UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS 
 AT AMHERST 
 
 UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 Special Collections & Rare Books 
 

 /x 
 
 (A . f^^fL-tn^x 
 
 
iJ Ul ■ ■ ■.» *> ■ '•tlllllllllllllllllllllliiiiiiii II illliiPfiRSii I I if I 11 I I I' I III 11 ■: I I I 11 II I I I I HI I I ■ 1,1 11, I,,. ,« 
 
 
 T?=^^^lv^i^^-7^^ 
 
 UAj-^ UAj-^ L^Am— ^ ■ (XA;— ' -" U,Aj-^' f^Aj— i-v'^;— U.Aj-; 
 
 ^■-^-, ) /-^ 
 
 ^-. ■;">'^C^'^ 
 
 Pmmm 
 
 f tJi,-K_Jl- 
 
 §iit^i>tral;eb vuil'li SPen avih ^avHc^t^a 
 
 Fv. 
 
 HV 
 
 GHAf^LES W, EDDY, WARE, MASS, 
 
 1 886. 
 
^WAF^E ILLUSTf^ATED.^ 
 
 SECOND VOLUME. 
 
 J^N presenting this our second volume of Ware Illustrated, we regret that we are not able to give 
 ^ >lustrationsofseveralimportant buildings, public and private, that are in process of erection. 
 But Ware is growing so rapidly that to make a book of this kind stricdy up to the tim-es would 
 require a new edition every few months. 
 
 Since the first volume was issued, three years ago. there have been new dwellings containing 
 about one hundred tenements erected. The Village Improvement Societv has put in more than a 
 mile ot concrete walks : the corporations have all added new buildings to their plants, great! v increas- 
 ing tiieir valuation. Other improvements are noticed in their appropriate places in thi^ w^ork 
 
 IVcfrr. Dcmiihrr, 1886. 
 
 THE PUBLISHER. 
 
 i i I I I 
 
 
 * I ■ I a I ■ rill ■ I ■ I I I ■ 11 • I 
 
 I I • I •< I I I I I I I I I 
 
 fiii{Bi'»;(K\>^a;fji{:W4^^ 
 
 ■ I I I ■ 1 
 
IIIIIIIIIIRIIIIIIII 
 
 La.,A.J^ L^Aj-J l-^^.r- ' ^Ar 
 
 ifiiRiasii 
 
 "U/\r 
 
 
 
 /v- 
 
 
 'iiiiiiiri'iiiirii' ■ r I ■' ■ I' ■ ■ ■in ininiiiii i 
 
 
 TOWN HALL, 
 
 [■ARE has reason to be, and no doubt is proud of her new Town Hall, erected in 1885-6 at a 
 cost of forty thousand dollars, and dedicated November nth, 1886. 
 
 The main hall is capable of seating comfortably seven hundred and sixty-seven — two hundred 
 and nineteen of these being in the gallery. The finish and coloring are in fine taste, giving a rich 
 and elegant appearance seldom seen in a building of this kind. There is a large stage, with 
 convenient dressing rooms and a fine set of scenerv. 
 
 In the basement are rooms for the officers of the town, a fireproof vault, the District Court room, 
 lock-up, toilet rooms and boiler rooms, the whole building being heated by steam. 
 
 The building committee, under whose direction this edifice was erected, were Charles D. Gilbert, 
 Charles E. Stevens, Piiilip L. Keefe, William C. Eaton, Frederick D. Gilmore; architects, Hartwell 
 & Richardson of Boston ; builder. Herbert P. Cummings of Ware. 
 
 V|ritiiliikii|iiliiiifiiiiiiiiia[||ii|ii|ii||*|ii|iiiiiiHiTiiiiiii|'i1|i'iiYiiniliililiill'i'r ■ i ■ ■ ■ |Mfii|)|iuiiI|ifaui>[|OiMlniii|n|T!|iiitiiiTinFTT^I 
 
MAIN STF^EET. 
 
