More information on this image is available at the Easton Historical Society in North Easton, MA
www.flickr.com/photos/historicalimagesofeastonma/albums
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The development by Oliver Ames and Sons Corporation of the factory and village land use in a rather organic manner with a mix work-related classes created an integrated geographic network. The housing on perimeter edge with factories and business affairs in the center creating the village concept in North Easton. Other important concepts were the Furnace Village Cemetery, Furnace Village Grammar School and the Furnace Village Store, which explains Furnace Village and other sections of Easton.
source: Massachusetts Historical Commission
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Frothingham Memorial Park
Frothingham Memorial Park was established by Mary Ames Frothingham in memory of her husband Congressman Louis Adams Frothingham. Many athletic events including the first Little League games ill the middle of the century took place at the park. Since 1979, Oliver Ames High School graduations have been held here. Additional land on Park Street was acquired in 1998, and new play equipment has been purchased for the park by the North Easton Savings Bank. During its seventy-year history, there have been only three park directors: John C. Mason until 1961, Frederick A. Coe from 1961 to 1972, and Robert J. Wooster.
source: Memories of Twentieth Century Easton, Easton Historical Society, 2000
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Frothingham Memorial Park
On October 23, 1930, the Louis A. Frothingham Memorial Corporation established the Frothingham Memorial Park in North Easton. The charter read: THE COMMONWEAL TH OF MASSACHUSETTS Be it known that whereas Mary A. Frothingham, John S. Ames, Jr., Elise A. Parker, William N. Howard, Edward N. Carr, Fanny H. Ames, and Royden C. Leonard have associated themselves with the intention of forming a corporation under the name of the Louis A. Frothingham Memorial Corporation for the purpose of the following: To establish and maintain a park and playground for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Town of Easton and for their social and physical improvement without profit of any kind at any time to said corporation or any shareholder therein; with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, common stock. Par value, one hundred dollars. The amount of capital stock now to be issued in five-hundred shares, to be paid for as follows: In Property: real estate: location, between Day and Sheridan Streets, North Easton, area, approximately 25 acres, five hundred shares; and have com plied with the provisions of the Statutes of this Commonwealth in such case made and provided, as appears from the certificate of the Proper Officers of said corporation, duly approved by the Commissioner of Corporations and Taxation, and recorded in this office: Now, therefore, I, Frederic W. Cook, Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do HEREBY CERTIFY that said Mary A. Frothingham, John S. Ames, Jr. Elise A. Parker, William N. Howard, Edward M. Carr, Fanny H. Ames and Royden C. Leonard, heir associates and successors, are legally organized and established, as, and are hereby made, an existing corporation under the name of the Louis A. Frothingham Memorial Corporation with the powers, rights, and privileges, and subject to the limitations, duties and restrictions, which by law appertain there to, Witness my official signature hereunto subscribed, and the Great Seal of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, hereunto affixed, this twenty-third day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and thirty. F. W. Cook (signature) The area that is now Frothingham Memorial Park was once a swamp. When it was purchased for the location of the park, the area was drained except for a small pond which lay between where the tennis courts and basketball courts now exist. In 1936 the pond was eliminated. When the park was first opened, it was similar in many ways to its appearance today. The football field, tennis courts, and playground equipment were in existence. However, the baseball diamond was slightly different. Home plate was located where second base is today. The long wooden logs which continue off of the cement bleachers and are today used as bleachers were originally put there to hold up the banking where it had been dug out. The A.A.U. cinder track, which is now one of the few remaining tracks of this type, was part of the original layout. The basketball court was not added until about 1936. The press box and new shed were built only recently. There have been several changes made in the park since the spring of 1973. These including the clearing of the area behind the new shed near the Park and Center Streets corner. The area, which had been previously overgrown, was relandscaped. The building of a new set of seesaws and the painting of the seesaws and all the benches in the park. The enlarging and improving of the basketball court. A streetlight was also installed nearby to allow use after dark The addition of a large wooden structure designed by Shepard Williams for young children to climb on. The planting of many small evergreen trees just inside