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207 Main St. & Rust's Block historyMay 9, 1990 207 MAIN STREET AND RUST'S BLOCK The shop for jewelry at 207 Main Street was in its time P.H. Dewey's saloon, Boudway's Fish Market, John Dewey's cigar store, Brigham and Robbins' confectionery, S. Janes' Fruits, De Paola's Merchant - Tailoring and Georgia Phinney's "Fancy Goods Shop: Art Novelties ", before it settled down in 1926 to spend 64 years as a jewelry store: R.J. Richards', Arthur Wood's, Wood & Strand's and finally Alexander's. Its neighbor in the same building, 211 Main Street, has had a series of changing uses since 1910, but started out spending forty -one years as a grocery. For most of those years the grocery was managed by the Theodore Rust and Son(s) from whom the building takes its name. Upstairs (# 209) until 1900 was "Rust's Hall," one of about ten public halls for exhibitions and performances in Northampton. Dressmakers, clockrepairers, music teachers and many others have shared the upper premises. Theodore Rust was born in 1795 in the last house but one on Lickingwater Street (at today's 303 South Street). Like the rest of Seth Rust's children, he was educated in the nearby old schoolhouse nearby (235 South Street}. He opened a grocery on Shop Row (south side of Main) in 1823 and in 1826 built himself a home that still stands (51 Conz Street). His son Charles, and then Alvin joined him in the grocery. Rust bought the land for his commercial block when the old Lyman estate was broken up in 1867. That 3 1/2 acre estate contained a large part of what is now enclosed by Main Street, Masonic Avenue and Center. Where Rust's Block and Crackerbarrel Alley are now, there stood the Lyman mansion, two - stories high, facing the street, with large set -back wings on either side. It was surrounded by handsome shade trees- - elm, locust and chestnut; and it enjoyed a lovely view across the valley to Mt. Tom and the Holyoke Range. The hospitality of Judge Joseph Lyman was famous. Notables like Daniel Webster, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Edward Everett Hale enjoyed visiting him there. This house was built in 1792 to replace one in which Joseph Lyman had been born in 1772. Judge Lyman, who was also High Sheriff of Hampshire for 29 years, lived till 1847, his wife twenty years longer. The beautiful house burned down, and the heirs sold the estate to developers. The Gazette for September 10, 1867 announces: "Great doings on the Lyman lot, opposite the Town Hall. A dozen or more large elms and locust trees have been torn up by the roots by means of a patent stump- puller. This is preparatory to the erection of the blocks of S. Carr & Brother and Theo. Rust & Son. The latter will go ahead with their building at once. - [Architect Wm. Fenno] Pratt has .1 a drawn a plan, which, when laid in brick and mortar, will be a credit to the town." I That plan included Pratt's widely admired and imitated fancy brickwork cornice, layered and vaguely Gothic. A credit to the town it has been. Quentin Quesnell May 6, 1990 i For sources and further data, cf. "DATA ON RUST'S BLOCK -- 207 MAIN STREET", filed with the Secretary of the Northampton Historical Commission. _ l�ueh %il Kesne �� it May 8, 1990 DATA ON RUST'S BLOCK -- 207 MAIN STREET FROM CITY DIRECTORIES: (In Forbes these are G 844N.6D, circulating 1860 -1935. Others in a case on 2nd floor. Others in Neilson. This jewelry shop succeeded Wood and Strand, Jewelers. Wood and Strand appears in City Directories from 1942 on, succeeding Arthur Wood, Jeweler, whose name appears from 1932 on. Arthur Wood followed another jeweler, Reese J. Richards, whose name appears in the 1926 City Directory at that address. [actually 207 - 211 ?1. In 1916 the occupant of 207 Main was Georgia Phinney, seller of "Fancy appears in 1910. Morrissey. (This is listed only i now "Auto dealer goods ", specifically "art novelties. Her name 209 upstairs is the dressmaker, Annie year it seems that the baker across the alley a the rear of 205, and that the front of 205 is and Hotel garage." ( =Fitch hotel). In 1900 we find that 211 is J.M. Towne and Son, Grocer. 