Sometimes history happens quickly and, as we close out the year 2011, it seems like a great time to look at what has changed here in Wilmington during the past twelve months alone. Sadly, Wilmington suffered several high profile losses during the year 2011. In February, local resident Kim Forte was killed in a tragic accident while walking near the intersection of Main Street and Glen Road. During the summer residents said goodbye to Army Specialist Christopher Crosby who passed away while serving his country at a military base in Alaska. He was buried with a full military funeral in July.  …

Last week, when Officer Shawn Lee was laid to rest, it reminded us that The Wilmington Police Department has a long tradition of dedication and honor. While the department has grown throughout the years, its members have always maintained a reputation for supporting each other as well as the community.  Their pride was, once again, evident as they stood together and said goodbye to Officer Lee on Tuesday, December 13. The photo from that day, taken as one group of officers attended the wake, shows them standing outside Nichols Funeral Home on Middlesex Ave. The officers in French Blue are …

These days, when we need to grab a few items at the store, we generally head straight to the supermarket. We think of crowded aisles, long lines and, in many cases, what we can leave behind so that we can take advantage of the twelve or less checkout line. Unfortunately, the days of stopping into a “mom and pop” store for milk and bread are long gone.  These days, being greeted by a happy smile and neighborly conversation are all but a distant memory. Here in Wilmington, however, memories of one neighborhood store still exist.  For many people in Wilmington Tattersall’s, which stood at the …

Across Wilmington are numerous homes with fascinating histories. Many of these homes served, not only as residences, but have also been used to operate businesses over the years. One of these homes, located on Shawsheen Avenue, was once known as the B.G. Wilkins Rest Home. Wilkins, who also went by titles Dr. B.G. Wilkins, B. Geo. Wilkins, Bernard G. Wilkins and George B. Wilkins, was born in Vermont in 1862.  At some point in the early 1900’s he left Vermont and took up residence in a Nashua, N.H. hotel called the Tremont House.  In 1907 Wilkins traveled to England and it is there where it …

The more you look into Wilmington’s history the more you come to realize that many of the homes around town have a story to tell.  With its proximity to Boston the Wilmington of yesterday was a lot busier than you might have imagined. Silver Lake brought summertime residents and tourists to town and helped to boost the economy throughout the area. Over the years a number of homes in Wilmington served as small businesses catering to both the tourist and full time resident population. One such example was The Shawsheen Tea Room. Located on Shawsheen Avenue and built in the mid 1940’s, the house…

Here in New England our ties to Thanksgiving are strong.  Nowhere else do the roots and traditions surrounding this annual holiday run deeper than here.  First settled in 1665, a full forty four years after the Pilgrims enjoyed their first Thanksgiving celebration, Wilmington has no first hand history when it comes to the holiday. Like all of our nearby towns, however, we have the Pilgrims and their bravery to thank for helping to found our local communities. These days Thanksgiving dinner is fairly predictable. Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and lots of pies are all generally on the menu. …

Every week in Then and Now we give you another peek at how much Wilmington has changed over the years. Over and over again it seems that the area surrounding Silver Lake provides that look into Wilmington’s past. This week the photo is one taken at the corner of Lake Street and what was then called State Road.  Today, State Road is Route 38/Main Street and this particular view is heading from Tewksbury towards the center of Wilmington. One house is visible in the older photo and, as you can see by today’s photo it still remains.  The street has, of course, become more and more developed over …

Over the years the face of Wilmington Public Schools has changed drastically.  As the population has grown in size schools all over town have been outgrown, rebuilt, replaced and sometimes reused for other purposes. That is the case with the former Daniel T. Buzzell School.  Located on School Street the Buzzell School was dedicated on September 22nd, 1935.  Boasting a total of six classrooms as well as the new office for Superintendent of Schools, Stephen G. Bean, the opening of the school was a proud moment for the town of Wilmington. With all the latest technology, the Buzzell School had …

Almost everyone in Wilmington knows where to find Town Park.  Few residents, however, know the history behind Town Park and the ball field that it is home to. In 1937 the National Youth Administration, or N.Y.A. for short, chose this site at the Southern tip of town for an athletic field which, at the time, was laid out for both baseball and football. The group employed ten local men, ranging in age from 18 to 25, who might have otherwise found it difficult to find seasonal jobs. The group was trained to complete the project and well know local landscaper, Larry Cushing, oversaw their work.  …

The town of Wilmington has changed a lot since the year 1939. Older buildings all over town have been renovated and replaced, new businesses have arrived and the population has boomed.  Local sports, like so many other things, have changed quite a bit also. Yes, our Wildcats have always been winners but, without a doubt, the faces and the uniforms have come a very long way. Wilmington High School’s 1939 football team was, without a doubt, a memorable one. During a December celebration at Grange Hall the team was honored for having attained the first undefeated football season in Wilmington …

