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NKTICK, 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 ITS 
 
 AQvantages for Koionco, 
 
 AND AS 
 
 A PLAGE OF BUSINESS, 
 
 PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE 
 
 BOARD OF SELECTMEN, 
 
 By AMOS P. CHENEY, 
 
 NATICK, MASS. : 
 
 BULLETIN STEAM PRINT, 
 
 1889, 
 
i- -h 
 
 i 
 

 
 NATICK, 
 
 ITS LOCATION AND EARLY HISTORY, 
 
 This is one of the southern border 
 towns of Middlesex County. It extends 
 nearly six miles north and south, by a 
 little less than five miles in width, with a 
 very irregular outline, and contains a 
 little more than 8,300 acres. Natick 
 centre is, bv air line, about sixteen miles 
 from the State House, Boston, but by the 
 line of the B. & A. R. R. it is seventeen 
 miles from that city. 
 
 Natick is the aboriginal name of the 
 township, and signifies "a place of hills." 
 This township was granted to the Indian 
 converts, at the request of the Apostle 
 Eliot, by the inhabitants of Dedham, 
 under the sanction of the General Court. 
 As nearly all these lands were the in- 
 heritance of the Speen family, it was 
 thought best by Eliot and others that 
 they should give up their right in them, 
 which they were all very willing to do. 
 And therefore, "on a lecture day, pub- 
 
lickly and solemnly, before the Lord and 
 all the people, John Speen and all his 
 kindred, friends aud posterity, gave away 
 all iheir right aud interest which they 
 formerly had in the land in aud about 
 Natick, "that so the praying Iudiaus might 
 then make a towne." 
 
 Under Eliot's direction a form of gov- 
 ernment was established on a Scriptural 
 plan. It was the same which Moses 
 adopted by advice of Jethro : 
 
 "Moreover thou shalt provide, out of dtl 
 the people, able men, such as fear Goch men 
 of truth, hating covetousness, and place ovet 
 them, to be rulers of thousands and rulers 
 of hundreds, and rulers of fifties and rulers 
 of tens. And let them judge the people at 
 all seasons ; and it shall be that every great 
 matter they shall bring unto thee, but every 
 small matter they shall judge.'" — Exodus 
 xviii; 21.22. 
 
 This plan was literally carried out, but 
 it is not known how long it continued 
 to serve their needs. As early as 171G, 
 however, selectmen and other town of- 
 ficers were chosen by them similar to 
 those now elected in Massachusetts towns. 
 
 The first church was built on the site of 
 the present Unitarian church at So. Natick. 
 This church stood between two oak trees, 
 one of which, called the Eliot oak, is 
 still standing, and it is claimed by many 
 that the Apostle stood beneath its 
 branches, to preach to the Indians, before 
 the church was built. 
 
 This was the first Indian church in 
 America. The following is a description 
 of the original meeting house : "There is 
 
one large house built after the English 
 manner. The lower room is a large hall 
 which serves for a meeting house on the 
 Lord's day and a school house on the 
 week days. There is a large canopy of 
 mats, raised upon poles, for Mr Eliot and 
 his company, and other sort of canopies 
 for themselves to sit under, the men and 
 the women being placed apart. The up- 
 per room is a kind of wardrobe, where 
 the Indians hang up their skins and other 
 things of value. In the corner of this 
 room Mr. Eliot has an apartment par- 
 titioned off, with a bed and bedstead in 
 it." 
 
 This description was given by Major- 
 General Gookin of Cambridge, who was 
 appointed superintendent of all the In- 
 dians who had subjected themselves to 
 the provincial government. He accom- 
 panied Mr. Eliot in his missionary tours. 
 While one preached the Gospel the other 
 administered civil affairs among the In- 
 dians. 
 
 Until 1733 the government of the town 
 was in the hands of the Indians alone, 
 but in 1745 when Natick was "erected into 
 a precinct or parish," by the General 
 Court, the English inhabitants only were 
 included, the Indians being under guard- 
 ianship. 
 
 The public business of the parish was 
 transacted at South Natick until the close 
 of the eighteenth century when, by a 
 majority vote of the inhabitants, it was 
 transferred to the centre of the township. 
 Natick was incorporated in 1781. The 
 first town-house was built in 1830. 
 
DESCRIPTION. 
 
 While the two principal villages are 
 built on extended plains, the greater 
 portion of the town is broken up into 
 hills and valleys, well furnished with 
 springs, ponds and water courses. 
 
 Among the hills, which give the name 
 to the town, are many prominent emi- 
 nences which command extensive views 
 of the country around. The chief of 
 these is Peg an Hill, so called from its 
 aboriginal owner. From its summit, 
 which rises 420 feet above tide water, can 
 be seen from 11 f teen to twenty village 
 churches in various directions, a portion 
 of Boston harbor, the Blue Hills, Wachu- 
 set and Monadnoc mountains, and on a 
 clear day the White mountains can be 
 discerned in the distance. The principal 
 of the remaining hills are Broad's, 
 Carver's, Train's, Loker's. Walnut and 
 Tom's. The last is so called from its 
 having been owned, in olden time, by a 
 celebrated Indian who went by the name 
 of Captain Tom. 
 