 AIN STREET from the west presents a much improved appearance in the past few years. 
 The block at the right, erected in 1880 by Levi W. Robinson, adding its full share to this 
 effect. As there seems to be no other direction in which trade can go it is working westward as fast 
 as good business blocks are erected. We do not need to enumerate the business carried on here, as 
 the signs speak for themselves. The block is now owned by C. Hitchcock. 
 
 The stores in the next three blocks have all. but one. changed hands within the past year. 
 
 \ltII|ll|ll|ll|lll<^|i||'!|H|<<|ii|ii|<'«il|ll|ll|<i|l,|il||'|li|i ■ll|||||ji'|l|ii||l||||i;|'<<|^|'.:|<<| .■h|ii|ii|i:|i |r|"|'i|i ■!!■ %ut li'l^H t § Inl »l %< I H ■ '■ ■:'■ i|i'l ■ I ' ■ " I" I ' ' I' i ■ " ■' ■"■ 'r'l"l''l ■''■ '■' ■ ■ ■ ■' ■ ■' ■ ■ '■ '■' ■ ■ '■ 
 
m 
 
 I 
 

 NORTH STF^EET 60f^NER. 
 
 ^^ORTH STREET corner and vicinity have greatly changed in the past few years. This block, 
 (^^ built by John H. Storrs in 1880-1, contains with a one-story addition in the rear, five commo- 
 dious stores. In the second story are several othces and the rooms occupied by the two Ware bands. 
 A few rods to the lelt of what is shown in this picture, partially on the site of the old hotel barn, 
 John H. Storrs has now in process of erection his new hotel, which promises to be by far the finest 
 business block in town. On the first floor are three stores besides the hotel office, with plate glass 
 windows and all modern conveniences. The block is three stories high with circular towers at each 
 end. The front is to be of Philadelphia pressed brick, granite trimmings and iron balcony. 
 
 
 
 ■ H|TT[IT||I|<H I I ■ I I I I I |l'|litli|l:|l!|i!|<||l<||i|l>|i<|;i||,|i,|i!iii|M|n||l|i||i'|ll||||llill|l{|ll|ll|llll|III|ll|ll|ll|ll|>l|ll|ll|l>|lllll|ll|ll|I'l"l I I f I ■ I I I '< I I I I' ) • I' • 
 

 Tx^^^. 
 
 -vX-i- 
 
 i 
 
 TM 
 
 WARE NATIONAL BANK. 
 
 Tfl^HE Ware National Bank building was erected for the Hampshire Manufacturers' Bank in 1825, 
 Q>^ which was incorporated in February of the same year with a capital of one hundred thousand 
 dollars. It was changed to the Ware National Bank in December, 1864, '^^^'^ ^'^^ '^^^ '* capital of 
 throe hundred thousand dollars. William Hyde has been connected with the bank either as cashier 
 or president for fiftv-three years. 
 
 The Savings Bank building, designed expressly for banking purposes, was erected in 1881. 
 The Savings bank was organized in 1850. The number of depositors now are live thousand two 
 hundred and eighty-six, their deposits amounting to two million four hundred and twentj' four 
 thousand five hundred and ninetv-tive dollars. Willi.am Hyde has been president of the bank since 
 its organization. Frederick D. Gilmore was elected treasurer December, 1885. 
 
 The building at the left, twent\' bv fiftv-six feet, was erected in 1883. 
 
 |TTII]T;fanllll.llllll<Il.lHlll|nI,lI<llllll[||l|ll|h|MlN|l<I<lluIllll.I.:|ullllMlMil.IlllMillIl.IhI.jtlltJI(Mill|Ht.llUlM|i.|lili:inl.<IHllil.lillI.,l. >...^.>..l -InS.il-l^ i L . ^ . . . i ■llllllllll 
 
■■■tl«*>lllllll ■(■■■■"II ■■■>■!■">" 
 
 
 :-^^,-7^7-^,-.-^, -. ,^77^-^^T^; 
 
 ' UAr 
 
 U/Ni— ^ L^/sr^ 
 
 Lj 
 
 I 'I I 'I ■"■ l"iiHri'ili:|iHiH"|i'»':t"iiii'ii"|iiiii|i ninni m 
 
 HAMPSH^E HOUSE & MUSIG HALL, 
 
 ^TiAMPSHIRE HOUSE block, with Music Hall block in the rear and other buildings connected, 
 (^Js) occupies about eighty-five feet on Main street and two hundred and twenty-five feet on Bank 
 street, and was built by Joseph Hartwell in 1867, since which time the Post Otlice has occupied the 
 store at the east end. 
 
