Wednesday, December 28, 2011
As the year comes to a close, it's time to look back.
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. In August Middle School teacher Douglas J. Chernovetz died unexpectedly. His death left students and teachers at the school both saddened and shocked. …
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Send Then and Now ideas to matthew.schooley@patch.com.
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 direct lighting throughout the building as well as a separate ventilation units in each room. Each classroom was designed to seat up to forty students …
42.557554
-71.168866
Elderly Services Department
15 School St, Wilmington, MA
/articles/then-and-now-e25cc8a9
763758
/locations/5765505
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Blasting into Wilmington's past.
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 to accommodate the town’s growing needs and, with World War II coming to an end, the time was undoubtedly right for Wilmington High School to expand …
42.555542
-71.166322
Wilmington High School
159 Church St, Wilmington, MA
/articles/then-and-now-new-high-school-plans
763855
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Wednesday, October 5, 2011
E-mail Then and Now suggestions to matthew.schooley@patch.com.
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 we forget, however, is that not that long ago Silver Lake was also home to the Mildred Rogers Elementary School. Built in the early 1930’s the school …
42.56313
-71.18919
Silver Lake
Burnap St & Grove Ave, Wilmington, MA
/articles/then-and-now-mildred-rogers-elementary-school
1708901
/locations/5523606
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
E-mail your Then and Now ideas to matthew.schooley@patch.com.
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 canal’s locks, The Gillis Lock was also the home of a “Lock House.” Often referred to as an inn or tavern, the lock house provided meals and …
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
E-mail matthew.schooley@patch.com with Then and Now ideas.
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 and West, and each one received $100 in operating costs. Who could have dreamt that 165 years later the cost of education would have risen to $34,719,…
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Suggest a Then and Now location to matthew.schooley@patch.com.
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 were friends and family members of the Wilmington Ex High School Associates and creating the memorial was likely quite personal to all involved. Since …
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Have an idea for a Then and Now? E-mail matthew.schooley@patch.com.
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 church boasts a congregation of approximately 2000 and is well known for its Youth and Bible Study Programs. For the past ten years St. Thomas of …
42.55542
-71.168389
Saint Thomas of Villanova Church
126 Middlesex Ave, Wilmington, MA
/articles/then-and-now-st-thomas-of-villanova-church
763353
/locations/5289033
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Have an idea for a Then and Now? E-mail matthew.schooley@patch.com.
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 countless students in town before a drop in enrollments closed its doors. Since that time The Whitfield School has been home to both The Town Hall Annex…
42.55605
-71.16747
Wilmington Town Common
Middlesex Ave & School St, Wilmington, MA
/articles/then-and-now-the-whitfield-school
1706604
/locations/5233328
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
E-mail matthew.schooley@patch.com with your idea for a Then and Now location.
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 still remains a popular stopping place for commuters before they leave for work and, of course, on their way home as they plan the evening meal. The …
42.56969
-71.15876
Elia's Country Store
381 Middlesex Ave, Wilmington, MA
/articles/then-and-now-elias-country-store
763402
/locations/5118472
