - J. P. Olds was arrested at Southbridge to-day on a charge of stealing large quantities of gold from the American Optical Company.... Read MORE...
1884 - FIRE RECORD. AT SOUTHBRIDGE.
Worcester, August 9. - The Columbian mill at Southbridge, with a boarding house and tenement, burned this morning. The mill had 9,000 spindles and... Read MORE...
1889 - Largest Spectacle Factory in the World
Southbridge, Mass., has the largest spectacle factory in the world. More than 3/ 4 of the gold spectacles and eyeglasses made in this country are made ... Read MORE...
1889 - Early to Bed
Southbridge goes to bed early as a rule. A stranger in town always notices how quiet the streets are after 9 p.m. Ten o'clock usually finds scarcely... Read MORE...
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Southbridge, Massachusetts 1890
Southbridge is a prosperous and important manufacturing town lying in the southwesterly part of Worcester County, 27 miles from the city of... Read MORE...
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1894 - Gedeon Gregoire establishes a shoe repairing shop in Southbridge
Gedeon Gregoire... came to Southbridge and started a shoe repair shop. In 1923, business had grown. His sons Joseph & Roland joined the frim and the... Read MORE...
1894 - DEADLY RAILROAD CROSSING. TWO KILLED OUTRIGHT AND MANY ARE INJURED.
WORCESTER HAS ANOTHER ARGUMENT AGAINST THE GRADE CROSSING.
Worcester, Mass., Nov. 30. - The most horrible accident which ever occurred in... Read MORE...
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1895 - Southbridge
Southbridge, a post-village in Southbridge township, Worcester co., Mass., on the Quinebaug River, about 32 miles E. of Springfield. It is on a... Read MORE...
1899 - $2,000,000 for Southbridge People?
SOUTHBRIDGE, MASS., March 17. - It is believed here that the family of Mrs Lucier, mother of Michael Lucier, of Southbridge, has fallen heir to... Read MORE...
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By 1900, Southbridge had a population of 10,000, with an estimated 6,000 of French-Canadian ancestry.
Street Corners of Southbridge, "The Way We Were" by Joe Capillo, 1996
1904 - Town Stricken With Diphtheria
Southbridge, Mass., Oct. 24. - An epidemic of diphtheria prevails in Southbridge to an extent that alarms the members of the board of health, who... Read MORE...
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1906
Southbridge, a banking post-village in Southbridge township (town), Worcester co., Mass on the Quinebaug River, about 32 miles E. of Springfield, and ... Read MORE...
1910 - BANK TREASURER NOT FOUND.; Shortage in Southbridge Savings Bank Believed to be About $100,000.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass, Jan. 22. - John A Hall, the Treasurer of the Southbridge Sayings Bank, which was closed yesterday by an injunction after the... Read MORE...
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1911 - Southbridge
"SOUTHBRIDGE, a township of Worcester county, Massachusetts, U.S.A., on the Quinabaug river (which here falls 165 ft.), about 20 m. S.S.W. of... Read MORE...
1913 - REVIVE GRAND TRUNK WORK. Construction of Southern New England Line to be Resumed.
Special to the New York Times.
SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 22 - Work is to be resumed immediately on the Southern New England Railway, the Grand... Read MORE...
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1916 - Southbridge
"Southbridge, a banking post-village in Southbridge township (town), Worcester co., Mass., on the Quinebaug River, about 32 miles E. of Springfield,... Read MORE...
1918 - Help Wanted
Help Wanted - Help Wanted in Southbridge, Mass., to work in Hamilton Woolen Co., established nearly 100 years, employing 2,000 hands. Easy work,... Read MORE...
1934 - SOUTHBRIDGE DIRECTORS VOTE TO LIQUIDATE MILL
MEANS THAT 1,000 WOOLEN WORKERS MUST FIND JOBS ELSEWHERE
Boston, Dec. 19 - (AP) - The board of directors of the Hamilton Woolen Co. of Southbridge ... Read MORE...
1938 - New Mask Invented - His Face Is Dirty
His Face Is Dirty - Seeking to combat silicosis, lung malady suffered by those who work in dust, researchers for the American Optical Company of... Read MORE...
