Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
People, Pictures and News From the Past
Where is Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA? Southbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
The area was initially inhabited by the Nipmuck and Mohegan tribes, with the Quinebaug River dividing their territories. As early as 1638, John Winthrop, Jr. purchased a tract for mining lead at what is now Leadmine Road in Sturbridge (it was thought at the time that where there was lead, there should be silver nearby).
Southbridge was first settled by Europeans in 1730 and incorporated in 1816; among the first settlers was Moses Marcy, who owned a home on the site of what is now Notre Dame church and was elected to Congress, and the Dennison family. Water power from the Quinebaug River made Southbridge a good location for sawmills and gristmills in the 18th century, and textile mills in the 19th century. After the Civil War, many immigrants of Irish and French Canadian descent came to work and live there; by the 1930s they had been joined by Poles, Greeks, Italians and others.
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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... Read MORE...
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
The Journal, Southbridge, MA, Thurs. June 7, 1888
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
Westville section of Southbridge
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
Main Street, looking W. Southbridge, Mass.
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
Marcy Street School
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
Southbridge, Mass., Post Office Square, looking West - 1907
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
American Optical Co. Works, Southbridge, Mass. - 1909
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
American Optical Co. - 1910
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
St. Mary's Church
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
Residence of J.C. Wells
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
High School
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
Main American Optical Co. Factory, Southbridge, Mass.
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
American Optical Company, Southbridge, Mass.
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Southbridge Tool Company, Curtis Street, Southbridge, MA - 1949 (approx. 5,000 sq ft of space)
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
Ad for Southbridge Tool Company
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
American Optical Company
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
Gregoire's
Hamilton Street, Southbridge
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
United Lens Company
Worcester Street, Southbridge
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
Bicentennial celebration, May 14, 2016
History / News
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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
Street Corners of Southbridge, "The Way We Were" by Joe Capillo, 1996
In 1732 (Southbridge), Moses Marcy built a saw mil and a few years later, a grist mill.
Street Corners of Southbridge, "The Way We Were" by Joe Capillo, 1996
Street Corners of Southbridge, "The Way We Were" by Joe Capillo, 1996
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
Street Corners of Southbridge, "The Way We Were" by Joe Capillo, 1996
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
Street Corners of Southbridge, "The Way We Were" by Joe Capillo, 1996
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...Read MORE...
The first town meeting was held several weeks later, March 6, 1816, which included the election of...Read MORE...
1826 - William Beecher comes to Southbridge
In 1826 William Beecher, a jeweler and watchmaker, settles in Southbridge, a small town on the...Read MORE...
In 1826 William Beecher, a jeweler and watchmaker, settles in Southbridge, a small town on the...Read MORE...
1830 - Water SnakesMr. Ephraim Wheelock, of Southbridge, Mass. while mowing, came in contact with a large water...Read MORE...
1833 - Manufacturing of Spectacles Begins
Within seven years of his arrival in Southbridge, William Beecher opens a shop above his jewelry...Read MORE...
Within seven years of his arrival in Southbridge, William Beecher opens a shop above his jewelry...Read MORE...
1845 - SOUTHBRIDGE. [Pop. 2,031.Inc. 1816.]
Southbridge was composed of portions of Sturbridge, Charlton, and Dudley.
The Quinebaug...Read MORE...
Southbridge was composed of portions of Sturbridge, Charlton, and Dudley.
The Quinebaug...Read MORE...
1848 - Southbridge
SOUTHBRIDGE was originally a part of Sturbridge, Chariton, and Dudley. It was incorporated as a...Read MORE...
SOUTHBRIDGE was originally a part of Sturbridge, Chariton, and Dudley. It was incorporated as a...Read MORE...
French Canadian Emigration to the United States 1840-1930
Source:
Marianopolis College
faculty.marianopolis.edu/ c.belanger/ quebechistory/ readings/ ...Read MORE...
Source:
Marianopolis College
faculty.marianopolis.edu/ c.belanger/ quebechistory/ readings/ ...Read MORE...
1862 - Robert Cole Takes Over
Southbridge, Massachusetts - William Beecher, prominent spectacle maker, retires in 1862 and Robert ...Read MORE...
Southbridge, Massachusetts - William Beecher, prominent spectacle maker, retires in 1862 and Robert ...Read MORE...
1863 - FireA fire in Southbridge, Mass., on Saturday morning, destroyed the Baptist church, the Tammany Hall...Read MORE...
1869 - American Optical is Formed
Southbridge, Massachusetts - The merging of two competing spectacle making companies results in the ...Read MORE...
Southbridge, Massachusetts - The merging of two competing spectacle making companies results in the ...Read MORE...
Blacksmith Shop in Westville
"The Blacksmith shop, located between the bridge and the river bend, was operated by Mr. Charles...Read MORE...
