Whitney Web Page - Southbridge History & More
Southbridge, Massachusetts
"The Eye of the Commonwealth"
and birthplace of American Optical.
Dick Whitney's Top Ten^* List
of why I am optimistic about Southbridge and Its Future-

	Enter your search termsSubmit search form
	Web dickwhitney.net

1.) Private Sector initiatives -

 
 

The 12 Crane Street Complex renovation - Dark Horse pub offically open and along with Sevengaits Artist complex !

Southbridge has not seen anything like this.
For info on the gallery, check out www.sevengaits.com
Check out Crane Streets new website: http://www.12crane.com/; better yet, come down and check it out!

Read the Worcester Business Journal 3-Mar-08 Article
on the exciting plan for renovating Memorial Hall bld on Main St.

Find out about the renovation of the Historic Unitarian Church (368 Main). To see what great things are happening to Southbridge, read the following May 17, 2005 Southbridge Evening News Article about the many present and planned new businesses in Southbridge. This article, titled "The Color of Success" appears Courtesy of the Southhbridge Evening News!
 
 

The Vienna Restaurant and Bed and BreakfastCome experience this wonderful edition to town. Jonathan and Lisa Krach (and family) relocated from Springfield to Southbridge to open up their new business in town. This building was one of the Southbridge Historical Commission awards for the year 2002 was presented to Gabriel McCarthy and Margaret Morrissey for the restoration of 14 South St shown below.

Restoration of the Flat Iron Building renovation has resulted in in many new shops.  Check them out!!!

A house renovated by Gabriel McCarthy at 400 Main Street received the first award for Restoration from the Southbridge Historical Commission in 2000. Congratulations as well for 2002 recognition of 14 South St.! See awards of others as well.

2.) The  Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center  and Southbridge Business Center complex. Recent public events such as Memories project and Flood presentations at the Prism auditorium show the state of the art facility in our town. If you haven't seen it, go down and request a tour!!! On May 28th, 2002 over 500 attended the AO Reunion Luncheon, and for all those who came the positive impact of such facility on the community is obvious!

3.) Expansions- Harrington Hospital recently completed a major expansion and renovation. Our community is most fortunate to have this facility in our Town! For more information:

The Jacob Edwards Library, which expanded several years ago, sponsors many events of interest to the town and is a treasure.
Check out June 2006's Pride event with Wicked's author Gary Maguire.
 

Savers Bank $4 Million Expansion &  Renovation of Historic Ammidown Building was completed, with great care and expense given to maintaining the historic structure.  Click here for Aug 22, 2001 photo of Construction Crane and newly actived intersection lights (point #4). This new home opened on June 24, 2002 and gave a major facelift to the downtown and demonstrates business committment to Southbridge. This and other Southbridge Property renovations recieved honors from the Southbridge Historical Commission on December 19, 2002. Click here to see more about this well deserved honor !

Hamilton St. is seeing much improvment in the Flat Iron area, as well as near main street. Stay tuned for exciting new details on much more on Hamilton St!

4.) The Evolving Artist Complex located on Mill St in Southbridge. Check this out!

5.) New Stores & locations - 2006: Many store have opened since the last update.  G&R Fish and Fruits, Smashmouth Sports relocated to Main St, Styles clothing (the old Goodwins Building), the Fudge Store on Hamilton St. , new Clothing store and Sports store on Hamilon to name a few.
 

A few years earlier Marios, Bakery on Goddard St., Family Choice Mortgage (400 Main St.).  Brooks pharmacy expanded and relocated to the corner of  Main and Marcy;photo below (right) shows the new building, now open.

6.) The Downtown partnership is actively working for to improve the central business area of Southbridge, and promote the town. Serious efforts are underway, and volunteers are working to improve the town. Check out their website at www.southbridgeinfo.com. Note the extensive listing of businesses added to this site, for those not familiar with what Southbridge has to offer.

7.) Installation of Street Lights, new sidewalks, Stop Lights at most intersections, Etc.

8.) Expansion of the YMCA was completed a few years ago. Click here for July 16, 2001 photo during its expansion.

9.) Projections for Future Growth in this region are significant.

10.) Town Services we sometimes take for granted: Fire Dept, Police, Water, Sewerage, Trash pickup, Harrington Hospital, Library (newly expanded and renovated), etc.

12.) Many Support agencies for Southbridge and surrounding areas and also are giving to others when needed.  Check this out:

13.) The youth of Southbridge; here is an example! Read Aoife McCarthy's 8th grade essay on the Town.

14.) How others see our town  Rev Sept 4, 2007

* Decided to expand upon my list of 10, as I make my own rules!

Feedback, Suggestions, Comments? e-mail me at r.b.whitney@verizon.net

Rev Sept 14  2007

Southbridge Page

Whitney Home Page
(Sign My Guestbook at the bottom of my Home Page!)