Lost Lawrence
As we look forward to all the exciting opportunities that are proposed for our city of Lawrence, we might take a moment to reflect on what has been lost to us here in the City.
In this column we will be posting images of lost structures due to a number of reasons: economic conditions, Urban Renewal, fires, new development. If you have thoughts, comments,stories or images, please email them to us here at the History Center.
One of the most important historical aspects of this community has been its ability to adapt, to transform to the ever changing populations and economies that buffet the city.
The city was created to harness the water power in the mid 19th century - to transform a rural, agrarian community into an industrial city. Unlike other industrial communities, Lawrence was designed, built and developed by engineers - they had a different focus on infrastructure, design, layout, materials - they thought like engineers and not strictly builders.
Yes, the city was funded by venture capitalists of the day, the Boston Associates. Yet because of their interest in making money from water power~ the engineering and design aspects were vital to their vision. They looked for infrastructures that would withstand water, time, people and manufacturing. As Kathy Flynn says, "The city was their machine and every aspect of it was a cog in the functioning of that machine. They thought as engineers. They viewed the city's schools, Common, Bridges, railroads, building restrictions as the gears in that would make that machine work. This paternalistic engineering was a entrepreneurial invention - they invented Lawrence as a machine to produce power - with all the necessary pieces in place to achieve that result. "
So, as we anticipate the city' s future let's reflect on some of the structures that we have lost to the wrecking ball. These are the stories and images we will be posting on this site.
If we think about what has been lost, we can keep in mind what we, as a community, believe should be saved.
*Structures that reflect the engineering designs of first class intellects;
*Architectural designs of world class architects;
*Housing and commercial sites that reflect a city that has been able to transform with the passage of time and differing cultures;
*Those aspects that are indicative of an urban mill city community ~ more importantly, those aspects that are indicative of Lawrence, the Immigrant City.
Every old structure may not be deemed worthy of salvaging - we juggle the need to preserve the integrity of the City's history,texture and style with the need to provide for jobs and affordable housing.
If we remember what has been lost, we may be better stewards of deciding what to save!
You can contact us at:
Email; research@lawrencehistory.org;
Phone: 978 686 9230 or
Mail: Lawrence History Center 6 Essex Street, Lawrence, Ma 01840
Lost to Demolition
Before McDonald's existed, there was a beautiful stone building at the corner of Broadway and Essex Streets - the Lawrence Post Office
Truell Building
Why is this building named Truell? Who was Byron Truell?
Honorable Byron Truell was born in St. Johnsbury, Vermont November 23, 1834. His early education was received at Barnston, P.Q., and finished at Stanstead Academy, graduating in 1854.
Byron Truell married in 1859 and had two children.
Coming to Lawrence he for four years served as merchant's clerk. He then entered business under the firm name of Baily and Truell,and in 1863 the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Truell opening his present headquarters in September of that year, where then and since he was very successful - a firm recognized as a leading one if its kind in the county.
Mr. Truell's public life dates from 1865, when he represented his ward in the Common Council. In 1875-76 he was a member of the House of Representatives, and the two following years as member of the State Senate.
As another tribute to his popularity he was elected for two successive years a member of the State Executive Council, serving under two different Governors. Truell was the Director of the Pacific National Bank, and in 1894, was president of the Board of Trade, and in all public measures or any movement pertaining to the public good, he took great interest.
Mr. Truell attended Lawrence Street Church, and resided at 355 Haverhill Street.
Sources: Lawrence Up To Date 1845 - 1895
Published by Rushforth & Donoghue 1895, Lawrence, MA.
Lawrence Gazeteer 1894 Published by Charles G. Merrill, 1894, Lawrence, MA
See Eagle Tribune article about the current Truell Building Project
Truell Building Demolition
The following images were taken in February 2010 as the Truell Building, 372 Essex Street Lawrence, MA was being taken down. They provide a history of building billboard advertising in an earlier Lawrence, MA.
Truell Remains at LHC
Despite the demolition of the Truell Building on Essex Street, part of its history will be preserved. With the cooperation of Mayor William Lantigua's office and the very hard work of the Lawrence Department of Public Works, architectural remnants of the iconic front of the Truell Building have been moved to the Lawrence History Center Courtyard.