"The Blacksmith shop, located between the bridge and the river bend, was operated by Mr. Charles...Read MORE...
1879 - George Wells accumulates AO stock
George Wells has accumulates a majority share in the stock of the American Optical Company. Wells...Read MORE...
George Wells has accumulates a majority share in the stock of the American Optical Company. Wells...Read MORE...
1883 - Bound to Get AwayBOSTON, June 22. - J. P. Olds was arrested at Southbridge to-day on a charge of stealing large...Read MORE...
1884 - FIRE RECORD. AT SOUTHBRIDGE.Worcester, August 9. - The Columbian mill at Southbridge, with a boarding house and tenement,...Read MORE...
1889 - Largest Spectacle Factory in the WorldSouthbridge, Mass., has the largest spectacle factory in the world. More than 3/ 4 of the gold...Read MORE...
1889 - Early to BedSouthbridge goes to bed early as a rule. A stranger in town always notices how quiet the streets...Read MORE...
Southbridge, Massachusetts 1890
Southbridge is a prosperous and important manufacturing town lying in the southwesterly part of...Read MORE...
Southbridge is a prosperous and important manufacturing town lying in the southwesterly part of...Read MORE...
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. ...Read MORE...
Gedeon Gregoire... came to Southbridge and started a shoe repair shop. In 1923, business had grown. ...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 ...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...Read MORE...
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
Street Corners of Southbridge, "The Way We Were" by Joe Capillo, 1996
1904 - Town Stricken With DiphtheriaSouthbridge, Mass., Oct. 24. - An epidemic of diphtheria prevails in Southbridge to an extent that...Read MORE...
1906
Southbridge, a banking post-village in Southbridge township (town), Worcester co., Mass on the...Read MORE...
Southbridge, a banking post-village in Southbridge township (town), Worcester co., Mass on the...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...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...Read MORE...
1918 - Help WantedHelp Wanted - Help Wanted in Southbridge, Mass., to work in Hamilton Woolen Co., established...Read MORE...
1934 - SOUTHBRIDGE DIRECTORS VOTE TO LIQUIDATE MILLMEANS THAT 1,000 WOOLEN WORKERS MUST FIND JOBS ELSEWHERE
Boston, Dec. 19 - (AP) - The board of...Read MORE...
1938 - New Mask Invented - His Face Is DirtyHis Face Is Dirty - Seeking to combat silicosis, lung malady suffered by those who work in dust,...Read MORE...
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
Street Corners of Southbridge, "The Way We Were" by Joe Capillo, 1996
1945 - Maker of Bomb Very DepressedMaker of Bomb Very Depressed - Southbridge, Mass. August 17 (UP) - A scientist who helped develop...Read MORE...
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...Read MORE...
"Radio Phone for Pocket Use to Be On Market Soon -- Southbridge, Mass., August 23 (UP) - A...Read MORE...
1946 - Women See Colors BetterWomen See Colors Better - Southbridge, Mass (UP) - The American Optical Co., studying the incidence ...Read MORE...
1951 - New GogglesAmerican Optical Co. of Southbridge, Mass. has a new airtight industrial goggle for use in working...Read MORE...
1951 - New Machine Take Blood Directly from Veins for Red CrossNew Machine Take Blood Directly from Veins for Red Cross - Southbridge, Mass. - (UP) - A new...Read MORE...
1955 - WESO On the Air
March 20 - Radio Station WESO goes on the air for a first time. Announcers and newscasters are Bob...Read MORE...
March 20 - Radio Station WESO goes on the air for a first time. Announcers and newscasters are Bob...Read MORE...
1958 - Ames Worsted Textile Company
Milton and Irving Gilman open their first store in the Ames Worsted Textile Co. mill in...Read MORE...
Milton and Irving Gilman open their first store in the Ames Worsted Textile Co. mill in...Read MORE...
1961 - Keeping Out NoiseSouthbridge, Mass. (UPI) - A new plastic, anti-noise ear plug for military and commercial aviation...Read MORE...
1975 - Ames Has Grand Opening At New Amenia StoreFrom a humble beginning in an old factory building in 1958 to a modern new store in Amenia to serve ...Read MORE...
1980 - Making EyesIn the days of old, someone who lost an eye wore an eye patch. That was replaced by getting a glass ...Read MORE...
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 ...Read MORE...
Over the years, hundreds of thousands have walked its darken underground paths across the Quinebaug ...Read MORE...
2002 - Out of Business
Ames Department stores, which began in Southbridge in 1958, goes out of business
Ames Department stores, which began in Southbridge in 1958, goes out of business
Ancestors Who Were Born Here
We currently have information about 485 ancestors who were born in Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA.
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Ancestors Who Died Here
We currently have information about 450 ancestors who died in Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA.
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Ancestors Who Were Married Here
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Cemeteries in Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
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© 1999-2018 Cow Country Systems. All rights reserved.