209 (upstairs) contains a dressmaker: Mrs. David S. Ramsay and a Music teacher: Miss Rose Kingsley. 207 is not mentioned. (The baker across the alley is Smith Carr, #205 Main. Behind him , 205 rear, is J.H. McGrath's livery stable.) Back in 1888, 207 was occupied by J. Boudway's Fish 2 Market! 211 Main was T. Rust and Sons Groceries, opposite town hall; and 209 was Rust's Hall. That was the year that identifying numbers changed along Main Street. Before that, the shop we are studying was known as 159 Main Street, and the other occupant of Rust's Block first . floor was 163 Main. The middle door, leading upstairs to offices today, was then numbered 161. It led up to "Rust's Hall," which was advertised along with a dozen other such "public halls" as available for meetings and exhibitions. The 1886 787 directory shows T. Rust and Sons (Theodore Rust, Charles Rust, Alvin Rust) at 163 Main, Rust's block, opposite Town Hall. And Rust's Hall, 160 Main [sic]. 159 Main Street is Delton and Boudway's. Fish Market. (Across the alley is, as always, Carr's bakery, #153 Main. In 1883 -84 we find T. Rust and Sons at 163 Main, Rust's block opposite Town Hall, "Office of the Northampton Ice Company" and Rust's Hall at 161 „Main. John T. Dewey Cigar store is in 159. 1882 -83 T. Rust groceries is there as always, Rust's hall in the middle at 161 and John T. Dewey's Cigar Story is in 159. 1880 -81 directory has: T. Rust and Sons, Groceries and Provisions, Rust's Block 163 Main; Rust's Hall 161 Main; no occupant listed for 159. In the earlier available directories, 1875 and back, Rust's Hall does not appear. 1875 shows Rust's Block, without numbers, containing: T. 3 Rust and Son Groceries; T.B. Hutchins Clock repairer; S. P. Janes, Fruit and confectionery; and Sophia Smith, "Dress and I Cloakmaking." -- Rust's block, Main. The 1874 -75 directory shows: Rust's block: "S.P. Janes,(home: South Street) Fruit and confectionery; T.B. Hutchins, Clock Repairer (home: Main); and T. Rust and Son Groceries (home : Maple).. In 1873 -74 directory Rust's block contains four businesses: T. Rust and Sons, Groceries, "Rust's Block" Main;. J. B. Hutchins, Clocks (Repairer), "Main" and S.C.Smith, Dress and cloak maker; dressmaker; "Rust's block, Main; also Samuel P. Janes, Jr., Fruit dealer "Main ". In 1868 -69 directory, the city directory contains, as usual, Theodore Rust and Son, Main Street; and then Brigham and Robbins, Fruit and Confectionery. Brigham and Robbins have an advertisement in the front of the directory: "Brigham and 1. Robbins: Dealers in Fruit, Confectionery, Cigars, Tobacco, etc. "Ice cream and soda." [sic] in RUSS BLOCK [SIC], OPPOSITE COURT HOUSE [SIC]. A history of recent buildings in the town in the 1868 -69 directory ends with "Rust's block.." It also says, "A block of stores to be occupied by BoEand and Prindle and Smith Carr will be built this year." MORE DATA FROM DIRECTORIES: 4 I I Ad in front of 1868 directory: "Brigham and Robbins, dealers in Fruit,*Confectionery, Cigars, Tobacco, etc. Ice cream and soda [sic]." Also "Russ [sic] Block, opposite courthouse." 1900 directory shows P.H.Dewey, saloon, on 185 Main. (The Mansion House is listed as 171 Main. The 1894 -5 has Dewey "liquor dealer" 185; 1891 -2 says "Restaurant" 185 Main; 1888 "Liquor" 187 Main store; 1886 says. 149 Main, where Rustblock is- 163. 1883 directory has PH Dewey liquor dealer at 141 Main; 1882 liquor 141; and 1875 -6 has PH Dewey Billiard saloon, "State St." ! He surely moves around a lot. But the picture we have, apparently late 19th c., certainly shows him in 207, though I can't pin down the year. 1904: M.B. Kelley 211 Main. 1907 and 1909 but not 1911: Leonard Ball [Bell ?], Groceries, 211 Main. 1906, 1907: De Paola Merchant - Tailor, 207 Main St. opposite City Hall. 1908: Georgia Phinney, Fancy goods. 207 Main 1914: 211- Fleming, shoe dealer.,4207 Phinney 1917: 211 shoe - dealer; 209 dress - makers, cutler; 207 Phinney. FROM REGISTRY OF DEEDS: 5 vol 246/71. 