 FELCIIYILLE. 
 
 The centre of this community lies nearly 
 one mile northwest from the middle of the 
 town. It has a more elevated site than 
 Natiek centre. North main street is the 
 principal thoroughfare, from which di- 
 verge several streets which lead up the 
 western slope of Walnut hill. The land 
 is admirably adapted to residential pur- 
 poses, being high and dry, with a pleas- 
 ing prospect. The streets are wide and 
 hard and the village is closely connected 
 by horse railroad with the centre of the 
 
town. 
 
 The name was derived from the leading 
 family of the neighborhood. Asa Felch, 
 one of its earliest members, is entitled to 
 the distinction of being the first person in 
 Natick to engage in the manufacture of 
 pegged shoes for the wholesale trade. 
 His enterprise had a modest beginning, 
 lie bought only a small lot of upper 
 leather and of sole leather from manu- 
 facturers of neighboring towns. The 
 cutting of this stock, making it into 
 shoes, finishing and packing them for 
 market, was entirely the work of his own 
 hands. That was in 1827, some four 
 years before the railroad from Boston to 
 Worcester was commenced, and fifteen 
 years before any express company existed. 
 Therefore, Mr. Felch took his first lot of 
 '•Natick brogans" into Boston with his 
 own one-horse team. They were readily 
 sold to a shoe and leather merchant, who 
 in return delivered what leather he desired 
 and paid the balance in cash. It was a 
 successful venture, and our pioneer ex- 
 tended his business and soon employed 
 assistants in several departments of the 
 work. His example was contagious, and 
 a few years later there were several man- 
 ufacturers established, not only in Felch- 
 ville, but in other parts of the town. The 
 new industry drew in workmen from other 
 communities. The completion of the 
 Boston & Worcester railroad gave a 
 strong impuise to the increase of business 
 and growth of the town. This has been 
 continued, and now the expansion of 
 Felch ville and that of the centre of the 
 
8 
 
 town has brought them nearly together. 
 In addition to the horse railroad there is 
 a Felchville station on the Saxonville 
 branch of the Boston & Albany railroad. 
 If the projected spur of the Massachusetts 
 Central railroad should be extended to 
 Natick, it would pass directly through this 
 village, giving excellent railway facilities. 
 
 SHEETS OF W T ATER. 
 
 Loug Pond, more often called by its 
 Indian name, Lake Cochituate, covers 659 
 acres. It is well known as one of the 
 sources of Boston's water supply. Its 
 head rests near the centre of Natick, 
 whence it stretches away more than seven 
 miles in a northerly direction, passing 
 into the town of Wayland. This lake is 
 a favorite resort of boatmen. The Natick 
 Boat Club and others have more than 100 
 boats upon it during the season. 
 
 Dug Pond lies just above Lake Co- 
 chituate and covers fifty acres. It 
 furnishes the inhabitants of Natick with 
 water for fire and domestic use. Various 
 theories have been advanced as to the 
 reason for its bearing this name. Some 
 say that the steep descent of the banks 
 suggest the idea that the basin occupied 
 by the pond was dug or artificially exca- 
 vated. Near the shore this pond has a 
 gravelly bottom, but, a short distance 
 out. ii is found to be solid rock which 
 su<'d< nly terminates in an almost perpen- 
 dicular descent to an unknown depth, as 
 all efforts to sound it have proved unsuc- 
 cessful. Another peculiarity of this pond 
 is that, as stated by Biglow, "It has no 
 
natural inlet,- except from the clouds 
 above, or the springs beneath ; and no 
 outlet but by evaporation or absorption." 
 Early in this century, however, a small 
 stream was diverted from its original 
 channel and made to flow into this pond, 
 and an artificial sluice now conducts its 
 surplus water into Lake Cochituate. 
 Although Dug Pond is separated frOra 
 the latter by only a few rods its surface 
 is many feet higher. There is an inter- 
 esting legend connected with this pond. 
 In the earliest days of the Massachusetts 
 colony, the white visitors observed at 
 night, apparently at great depth in the 
 water, a brilliant light. The Indians 
 regarded this phenomenon with great 
 awe, as they believed it to be a special 
 manifestation of the Great Spirit. In 
 time the fame of this light extended to 
 England, and a native of that country, 
 excited by curiosity, crossed the Atlantic 
 and visited this pond to see for himself, 
 this wondrous light. He engaged an 
 Indian to take him in a canoe to a point 
 directly over the luminous spot. Having 
 carefully observed it, the stranger sud- 
 denly plunged into the water for the 
 evident purpose of reaching and securing 
 the brilliant object. The Indian, sur- 
 prised at such an act of rashness, and 
 uttering an exclamation of horror, paddled 
 swiltly to the shore and fled from the 
 neighborhood, leaving the presumptuous 
 stranger to whatever fate such a defiance 
 of the Great Spirit should bring upon 
 him. 
 Nonesuch Pond, on the northeastern 
 
10 
 
 boundary, is about the size of Dug Pond, 
 The smaller ponds are Pickerel, Mud and 
 Jennings' all not far from Nonesuch. 
 Morse's Pond lies near the southern line 
 of the town. This and Jennings' Pond 
 are utilized as the source of water power. 
 
