Free History Walk Details the "Lost" City of North Adams

Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2005 14:17:41 -0400
From: Rod Bunt <tourist@bcn.net>

Local Historian Paul W. Marino has announced the next in his series of
Historical Walks for the summer of 2005. The Walk will be a tour of Center
Street, and will take place on Saturday, July 2.

While little remains of Center Street today, it was at one time a very
significant part of North Adams, and one that was greatly changed by Urban
Renewal in both the 1950's as well as the 1970's. As such, Center Street
evokes memories of when the city of North Adams looked-and felt-more like
a city than it does today; when there were streets and alleys everywhere,
all harboring treasures that have since been lost to demolition.

What historical treasures stood on Center Street? A theater that was never
used as a theater, and another that was used as a synagogue; a store where
a movie star worked, a bowling alley, and a parking garage for carriages.
One of the city's three firehouses was on Center Street, a restaurant
owned by a mayor, and another that can be connected to a sports figure now
enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

And from Center Street, one can see several significant sites, such as
where the original Clark Biscuit Company bakery was, and where the
infamous Reed Murders took place. At the time they occurred, the Reed
Murders were expected to be as notorious and memorable as the Borden
Murders in Fall River; neither crime has ever been solved. The Walk will
also include a look at Eagle Street's business section and North Church
Street.

The Walk, which is accessible to persons in wheelchairs, will begin at
2:30 pm under the Route 2 overpass on Marshall Street. Interested persons
are advised to dress for the weather, wear a hat with a wide brim, and a
good pair of walking shoes; they should carry a canteen or bottle of
water, and be prepared to have their ears talked off. For additional info,
contact: Paul W. Marino 663-3809 - historyman2@earthlink.net