Whitney Web Page - Southbridge History & More
Southbridge, Massachusetts

http://www.dickwhitney.net

"The Eye of the Commonwealth"
and birthplace of American Optical.

 
Donna Silverberg, Diane Matuck and Dick Whitney at Left from the Optical Heritage Museum
announce plans for new location at 12 Crane Street - Sponsored by Zeiss!

Download April 4, 2013 Southbridge News article announcing the plans for the Museum

Photo of Dick at right holding William Beechers  (founder of AO in 1833) case at the Museum Entrance


Views of Main Street

Recollections of Southbridge Rev 29-Apr-13

My Top Ten List - Positive things about Southbridge
Rev 9-May-13

Famous People and their associations with Southbridge

Improved YouTube Version posted 5-Mar-12

More on the 1955 Flood on this Website

WRTA Bus service begins Jan 28, 2013

Recalling the Flood of August 19, 1955
55th Anniversary on August 19th, 2010!

Why is the Oak Ridge Cemetary Entrance So Narrow?

Cohasse Country Club History

Interactive Maps of AO complex, Walking tours and Optical Related sites in Southbridge

Future of Southbridge - Concerned Citizens for the betterment of Southbridge

Southbridge - still the "Eye of the Commonwealth"

Inside stores in Southbridge ~ 1954
 

1872 image of Southbridge Main Street looking at the intersection with Hamilton Steet
Courtesy of Diane Matuck / Optical Heritage Museum

A look back at Southbridge Industry as it was in 1958
SEN articlle provided courtesy of the Jacob Edwards Library
30mb pdf file download

My Top Ten List - Positive things about Southbridge
Rev 9-May-13

What Southbridge had to offer in 1895! Its top 10 list from back then!

Slideshow below -1953 and 1954 Southbridge Photos by Don Whitney
(this may take several seconds to load!)

How Southbridge got its name -
Reprint of Joe Capillo article

Southbridge, the Poll Parish and "Honest Town" Historic Names

Feb 6, 2009 Charette to promote Southbridge

Community Calendar (Submit your event)
 

Claire Birtz Town seal
which hangs in the
Southbridge Town Hall Council Chambers
(photo by Dick Whitney)
 

AO  History Main Page Rev May 21, 2013

AO Employees with 25 or more years of service... in 1917 !!!
Newly restored image from Wellworth Magazine from Aug/Sept 1917
Courtesy of the Optical Heritage Museum
 

AO Parts Dept outing - July 1939 (Courtesy of Jonathan Krach)

Recollections of AO -

In Memory Of:
Recalling those AO employees who have passed on
Rev 21-May-13

AO Reunion Luncheons-
Formerly at Rom's Restaurant

Next AO Reunion Luncheon is
  June 11,  2013 at 11:30 AM at the Southbridge Hotel
email dickwhitney@charter.net for details

Doc Tillyers info updated
(see patent list)

More About Doc and other AO Lens Designers

AO News article from Nov 1968 - Tillyer Ave and Longview Hills development in Southbridge
4mb pdf download

AO Workers Main page

AO Images - "Then and Now"
 
Herman Stoopes AO Paintings - 4 Original Paintings on display

Local Artist spotlight - Tom Lapriore

The Marcy St. School Eagles above the doorways
 

Rare view of The Strand Theatre  (1926- 1965)
(Optical Heritage Museum photo) 

History of Blanchard / Strand Theatre New 29-Apr-13
 
OSV filming of movie Hawaii - 1965 with Julie Andrews

Impressive Collection of Historic Southbridge photos on CWMars on-line digital Library
Southbridge Images courtesy of Jacob Edwards Library / Margaret Morrissey - Library Director
 

Feb 1974 Gas Lines - Photo by Don Whitney

Fires of Southbridge
Youtube video of 1987 Hamilton Woolen fire
 

Southbridge Floods( 1936, 1938 and  1955)

My Youtube video/audio of the 1955 Flood
  Revised 5-Mar-12

Recalling the Flood of August 19, 1955 - 55 years later -

Harvey Wells Electronics

The Dennison District School - John Boniface

The Strand Theatre  (1926- 1965)

The HippadromeBowling Alley - The 'Hipp' by Al LaBelle

Southbridge Citizen's Celebrate the end of WWII.

