fitchburg-hometown
In 1844, Fitchburg anti-slavery sympathizers withdrew from the Calvinistic
Congregational Church and founded the Trinitarian Congregational Church.
They built their church in a field between Oliver and Fox Streets, and it
later became an underground railway station for slaves escaping from the South.

In the 1840's Irish immigrants, escaping the Potato Famine, were met at the
wharves in Bostgon by promises of jobs working on the Fitchburg Railroad,
being constructed at the time by Alvah Crocker.   The Irish lived in little
shanties with thatched roofs in an area of town which became known as "The
Patch."

In todayh's pre-fabricated world, where "quantity" counts more than
"quality", it's hard to comprehend the degree to which "quality' was
stressed some years ago,  especially when it came to building houses.
Because labor and materials were less expensive, people could build
elaaborate residences and afford to staff them with domestic help.
Fifteen-room houses were not at all that uncommon, and the grounds usually
contained stabels surrounded by well-manicured lawys and gardens.  The
well-to-do generally chose to construct their homes atop the city's hills,
both to obtain broad vistas as well as to escape industrial smoke.

To drive up Prospect St. from the Upper Common is an insight into the style
of living of Fichburg's upper class.  Traditionally, this has been the area
where the city's "first families" have all dwelt at one time or another.
Crocker, Wallace, and Simonds are all names which are synonomous with
Fitchburg's industy and consequently her wealth.

On the upper corner of Prospect and Arlington Sts. sits a beautiful old
brick Victorian house with stained glass windows. This house is
characteristic of the artistic quality which went into the building of homes
a long time ago.  Farther up on the right is a gingerbread house which dates
from 1853.  To duplicate the carved impedimentation alone today would cost
the amount of a house itself.  Immediately above this house is the former
estate of Rodney Wallace, grandfather of the present-day Fitchburg
philanthropist, George R. Wallace, Jr.  This is one of the most impressive
and well built mansions in the city, although it has been getting run-down
over the years.

A little farther up the hill is View St.  Manhy of teh Crocer's residence
have been located here.  HOwever, the top of teh street is a private way, so
the mansions remain hidden from view.  One of these large homes was moved by
oxen at the turn of the century to make room for "Applewild", locatted near
the bottom of the street.  "applewild" was built by C.T.Crocker and was
without question the most  elaborate estate in teh cithy.  Its use as a
private shcool haw has helped retain its grandeur.  The barn has been
converted into a gym for the school, while other structures, such as the
sevants' house and stabel, have been adaped for use as classrooms and
faculty residences.  Opposite "Applewild" is "The Knoll" the 1`914 estate of
Alvah Crocker.  This too, is a private way.  A large Georgian-style house
repaces the orginal shingled mansion, which was  torn down shortly after
World War II.  The original stables still remain as does the quaash house.
The trudor-style squas house is a familiar but oft-hidden structure in teh
woods off Nichols Rd. near Burbank Hospital.  Flat rock Rd. is a very
pleasng drive because of the several mansions which are located along the
road.  Most of these residences were also built by members of the Crocker
family.

On the other side of Prospect Hill and Burbank Hospital, you'll find
fashionalbel homes which line Blossom St.  " The Stable" at No. 665 was,
until about fifteen years ago, the stable for the estate on the oter side of
the road.  The main house, white-shingled with green shutters is now
surrounded by a tall fence, but it si nevertheless visible.  Directly
opposite sits a stuccoed house, built shortly after the turn of the century.
This mansions wa designed by a Chicagl architect which shows to what degree
our local citizens would go to have a house constructed.  The large brown
shingtled Tudor-style residence of the corner of Mt. Vernon and Blossom Sts.
was originally a summer home gbuild in response to a magazine contest.  The
1906 contest carried the stipulation that the cost could not exceed $5,000
adn this house won first prize being built for that amount.  Five thousand
dollars could perhaps barely get you a garage today, or a car toput in it.
Several other houses of Blossom and Ross Sts. were buit as summer dwellings
for Bostonians and the like, a acgt which is hard for us Fitchburgers to
comprehend.  H.M.francis, our citty's jost noted architect is credided with
designing wome of the mones in this area, uniqueness being hsi trademark.

Although expensive homes are still being built, the keynote today is
simplicity.  Because of escalated costs of materials and labor, the
artisan's craft is not highly sought after.  Thus, the turn of the century
homes remain a monument to the artisty and walth of a bygone era.

(Next appear, in the book, two pen and ink sketches with the following captions.

"The homes along Prospect Street bespeak the artisty and wealth of a bygone
era."

"Less than a block away from Main Street sits the old Hoffman School, an
architcual gem of another age.")

The beauty of these sketches can be seen by going to the WWW to 
http://www.ziplink.net/users/kjones/jay_st.gif  This sketch from the top of
Jay St appears in Guide to Fitchburg and Environs on page 18.)