Here is another installment in our Who Remembers? series. You can browse previous articles by using the search bar on the right. These articles are strolls down memory lane. In some cases, the buildings may still exist, but new businesses have replaced them. In other instances, the buildings or even the properties have been razed. Either way, it can’t stop us from taking the Memory Lane stroll!

As always we would rather this be a discussion. No one knows this area better than those who grew up here! Please, leave constructive criticism, feedback, and corrections. We’d love to hear your anecdotes. Please share!

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Kinyon-Campbell Business School was a private school located at 59 Linden Street – at the corner of Linden and County Streets. It was founded in 1911 as Kinyon School and incorporated in 1912. In 1969 it merged with Campbell School and became Kinyon-Campbell.

They provided a variety of training like accounting, microcomputer repair technicians, paralegal studies, management, computer processing – and even real estate and tourism. They closed their doors in June 1999 after 88 years of operation and declining enrollment – but surely similar courses being offered at N.B. Vocational and BCC helped speed up the process. At the time of closing, it cost $4,200 for a two-year degree.

When I was a child, the parking lot of the school was a go-to destination. After it snowed, a snow-plow operator would push the snow into the corners piling it up to 10 feet high. These snowbanks were perfect for sliding down or providing quick get-a-aways after…ahem…someone else threw a snowball at a car at street level of County Street.

Once while sledding down a snowbank, I bounced a little. Upon investigation, I found a piece of plywood that hid an entrance to the inside of the bank revealing a snow cave! I felt like Indiana Jones!

Today the building is called Acushnet Commons which is a combination of apartments, offices, and a community meeting space.

Did you attend Kinyon-Campbell school while it was operating?

Welcome to next installment in the New Bedford Streets; A Piece of Americana series. Previously we covered William Street, Kempton Street, Middle Street, Centre Street, Ashley Boulevard, Elm Street, Coggeshall Street, and others. If you would like to read those or perhaps revisit them, they can be found by using the search bar to the right. You can also select the “Streets” category.

As usual, I’d like to re-iterate the importance of reader feedback, correction, and contributions. In the process of exploring these streets, I try to confirm or validate statements and dates by finding multiple sources. Unfortunately, if all those sources are making their statement based on an older, incorrect source, and there isn’t any dissenting information available, there’s no way to know otherwise. So by all means, please join in.

In addition, when trying to validate some statements, often there is very little to no information available. I haven’t decided which is worse – finding one source, or finding multiple sources, but not knowing if they were all founded on an inaccuracy. So help from local historians, those who remember, oral histories and anecdotes handed down through the generations, people with private collections, and even know-it-alls will help!

By all means, let us make this an open discussion to keep the “wiki” accurate.

Rodney French, Born of Quakers
Who hasn’t driven down Rodney French Boulevard? This is another street whose name rolls off the tongue without much in terms of thought. It’s an “everyday” term like shoe, Jeep, or coffee. However, if we stop for a moment, upon reflection most of will come to the realization that we don’t know who the heck Mr. French is!

Now if you are a local historian, you may be saying “How the heck do you not know who Rodney French is?” Don’t go anywhere. Here’s your opportunity to chime in, make corrections, and share!

Unlike some of the other streets, where a rather large portion of time had to be dedicated to researching the origin of a street’s name –Elm Street comes to mind straight away – Rodney French was rather simple and without mystery. I’ll be honest and say that my knowledge of Mr. French did surpass his participation in the historical Stone Fleet during the Civil War. So, I learned some new and interesting facts during my research.

Rodney French was born at Berkeley, Massachusetts in 1802, only 19 short years after the end of the Revolutionary War. He was one of six children born of Quakers Samuel French and Celia Crane. His Quaker upbringing would color his life and influence many of his personal and business decisions. Most particularly, his anti-slavery sentiment which would also present many problems throughout his life.

Abolitionist, Merchant, Mayor
Mr. French was an ambitious, business minded fellow who also held strong political views. Early in life he was a merchant who had ties from New England to North Carolina. There aren’t an awful lot of records to show the exact nature of his businesses, but there is a mention that he owned a Chandler Shop with partner Charles D. Burt at Hillman Street.

Interestingly, at this time in New Bedford’s history Hillman was directly on the waterfront and the shop was literally built above the water so that the tide ebbed and flowed under it. This would have been where Route 18 is today in front of the mural bedecked West Terminal.

His successes and failures were apparently measured in extremes. He failed enough to have it said in 1856 that he “owed everybody” according to the R.G. Dun & Co. who interestingly also described him as a “ranting politician.”

However, his businesses were lucrative enough for him to possess land and whaling vessels. Whether he wisely “squirreled” away money to ride the waves of failure and successes, eventually learned enough to keep an even financial keel or just got plain lucky, he never experienced hardships or poverty and did well for himself. Enough to allow him to finance and run for political office – in this case mayor-ship in 1853 – and win. He would become the city’s third mayor and served one term.

Though not initially anti-slavery, Quakers had adopted the stance by the time French was born. While it was a sentiment and personal view of his, it became a political issue after seeing a slave auction and children being ripped from their parent’s grasp to be separated for life. Witnessing this auction left a deep, indelible impression.

Free-Soiler and Black Republican
French was a Free-Soiler – a pre-Civil War political party that opposed slavery and the admission of slave states into the Union. His actual political affiliation is dubious. I have come across documents that state he was a Democrat and others that state he was a Republican. We do know that he was a delegate to Republican National Convention from Massachusetts in 1856 and that he was considered a “Black” Republican because of his anti-slavery or abolitionist platform.