 CHARLES RIVER AND SMALLER STREAMS 
 
 This beautiful river, often called "the 
 winding Charles," well deserves that 
 appellation. It is said that two bridges 
 crossing the river in this vicinity are but 
 five miles apart by the highway, but if a 
 person goes from one to the other by 
 boat, on the river, he will make a journey 
 of thirty miles before reaching his des- 
 tination. The Charles river flows through 
 the south village affording a valuable 
 water power in that place. Many dwellers 
 on its banks enjoy boating in summer, 
 while in winter, hundreds of skaters are 
 often gathered on its surface to enjoy 
 that exhilarating and healthful sport. 
 
 The smaller streams consist of six 
 brooks bearing the following names, viz. : 
 Snake, Sawin, Pegan, Bacon, Steep and 
 Jennings. They are distributed widely 
 apart throughout the town, and are tribu- 
 tary to the river, ponds and lake. 
 
 SCENERY. 
 
 The scenery in and around Natick is 
 charming. Pleasant walks and delightful 
 drives are found in every direction. 
 
 Starting from the railway station for a 
 drive, take Washington, East Central, 
 and Union streets to South Natick ; thence 
 turning to the left of the Unitarian 
 church, by the Wellesley road, to the 
 
11 
 
 estate of H. H. Hunnewell, Esq. Return 
 home by the Pond road, so called, and East 
 Central street. On Union street, to the 
 left, on the height, is the reservoir of the 
 Natick Water Works. A. little farther 
 on, near the residence of S. W. Childs, a 
 very extended view breaks upon the sight, 
 including not only the village of South 
 Natick, but portions of Dover, Wellesley, 
 Needham and Dedhara. Just east of the 
 Unitarian church at South Natick, may be 
 seen, the Eliot Oak tree before mentioned. 
 At the entrance to the Hunnewell grounds, 
 hitching posts are found for the con* 
 venience of those who come with a 
 carriage. Through the kindness and 
 liberality of Mr. H. H. Hunnewell visitors 
 are allowed to go over his grounds, 
 where the art of landscape gardening in 
 many forms is carried to a high state of 
 perfection. 
 
 A very interesting drive is to take the 
 same course to South Natick, passing, 
 this time, to the right of the Unitarian 
 church. We are now in the public square. 
 The whole open space before us is full of 
 historic interest. The streets to the 
 right and left, as well as the park, and 
 the grounds of the Bacon Free Library 
 were within the limits of the original 
 Indian burying place. This is the scene 
 of the first successful apostolic labors of 
 John Eliot among the Indians. Here, in 
 the park is the monument to his memory, 
 while near by, at the left on the opposite 
 side of the street, is the grave of Daniel 
 Takawampait, the Indiau preacher, or- 
 dained by Eliot, and who was his imme*: 
 
12 
 
 diate successor. Over this grave stands 
 the original headstone which is the only 
 one known to have been erected to the 
 memory of any of the Natick Indians. 
 South Natick is the village made famous, 
 also, by Harriet Beecher Stowe in her 
 well known book "Oldtown Folks." Her 
 husband, Professor Stowe, who figured 
 as one of the prominent characters, was 
 a native of this village. Continuing our 
 drive we reach the stone bridge which 
 spans the Charles river, from which 
 point, on either side, charming river 
 views may be obtained. Pegan Hill, the 
 highest eminence in Natick, is the objec- 
 tive point of this drive, and the extended 
 piospect from the summit, as previously 
 described, well repays the visitor. The 
 varied views, as one descends the hill, are 
 also highly pleasing. 
 
 A short, and for a portion of the way, 
 rather wild drive is through Marion, 
 Bacon and Oak to Worcester street. Qn 
 Bacon street are located the famous 
 Waban Conservatories, devoted chiefly to 
 the culture of choice roses. This is said 
 to be the largest establishment of its kind 
 in New England. From the heights of 
 Walnut hill on the return a commanding 
 view of the centre of the town is obtained. 
 The village of Cochituate lies three 
 miles north of Natick. Near it is the 
 gate house of the Boston Water Works. 
 This is a pretty place to visit. One can 
 go by carriage or horse-cars. 
 
 South Framingham is four miles from 
 Natick, and Framingham centre lies two 
 wiles beyond. Jn the latter village the 
 
13 
 
 State Normal School is located. The 
 Sherborn Reformatory for women is in 
 full view from South Framingham, and a 
 short distance from its southern border. 
 
 A drive to the ancient town of Sher- 
 born, three miles distant, and back by 
 South Natick, will be interesting. The 
 first white settlers in the Indian town of 
 Natick came from Sherborn to the south 
 village. When Gen. Washington was on 
 his way to Boston, he passed over this 
 road. On approaching South Natick, 
 when he beheld the river and the neigh- 
 boring hills he remarked: "Nature has 
 here lavished all her charms." By this 
 drive one passes the former residence of 
 Rev. Stephen Badger, one of the suc- 
 cessors of Eliot as minister to the Indians. 
 During his ministry, in 1753, a deputation 
 of Indians, one bearing two elm trees on 
 his shoulders, applied to him for per- 
 mission to plant those trees before his 
 door as a mark of their regard, or as they 
 called them, "the trees of friendship." 
 One of these trees is still standing in 
 front of that house, which is now occu- 
 pied by Mr. Z. H. Stain. 
 