Sometimes history happens and things here in town change right before our very eyes. As any true Bruins fan knows, on June 15, 2011, the team made history by winning their first Stanley Cup since 1972.    After a long thirty nine years of waiting Bruins fans all over the Boston area were finally able to celebrate the Stanley Cup’s return. Nowhere, however, was that win more significant there here in Wilmington, the home of Ristuccia Arena. Founded in 1986, Ristuccia Arena has long been used as The Boston Bruins Practice Facility. We here in town have a special relationship with the team and …

They say that time changes everything but, in some cases, the changes simply seem to go full circle.  Take a look at this week’s “Then” photo of a conceptual design of what was, at the time, the plan for Wilmington’s new high school. The year was 1945 and, just like today, Wilmington was laying the groundwork for a brand new high school facility. The property for the school, which was then referred to as The Roman Property,” had been purchased by the town in hopes of someday using it for a high school and athletic field.  It was increasingly apparent that the Swain School was no longer enough…

Over the years the Silver Lake area has served Wilmington in many ways.  In the early part of the century the area was a thriving vacation community filled with cottages and summer residents. There was even a train which allowed city dwellers to travel to “the country” and enjoy the lake for the day. Years later, many of those cottages were turned into year round homes and, suddenly, tourists were replaced with full time Wilmington residents. Today, Silver Lake is a true recreation center providing swimming, canoeing, plenty of beach activities and, of course, a well used fishing dock. What …

Much of Wilmington’s history is centered around the Middlesex Canal.  A total of 27.3 miles long, the Middlesex Canal ran directly through Wilmington for 3.8 miles. Along the canal route were twenty canal locks. Each of these locks was in place to takes boats from one level of the canal to another. New technology at the time, these locks needed to be maintained and overseen at all times. Here in Wilmington there were two sets of Middlesex Canal Locks.  One, the Nichols Lock, was near Nichols Street and the other, The Gillis Lock, was in the Shawsheen Street neighborhood. Like many of the …

These days it seems like everyone is worried about the family budget.  The cost of living is skyrocketing and, at the same time, many families are struggling to make ends meet. This week’s Then and Now provides a fun look at how much the cost of operating the Town of Wilmington has risen over the years. In 1846 the town closed its fiscal year on March 1 with what must have seemed like an enormous budget of $1460.81. A look at the proposed budget for next year, 2012, shows a slight increase over the years to $78,554,184. In 1846 Wilmington had five school districts, North, South, Center, East …

Wilmington has always taken pride in honoring our troops and their service to our nation. One long standing example of that pride is the Civil War Memorial in The Wildwood Cemetery. Located in the veterans section of the cemetery and facing towards Middlesex Avenue, the memorial has stood in remembrance of those lost in a war that threatened to tear our great nation apart for one hundred and nine years. Erected in 1902 by the “Wilmington Ex High School Associates of 1863,” The Civil War Memorial was placed in honor of Wilmington Men who had lost their lives in the war. Many of the men lost …

Originally located on Middlesex Avenue St. Thomas of Villanova is yet another example of just how much Wilmington has grown over the years. In 1988 the first St. Thomas of Villanova chapel was built on Middlesex Avenue near the site of the current Wilmington Memorial Library. The Catholic Parish was officially founded in 1919 and remained at this original location until approximately 1960. At that time the current building, located at 126 Middlesex Avenue, was erected and church services were moved. Eventually, in 1968, the old chapel was torn down to make room for the new library. Today, the…

Located on Middlesex Avenue across from what is now the Registry of Motor Vehicles, The Whitfield School is a reminder of the days when Wilmington was a small but rapidly growing community. Built in approximately 1904, The Whitefield School was one of the first multi room schoolhouses built in Wilmington. With the town growing rapidly and more and more students entering the local school system, Wilmington’s small, one room buildings were simply not large enough to accommodate the town’s growing needs. Named for The Whitfield Elm Tree that stood across from it, The Whitfield School educated …

Sometimes you don’t have to look very far into the past to see a change. This year students, parents and teachers will notice a very big change at The Shawsheen Elementary School. When school opens on August 30, students will be welcomed by new, more energy efficient windows.  Built in the 1970’s The Shawsheen Elementary School has been well maintained but, at the same time, was starting to show signs of age.  Thanks to the MSBA Green Repair Program, Wilmington was able to apply for and receive a grant which saved the town approximately $300,000 on installation of new windows. Looking towards…

It’s hard to grow up in Wilmington and not have some memories of Elias Country Store. A Wilmington tradition since 1956, Elias began as Elias Busy Corner and, these days, it is busier than ever. In the early days brothers John Jr. and Mike ran the business and sold grain, produce and hardware. Across from one of Wilmington’s commuter rail stations, the store was a gathering place for commuters who stayed warm around a woodburning stove every morning while they waited for their train to arrive. Today, EIias Country Store has moved into a new building next door to the old location. The store …