the Sheridan Street gate. The redesigning of the baseball field which is now one of the best in the area. The success of open-air concerts held at the park.There are memorial plaques on both the Sheridan Street and Day Street gates. The Sheridan Street’s is inscribed: LOUIS A. FROTHINGHAM MEMORIAL PARK- OR THE PLEASURE OF HIS FELLOW TOWNSMEN. The one on Day Street says: TO SET THE CAUSE ABOVE RENOWN TO LOVE THE GAME BEYOND THE PRIZE. A plaque on the large rock inside the park contains interesting information about the life of Louis A. Frothingham. He was born in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts on July 13, 1871. He was the son of Thomas B. Frothingham and Anne Pearson. In 1893, he received his A.B. from Harvard University. In 1896, he was admitted to the bar. He practiced law in Boston except for a time in 1898. In 1918, he became a Major. He was very active in politics. From 1901 to 1905, he was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, serving as Speaker during 1904-5. He ran as the Republican candidate for mayor of Boston in 1905 but did not win. In 1908, he was elected Lieutenant Governor. in I910, he re-elected for a second term. In 1911, he ran for Governor but the political tide in the country was too strongly Democratic that year and he lost, but only by a small plurality. In 1916, he married Mary Shreve Ames and came to Easton and -Wayside- to live. During the 1920s, he was the Representative from the 14th Congressional District to the 67th, 68th, 69th, and 70th Congresses. He was the author of several books including a Brief History of Constitution and Government of Massachusetts. He was also well known for his work with several peace groups. He died on August 23, 1928. Since 1930, three men have overseen maintaining the park. The first was John C. Mason (1930-1961); the second, Frederick A. Coe (1961-1972), and the superintendent was Robert J. Wooster. All salaries and expenses are paid for by funds from the Louis A. Frothingham Memorial Corporation. Frothingham Memorial Park has proven very valuable because of the variety of recreational opportunities it offers. The football field has been used by Oliver Ames High School since its creation. The baseball fields have been used by the town teams, the Huskies, the American Legion teams, the high school teams, and many youths leagues. The basketball and tennis courts are extensively used, and physical education classes for those using the school structure at Lincoln and Barrows Streets are conducted at the park. Many high school track meets were conducted at the park before the new track at the high school was constructed. Each summer, the Easton Recreation Commission uses the park for youth activities during the mornings. Starting in 1973, several open-air concerts have been conducted in the evening. This practice was initially begun when Mrs. Frothingham was alive. She would frequently hire a band to perform at the park on Sundays, and these special days became regular field days.
Source: History of Easton, Massachusetts, Vol. II, M. McEntee, Easton Historical Society, ET AL, 1886-1974
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Almost thirty years (1930) have passed since the late Mary Ames Frothingham dedicated the Louis A. Frothingham Memorial Park in North Easton in the memory of her husband. Since that year thousands of our youth have enjoyed the facilities of the nine-acre playground situated off Center Street, between Park and Day Streets. A bronze tablet set in a boulder at the east end of the park gives a brief history of the life of Louis A. Frothingham. He was born in Jamaica Plain in 1871 into a family whose ancestors were among the founders of the Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth Colonies. During four years at Harvard he was an active member and letterman in baseball and football, serving as captain of the baseball team for two years. In 1901, he entered public life as a member of the House in the General Court. After serving as Speaker of the House he was a successful candidate for Lt. Governor in 1901. Mr. Frothingham became a resident of the town after his marriage to Mary Shreve Ames. Wayside, their estate off Elm Street, was a well-known beauty spot. The rose gardens were famous and can still be remembered by many of our townspeople. As a member of Congress, he served the people of the 14th District until his death in August 1928. The park is maintained by a board of trustees (Editor’s note; Mrs. Wm. A. Parker, Pres., John S. Ames, Jr. and David Ames) at no cost to the town and is supervised by John G. Mason of Day Street. Recently the tennis courts were resurfaced, and the ball fields improved for the seasonal heavy schedules. Throughout the summer the park is in constant use by children of all ages. From morning to dusk, the various leagues and teams are playing scheduled games, while under the large trees the younger children play in the sandboxes or on the playground equipment. One of the present activities under way, supervised by qualified personnel, is sponsored by the Lions Club and the park trustees. A visit to the park in the morning will convince you note that words are inadequate to express the gratitude of the town to the donor for the park and countless other benevolences.