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1939 - When World War II broke out, Southbridge had a population of 16,801.
Street Corners of Southbridge, "The Way We Were" by Joe Capillo, 1996
1945 - Maker of Bomb Very Depressed
Maker of Bomb Very Depressed - Southbridge, Mass. August 17 (UP) - A scientist who helped develop the atomic bomb said today, with permission of the... Read MORE...
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1945 - Radio Phone for Pocket Use to Be On Market Soon
"Radio Phone for Pocket Use to Be On Market Soon -- Southbridge, Mass., August 23 (UP) - A pocket-size radio telephone for civilian use, which will... Read MORE...
1946 - Women See Colors Better
Women See Colors Better - Southbridge, Mass (UP) - The American Optical Co., studying the incidence of color blindness, discovered that 90 percent of ... Read MORE...
1951 - New Goggles
American Optical Co. of Southbridge, Mass. has a new airtight industrial goggle for use in working with gas fumes or smoke. The headband of the... Read MORE...
1951 - New Machine Take Blood Directly from Veins for Red Cross
New Machine Take Blood Directly from Veins for Red Cross - Southbridge, Mass. - (UP) - A new miracle machine that takes blood directly from your... Read MORE...
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1955 - WESO On the Air
March 20 - Radio Station WESO goes on the air for a first time. Announcers and newscasters are Bob Binet, John Bunnewith, Joe Capillo, Esther Costa,... Read MORE...
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1958 - Ames Worsted Textile Company
Milton and Irving Gilman open their first store in the Ames Worsted Textile Co. mill in Southbridge. This is the start of Ames Department Stores,... Read MORE...
1961 - Keeping Out Noise
Southbridge, Mass. (UPI) - A new plastic, anti-noise ear plug for military and commercial aviation purposes has been developed by American Optical... Read MORE...
1975 - Ames Has Grand Opening At New Amenia Store
From a humble beginning in an old factory building in 1958 to a modern new store in Amenia to serve the residents of the Harlem Valley area, Ames... Read MORE...
1980 - Making Eyes
In the days of old, someone who lost an eye wore an eye patch. That was replaced by getting a glass eye: now, American Optical of Southbridge, Mass.... Read MORE...
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THE BACK ROAD (About the AO Tunnel) by Joe Capillo
Over the years, hundreds of thousands have walked its darken underground paths across the Quinebaug River.
The AO service tunnel was a Wells... Read MORE...
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2002 - Out of Business
Ames Department stores, which began in Southbridge in 1958, goes out of business
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA Genealogy
Ancestors Who Were Born in Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Ancestors Who Died in Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Ancestors Who Were Married in Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Ancestors buried in Southbridge - Cemeteries in Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
St. George’s CemeteryOld Notre Dame/ St. Mary's/ Sacred Heart Cemetery
New Notre Dame Cemetery
Oak Ridge Cemetery
Genealogy Resources for Southbridge
"The Denison School District" author unknown, Southbridge, MassachusettsSouthbridge Evening News, Southbridge, MA
1949 Manning's Southbridge Directory
Southbridge Press, Southbridge, MA
Southbridge News, Southbridge, MA
1882 Massachusetts City Directory - Webster and Southbridge
1919 Massachusetts City Directory - Southbridge
Manning's Southbridge and Sturbridge (Massachusetts) Directory September 1931. Springfield, MA MA: H. A. Manning Co., 1931
1930 Massachusetts City Directory - Southbridge
1928 Massachusetts City Directory - Southbridge and Sturbridge
Index to Births, Marriages and Deaths in the Town of Southbridge, MA -- microfilm -- Jacob Edwards Library, Southbridge, MA
The Southbridge and Sturbridge Directory 1922. Salem Massachusetts: Henry M. Meek Publishing Co., 1922
Polk's Southbridge (Worcester County, Mass.) City Directory 1965
1936 Massachusetts City Directory - Southbridge
1929 Massachusetts City Directory - Southbridge
Southbridge, MA Marriages of 1834 to 1916 and MA Vital Records Southbridge 1883
"Histoire des Franco-Américains de Southbridge, Massachusetts" by Félix Gatineau, Framingham, MA: Lakeview Press, 1919
Updated: 11/16/2019 10:27:25 AM
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