 A pleasant and romantic walk can be 
 enjoyed by going over Walnut and 
 Worcester streets to Pickerel Pond. Not 
 far from the junction of Worcester and 
 Oak streets, the path leaves the highway 
 by a private road, a mile in length, 
 through the woods. As the road branches 
 in various directions, a guide will be 
 needed over this portion of the way. 
 Those who are not good walkers would 
 find it necessary to rjde to the entrance 
 
14 
 
 of the forest path. 
 
 A very enjoyable excursion can be 
 made to Wellesley College, about two 
 miles distant, going by way of East 
 Central street to the lodge at the entrance, 
 and thence by the driveway which leads 
 to the college buildings. One can return, 
 if he wishes to vary the route, by either 
 Wellesley or South Natick. 
 
 ADDITIONAL OBJECTS OF INTEREST. 
 
 Numerous objects of interest have been 
 noted in connection with drives. In 
 addition, we may mention the site on 
 Hartfort street, near Tom's Hill, of the 
 home of Crispus Attucks, the famous 
 Indian mulatto. He was the first person 
 who fell in the Revolution, being killed 
 in the Boston Massacre, March 5, 1770. 
 
 On South street, not far from Morse's 
 mill, is the site of the first white settle- 
 ment in Natick, by Thomas Sawin, the 
 land being deeded to him by the Indians 
 iu 1686. 
 
 Beside the Indian burying place in 
 South Natick, near Charles river, there is 
 another one of later date on Pond street, 
 near Main. A fatal epidemic breaking 
 out among the Indians about 1754, this 
 ground was taken for the purpose of 
 interment. Ever since the extinction of 
 the race in this vicinity, it has been lying 
 in a neglected state, until recently, when 
 the Wamsquon Association was formed 
 for the purpose of reclaiming and con- 
 verting it into an Indian memorial park. 
 
 On West Central street, not far from 
 Spring street, may be seen the former 
 
15 
 
 home of Henry Wilson, the late Vice 
 President of the United States, who was, 
 for more than forty years, a resident of 
 Natick. This house is now occupied by 
 Dr. G. C. Smith. 
 
 Every large town Deeds a public park, 
 and Natick is so fortunate as to possess 
 one. It is located on the borders of Dug 
 Pond and comprises about fifty acres of 
 land. As it is a recent acquisition, its 
 beauties and advantages have been but 
 partially developed. A considerable por- 
 tion is covered with well-grown trees. 
 There are, also, good natural facilities 
 for boating on the pond. These advan- 
 tages have already made it a popular 
 resort. 
 
 In both the centre of the town and the 
 south village there is a small park or 
 common, each well furnished with trees. 
 In the former, stands a monument to the 
 memory of the soldiers, and in the latter 
 may be seen the only monument erected 
 in honor of the Apostle Eliot. 
 
 GROVES. 
 
 There are several groves in and around 
 Natick where picnic parties— large or 
 small — or other public gatherings can be 
 held. These are furnished with facilities 
 for boating and other amusements usually 
 found in connection with such grounds. 
 
 IIEALTH AND LONGEVITY. 
 
 Few towns in Massachusetts of the 
 size of Natick can present a better record 
 for healthfulness. During the past year, 
 
16 
 
 which was not an exceptionally good one, 
 the rate of mortality was less than 1.5 
 per cent. One third of the deaths were 
 of persons more than sixty years old, one 
 of whom had reached the advanced age 
 of ninety-two years. With so fair a 
 record in the past, and with plenty of 
 pure air, an abundance of excellent water 
 for all purposes, and the competent and 
 efficient Board of Health now in service 
 to look after and suppress all sources of 
 danger to public health, we feel war- 
 ranted in claiming exceptional advantages 
 in respect to health and longevity. 
 
 As an assurance that the health record 
 of Natick will be maintained, we have 
 fifteen resident physicians, of whom eight 
 are members of the Mass. Medical Society, 
 and two belong to the Homoeopathic 
 School of Medicine. Happily, however, 
 their services are not limited to this 
 community; but, located, in Natick, and 
 connected by telephone with all adjoining 
 towns and villages, their field of useful- 
 ness extends over a circuit having a 
 radius of eight to ten miles. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 There are in Natick nine places of 
 public worship. Of these, six are in the 
 centre of the town, of the following 
 denominations : Congregational, Metho- 
 dist, Baptist, Universalist, Episcopal and 
 Roman Catholic. The remaining three 
 are in the south village, viz. : Unitarian, 
 Congregational and Roman Catholic. 
 The officiating clergymen are all able 
 preachers. 
 
scnooLS. 
 The people of Natick consider the 
 public schools as of first importance. 
 This they have always shown by making 
 liberal appropriations for their support, 
 having, on several occasions, exceeded 
 the estimates made by the school com- 
 mittee. There are, in the town, thirty- 
 nine schools in which are 1892 pupils 
 under the instruction of forty-six teach- 
 ers, at an average cost, per pupil, of 
 about $17. They occupy twelve school 
 buildings, so located as to most conven- 
 iently accommodate all the pupils. A 
 most successful evening school was 
 established toward the close of 1888. 
 This will be continued in the centre of 
 the town, aud another will be opened in 
 the south village the coming winter. 
 