source, Easton Historical Society
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History of Wayside below
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Frothingham Memorial Park
Frothingham Memorial Park is a memorial to Louis Adams Frothingham, who served in the U. S. House of Representatives from 1921 to 1928. It was dedicated to the Town of Easton September 27, 1930 by his widow, Mary Ames Frothingham. Born in 1867, Mary Ames, the daughter of Frederick Lothrop Ames, grew up at "Langwater" with her brothers Oliver, F. Lothrop, and John S., and sister Helen. She devoted much of her life to charities including the Ames Free Library, the Red Cross, and Christmas parties for the children of Easton from 1914 until her death in 1955. In 1912 she moved from "Langwater" to her newly Guy Lowell-designed home "Wayside• (now the Town Offices). Elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1901, he was Speaker of the House in 1904 and 1905. In both 1908 and 1910 he was elected Lt. Governor. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor in 1912. He was also elected an Overseer of Harvard University and was at that time the youngest man ever to serve in that office. In 1920 he won the 14th Congressional seat and served until his sudden death August 23. 1928. A grieving Mary Frothingham seeking an appropriate memorial for her husband created the Louis A. Frothingham Memorial Corporation to construct a park for the townspeople of Easton and to refurbish the Anna C. Ames Hall on Barrows Street into a civic center in honor of her husband. In his junior-an extraordinary honor and proof of his incredible second base skill. At graduation he was considered by many to be the best collegiate second baseman in the country. Before Mrs. Frothingham purchased the land on which the park was to be built, Josiah Goward’s family owned the property that stretched from Center Street to Sheridan Street. Goward’s Pond was situated where the athletic field currently lies and was needed for ice for keeping beef in the slaughter house which was located a couple of hundred feet away from the pond. After Mr. Goward died in 1898, the slaughterhouse and ice house became dysfunctional due to non-use. The pond was used for skating and hockey in the winter and fishing in the springtime. A small pond near the children’s play area was later drained in 1936. The layout of the Park was designed by Joseph Lee of Harvard University, President of the Playground Association of America. It was the same company that built Harvard Stadium. Real steam shovels and steam rollers were used. The Park cost $98,785.05 in 1930 dollars. The formal dedication took place September 27, 1930. Hundreds of adults and children attended the ceremony. The bronze tablet rock boulder was unveiled by Mrs. Frothingham’s nephews John S. Ames, Sr., and David Ames, Sr. The Park replaced the Plains off Lincoln Street as the new athletic center of Easton. Oliver Ames High School sports teams (football, baseball, track, tennis, and field hockey) made the new facility their new venue. The basketball court was added in 1941. A white and green cottage was built at 18 Day Street for the caretaker John C. Mason, who managed the Park and ensured it stayed in the best condition. He lived in the cottage rent free in exchange for taking care of the Park and providing instruction for the children and teens using the Park. Also, he was the history teacher, Athletic Director and Faculty Manager at Oliver Ames High School and held all of these positions until his sudden death June 6, 1961. Then, Frederick A. Coe became the Park Superintendent until 1972, when Robert "Buddy" Wooster assumed the responsibility.
In the early 1950s Easton’s Little League was organized, and most games were played there until 1972. During the 1970s major landscape changes recommended by Shepard Williams involved grooming the undeveloped east end of the Park and adding the ramp near the Park Street entrance. Planting grass, shrubs, and trees were central to making the Park more beautiful and lush. The Directors at that time included President David Ames, Jr. William M. Ames, Patricia M.DeCoste, Wayne T. Evans, David E. Marsan, Leo D.McEvoy, Jr., Alfred G. Morse, and Treasurer and Clerk Douglas D. Porter. Plaques were created to honor earlier trustees including David Ames, Sr. John Ames, Sr., and Elise Ames Parker.
In 1979 Principal Duncan B. Oliver moved the Oliver Ames High School graduation ceremonies to the Park which allowed for a larger audience of proud parents and friends. This beautiful setting continues to be used for graduations as recently as June 5, 2016. The fiftieth anniversary of the Park was held July 4, 1980 with more than five hundred present. A baseball game featured players older than 35 who had participated in sports at the Park earlier in their careers. Refreshments were available for all, and the program ended with Lou Clay and his barber-shop quartet performing for the crowd.The major feature of the seventieth celebration was the video of the history of the Park funded by the North Easton Savings Bank and prepared by Richard Reagan, Jr. of the OAHS Class of 1972. He had become a television writer/producer for WCBS TV in New York City. However, he returned to Easton to prepare this forty-minute documentary. Many athletes were interviewed in this extraordinary video with early pictures being provided by the Easton Historical Society. The premiere occurred November 30, 2001 at Oakes Ames Memorial Hall with President David Ames, Jr. moderating. Mr. Ames was President for thirty-five years. Also, available was the remarkable painting of the Park prepared by Mary T. Bodio. The seventy-fifth anniversary celebration September 9, 2005 was an Old Fashioned Field Day with a picnic lunch and performances by Wayne Potash and the Oliver Ames Marching Band. Also, a video history of the Park prepared by Edmund Hands was available. During this current century many upgrades have occurred including the purchasing of new lawn grooming equipment that allows faster and more efficient upkeep, new equipment to grade and maintain the infield of the baseball diamond which has been leveled and the pitcher’s mound rebuilt, new fencing added in front of the players’ benches for safety, and new backstop fencing. The baseball scoreboard has been upgraded to current technology, and all the stone columns have been completely taken down to ground level and rebuilt. Almost one hundred yards of infield mix have been added to level the infield with the grass. The maintenance shed has been rebuilt, a new concrete floor installed, and the cupola atop the shed has been restored. The entry way and walkways to Day Street have been stabilized with asphalt tack coat and new stone dust. Community Preservation Funds were awarded in 2013 for improvement of the Park ($45,000) and in 2014 for playground restoration ($57,000). New columns at the Park Street entrance were donated by the Williams Family Trust, and picnic tables near the playground and nine new playground pieces were purchased and installed with the help of the Mom’s Club.