 The first hotel ever in town was built on this site in 1730. The first town meeting was held in 
 this house in 1742. 
 
 Next to the Hampshire House on the right is one of the oldest business blocks in town. At the 
 left is seen the French Catholic Church, built in 1872. 
 
 fete 
 
 
 
 'mmJ'^j% 
 
 =ff<^,f=R 
 
■ .'■''IM|[i|'i|>i|;i|r 
 
 '■"■ ■"■".I'll '!"• i|ii|"liil' li:!:)!:' 
 
 ...... _r|!:llH!i|i:|iil'r|IHI t>ll tUlnl 
 
 LIBf{A!^Y AND 0HAPEL, 
 
 TIT* HE Library building of the Young Men's Library' Association, which was incorporated in 1872, 
 (^^ was dedicated July 19th, 1881. It is built of brick laid in red mortar, the trimmings being 
 of Portland brown stone and Philadelphia moulded brick ; the steps and buttress are Fitzwilliam 
 granite. The basement under the whole front is finished for a reading room. The book room has a 
 capacity tor tvventy-tiv^e thousand volumes. It is finished in brown ash with galleries on the front and 
 east side. On the left of the entrance is a natural iiistory room, where there is a fine collection of 
 mounted bird^s of this locality, and a large variety of other curiosities. 
 
 Next to this building is the chapel of the East Congregational Society, built in 1881 and dedi- 
 cated January ist, 1882. It is a model of neatness and convenience. 
 
 pi(»«iad« 
 
 
 ^r^^i^ ksV vTvi "kt^j- ^^vT rT^^T tTvf ^^^r^rVi trVr^crVv ^<^;\,,^~v,";.*. ..?.^^^. 
 
t 
 
IIIIII1IIIIII 
 
 I i'|!ti'-|r!i"|"t"f(l"I''l"f"l'f"f"f"IMI I I ll^'fl'illil 
 
 Vl9F 
 
 HIGH S0HOOL BUILDING. 
 
 TIT*' HE first action of this town upon the subject of" schools as appears bj' the records was in Janu- 
 1^^ ar3^ 1757. In 1762 "Voted to Raise twelve pounds for Skoling. Voted that Eatch Qiiarter 
 shall skool out there part within the year or be forfit." In 1850 a grammar school was established, 
 and in 1853 the high school was established and kept in the town hall building, until it was burned in 
 1867, except the fall terms wlych were held for some years at Ware Center. 
 
 The present high school building was erected in 1848 and rebuilt in 1869 at a cost of live thou- 
 sand seven hiindred and sixty-one dollars. 
 
 There are now twenty-four schools in town, eighteen of them in the village, employing twenty- 
 six teachers with about nine hundred pupils. 
 
 ^ 
 
 sk 
 
 l'llllllllll I I II I I ■ I ■ I I I I llllll llllllll I 
 
 ':|'i|iiti:|!ili'|i<aMli ll'liiflii|ii|li|il|i<|M|n|i|| i|ii|m|Ii|ii|m I m|i |<i|m|iii .iiiii^I" |i '|i | 
 
I t I « ■ 
 
 1 ■ I f VI 'T"»"f"»" 
 
 .'f 'i«"f ni'ipra 't '■ 
 
 
 ■ < « ■< ■ • ■ ■: I ■ • I II I ■ • * • • I I ■ I jril_Ll 
 
 Gf^AY'S BLOGK. 
 