 HOME SCHOOL. 
 
 For those who desire to place their 
 children under private instruction, the 
 Home School, on Park avenue, offers all 
 the advantages one could desire. It has 
 an efficient corps of teachers, and its 
 record during the series of years since its 
 establishment is a sufficient guarantee, to 
 the public, of the excellence and thor- 
 oughness of its work. 
 
 MUSIC AND ART. 
 
 Lovers of music and art will find in 
 this town unusual advantages and con- 
 genial companionship. Natick has always 
 been noted for the musical talent of its 
 people. It is stated, on good authority, 
 that more than 1300 pianos are in use 
 hc,e. 
 
18 
 
 We have two excellent art stores and 
 numerous teachers of the various kinds 
 of drawing and painting can be found In 
 this town. 
 
 TUBLIC LIBRARIES. 
 
 In this department of her educational 
 facilities which has .so happily been 
 styled the "people's college," Natick has 
 been singularly favored. The Town 
 Library was founded in 1857. Natick 
 being the home of Henry Wilson, its 
 library received from him a large number 
 of public documents, as they were issued. 
 
 B> the will of Mary Ann Morse, a 
 native and resident of this town, she 
 gave her entire estate to the town for 
 library purposes. In 1873, according to 
 her expressed wishes, a building was 
 completed by the trustees who had been 
 chosen by the town. They also made a 
 large purchase of books, with which were 
 united those of the existing town library. 
 The whole constituted the "Morse Insti- 
 tute," having In its various classes 7811 
 volumes for circulation and reference. 
 At the end of February, 1889, they had 
 increased to 15,172 volumes, beside a 
 valuable collection of pamphlets. There 
 is one reading room devoted to magazines 
 of various classes, both home and for- 
 eign, while the other contains daily and 
 weekly newspapers. The library and 
 reading rooms are open at specified hours 
 dailv. 
 
 At the South village is located the 
 Bacon Free Library. Oliver Bacon, Esq., 
 a native, and for more than eighty-one 
 .pears a iesldent in that village, by will 
 
19 
 
 appointed a board of trustees as his resid- 
 uary legatees. They were required to 
 give bonds for faithful service under his 
 instructions. They erected a lire-proof 
 building, purchased books, and estab- 
 lished the library. It was opened in 1881, 
 like the Morse Institute, "for the free 
 use of all the inhabitants of the town." 
 This library now contains about 3450 
 volumes, and the tables in its reading 
 room are supplied with choice periodicals. 
 In connection with it, the library of the 
 Historical Natural History and Library 
 Society of South Natick, which includes 
 1000 volumes and is located in the game 
 room, is also open to the public as a 
 reference department. 
 
 THE HISTORICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY 
 SOCIETY. ITS LIBRARY AND MUSEUM. 
 
 This society was founded in 1870. Its 
 objects were to gather all facts of local 
 history which could be obtained ; to make 
 a collection of historical relics ©f local 
 interest; to secure specimens in all de- 
 partments of Natural History; and to 
 form a library composed of books relat- 
 ing to each department of the society's 
 work, and also of such books as, from 
 their age or character, were esteemed 
 valuable or interesting. 
 
 This society has succeeded in gathering 
 together a library of 1000 or more vol- 
 umes, while the departments of the 
 museum are of exceptional interest and 
 value. There are few places, outside of 
 cities, where can be found so rare and 
 extensive a collection, especially in bot» 
 
20 
 
 any, conchology, ornithology and min* 
 eralogy. These have all been carefully 
 classified and arranged by experienced 
 naturalists. 
 
 The museum is placed in the Bacon 
 Free Library building, the founder of 
 that institution having instructed his 
 trustees to pro^ ide suitable rooms for the 
 free and permanent use of that society. 
 
 WATER WORKS. 
 
 The Natick Water Works were com- 
 menced early in 1874, and have steadily 
 grown in public favor. There are now 
 more than twenty-six miles of street 
 mains in use with 145 hydrants for 
 service by the fire department. There 
 are also large drinking fountains iu each 
 of the three business centres of the 
 town, Natick, South Natick and Felch- 
 ville. 
 
 FIRB DEPARTMENT. 
 
 Natick has excellent facilities for pro- 
 tection against fire. The apparatus 
 includes two steam fire engines, one hook 
 and ladder company, and five hose com- 
 panies, which in connection with the 
 numerous hydrants, form a most effective 
 fire service. The introduction of the 
 Gamewell system of Electric Fire Alarm 
 Telegraph has greatly increased the avail- 
 ability and value of this department. 
 Nine signal boxes have been established, 
 and about 11 miles of wire connect these 
 points with the several stations of the 
 fire apparatus. The provisions for se- 
 curity against fire in Natick hold a high 
 rank in the state. No better proof of 
 
21 
 
 this is needed than the fact that the rates 
 of fire insurance risks in our town are 
 quite as low as in any other community 
 iu eastern Massachusetts. Indeed, they 
 are much lower than in many other towns 
 of the same size. 
 