source: The Town of Easton Community Calendar, 2016-2017, North Easton Savings Bank
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Wayside -136 Elm Street
In the 1880s, owners were Levi and Marion Fitton who kept house with a son, Hester Fitton, who was a public school teacher. Levi Fitton worked for Rice & Hutchins Company. In the 1880’s, Webster J., also worked for Rice & Hutchins Company, and Minnie S. Webster kept house with a son, Henry P. Webster. In 1898, Hester A. Fitton passed away. Also, Minnie S. Webster’s brother, George H. Wells, lived with the Websters. In the 1900’s, owners were Webster J., a shoe shop foreman, and Minnie E. Fitton, with a son, Henry P. Fitton. The father of Webster J. Fitton, Levi Fitton, lived with the family following his retirement. On November 20,1909, Webster J. Fitton sold Wayside Parcel # 3A while Levi Fitton sold Wayside Parcel #3 fronting Elm Street to Mary S. Ames to be part of Wayside. On May 1, 1912, Mary S. Ames purchased two additional parcels of land behind Parcel #3 and #3A which was the location of the Rose Garden. Levi Fitton died in 1920, followed by Minnie E. Fitton passing away in 1924. Located on the westerly side of the Town Hall into the area of Whitman’s Brook Drive was the Rose Garden created by Mrs. Frothingham in the 1920s with the guidance of Landscape Architect Herbert J. Kellaway, (1867-1947) FASLA and rose expert Henry W. Foote. Mrs. Frothingham had done some work for a number of years, until placing the designing with the architect and the rose expert. The design of the garden was made by Mr. Herbert J. Kellaway with Mrs. Foote selecting the roses and supervising the planting. The garden was separated into three parts with the upper part being 36 by 48 feet, the middle section 44 by 64 feet and the lower section 64 by 112 feet. Coming from the mansion, you will see the Italian-designed well that Mary Frothingham purchased while in Italy. She brought the well back to Wayside to be placed in the Rose Garden. Enhancing the view of the Rose Garden, a pathway was cut through the brush to see the opposite end which was the larger sitting area. A pathway led to the rose garden with groupings of terraces with roses blooming any way you would look. A large summer gazebo was directed at a circular pool , twenty-three feet round with a eighteen inch curb. There was a fountain with baby rambler roses around it providing beauty during the summer. The lower level followed the design of the pool with lattice details for climbing roses. In 1911, Andrew Masson, first superintendent of Wayside during its development, assisted in placement and planting in the new estate. He passed away at the age of 31 on December 17, 1918 being a victim of the influenza epidemic. Andrew resided on Elm Street with his wife, Margaret Orr Masson with an daughter, Mary Elizabeth Masson. Coming from Scotland in 1912, James W, Watt of 160 Elm Street was superintendent of Wayside from the late 1920’s until the arrival of John Luke in October of 1945. When John Luke and his family first came to Easton and Wayside in 1945, Mary Frothingham made a point to escort his family to the Unity Church. In her zest to make the family feel welcome, it did not come to mind if going to her church was the family’s first choice of church. The welcome did not affect John Luke as he worked in North Easton for three decades. He was the Superintendent of Wayside from 1945-1960 and then was Superintendent of both Unity Close and Sheep Pasture from 1960 to 1975. Mrs. William Parker built a greenhouse for him at Sheep Pasture and renovated the one at Unity Close. During his work at Wayside, Mary Ames Frothingham would take her weekly Friday afternoon walk around the property with John Luke going over the state of the landscape at Wayside particularly the Rose Garden. Wayside including the Rose Garden was known in the horticultural community for the quality workmanship in the gardens. In 1923, Noanett Garden Club of Dover elected Mary Ames Frothingham as its first president, a position she held until 1932. The Committee on Gardens for Massachusetts Horticultural Society visiting gardens in many parts of the state resulted in Mary Ames Frothingham receiving a Silver Medal for a Rose Garden of superior merit. In October of 1927, the award was announced at the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Society. In 1930, Mary Ames Frothingham organized the Garden Club of Easton, serving as its first president. On June 23, 1941, Mary Ames Frothingham, held in esteem by other librarians, hosted a tea in the Rose Garden for over one hundred members of the American Library Association. On June 18, 1931, Mary Ames