 RxWS BLOCK, situated on the west side of Nenemeseck Square was built in 1884, and is 
 one of the most substantial, well built blocks in town. On the first floor there are two commo- 
 dious stores, with a basement running across the south side of the building. The second storj' is 
 finished for otlices, society rooms, etc., while in the third story are four tenements. 
 
■ I I I I ■ I I I ■ I • ■ ■ II • I I ■ I I 
 
 I I I I I I .!"■ 1. 
 
 'm 
 
 NENAMESEGK PARK, 
 
 'HIS little park although small, being but about one hundred feet long and fifty wide, is a thing 
 of beauty and a joy to the hundreds whose eyes rest upon it daily. In the very heart of the 
 business of the town, with its grateful shade and sparkling fountain, it is a refreshing spot. The trees 
 were set out and the fence and fountain placed here probably in 1856, as we find on the records of a 
 town meeting November 6th. 1855, "It was voted that the Village Improvement Association do make 
 such impro\'ements under the direction and advice of the selectmen as shall be deemed proper by 
 them." ■ The work was accomplished bv subscription through the agency of the association. In 1882 
 the curbing and concrete walk were put around the park. 
 
 W 
 ^ 
 
 
 .fg^ifft- 
 
 ^ 
 
 — v^ 
 
 r-%'^ ,. c-V^ . ;--%^ , ^TT^^L ,. -C^V' 
 
 

 

 THE OTIS 60MPANY. 
 
 ^I[*HE Otis Company was organized in 1839, ^""^^ incorporated in 1840 witli a capital of $500,000. 
 (^ At that time the employes of the company numbered 211, their monthly earnings averaging 
 about $2,665. The average monthly product was about 62,000 yards of drills, sheetings and jeans. 
 At present the company have in their two weaving mills at Ware 20,736 spindles, and 662 looms, 
 producing daily 31,000 yards of checks, denims and stripes. Including the underwear mill there are 
 32,752 spindles in operation, giving employment to about 1,450 hands, with a weekly pay roll of $9,000. 
 
 In 1865 the company introduced the manufacture of cotton hosierv. and began bv producing 
 about 300 dozens of white stockings per day ; in later j'ears colors were introduced, and especially a 
 line of women's and men's underwear, until in 1886 thev have reached a dailv product of 650 dozens 
 of underwear in bleached, fancies, and lisle-thread, and 185 dozens of hose and half-hose, from 
 about 1. 000 heads of knitting machines. 
 
 The Palmer Mill property at Three Rivers is also a part of the Otis Companv's plant. 
 
 
 '-'~\. 
 
 "l--^ Z 
 
 • 1 1 ■ :' I • 1 1 ■ . i I : . I ! 1 1 . 1 
 
 .1 III Ml M III III ,■<.■■. ■ ii I, I 
 
 ..ii:l .liili.liil .l:.i 
 
 
 i:il .li.liliil IIIBIiai 
 
 
 1 t I i.,i'ni..ini: ■niMi,.i,,i.:i..|..i..|.|..i..i.:i..i..l..l.7i..r.l.il..'ii<i;.liilMl.:i.'ii-ii ■<.'■.. MHlT.TITi 
 
LVVr-' 
 
 Cj^ / CyA^ hiZf^ < UJ^ 
 
 iMs/SiqaMifC^ySl-TSiaf 
 
 
 «U^t>r^M 
 
 I.lUi 
 
 ABOVE EAST ST!{EET BRIDGE, 
 
 S^[|^OOKING North from the East street bridge the scenery is most picturesque. On the right 
 (_^ the old canal with its rustic bridge, in the center the rocky island on the east bank of the 
 river, while at the left the water comes pouring over the dam and rushing down the rough river bed, 
 falling seventy teet in going as many rods. 
 