On Friday, April 23, 2010, City workers Joe Carroll (left), Anthony Matteo (center) and Wayne Firth (right) brought what was left of the Byron Truell building on Essex Street to the courtyard of the Lawrence History Center. This was no easy task! The Lawrence City workers from the DPW were very respectful of the part of Lawrence history they were helping to preserve. With the use of heavy equipment and more importantly, incredible physical labor, these gentlemen moved the very heavy concrete building remains into the courtyard of the LHC - protecting not only the Truell artifacts but protecting the Essex Company shed structure as well.
The Truell architectural heritage will remain in Lawrence, the LHC Courtyard - in an appropriate place on Essex Street. The architectural details will be incorporated into the courtyard design - so that everyone will have a chance to say , "Who was Truell?" And learn a bit more about his Lawrence story - and the history of Essex Street.
Wood Mill Power House Smokestacks Come Down
The Wood Mill Power House Smokestacks were imploded on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 10:00 am to make way for future development by Mr. Salvatore Lupoli. A commercial store plaza is to be constructed along Merrimack Street. A Public park will house selected remains from the power house - to be installed as public art. Future plans include an office building along the river front.
The power house was built in 1905-1906 to provide power for the massive Wood Mill site. The Wood Mill, once considered the largest worsted woolen plant in the world, employed 7000 mill workers when it opened in April 1906. Part of the American Woolen Company system, the mill was named for William Wood, the president of the American Woolen Company. The mill was twice the size it is toady in area. Half the mill was taken down, lengthwise, to provide parking along the river .
Eagle Tribune 10/15/09
Eagle Tribune Story: Implosion filmed for television
Lawrence Historic Commission Approves Demolition
Wood Mill Power House Images
The following Wood Mill smokestack and Merrimack River images were taken by LHC volunteer and photographer, Kathleen Flynn.
Wood Mill Power House Stacks
Wood Mill reflected in Merrimack River
Wood Mill Smoke Stacks prior to demolition
Wood Mill Smokes Stacks - last look
Wood Mill Stacks - demolition begins
Wood Mill Smoke Stacks - going
Wood Mill Smoke Stacks - going...
Wood Mill Smoke Stacks - gone
Site of smoke stacks the day after
Merrimack River
Lost to Development
How many remember the Urban Renewal period in the mid-20th century? Some of the urban blight in Lawrence was ghastly; some structures were not fit for human habitation. We have the records here; we have seen the photos.
But what was taken down for "renewal?"
Lost to Fires
How many remember homes, businesses, churches - all gone to fire?
We can speak of the recent fires of Turn Verien Hall and the Market Street fires of affordable housing - but we have lost so many churches, commercial buildings, homes, apartments, vacant structures, schools to fire.
Bruce School Fire-1951
My earliest interest in history in Lawrence was the loss to fire of the Alexander B. Bruce school in 1951.
This Ames Street School with a dominant location and attractive architectural style was located quite near Engine 8 firehouse on Ames Street. The school's bell tower was another landmark on Tower Hill.
My brother attended the last class at the old school which was replaced by the current AB Bruce School on Butler Street that I attended .
I do not have a photo, but just wanted to mention a loss of a historic building in my own neighborhood.
Linda Siegenthaler
Postcard of Bruce School mailed in 1910
Market Street Fires
In January 2008, there was a terrible fire in Lawrence that terrified the neighborhood and destroyed new construction being built for Habitat for Humanity. Read the story and see additional links to the story about Market Street
Merrimack Paper
The unoccupied Merrimac Paper Company, once one of many paper companies located in Lawrence, burned on November 6-7, 2009. The structure is located on the South Canal in Lawrence.
Maurice Dorgan writes in Lawrence Yesterday and Today, 1918: "Merrimack(sic) Paper Company - Established in 1895; manufactures paper of all kinds; weekly output, 125 tons; employs, 275; weekly payroll, $5,000.00; assessed valuation of property for 1917 $295,400"
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Below is an image from the 1896 Atlas of Lawrence, Plate 12
Turn Verien Hall, Lawrence, MA
Read about Turn Verein Hall, German Community Center, central to so many lives in Lawrence that burned in January 2008. This hall was rebuilt more than once - with fire destroying it for the final time on 2008.