Frothingham was visited by William Henry Judd, affiliated with the Arnold Arboretum and Harvard University describing his visit to the Rose Garden as where there was a delightful Rose Garden. The Rose Garden was the attraction for many groups in the 1920’s and 1930’s. The later years for Mary Ames Frothingham saw her entertaining becoming limited over time. A plaque honoring John Luke’s service is located near the entrance of Whitman’s Brook Drive reading Honoring the Exquisite Rose Gardens of Mrs. Louis A. Frothingham Given By The Family of John Luke Wayside’s Last Superintendent. On Friday, April 27, 2007, the Department of Public Works, Town of Easton, at the annual Arbor Day celebration had a tree planting at the Town Office in memory of John Luke, the last Superintendent of Wayside and father of James M. Luke, who was the Highway Supervisor at the time. Historically known as Wayside consisting of 79.6 acres of land accumulated in multiple purchases of parcels from 1909 through 1915. Mary S. Ames was born in 1867, and grew up at Langwater in North Easton. After the passing of her parents, Frederick L. Ames (1835-1893) and Rebecca Blair Ames (1838-1903), and the marriages of her brothers, Oliver, F. Lothrop and John S. Ames, Mary wanted to have a home to call her own. Mary lived in the Gate Lodge on her brother John’s estate while the house, designed by her friend and architect, Guy Lowell, was being built with construction finished in 1912. She married Louis Adams Frothingham on May 8, 1916 at the Arlington Street Church in Boston. The bridegroom’s brother, Rev. Paul Revere Frothingham, was assisted in the ceremony by Rev. William L. Chaffin, who authored the History of Easton in 1886. In the 1920’s, owners were Louis A., a lawyer, and Mary Shreve Ames Frothingham with staff workers, Horace Pridmore, Charles Swanson, Dorothy Hooper, Mary Kearney, Ellen Haydon, Ellen, MacDonough and Mary Moore. From 1901 to 1905, he was a member of the Massachusetts State House of Representatives and served as Lieutenant Governor from 1909 to 1911. Following the war, Louis Frothingham helped organize the American Legion and was the first Vice-Commander of the Massachusetts Branch. He organized the George S. Shepard Post No. 7, serving as the first Commander. In 1920, Mary Ames Frothingham started the American Legion Auxiliary, becoming its first president. He was the 14th Congressional Representative from 1921 until his death on August 23, 1928. For four decades, Mary Shreve Ames Frothingham gave a Christmas party for all the grammar school children in Easton on the afternoon before the Christmas vacation. The half day off party was held at Oakes Ames Memorial Hall, until the addition was made to the original Oliver Ames High School on Lincoln and Barrows Streets in 1930. Together with her brothers, John S. Ames and Frederick Lothrop Ames, they gave Easton the North Easton Grammar School. Easton had operator-assisted phone service in the late 1930s and the ’40s. Mary Shreve Ames Frothingham had the number of Easton 54 prior to the dial-direct service which came to Easton in 1957. In the 1930’s, owner was widow Mary Shreve Ames Frothingham. Also, residing were Susan Doyle, Sarah Bethune, Nellie E. Haredon, Annie McPhail, Lena H. Osterud, Lola Palillos and Edith L. Shipstedt. Mary was known affectionately as Aunt Minnie to members of the Ames family. In the early 1950’s, owner was widow Mary Shreve Ames Frothingham until her passing on May 5, 1955, at the age of 88. Mary Shreve Ames Frothingham was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Ames Free Library from 1900 through 1955 and its President from 1929 through 1955. In 1960, the estate, formerly known as Wayside which had been the home of Louis Adams and Mary Shreve Ames Frothingham, was turned over to the Town of Easton for $1, along with its 8.6 acres of land. There are two plaques noting the transfer to the Town of the home and the surrounding property on the wall near the door of the Town Offices opposite the staircase. The inscriptions on the plaques read This Building is a Gift to The Town of Easton In Memory of John S. Ames and Mary Ames Frothingham 1960, Given By Mrs. John S. Ames. The remaining part of Wayside, which included 71 acres was bought by William and Elise Ames Parker. The Town of Easton dedicated the building as its Town Hall on June 4, 1961. Although Mrs. John S. Ames did not want any kind of recognition at the time of the gift to the Town in 1960, the Historical Commission felt it should have a more appropriate plaque. In December 1991, the plaque was dedicated where Mrs. Ames’ son, David was supposed to be the speaker. However, he died ten days