 The dam which holds in reserve the great water power of the town was built in 1880 and is fifty 
 feet further down stream than the old one. The area of water caused by this dam covers about one 
 hundred and thirty-six acres and extends up the river nearly two miles, furnishing a fine place for 
 pleasure boating. 
 
 mm? 
 
 iiiiiiiiKiiiiiiiiiii'iiiiiri 
 
r 
 

 1 1 1 V ( H g I K I 
 
 '<fl"|H||||H|t|l 
 
 tl|ll|lltll|!l|' 
 
 
 111 II I I i_ I I 
 
 THE GEOf^GE H, GILBERT MFG, 00, 
 
 'HIS corporation, unlike most manufacturing concerns, has its headquarters at its factories, and 
 not at the great commercial centers. The office of the company, erected in 1885, is a model of 
 good taste and judgment in the beauty of design and elegance of tinish, as well as in its convenience. 
 The hall vestibule and rear othce are finished in black walnut with sheathing of the same surmounted 
 by an ornate border of Lincrusta Walton, while the walls and ceilings are decorated in dark oil 
 shades. In the front of the building is the room occupied bv the officers of the corporation. This 
 room is finished in gray oak, with heavy paneled ceilings of the same, while an elaborate carved tire- 
 place produces a homelike etiect. The gem of the building is a small private reception room opening 
 from the front office. This is finished in cherrv, with a floor of polished birch inlaid with a great 
 variety of choice woods. In the second storv are the pattern and draughting rooms. 
 
 ■e^issr ^'=~^^ 
 
 x^. 
 
 ■\ -" 
 
 
ililttltlMttittt 
 
 i,i»l!!i i 1 1 1 HI 
 

 m^^'m 
 
 ^■V- IW;j!g:.,g/s3„i?^ 
 
 SUMMER S0ENE, 
 
 ^^ARE abounds with picturesque beautj- throughout the whole length and breadth of the town. 
 SroA The rugged hills on the east, the quiet valleys, the beautiful drives beside the still waters and 
 the ever varied landscape are sources of interest and joy to every beholder. 
 
 In this picture there is perhaps no more of beauty than may be found in hundreds of places with- 
 in the borders of the town, but this will serve as a hint of the many lovely spots that are all about us. 
 
'■;• V .' _ ' :ai'i ; . 
 
I I I J^l I I I I E 
 
 lllllltllllllllllll 
 
 '(■■■P"f '■'■« 'III"!'?' ■?■■•'■ 
 
 'HinintniUNiiiiuiiinni mnium 
 
 4>Acs'..^i^ 
 
 0HAf{LES A, STEVENS & 00, 
 
 |_||*HE original mill of this company was purchased of the assignees of the Hampshire Manufac- 
 i^^ taring Company in 1841 by Gilbert & Stevens. Upon the dissolution of the firm in 185 1 
 Charles A. Stevens took the old mill and added another story and about seventy feet in length. The 
 original portion of the old mill was built in 1825. It now contains twelve sets of woolen machinery, 
 ninety broad looms and is producing white and opera flannels and ladies' dress goods. 
 
 In January, 1S72, Mr. Stevens associated with himself under the firm name of Charles A. 
 Stevens & Co., his son. Charles E. Stevens. They employ about one hundred and seventy-five hands. 
 
 In April, 1885. the building near the bridge was destroyed by fire, and in its place has been 
 erected a substantial brick building, forty by eighty feet, three stories high. It is used for a wool 
 house and machine shop. 
 
 IIKilih. 
 
 ITTFTTTTFrlnlnlHliihiiliiliililliiluliiliil 
 
 
 ,^ 
 
 
l;j)'J'J!iJiJ'''.'L'''f.li'J''l''.''"^'"'''''"'l'IJ*''r''"'''''I''''!^*'-''''''*'!*''l''''^ 
 
 THE LOVEf^'S LEA 
 
 D 
 
 /J\NE of the finest gems of scenery to be found is situated just back of the residence of Charles A. 
 'O^ Stevens, perhaps best seen as a whole from across the river near the finishing department of 
 the Otis Company, and is seen by hundreds who daily pass to their work. 
 
 The projecting ledge that turns the course of the river at this point is called the Lover's Leap 
 from the romantic legend concerning the attempted suicide of a young lady whose parents objected 
 to her continuing to receive attentions from a partv objectionable to them. 
 
