Windsor Locks High School - Herald Yearbook (Windsor Locks, CT)

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THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD 15 By education we do not mean merely well-versed people, but people who have benefited from the past and learned to think for themselves and base their opinions on knowledge they already have acquired and learned to apply. The value of book learning is lost when we fail to understand how to apply it and get full benefit from it in everyday life. Judy Parmelee ' 56 THE FIRST ONF HUNDRED YEARS OF WINDSOR LOCKS Some of the early settlers of Windsor came up to Pine Meadow to cultivate the land just thirty years after the Plymouth settlement there. The first settler in Windsor Locks was Harry Denslow, who built a house and brought his family to the higher end of Pine Meadow. In 1665, Elizabeth Denslow, Harry ' s daughter, was the first white child born in Windsor Locks. The next settler was Nathaniel Gaylord, who came here to live in 1678. Following Gaylord, Abraham Diddle brought his family to settle here in 1708. A few years later, in 1757, there were only five houses here, but nineteen years later there were nine families. In the summer of 1776, the head of each of the nine families comprising the population of Pine Meadow, with a single exception, were in the Army at New York. The village was made up of scattered farms and down to 1788, there were no public roads east of Center Street. The canal around Enfield Falls was completed in 1829. The digging of the canal was done by Irishmen who came here for that purpose. Because of this, the year 1854 was an important year for the town of Pine Meadow. This was the year the town was incorporated and its name changed to Windsor Locks, combining the name of Windsor with the canal improvements completed a few years back. The suspension bridge was built, in 1866, by a private corporation known as the Windsor Locks and Warehouse Point Bridge and Ferry Company. This bridge replaced the old ferry that used to transport people and products across the river to Warehouse Point. It had been in operation since 1783. While it was owned by a private corporation, it was a toll bridge. When it was purchased by the State in 1908, it was made free. The freeing of the bridge was made an occasion by the people, and public rejoicing was held by the two neighboring towns. By 1859, the population of Windsor Locks had grown to 1500. There were six paper mills, two thread mills, one rolling mill, one grist mill, a stockinet manufactory, seven stores, a Congregational church, a Catholic Church, and a Methodist church. Among the growing industries of the town were the J. R. Montgomery Company, established in 1871 for the purpose of manufacturing Cotton Warps which were used in Union cassimeres. The firm stands as a pioneer in this branch of textile industry in this country. In 1896, this company was the first in this country to place on the marker an entirely new product, Mercerized Cotton Yarn. Other companies were the George P. Clark Company, originated by George P. Clark, who in 1870, invented a rubber roll for wool scouring, which he placed on the market. C. H. Dexter and Sons was started by Charles H. Dexter in 1836. This is the oldest industry ' in the town and is today operated by the fifth generation. The Medlicott Company was started in 1863, by W. G. Medlicott. This company manufactured all kinds of woolen under¬ wear. In 1948, the Medlicott Company discontinued operations, but it was taken over