before the 1991 dedication, and his brother, Oliver F. Ames became the speaker. Later, the Easton Historical Commission with Historian Ed Hands placed a plaque outside the front door commemorating the building’s 100 years of history. Frothingham Park is a memorial to Louis Adams Frothingham which was dedicated to the Town of Easton on September 27, 1930 by his wife, Mary Ames Shreve Frothingham. Historian Hazel L. Varella wrote a brochure entitled "Wayside in cooperation with the Easton Historical Commission, Easton Historical Society and the Easton School System. Showing on a plan titled Land in Easton, Showing Conveyance, Nancy F. Ames to Town of Easton dated November 10, 1959, the home of Louis Adams and Mary Shreve Ames Frothingham was turned over to the Town. A verbal agreement was made by David Ames and Frank Sargent, Chairman of the Committee on Housing Town Departments for the Town of Easton, to Mrs. John S. Ames, Sr. The agreement was that no building would be constructed from the front line of the Easton Town Hall at 136 Elm Street. The objective was not to obstruct the view of the Town Offices from the street to the mansion. David Ames stressed that the statement be included in the Wayside booklet, so that future generations would know of the agreement.
source: Easton Historical Society
source; Massachusetts Historical Commission
source: Ancestry
source: History of Easton, William L. Chaffin, 1886
source: Easton’s Neighborhoods, Edmund C. Hands, 1995
source: History of Unionville-North Easton, Massachusetts
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Ames Shovel Company Chronology
source: Easton Historical Society, 2004
1774? – The year is uncertain, but sometime before 1776, John Ames began the manufacture of shovels on Town River in West Bridgewater. The site of his forge and adjoining land are now the West Bridgewater War Memorial Park.
1779 – Oliver Ames, youngest son of John Ames, was born in West Bridgewater on April 13.
1803 – Oliver Ames came to Easton, and on August 1, bought for $1600 a forge, nail-making shop, dwelling house, and several pieces of land near the Shovel Shop Dam on Pond Street. This dam and the shops had been built in 1792-3. He used the forge as a shovel shop and the nail-shop for making shovel and hoe handles. The famous Ames bend was made by putting the handles in the dam.
1805 – The first recorded date of making shovels in North Easton is April 17 when a Mr. Randall charged him $1.00 for carting six dozen shovels to Boston. No doubt he made shovels as early as 1803, and hauled them to Boston, (himself). John Ames died during this year, on July 17, in West Bridgewater, and Oliver inherited the forge and land there.
1807 – Oliver Ames moved to Plymouth, Mass., and for seven years supervised the shovel-making plant of the Plymouth Iron Works. Their forges were on Town Brook above the lowest dam, which still exists on Summer Street. Oliver Ames also manufactured cotton-spinning machinery and other machines at the Plymouth Works. He lived in the “Long House” nearby (now numbered 120-122 Summer Street) and here his third son, Oliver, was born. He continued the shovel-making plants at North Easton and West Bridgewater. In association with Asa Waters he also manufactured hoes in Easton near the Hoe Shop Dam behind the Unity Church Cemetery.
1813 – Oliver Ames bought the land in Easton on which he now began to build his homestead, 25 Main Street, together with several large adjacent parcels.
1814 – Owing to the depression as a result of the War of 1812, the Plymouth Iron Works closed and Oliver Ames returned to North Easton.
1815 – Oliver Ames bought the shop at Hoe Shop Pond, which had been manufacturing hoes under the firm name of Ames, Waters & Co. He used the shop for making shovels, discontinuing the manufacture of hoes.
1817 – Oliver Ames made the first back-strapped shovels.
1823 – Oliver Ames built a dam and shop in South Braintree as an adjunct to his North Easton plant.
1825 – Oliver Ames, together with the owners of other water powers on the Queset River, raised and enlarged the Long Pond dam to conserve more water. A smaller dam had been built there in 1763 by Stoughton farmers to flood the meadows above. Shortly after the dam was enlarged (in 1826), he built a wooden shop there.
1826 – Oliver Ames built a stone shop, 40 feet long and 25 feet wide, as part of the main plant at the Shovel Shop Pond dam.
1828 – Oliver Ames built a stone shop at the Hoe Shop dam to replace the former wooden one. During this year, Ames Shovels broke ground for the B & O railroad in Baltimore.
1837 – Oliver Ames manufactured shovels worth $108,000 during the year, employing 84 workmen.