Southbridge Images - "Then and Now"

Ames Department Store History

Notre Dame Church - the Building made of Tombstones

Notre Dame High School Reunions page- 1938-1968
 

Demolition of the old YMCA Building in 1975

Jump! Jerry, Jump!
Reprint of SeaverRice 1975 Southbridge News Article

Ames Department Store - Southbridge

How Districts of Southbridge got their names
 

Southbridge Wikipedia article (On-line Encyclopedia)

Wikipedia entry for Michael Earls
 

Links of current interest:

Community Calendar (Submit your event)

Future of Southbridge - Concerned Citizens for the betterment of Southbridge

Town Of Southbridge Home Page

www.getinvolvedinyourtown.com Events Schedule

Southbridge (and Area) "Retirement" links of interest

368 Main St / Universalist Church building

12 Crane St Complex

Current Weather Conditions

Local News (Southbridge News Online!)

"Your Southbridge" Events page

Learn about the Downtown Southbridge Redevelopment plans

Southbridge High / Wells Sports Hall of Fame booklet and ceremony

Celebrations / Parades

May 22, 1966 Sequecentenial Parade Photos
Celebrating Southbridge's 150th Anniversary

Photos of parade on Hamilton street  above courtesy of Al Watson (my first boss at AO)
See more Al Watson Parade photos

The June 6, 2009 Southbridge Fest on the Common

The June 10, 2008 Southbridge Fest

The June 9, 2007 Southbridge Fest

Southbridge Festival - June 25, 2006

Southbridge Festival - August 20, 2006

Southbridge Sesquicentennial Celebration 0f 1966

The June 1983 AO Parade - celebrating 150 years!!

Parade of Brides (part of 1991 175 Anniversary Celebration)

Photos of 2nd Annual Gay Pride Celebration at JEL - Author William Mann (Kate)

Photos from Jacob Edwards Library Event
GREGORY MAGUIRE's APPEARANCE IN SOUTHBRIDGE
JUNE 21, 2006

Southbridge Sesquicentennial Celebration 0f 1966
(download 1966 Scrapbook!)

1960 Don Whitney photo - Old Time Days celebration
 

Jerry Dougherty impressive on line collection photographs of  Southbridge  (and the State of Conn)

"The Color of Success" May 17, 2005 article
which appears Courtesy of the Southhbridge Evening News!
 

Local Area Businesses

Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center- Formerly AO Main Plant

Vienna Restaurant / Bed and Breakfast!

The Flat Iron

Tri-Community YMCA Page

A Tribute to Rom's after 56 years - last day August 31, 2008
Thanks for the memories!

Check out these Geological Maps of Southbridge!

Incredible Views from far above Southbridge
1997 Photo of Main Street with AO Complex at Right
Zoom in on your house from far above!
 

Link to 1878 Map of Southbridge!

A view of Main St. Southbridge in 1892. Note the pedestrian traffic.
The old YMCA is on the upper left, with the Baptist Church below it.

More 1892 Views of Southbridge

May 26, 1898 Southbridge Journal
pdf file format

Tuttle Maps of Southbridge, Globe Village, and Fiskdale(1870)

WESO in the late 1950's  - Jan Whitney as the Storybook Lady

Recollections of Southbridge

Ames Dept Store

AO / Southbridge 1955 Flood Slides (Don Whitney)
Includes audio of WESO broadcast!
 

SHS Class reunions - 74, 75 and 76 (July 31, 2010)

Southbridge High School Class Reunions

Class of 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972

Photos of SHS Class of 1969 members participating in 1968 Science Fair

Mary E Wells High School Page
New Link to Great Wells HS Website
Includes Photos and names of all Alumni!!!
 