 When thei-e is a light snow there may be seen at the point of the ledge the likeness of a face that 
 has been called the "Witch of the Woods." 
 
 r^y^ 
 
 <aS^"'^^ 
 
 ITIITI|TTri1liailtllIlllllkU|ll|n|ll|l||ll|ll|l||rr|ll|l{tll|ll|l{|(,|ii|,<|i||||||]|'|||N,,,|n|l\|li|<l|1l||||l|||||M|lliH|HI<l|Hil!|ll|M|ll|M|»|»|N|ll|"|ll|l^ 
 
nlnl ■ ■ 11. In 
 
 I'li.iii.i^iritdHitiii 
 
 THE f^ESERVOIR, 
 
 (^^ SYSTEM of water works to supply the villa<fe with pure water has been put in this year at a 
 ^p^ cost of about $So,ooo, under the personal supervision of Engineer F. L. Fuller of Boston. A 
 well was dug near West Main Street by Contractor F. E. Shaw of Valley Falls, R. I., supplying 
 620,000 gallons of water daily in the dry season. The water is forced by a Deane steam pump, having 
 a capacit}' of 1,500,000 gallons in twenty four hours, to the reservoir, capable of holding a million and 
 a half gallons and situated nearly a mile from the village on Church Street, which was built bv 
 F. A. Snow of Providence. R. I., employing about sixty men five months in the work. There are 
 nearly seven miles of pipe, with fifty hydrants for fire purposes. 
 
 The building at the pumping station is handsome and convenient, built by Aldrich & Hills of this 
 town. The Water Commissioners, under whose direction the whole work has been done, were 
 C. C. Hitchcock, E. H. Guild and T. C. Gleason. 
 
 vf^srn^m-^r'\rn ? hv-] 
 
 
 
 
 .^^v^: , ev^ 
 

 M 
 
 ^iV^ 
 
 A' A 
 
 
 THE R06K HOUSE. 
 
 ^gjITUATED about two miles from Ware, on the road to West Brookfield, at what is known as 
 (^£ the summit, or narrows, is what is called The Rock House : a vast pile of overhanging rocks 
 with others in h-ont of them. It is a fine place for a summer picnic, the tables may be arranged 
 under trees near by or in tiie shadows of the great rocks, which in case of a sudden shower ali'ord 
 complete shelter however severe the storm may be. 
 
 On the way to this place one of the finest views of the Ware River Vallev may be obtained : 
 it is said by some who have travelled extensively among the scenery of the Old World to be equal to 
 anything tiiey had ever seen. 
 
 pva 
 
 -"^rn'f 
 
 
 1.1 1. I.Ii 1. Ii ■ .1. I ,■ III II I III I.I.I I i III. liil i; II liil 111 Ihl iliiliil III! Ill III. I liil III liil I: lilnliil III! ■ I C I I 
 
 rim 
 
 llllllllllllll Vri't I I, :■ I I Thill 
 
B I I I E 
 
 
 -^" 
 
 ' • I ( II tllllil 11 )■ 11 I |l ■■ 
 
 ■ ■■■■■■■11 ■ ■.'■ ■:i« 
 
 
 WAf^E 0ENTEK. 
 
 (TC^EVENTY years ago Ware Center was not onl^- the center in name, but was the center of the 
 (3o business ot' the town as well. There is now but little business except farming carried on there. 
 
 In 1750 it was voted to build the first meeting house in town but there is no record when it was 
 finished, if ever. The present church was built in> 1800 and was moved to its present site and re- 
 modeled in 1843. 
 
 The large two-storv house near the left of the picture was the Old Tavern where the selectmen 
 used to repair after town meeting to count the votes. 
 
 feiirriViiiTiiiiWiY^i^iifiimlw 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 ■ 
 
 it- 
 
 "mm- 
 
 
 
 L 
 
 l^p 
 
 
 ^ y'tibju **** 
 
 ^a^ 
 
 ^^%V' '**'' ;irt^;|s«a 
 
 
 
 
 3