1867 Sa: on plan of estate. Bounded North Eastwardly by an open feet wise opened for public by another driveway running above described. Westwardly Le by all heirs to Theo Rust: Lot 4 52 feet southerly on Main; 70 ft passage or driveway to be twenty and private use. 24 ft. northwardly nearly at right angles with the one by Lot #5. eLIZABETH hENSHAW TO tHEO rUST ET AL: 1867; 246/169. \ Thomas Jones TO tHEO rUST -- 1867. 246/169. Some earlier transfers: Asahel Pomeroy 37/237, 1815. Joel Pomeroy 1829... Wm. Sheldon, 1823. 49/296. Thomas Connery? 1818 42/603. James Shepherd 46/216. Joel Pomeroy to Charles Chapman to Joseph Lyman 1810; 29/468. To As. Pomeroy, 1810: 31/15 -16. Asahel Pomeroy to Chapman 31/13. Asahel Pomeroy to Joseph Lyman, 1815; volume 37/238: "a lot of land in said Northampton, containing about 3 1/2 acres.bounded southeast on the highway , northeasterly on the Meeting House land and land of said Joseph Lyman, westerly on land of Justin Smith and southerly on land of Charles Chapman. 1810: Charles Chapman to Joseph Lyman.. "one acre, being the tavern stand which Asahel Pomeroy Esq. hath this day conveyed to me and including herein the house, house barns and 6 all the other outbuildings .... at the easterly corner of James Bull's store on hte Highway, and thence running on said highway North 43 - East for 128 ft.; thence N 61 6 rods +, and thence running on said highway North 43 East 128 ft., thence North 61 West three rods + , then North 48 West, 4 rods +; thence South 42 West one rod +. Then North 60 West 13 rods ... etc. to Bull's store. FROM GAZETTE: The Rust block seems to be standing on August 24, 1869, when the Gazette writes: S.G. Dickinson proposes erect forthwith four stores on the lot next above Rust's block, which he recently purchased of the Lyman estate. Two of them, we understand, have already been engaged. W.F. Pratt is busy at the drawings." The building on the other side of Rust's is mentioned in August 11, 1868 Gazette: "Another block is going up on the Lyman estate, opposite the town,.hall. It will contain three stores, one of which will be occupied by Boland and Prindle, and one by Smith Carr, the baker." The baker became #153, later #205. On Nov. 5, 1867, the Gazette noticed : "Mr. Rust's block is going ahead finely. The walls are up to the second story. " (In the same issue: "Carr Brothers are putting in the foundation of their block on the Lyman lot." Thus Rust's Block, though usually said to have been constructed in 1867, is still unfinished in November of that year. In fact, 7 the new owner moves his grocery there for the first time on I January 25, 1870. The Gazette, every week through January 18th, I 1870, Gazette still lists his grocery at its old address, 1 -2 Exchange Row.) "Groceries, provisions; Fruits,Vegetables, Crockery, Glassware, Hardware, etc." Rust's Block is announced in the Gazette, September 10, 1867. "During the past week there been "great doings" on the Lyman lot, opposite the Town Hall. A dozen or more large elms and locust trees have been torn up by the roots, by means of a patent stump- puller. This is preparatory to the erection of the blocks of S. Carr & Brother and Theo. Rust & Son. The latter will go ahead with their building at once. Pratt has drawn a plan, which, when laid in brick and mortar, will be a credit to the town." Various write -ups in Gazette: Sept 10, 1867 Rust. August 11, 1868 Williams also April 18, 1871. July 11, 1871: Hotel. November 5, 1867: Carr August 24, 1869 S.G.Dickinson. April 11, 1871: Ansel Wright. PHOTOS a 1906 photo in Forbes shows upper main, including Grocery Bell, central door of block, but cutting off 207. Another photo of North Main (NO5.13) shows GROCERIES, 8 Bell ?; but name above 207 is obscure. Miss Collins? Edison? Photo also in Van Voris, which she marks "c. 1880" is marked only "pre- 1900," and is stamped as received in 1933. 