 MAILS, TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE. 
 
 Natick has an exceptionally good postal 
 service. Each day five mails go to Boston 
 and the east, and eight arrive from those 
 points. Five mails go to the west and 
 south and four arrive. Two mails go to 
 the north and two arrive in Natick from 
 that direction. A smaller number of 
 mails go from and are received at the 
 South village, but the people of that 
 place are well accommodated in this 
 respect. At the B. & A. R. R. depot 
 there is an office of the Western Union 
 Telegraph Co., open day and evening. 
 The New England Telephone and Tele- 
 graph Co. is located in Winch's block, 
 South Avenue, and can be used at any 
 time, day or night. 
 
 NEWSPAPERS. 
 
 Our town supports three local news- 
 papers, the "Natick Bulletin," "Natick 
 Citizen," and the "Natick Weekly Re- 
 view." These papers furnish full reports 
 of all that transpires within its limits, 
 with a brief resume of life in the adjacent 
 villages. 
 
 HORSE RAILROAD. 
 
 Street cars connect Cochituate village 
 and Felchville with the centre of the 
 town. Tbey run each way at frequent 
 
22 
 
 intervals, and make close connection with 
 all trains on the B. & A. R. R. A new 
 highway, securing an easy grade, has 
 been surveyed to the South village, 
 through which, when completed, a street 
 railway is projected. 
 
 society. 
 
 Our town is conspicuous for the activity 
 of its social life and the generous hospi- 
 tality of its people. Their fondness for 
 social enjoyment finds gratification in the 
 frequent meetings of many local societies. 
 Prominent among these are the Masons 
 and the Order of the Eastern Star, 
 I. O. O. F. and Daughters of Rebekah, 
 G. A. R., Relief Corps, and S. of V., 
 
 0. U. A. M. and Daughters of Liberty, 
 
 1. O. R. M. and Daughters of Pocahontas, 
 Co. L, 9th regiment, M. V. M., Royal 
 Arcanum, A. L. of H., Home Circle, 
 K. ofH., Golden Cross, K. of P., Iron 
 Hall, British Americans, A. O. U. W., 
 Tonti, A. O. ofH., W. C. T. U., Y. M. 
 C. A., I. O. G. T., Reform Club, and 
 F. M. T. A. & L. Association. In addition, 
 there are more than fifty others, beside 
 numerous societies connected with the 
 
 NO LICENSE. 
 
 Natick has, for several years, been a 
 no-license town and the present indica- 
 tions all show that this will be her settled 
 policy for the future. There are eight 
 temperance organizations in town, and 
 though each is working in its own way, 
 they all have the same object in view, 
 which is the banishment of the liquor 
 
23 
 
 traffic. 'The Economy and Order Asso- 
 ciation was organized to briug about a 
 reform in the administration of public 
 affairs, and it has been eminently success- 
 ful in the prosecution of this work. 
 Indeed, its success was so marked that 
 letters have been received from all parts 
 of the country, inquiring as to the 
 methods adopted which had effected so 
 desirable a result. 
 
 INDUSTRIES. 
 
 The manufacture of boots and shoes is 
 extensively carried on, giving employ- 
 ment to a large number of people. 
 
 The Harwood base ball factory, one of 
 the largest in the couutry, is located here. 
 
 There are also several machine shops 
 and carriage factories in successful oper- 
 ation. 
 
 Beside these there is a steam grist-mill 
 connected with a wholesale flour and 
 grain business. 
 
 J. Jennings Jr. & Son have an establish 
 ment for the manufacture of knives and 
 other edge tools. 
 
 The Veterinary Hospital of J. B. 
 Messenger & Son, on Pond street, takes 
 high rank among owners of high-bred 
 horses as being one of the best appointed 
 and most successful equine sanatoriums 
 in the state. 
 
 J.* A. Morse & Son have a saw-mill 
 and grist-mill in the southern part of the 
 town. 
 
 The Maltha Manufacturing Co. at South 
 Natick manufacture there a substitute for 
 India Rubber. 
 
24 
 
 BANKS. 
 
 Our financial institutions consist] of a 
 National Bank, a Five Cents Savings 
 Bank, and the Henry Wilson Co-operative 
 Bank. All these establishments are well 
 conducted, and command the confidence 
 of the community. 
 
 ADVANTAGES FOR BUSINESS. 
 
 It is of great importance to those who 
 are about embarkiug in business, to select 
 a location combining the largest number 
 of advantages in order to attain the 
 highest degree of success. Natick pos- 
 sesses so many of these requisites that a 
 person seeking a location in which to 
 establish himself would find it to his 
 profit to come to this town to make a 
 tour of observation. 
 
 There are some manufacturers who, 
 after starting in business in other places, 
 find they have made a mistake for the 
 reason that the location selected is 
 less suitable for their purpose 
 than they expected, in conse- 
 quence of which competitors, more 
 favorably situated, are takiug business 
 from them. Therefore they are seeking 
 the best place to which they may remove 
 their works. All such persons are invited 
 to visit. Natick and investigate the advan- 
 tages which it possesses for every kind 
 of business. 
 