Methodist Church and Notre Dame Church Steeples

 Vienna Restaurant

The Baptist Church Building, Bell tower and family friends the Crists
 

Skating at "the Rez" - 1954 -
photos by Don Whitney in the 1950s
 

The North St Gate

Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center

A Timeline of the History of  Southbridge (More info to be added)
Compiled by Margaret Morrissey
(PDF File Format)

Quaint Little Town - Susan McMaster Bosman
Can anyone identify this song from the lyrics???

Paul Coiteux\ Southbridge Memorabilia Collection
Includes info on Marcy St School Demolition and the Eagles

Looking back at Harvey - Wells

The Harrington Follies of 1979
Photos by Dick Whitney

Don Whitney Photos of 1960 Old Time Day in Southbridge

The Monuments of Southbridge
 

Dresser Park Honor Role Monument was dedicated on July 10, 2004.

  The HONOR ROLL LIST at Dresser Park.

The RR Bridge by the "AO Rotary" is no more!

Evelyn Petrelli and the Poll Parish (now Baptist Church)

Southbridge Sesquicentennial Celebration

Southbridge Centennial Envelope - From the Collection of Paul \Coiteaux

1916 View of Southbridge From Notre Dame

1925 View of Southbridge from the Air

Southbridge "Images of the Past"

Photos & Postcard collection

Text of Southbridge Directory of 1882

Levi Chase 1889 Article on Southbridge

Click Here for a rare view down Hamilton St. in the late 1950's
Photo by Don Whitney

Click here to see the inside of Mario's Restaurant as it appeared in 1967
where the Town and Country Florists are now located !

A long lost color version of comet Bennett taken from Litchfield Ave, Southbridge, MA
- Added 01-Dec-08

Dick and Don Whitney Astronomy Photos
Images taken in Southbridge

Rainbows in Southbridge

Greater Southbridge Film -
Congratulations for winning Best in Show at the F4 Festival
& Best Documentary at Valleyfest. April 20th screening in Los Angeles
 

Dick Whitney You Tube Southbridge Links above include several SHS Football games,
town parades from the 1960s. Check it out!
 

Check out my Youtube Video home page

Check out this 1962 Don Whitney Home Movie clip
showing a walk along Main to Central St.

Groups & Organizations of Local Interest:

Jacob Edwards Library 

Elm Street Church Celebrates its 200th Anniversary! 

 
Dec 1962 Don Whitney photo of the 6th, 7th and 8th Grade chorus singing
Christmas Carols at the newly designated Wells Jr. High, which until then had been the High School.
Tom Lapriore ID's chorus members
Click here for pdf

Mary E Wells HS Reunion / Alumni Page
Wells HS 1954 Graduation Photos added
  Gateway Players
Gateway OldeTimers Reunion

Skating at the Rez - "Then and Now" Photos

Harrington Hospital (View their Historical Links!)
 

Southbridge School Projects

"Our Town" -
Charlton St. School Grade 3 presents the History of Southbridge

Photos / Summary of Town Charette Meeting on Feb 10, 2001

Bill Tremblay Poems of Southbridge

Other Useful Links

Old Webster (MA) History Link

Walker Pond / Wells State Park Sturbridge History
 

  More American Optical History below:

The People of AO

The AO Reunion of May 28, 2002

AO Recollections

AO Main Plant Demolition / Construction Index of photos of Southbirdge Hotel and Conference Center

Aerial Photographs of DOD Project by Bob Arnold
submitted by Bob Clemence-Hydes

The Hartwell building where AO first started (1833 - William Beecher)

Daniel Wells Schreck, Direct descendant of George W. Wells (Portrait) in Southhbridge at
Wells Family Reunion

Family photo in front of the AO Main Plant in the Fall of 1954

Photos of AO Employee's in the 1920's ?
 

Order the newly published 2007 version of "Street Corners of Southbridge" Joe Capillo book online!
 
 

Postcard image from ~1940s - submitted by Michael LaFleche