4 L989 j. NO 5.1U. Some Main Street photos in Coolidge collection not really helpful; except that one shows Alfred Wood Jeweler began earlier several doors further down Main Street. VARIA; Theodore and Charles Rust are the two named in the Forbes 1400 Homesteads book. Now Theodore did have a brother Charles; but the Gazette 1867 refers to the two as Theo. Rust and Son. He did have a son, Charles; and, by 1870, it surely was time for the next generation to be taking over the business. Anyway, Theodore Rust was born in 1795 ( Trumbull's genealogy; differs from Gazette write -up in 1886, inf.) the son of Seth Rust ( Trumbull's generation 5), grandson of Israel (4) born in 1741, who had been preceded by three other Israel's (died 1712, died 1759 and born 1712). Seth (5) had seven children: Daniel (0), Spencer (0), Theodore (b. 1795), Wealthy (b. 1798), Jerusha 1804), Charles Clapp (b. 1809) and Samuel (b. 1812). 1811 school list in the old South Street schoolhouse (235) shows four children of Seth Rust still on the record. Trumbull's reconstruction of South Street residents in 1786 (done 100 years later) shows houses for Seth, Jonathan, Israel, Phineas at that time. (Phineas - too has four children in 9 the school in 1811.) 1884 map shows no Rusts remaining on South Street. There had been an early Nathanael Rust on West Street. Theodore Rust is written up, life and career, in August 31, 1886 Gazette. (Cf., it says, August 17, but nothing found. Also check May 29, 1877.) This GAZETTE reports Theo and sons Charles and Alvin. Theo was born in the last house but one on South Street, 1798, Sept. 18, ( "where Nobles now is "). His father Seth was born "in the triangular piece of land opposite the Days' sawmill. His grandfather, Israel, lived there many years, and Theodore remembers seeing his grandfather's mother." He lived since 1826 on Maple Street [= today's Conz.) The Days' sawmill (also brickyard) was the property across from the Cahillanes' triangle. It is now divided (since 1899) into several blocks, all the way up to Hampden. The Days' residence still stands at 310. "The Nobles" in 1877 were Cyrus (at 303 South St. by modern numbering: cf. the 1888 directory, when that numbering begins). This is further west than 283 South Street, the homestead of Nathaniel Clark (five generations, from c. 1700). He sold the western part of. his land (the triangle at the end of South Street) to the Rusts (cf. the following deeds), and Israel Rust lived in a big red house in the triangle at the end of Lickingwater, while his son Seth lived next door east at 303, just west of Nathaniel Clark (at 283). Nathaniel Clark originally had the last residence on the 10 north side of South Street heading west, where he (five generations of Nathaniel's) lived from the early 1700's on. But by 1794, existing deeds prove that Seth Rust (Trumbull's generation 5) is living west of him and Israel Rust (b. 1741) [Trumbull's generation 41, was already living further west than Seth, his son. Cf. 1794, Book 14, page 57; 1798, Book 12, page 471; 1801, Book 17, page 422; and 1803, Book 21, page 121. This last describes perfectly the triangular shaped piece of land which the Rusts had, bounded by Nathaniel Clark's land, by Licking Water Street and by Welsh End (Earle Street).Cf. too Judd Manuscript, Volume 1, Forbes Microfilm 4, p. 397 and the map there drawn; also Judd ms. Volume 1, Forbes microfilm 4, p. 102, for the 8 or 10 acres at the end of South Street which originally belonged to Nathaniel Clark. Theodore started a grocery on Main in 1823, with Ansel Wright as partner. This "lasted until 1848" ? ? ? [According to the Forbes 1400 book on 51 Conz.]. This grocery featured the first soda fountain in Northampton and also the first ice- dealership. The 1400 book cites the deed for his Conz street property as "two acres of land adjoining the meadow in Lickingwater." 1826 -- "the end of Maple (Conn) just before the gate leading to the meadows." Cf. REGISTRY 58/556 and 54/457. Also GAZETTE August 21, 1906. GAZETTE AUGUST 11, 1868: "Another block is going up on the Lyman estate, opposite the town hall. It will contain three stores, one of which will be be occupied by Boland and Prindle and one by Smith Carr, the baker." AUGUST 24, 1869: "S.G. Dickinson proposes to erect forthwith four stores on the lot next above Rust's block, which he recently purchased of the Lyman estate.Two of these, we understand, have already been engaged. W.F. Pratt is busy at the drawings." 