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14 THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD EDITORIAL THE MEMORABLE YEAR Nineteen hundred and fifty-four is a big year for Windsor Locks. On May 29, 30 and 31 there will be a gala celebration for the one hundredth anniversary of our town. Not too long after these festivities, there will be another celebration by a certain group of students whom we know as the Class of ’54. We recall that Windsor Locks in 1854 separated itself from Windsor and struck out alone to become the industrial center that it is today. In like manner we hope this graduating class will do as well as the town in growing and developing into citizens worthy of praise. It took 100 years lor Windsor Locks to develop into what it is today and it was largely brought about by the united efforts of the townspeople. Thus each member of this graduating class is going to try to succeed in the vocation he has chosen. It will not take 100 years or 50 years or even 25 years for them to put their stamp on life. It will take only as long as is needed for them to make a place for themselves in business or in their chosen careers so that they can begin to elevate themselves to the highest possible level. When this is accomplished, the members of this class will celebrate their own achievements and their success, not as a group but as individuals. The class of 1954 is made up of young men and women of intelligence, character and the will to win, and we all wish them the best of luck and success in the years to come. Ann Raccone ‘55 YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION This is our centennial year and looking back through the past years it is difficult to grasp the tremendous progress that has been made in industry, business, government, transportation, and particularly in education. Specialization in industry has demanded more educated and specially trained workers. From the study of reading, writing and arithmetic, school courses have grown to include advanced sciences and mechanical drawing even in high school. In fact, is has become necessary to have a high school diploma when applying for most jobs. Years ago the completion of grammar school was considered sufficient and a lucky few finished high school, but because it was difficult to finance college, advanced education was merely a dream to many a worthy student. Today improved methods of education, transportation, and consolidated schools have made a high school education available to all. It is wonderful to receive this high school diploma hard earned, you think,” but just what it will mean to you is entirely up to you. If you feel proud of your accomplishment and stop there, it will mean nothing more than a picture to frame and hang on the wall. But it can mean anything you determine. It may prove to be a window from which you look out on life and realize how little you really know. This realization is the beginning of true knowledge. Getting your diploma may be compared to a baby’s learning to walk, an accomplishment to be proud of but only the beginning. Education is a most important part of everyone ' s life. It makes better harmony among men. It is true that an enducated country is a stronger one.

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16 THE HIGH SCHOOL HERALD by the La Pointe Plascamold for a time. Next, there is the company of E. Horton and Sons. This was started by Eli Horton, who was the inventor of the Chuck which bears his name. T his Horton Chuck, which has become universally known, was placed on the market in 1855. Later on, in 1881, the Windsor Locks Machine Company was started by E. E. Latham, Edwin Upton and George Glover. Saint Marys Church was started in 1827. This was the first time that a priest, in response to a request of one of the very small number of Catholics here at the time, travelled all the way from New York for the purpose of making a sick call. Services were continued here until the coming of the first resident pastor. Reverend James Smythe, in June 1852. The corner stone of the Church was laid September 14, of the same year, and on Christmas day the church was occupied for the first time. The rectory, which stands adjoining the church, was built in 1879. Saint Mary ' s School, standing on Grove Street, was completed in 1889. It is interesting to note that many years ago, when a person passed away, he was carried on a bier on men s shoulders. The carriers formed a procession and from time to time changes were made by the men to relieve them from the weight of the bier. A man’s total funeral expenses in 1804, were less than six dollars. It was said that once, a man charged one of his neighbors for the use of his horse and wagon to attend a funeral, as there was never an undertaker seen at funerals. A fine granite building is located at the south end of the town. This is the Memorial Hall which was donated, in 1891, by Charles E. Chaffee. Just south of the main entrance and in front of the building is a polished marble slab with this inscription in gold letters: Soldiers ' Memorial Hall, built by Charles E. Chaffee and presented by him to J. H. Converse Post, No. 67, G. A. R. in memory of those who went from Windsor Locks and lost their lives in the service of our Country in the late Civil War.’’ It is here that the different organizations meet and hold socials, today. The opening of the 1 wentieth Century brought peace to the people of the town although during World War I and World War II, many of the local young men fought and some gave their lives for their country. During World War II, the United States Army set up a military base on some property at the north end of the town. This base was the headquarters for many soldiers. Later it was changed to a commercial flying field. Hence, Bradley Field has made Windsor Locks an important place in air travel. Today, the town has many places where its young people can get together for recreation. It has a public park, where recently a huge swimming pool has been con¬ structed. During the hot summer months the pool is a gathering place for youngsters and oldsters, as well. This year will mark the one hundredth year of the incorporation of Windsor Locks. There will be dances, contests, floats from the various organizations, and different contests to celebrate this event. June 1, 1954, will mark the beginning of another 100 years of history for the town of Windsor Locks. In the years to come, we hope this town will advance as rapidly in industry and in the opportunities offered its citizens as it has in the past. Maralyn Ciparelli ' 55