[18]
moved to their present commodious new church in Wesley square. I can only recall three churches when I came here, and now we are called the city of churches and schools.
There seemed in those days so much vacant, unoccupied land that it would take ages to cover and improve it, but even now, with few exceptions, it has been well utilized, and there are few lonely places.
West Somerville, now so populous and thriving, was a farming locality, with few houses and much land.
From our second-story windows in those days I could see our own team as it turned the corner at Charlestown Neck, and as some of the family wended their way to church (Franklin-street) we could see them till they passed from Glen to Pearl street.
The part of the city near the Fitchburg railroad crossing, called by the old settlers ‘Brick Bottom,’ might well be called Shanty Town, from its miserable houses and its dirty surroundings, and it needed the excitement caused by a hot, unhealthy season to remedy the condition of things, and the stagnant pools and refuse heaps were filled up land removed by the town authorities.
To-day, we old inhabitants, looking around with pride on our beautiful parks and well-kept roads, our lighted streets, fine public buildings and residences, wonder if we really lived without them in the old days, and, having seen all these improvements come and grow, feel more interest and satisfaction in them than those who have lived here fewer years.
May I say what I believe to have been the greatest factor in the growth and well-being of our good city?
For eighteen ears the voters have declared that license to sell intoxicating liquors shall not be granted, and the saloon and rum shop are things of the past; and in those years our population has increased from twenty to more than sixty thousand inhabitants.
Beautiful for situation, with its seven hills, most of them crowned with church or school, is Somerville, our dwelling place.
January 3, 1900