0 The location: among early settlers, Wm. Hulbert received 4 acres with boundary near Gothic Street. South of him were John Ingersoll and Thomas Salmon. -- Trumbull's history. Joseph Lyman was Trumbull's generation (6) among Lymans. His father, Joseph (5) died in 1804, aged 73, son of Joseph (4), Benjamin Sr. (3), John Sr. (2) and Richard Sr. (1). [ Trumbull's Genealogies.] He was High Sheriff from 1816 to 1845. "Judge Lyman and his accomplished wife, who lived in the second house west of Warner House..."' [EARLY NORTHAMPTON: DAR BOOK, p. 115. Visits from Ralph Waldo Emerson and Edward Everett Hale. GERE, REMINISCENCES OF OLD NORTHAMPTON. GERE, chapter VII: "A fine old Northampton homestead on Main Street- judge Joseph Lyman and his distinguished wife -- their home the center of the best society in town. "In the easterly corner of the front yard, next to the 12 Lyman brick block, there was a large seringo [sic] bush, which in summer gave fragrance and beauty to the dwellers within and the passers -by. The trees were elms, locust and horse chestnuts." "The Judge Lyman house stood until 1870, when it was destroyed by fire and the land sold for building purposes. The Keating block, and the stores betweeen it and the Mansion HOuse, Carr bakery and other builclings in the rear and on Masonic Street now stand on the site of. this old homestead." [Note 18701!! But you have the Gazette article about the uprooting of trees in 1867; and you know that Rust moved in in January 1870, from city directories.] "Dr. Samuel A. Fisk" occupied the house after Mrs. Lyman left it. He "had a garden in the west end of the house lot, where the Rust block and other stores now stand. The house, in its later years, was used for business purposes, and was thus used when it was destroyed by fire." 1. "the property of Judge Joseph Lyman, just west of the present Mansion House block (where are now the stores of F.W. Roberts, P.H. Dewey, E.H. Banister and Bon Marche...)"- - TRUMBULL HISTORY II, 319, note 1 (c. 1899). Judge Joseph Lyman obituary Dec. 14, 1847 Gazette. Sketch of Sept 16, 1886. Wife and home: August 6, 1889 Gazette. Cf . too: Halls, places of amusement: lists: 12/20/1900. Gazette. i MEADOW CITY MILESTONES: Fire Downtown, 1876: Jan. 16, 1988, p. 6. I I Main Street 1838: April 19, 1986, p. 6. i Downtown, upper Main before 1900. March 31, 1984, p. 6. Gazette excerpts from S.I. Lesley's book: "Judge Lyman lived in a large two - story mansion that stood a few rods west of the old tavern stand of Asahel Pomeroy and Oliver Warner, on the sites of stores now occupied by several merchants. This site was a little east of opposite the present city hall. The house had a wing on each side, each wing standing some distance back from the front of the main building, with a walk to the west wing from the street. The front door was only a few feet from the sidewalk. The barn was connected with the house by a shed running westerly, and in front.of it was a yard of considerable size and a driveway... "The Judge Lyman house was a fine old mansion, and for a great many years it was the abode of a hospitality that was distinguished far and wide. The site of the house was one of the most beautiful in town, commanding a view of Mts. Holyoke and Tom. The beauty of the situation can only be seen now in - imagination, as large business blocks occupy the spot and' others abut off the prospect in front. "There were large and handsome shade trees in front of - . house and in the yard. Mrs Lesley says, "The place was 14 always kept in perfect order, and an exquisite taste presided over all the hedges and flowering plants and lovely vines. Judge Lyman's garden was on the opposite sideof the street, on the spot now occupied by the Memorial Hall and Public Library. This house was very naturally the headquarters for a very large amount of public business. It was frequently visited by lawyers, judges, deputy sheriffs, and others having to do with the courts and public affairs. Judge Lyman was a very popular man. Mrs. Lesley says of her mother at her marriage...." cf. E L981.L2, Forbes for more material. The above is from the Gazette- sketch of 1886. Judge Joseph Lyman born 1767, died Dec. 1847. His wife, Anne Jean b. 1789, died 1867. She came