1844 – Oliver Ames, now 65 years old, turned the active management of his business over to his sons, Oakes and Oliver, giving each 1/3 interest, and retaining 1/3 himself. The firm, previously known merely as “O. Ames,” now became a partnership as “Oliver Ames & Sons.” The shop in Canton was acquired at this time.
1844-1845 – The dam at Flyaway Pond was built by the Company to conserve the water supply.
1845 – Oliver Ames & Sons manufactured shovels worth $132,000 during the year, and employed 72 workmen in their Easton shops. Twenty thousand dozen shovels were manufactured.
1847 – The Company built a small brick office or “Counting House” on Main Street, replaced by a larger one in 1863. The Company replaced its old store on Main Street with a larger one, 60 by 35 feet. Additional water privileges were purchased on Bolivar Street in Canton, and the dam was enlarged and a stone shop built there.
1849 – A large wooden barn to house the horses and oxen owned by the company was built on the corner of Oliver and Main Streets with a carriage house built just north of it, for the partners’ private horses and carriages. This was originally called the “Chaise House.” At this same time, the Gold Rush was taking place in California. Ames Shovels were so valuable there that they were used as currency.
1851 – The Long Pond dam was repaired with heavy stone construction.
1852 – (March 2) Fire destroyed the wooden shops grouped near the Shovel Shop Pond dam in which most of the manufacturing had heretofore been done. One thousand dozen finished shovels stored there were also destroyed. Carpenters were brought in from nearby towns and in less than three weeks temporary shops were built and work resumed. These wooden shops were so constructed that they might later be divided into dwellings, and some of the houses made from them still stand on Oliver Street. The building of new, permanent stone shops was now begun, with most of the stone coming from a quarry behind Frothingham Hall on Barrows Street. The stone for the previously built shops had been brought from Quincy. The Long Shop (530 feet) was built first, and the first steam engine (60 horse power) was installed in it. Prior to this, water wheels had furnished all the power.
1853 – The trip-hammer shop was built, and a second steam engine installed there. A new and larger carriage house and stable were built on the site of the old one.
1855 – The Company reported that they manufactured shovels valued at $600,000 in Easton during this year and employed 330 workmen. A private railroad line (opened May 16) for the shipment of shovels was built by the Company from North Easton to Stoughton where it connected with the Boston and Providence Railroad. Previously, the shovels had been carted to Canton, Stoughton, or to the steamboats at Fall River by four or six horse teams. He also had carted shovels to Taunton for shipping out the Taunton River.
1857 – The machine shop was built.
1862 – Queen Victoria granted a patent to William Newton to make Ames shovels throughout the British Empire.
1863 – Oliver Ames, Senior, died in his 85th year. His one-third interest in the firms was divided among his grandsons. Frederick Lothrop Ames, Oakes Angier Ames, and Oliver Ames were taken into the partnership, while his youngest grandson, Frank Morton Ames, was later made manager of the Kingsley Iron and Machine Co. of Canton in which Oliver Ames & Sons had controlling interest. A new and larger brick office was built on the site of the previous smaller one on Main Street (torn down in 1951). On the second floor of the new building were the first two banks in Easton: the North Easton Savings Bank and the First National Bank of Easton.
1865 – The Antrim Shop was built. Just north of it on Main Street and behind a small pond stood the Company’s blacksmith shop. This shop was torn down in 1931. The Antrim Shop was remodeled into a private garage. The Company reported that during this year they made 65,500 dozen shovels in Easton, valued at $982,500, and employed 250 men. The use of steam power and machinery accounted for the drop in numbers of workmen.
1866 – The Old Colony Railroad ran a line through North Easton, taking over the Company’s private branch to Stoughton. During this year, the Handle Shop was built.
1867 – The Plate-polishing Shop was built.
1868 – A canal from Picker Pond to the Hoe Shop was built. This year 120,000 dozen shovels were made and 500 workmen were employed. Orders were received from Europe, Australia, South America, Africa, and China.
1869-1870 – The new east wing to the Long Shop was built (sometimes called the “storehouse”).
1870 – Owing to business depression and failures of other firms, Oliver Ames & Sons was forced to ask its collectors for a temporary suspension which was granted. The liabilities were about $7,000,000.00. Within two years they paid all indebtedness with interest. During this time, Oakes Angier Ames invented the handle-bending machine.
1873 – Oakes Ames, the senior partner, died, and his sons, Oakes Angier and Oliver 2nd, inherited his interest in the partnership.
1875 – The Company reported that they made shovels valued at $1,500,000 employing 500 workmen. The rate of production was 450 dozen shovels per day.