 Natick Centre is built upon a plain, and 
 near the railroad is laud well-suited and 
 available for manufacturing purposes. 
 The railroad facilities are such as to 
 afford direct and frequent communication 
 
25 
 
 with all parts of New England, and also 
 with the west and south. Thus the local 
 manufacturer has rea:ly access, not only 
 to all sources of raw material but to all 
 markets for their goods in every direction. 
 He also finds the bank, postal, telegraph, 
 telephone, express and railroad (both 
 passenger and freight) facilities entirely 
 satisfactory. 
 
 The water power at the South village is 
 only partially utilized. The water is 
 peculiarly well adapted to paper making, 
 and was for manv years used for that pur- 
 pose until the mill was bought by other 
 parties engaged in another branch of 
 manufactures. This mill was burned 
 about five years ago. 
 
 FINE LOCATION FOR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS 
 AND SUBURBAN VILLAS. 
 
 The numerous hills of Natick are ad- 
 mirably adapted as sites for institutions 
 of a public character, such as a college, 
 observatory or any educational or scien- 
 tific establishment, also for a sanatorium 
 or for summer hotels. The pure air, 
 charming outlook and easy accessibility 
 of these heights render them peculiarly 
 desirable for either of the objects above 
 named. 
 
 They may also be quite as appropriately 
 occupied by suburban villas or other style 
 of country seat, as seen in the elegant 
 mansion of Mrs. Hollis Hunnewell on 
 Train's Hill, and the tasteful an d charm- 
 ing residences which now occupy portions 
 of "Walnut Hill and its adjacent lesser 
 e minences Along the shores of Lake 
 
26 
 
 Cochituate are picturesque, elevations andi 
 overlooking Charles river are high banks, 
 all of which are desirable localities for 
 summer residences. Some persons, how- 
 ever, prefer a level tract upon which to 
 dwell. Their wishes, in this respect, can 
 be acceptably met in many parts of the 
 town, and within easy reach of schools, 
 stores and public conveyances. While 
 prices have been gradually risiug during 
 recent years, they are still moderate, and 
 the present is a most favorable time for 
 those wishing to secure a spot for a 
 country seat, to come to Natick and select 
 some of our charming locations for that 
 purpose. > 
 
 HOMES AT MODERATE COST. 
 
 There are many men, heads of families, 
 whose daily life is passed in offices, stores 
 or workshops in Boston or the adjoining 
 cities, and who are residing within the 
 city limits. These men and their families 
 often feel that they are losing some por- 
 tion of their birth-right of the fresh air 
 and pleasant surrouudings which are en- 
 joyed in suburban towns. The persons 
 thus situated are often led to consider 
 this problem \ 
 
 Where is the town, near Boston, which 
 can be easily reached after the business 
 hours of each day are over ; where a home 
 at moderate cost can be procured ; where 
 the air is pure, and good water abundant; 
 the scenery varied and attractive ; where 
 there are good schools, a public library, 
 churches, desirable society and social or- 
 ganizations j where the streets are well 
 
27 
 
 made, furnished with sidewalks, and 
 lighted at night; where the laws are 
 properly enforced and vicious influences 
 held in subjection ; and where the cost of 
 living is made reasonable by honorable 
 competition among the local dealers In 
 the necessaries of life? 
 
 Let all such questioners read this book 
 carefully and then improve the first op- 
 portunity to visit Natick and see for 
 themselves how fully this town meets 
 their every requirement. 
 
 GENERAL REMARKS. 
 
 The business portion of Natick is nearly 
 new, the great fire of 1874 having swept 
 away most of the business houses. These 
 were replaced by substantial blocks of 
 brick and stone, which givejthe town an air 
 of solidity and permanence. The largest 
 of these, Clark's block, on Main street, is 
 two hundred and forty feet long. Con- 
 cert hall, in the central portion of this 
 block, is said to be the largest and finest 
 public hall between Boston and Worces- 
 ter. 
 
 When erecting these buildings, modern 
 improvements and conveniences were in 
 all cases introduced, securing largely in- 
 creased facilities for the transaction of 
 business. Our stores are, in size and ap- 
 pointments the best to be found in a wide 
 district. They are mostly heated by 
 steam or hot water and lighted by gas or 
 electricity, or both. They represent near- 
 ly all departments of trade, and carry 
 large stocks of goods which are sold at 
 prices so reasonable as to attract the 
 
28 
 
 trade, not of Natlck alone, but that of 
 people in all adjoining towns, and also 
 from points even twelve to fifteen miles 
 away in many directions. 
 
 The south village was visited by a like 
 disastrous conflagration in 1872, by which, 
 alsOj the greater portion of its buildings 
 for business were destroyed. Beside 
 these, the Historical Natural History and 
 Library Society lost its entire collections, 
 including books, relics and specimens in 
 natural history which had been gathered 
 to that time. Great improvement in ar- 
 chitectural beauty and convenience was 
 secured in the structures erected to re- 
 place the buildings which were burned. 
 