here at her marriage to the Judge in 1811 (he had five children from previous marriage); left Northampton in 1849. "McIntyre's store, next door to your house" a recollection of 1841 childhood,,by someone writing in 1875 about the Lyman's. (in Lesley, RECOLLECTIONS OF MY MOTHER). Others refer to the apothecary next door; and to talking over the fence to Mrs. Pomeroy at the Warner House. The house'is said to be "in the very center" of town. There is a picture of it and a long description of it on pp 72- 73 of Susan Inches Lesley's MEMOIRS OF MY MOTHER (another title for same book, 1876/1899). The house was built in 1792, succeeding one that burned _ down in belonging to Col. Wm. Lyman. "where -Carr i 15 block and Carr bakery now stand." HISTORICAL LOCALITIES IN NORTHAMPTON, from the COMMITTEE ON HISTORICAL LOCALITIES, for the 250th anniversary of the town (1904, c.). THE FORBES BOOK OF 1400 HISTORICALS: GERE, REMINISCENCES, writes of.the house on p. 87f. Mentions that Ebenezer Hunt's house stood where City Hall has been since 1850. The site was bought from Hunt in 1849. Now Mr. Eben Hunt's house', was, according to LESLEY, RECOLLECTONS OF MY MOTHER, p. 72f. what they saw directly across the street. "The outlooks from the house were all charming. On the opposite side of.the street, and separated from it by one of the loveliest front yards, stood our neighbor's Mr. Eben Hunt's That place was always kept in perect order, and an exquisite taste presided over all the hedges and flowering plants and lovely vines. Near to it came, a few years later, our little church -- a small Grecian temple, -- with. its avenue of trees leading to.it, and with Mrs. Hunt's garden on one side of it, and my father's garden on the other; the very spot now occupied by the public library. From every window in our house there was something pleasant for the eye to rest upon, and little vistas of ezxquisite beauty , even though in the heart of the village. As soon as the autumn leaves had fallen, the west end of Mount Tom appeared to us through the interval between Mr. Hunt's house and the little church -- a grand and noble peak, that well repaid us for the loss of - foliage and sumer beauty; and from our front door, winter and - 16 summer, we could always see Mount Holyoke in varying lights and shadows.... "' FORBES 1400 HISTORICAL HOMES Theodore and Charles Rust, 1867, on homestead of Joseph Lyman. Preceding owners (all at once): Samuel F. Lyman, Hannah E. i Brewer, Frances Brewer, Joseph Lyman, Elizah Henshaw, Thomas Jones, Joseph L. Jones, Wm. G. Jones, Susan.Lesley, Catherine R. Delano. Owner in 1975: Leonard Gruber. Victorian commercial. Architect Wm. Fenno Pratt. Fancy brickwork cornice, layered, vaguely Gothic = 1/4 area of facade. Brownstone window arches, flat on front, round, arched on side. Pratt also did the Old Northampton Bank and Smith Charities. Bought in 1867 for $2500. Sold in 1870. Rust's the first of four commercial blocks to be built on the former Lyman property. RUSTS'S -- 207 -211 1 /2, by Wm. F. Pratt architect in 1867. PIERCE BLOCK, 213 -227, 1890 "wooden from 1870- 1890 ": but a photo shows the wood one next block West, this one of brick! ALBERTS BLOCK (DICKINSON BLOCK by Pratt 229 -239, in 1869; WRIGHT BLOCK (NEW MASONIC HALL -- old Masonic Hall since 1825), -- Wm. F. Pratt. - East of RUST is the lane, CRACKERBARREL- ALLEY. Then 17 CARR BLOCK, where the bakery Carr was. 199 -201 O'BRIEN BLOCK, 1867. Pratt? FLEMING BLOCK 189 -191 and ASTMAN (WILLIAMS) BLOCK, 183- 187. The earlier building here was LYMAN BLOCK; 1871. Then FITCH HOTEL, 179, the OLD DRAPER HOTEL plus two more blocks East. This by J.M. Miner. (The F still stands on high. The next two equally large sections were taken down. One of them occupied by the Bank building. ) J.M. Miner architect. Judge Lyman and his wife were one of the first four couples to break away from the town church and introduce the new Unitarian society to Northampton. Much of the gracious, leisurely atmosphere of Northampton in the early nineteenth century can be learned from the collection of Jean Lyman's letters, spun into a biography by her daughter, Susan Lesley.