1876 – The firm was changed from a partnership and became Oliver Ames & Sons Corporation: Oliver Ames, President; Oakes Angier Ames, Superintendent; Frederick Lothrop Ames, Treasurer; Oliver Ames 2nd, Secretary. Ames shovels won first prize at the Philadelphia International Exposition.
1877 – Oliver Ames died and Oakes Angier Ames succeeded him as President.
1879 – Ames shovels totaled three-fifths of the world’s production of shovels.
1880 – The New Plate-polishing Shop was built. Ames shovels won first prize in the Australian Trade Exposition.
1881 – During the year 127,000 dozen shovels were made and 422 workmen employed.
1886 – Production was 117,500 shovels a year (451 shovels each working hour of 10 hour day) with 500 workmen employed. A great freshet on February 12 nearly undermined the Long Pond dam.
1887 – The large barn on Main Street, built in 1849, was burned. Owing to the railroad facilities, fewer horses and oxen were now used, and these were stalled in the nearby carriage house.
1892 – The shop in South Braintree was sold.
1893 – Frederick Lothrop Ames died and his son, Oliver Ames, succeeded him as Treasurer of the Corporation. Ames shovels won first prize in the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
1897 – A new barn was built on the same site to replace the one that had been burned in 1887. The carriage house, which had been at the corner of Main and Oliver Streets, became part of the new barn. Also, Ames shovels were used to create the country’s first subway which opened in Boston.
1899 – Oakes Angier Ames died, and his son, Hobart Ames, succeeded him as President of the Corporation. Ames shovels were used in the building of the New York subways.
1901 – The Corporation was reorganized and the Ames Shovel and Tool Company, Inc., under a merger combined with T. Rowland’s Sons of Cheltenham, PA; the Wright Shovel Co. of Anderson, IN; the St. Louis Shovel Co. of St. Louis, MO; the H.M. Myers Shovel Co. of Beaver Falls, PA; and the Elwood Steel Plant of Elwood, IN. Handle-making plants in St. Albans, ME, Paris, Texas, and Warren, PA were also acquired. Hobart Ames was elected President and William Hadwen Ames, Secretary.
1903 – A part of the Long Shop was electrically lighted by a dynamo built by Hobart Ames and William Hadwen Ames. Previously all of the shops had been lighted by kerosene lamps.
1904 – Louisiana Purchase World Exposition honored Ames shovels as “Best Made.”
1906 – Rate of shovel making was 376 dozen per day. Employees included English, Irish, Swedish and Portuguese.
1924 – Hobart Ames resigned as President and was
succeeded by A.C. Howell.
1926 – The Easton plant was now completely lighted
by electricity. Electricity was also used to replace steam. Electrification was completed in 1929, when the last steam engine was dismantled and the last water wheel
discontinued.
1927 – The shop in Canton was sold.
1928 – William A. Ready succeeded A.C. Howell as President. The barn on Main Street, built in 1897, was remodeled into offices and occupied in the autumn of the year.
1928-1929 – A new shop of steel, glass, concrete, and asbestos, called the new Blade Shop, was begun August 28, 1928 and completed in 1929.
1929 – Herbert Hoover, Henry Ford, and Thomas Edison laid the cornerstone for Greenfield Village outside Detroit with an Ames shovel.
1931 – The Ames Shovel and Tool Company was reorganized and combined with other plants as the Ames, Baldwin, and Wyoming Co. Richard Harte, great-great-great-grandson of John Ames, was elected President.
1932 – The main office of the Ames, Baldwin, Wyoming Co. was removed from Easton to Parkersburg, West Virginia, owing to the latter’s more advantageous geographical position. The Easton works, however, continued in operation. The Company entered the garden tool field. Five thousand different types are made.
1935 – The land on which John Ames’ forge in West Bridgewater stood was deeded by the Ames family to the Town of West Bridgewater for a Memorial Park. (Opened July 4, 1936)
1952 – North Easton plant began to close down. Name was changed to O. Ames Co.
1972 – North Easton plant sold to Tofias Real Estate of Brockton.
1976 – The Ames shovel display, which had been honored in the centennial exposition in Philadelphia, was also honored in the bicentennial exhibit in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. The display was on loan from the Arnold B. Tofias Industrial Archives at Stonehill.
2004 – The headquarters of the company, now Ames True Temper, is located in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
2007 – The buildings were sold to Easton Shovel Shop LLC.
source: Easton Historical Society, 2004
Easton Historical Society
80 Mechanic Street
North Easton, Massachusetts 02356