 Although Natick is the place of hills, 
 her streets are generally so located and 
 built that but few steep grades exist upon 
 them, and the most of these can be easily 
 avoided. It is the purpose of the authori- 
 ties to keep the streets safe as well as in 
 good condition, and the pleasure of a 
 drive is rarely marred by any accident 
 caused by defects in our highways. Good 
 sidewalks line the streets and extend far 
 out from the business centres. Concrete 
 crossings are being laid on the piincipal 
 thoroughfares and are being multiplied. 
 These latter conveniences were secured 
 chiefly through the efforts of the Town 
 Improvement Society, an organization re- 
 cently started, which was also instrumen- 
 tal in procuring an increased appropria- 
 tion for the further extension and im- 
 provement of sidewalks. 
 
 Shade trees are a conspicuous feature 
 of our streets and landscape scenery. 
 
29 
 
 Some of the finest trees in the State are td 
 be found in this town. 
 
 The Natick Electric Light Company and 
 the Natick Gas Light Company share the 
 service of lighting the streets, stores, 
 public halls and residences in the centre 
 of the town, while the former extends its 
 cables to South Natick and through Felch- 
 ville to Cochituate. 
 
 Natick is a growing place. It has a 
 constant accession of population. This 
 is not limited to the natural increase of a 
 town of its size. Since the no-license 
 system was established here, more than 
 three years ago, the money formerly spent 
 in the saloons has been turned into legiti- 
 mate channels, in consequence of which 
 all branches of trade have prospered. By 
 the banishment of the saloon the town 
 has gained a more sober and skillful class 
 of workmen. The manufacturing busi- 
 ness has greatly increased, giving em- 
 ployment to many additional persons. 
 For this reason it was found necessary to 
 make large additious to many of the fac- 
 tories. Several handsome blocks have 
 recently been erected, the stores and 
 offices in which have been at once occu- 
 pied. 
 
 The certainty of the enforcement of 
 law and the ample protection of person 
 and property, give a sense of security 
 which has attracted numerous families to 
 come here to reside. The increase of 
 population has necessitated the building 
 of a large number of dwelling houses. 
 
 Natick is supplied with good hotels, 
 and persons visiting the town can find 
 
30 
 
 satisfactory accommodations. Bailey's 
 hotel, by far the longest established of 
 any in town, is located at the south vil- 
 lage. It has acquired a high reputation 
 and is noted far and wide for the excel- 
 lence of its cuisine and the thoughtful 
 attention given to its guests. In the 
 season it is filled with summer boarders, 
 and is a popular resort for wheelmen in 
 summer and sleighing parties in winter. 
 The Wilson House, the most commodious 
 in the centre of the town, is convenient- 
 ly located for the accommodation of 
 strangers and other guests. It is a well 
 kept house and commands a good share 
 of public patronage. 
 
 Excellent restaurants and good board- 
 ing houses also abound. 
 
 HOW TO REACH NATICK. 
 
 Natick is seventeen miles from Boston 
 on the Boston & Albany railroad. There 
 are fifteen trains from Boston to Natick 
 and sixteen trains from Natick to Boston 
 each week day. These trains leave Bos- 
 ton at short intervals from 5 a. m. to 
 11.16 p. m., and leave Natick from 
 5.51 a. m. to 10.27 p. m. Single fares 
 between the two places are forty cents ; 
 ten-ride tickets, $3.60; season tickets for 
 three months, $20; for two months, $15; 
 for one month, $10. 
 
 The four track system of the B. & A. 
 R. R. corporation, already completed to 
 Riverside, is being extended to South 
 Framingham as rapidly as possible. As- 
 soon as the four tracks are laid to Natick, 
 a new passenger station is to be built 
 
31 
 
 here, and when the improvements have 
 reached South Framingham it is expected 
 that an increased number of trains will be 
 put on between that station and Boston 
 to afford the needed accommodation for 
 the public at the stations along the new 
 portion of the four-track system. 
 
 A movement is on foot to procure the 
 building of a branch of the Mass. Central 
 railroad from Wayland Centre to Cochitu- 
 ate, three and a half miles. Natick being 
 but two miles distant from Cochltuate, 
 over a level country, our citizens are be- 
 coming actively interested to have the 
 branch extended to this town. They in- 
 dulge strong hopes that success may at- 
 tend this scheme, and thereby a second 
 railway connection between Natick and 
 Boston may, in the near future, become 
 an accomplished fact. 
 
 South Natick can be reached by the 
 B. & A. R. K., stopping at the Wellesley 
 station, going thence by coach two miles, 
 to that village. This coach line makes 
 five trips each way, daily. Public car- 
 riages are always in waiting, both at 
 Natick and Wellesley, to convey pas- 
 sengers wherever they desire. 
 
 Felchville is on the horse railroad line 
 which starts from the B. & A. B. R. 
 station at Natick ; fare, five cents. 
 
 If any persons visiting Natick to study 
 her advantages for business or for resi- 
 dence, will call upon either member of 
 the Board of Selectmen, Samuel W. Mann, 
 Frank B. Tilton or Arthur F. Atwood, 
 .they will be cordially received and fur- 
 
2 -2 
 
 nished with every faeility fur eil'ectiu; 
 their purpose. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 In the following pages, no separate de- 
 scription of South Natick and its advan- 
 tages are given, as the leading features in 
 that village are spoken of under their 
 appropriate heads in connection with 
 those of the centre of the town. 
 
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