His anti-slavery stance did not make him very popular among his peers and the aristocrats of society. In fact, this put his career and life in harm’s way often. He lost many a business relationship and opportunity, surely including revenue, and especially in pro-slavery North Carolina.

Here’s where we need to take a short, slight digression to establish a relevant point: at this time – late 1850s – what would eventually be dubbed Rodney French Boulevard was called “Point Road.” Andrew Robeson who was the son-in-law of whaling and textile mogul Samuel Rodman came up with idea of turning the road into an avenue in honor of the city’s third mayor – and to the ire of his political opponents and the city aristocracy. Point Road became French Avenue. It wouldn’t until some time circa 1899 that it then would be renamed Rodney French Boulevard.

You may be asking “Street, Avenue, Boulevard. Same difference, right?” Many people think Street, Avenue and Boulevard are synonymous terms, but there are distinct differences. An avenue can be said to be a street that graduated. An avenue is a street that gets trees placed along its length and is widened into two lanes. It’s a way of saying “Hey, this is a special street.”

A Boulevard can be said to be an avenue that graduates. It gets further widened to allow parking, gets additional landscaping, and even lanes for pedestrians and bicyclists. It’s a way of saying “Hey, this street is so special, we want you to pull over and stroll.”

Still think it’s all the same? Well, it cost $50,000 in the 1850s to accomplish these changes. Approximately, $1.2 Million dollars today!

Digression full stop.

The Civil War’s Stone Fleet; Of Fiji Ports and Quaker Guns
Leading up to the Civil War (1861-1865) he played an active role in the Underground Railroad freeing hundreds of slaves. In addition, French campaigned heavily for local African-Americans who wanted a military presence in the battle.

He fought to allow blacks to enlist and fight and even encouraged them to go ahead and commence drilling, since he felt it inevitable that the government would fold and allow their presence.

During the war, French donated his time, status, and resources to play an active role in spite of the Quaker’s view of non-violence and stance against refusing to participate in war. He may not have played so prominent a role and continued to simply campaign and advocate anti-slavery from a political pulpit if it weren’t for the fact that Confederate ships raided and destroyed whaling vessels on a regular basis. This had a harsh effect on French’s business interests and bottom line. Don’t mess with a man’s moola!

On November 2, 1861, French sailed aboard the 243 tonnage vessel Garland (containing 190 tons of stone) with the historic stone fleet which was a combination retaliation and tactical move to adversely affect the South’s ability to ship and receive freight on its waterfront. This stone fleet and its second one, both allowed the North more manufacturing time to build more gunboats for the cause.

Commodore of the Stone Fleet, Rodney French
French gave himself the title “Commodore” in an candid anecdote. Upon arrival in Savannah Harbor, French ordered a cannon fired. Though there were some ships fitted with weapons, most where junks and old whalers. Those without firepower had Fiji Ports and Quaker guns. Fiji Ports were simply paintings of cannons, which at a considerable distance appeared to be the real thing. Quaker guns where false cannons carved out of logs to also give the appearance of the real thing.

An unnamed naval officer that was present demanded to know who gave an order to fire. French declared “Commodore of the stone fleet, Rodney French.” To which the officer replied “There is only one Commodore in these waters, and he is Flag Officer DuPont of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Don’t fire that gun again!”

Posthumously
Not much more is said about Rodney French’s life after the Civil War beyond his passing in 1886. Before his death African-American citizens collected dimes and quarters to melt down and have a silver pitcher and tray as a symbolic way to show their gratitude.

After his passing, local African-American citizenry in 1924 again showed their gratitude by having a monument and plaque dedicated to his honor in Hazelwood Park.

Sadly, in 1983 the plaque was stolen. It would be forgotten for six years before students of both Keith and Normandin Junior High Schools campaigned under the leadership of teachers Donna Parker and Kevin Bellavance respectively, to have it replaced. After lobbying City Council and Mayor Bullard, a ceremony was held he following year and a new plaque was installed at the cost of $925 which was paid for by the N.B. Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

An important figure in New Bedford and the nation’s history that should not be forgotten and certainly deserves even more than having a Boulevard, plaque and monument in his honor, is Commodore Rodney French.

by Andrew O’Leary

Try to recall any regular murder conviction you can think of and consider this: there is probably far more evidence linking Lee H. Oswald to the murder of President John F. Kennedy than seen in common courtroom convictions. Why then do so many people think of conspiracy and intrigue when the murder of Kennedy should be nothing more than a simple murder case?

Here are five things you rarely hear about the Kennedy assassination:

1. The “magic bullet” was not magic at all.

The Warren Commission concluded that assassin Lee Harvey Oswald fired three bullets from his Italian military rifle. Since then, conspiracy theorists have added bullets, changed firing locations, but have mostly questioned the Commission claim that a bullet entered JFK’s back and went through him to hit John Connolly, calling this the “magic” bullet.

The first point to note is that it is extremely difficult to track a bullet from a high velocity rifle travelling downward at over one thousand feet per second. In any firing, predicting what a bullet does on impact with a body is nearly impossible. Why then are the theorists so certain that the Commission is wrong? Worse still, why do almost all theorists display Kennedy’s car, Kennedy’s sitting position and Connolly’s location incorrectly? In the blueprints and images they use to discuss the “magic “, theorists display the bodies in mannequin style with perfect posture, seated eyes to the front at the exact same height as each other, with both sets of shoulders well above the car door level. This is wrong in almost every respect. This display ignores mundane issues like Kennedy’s slouched posture and ruffled clothing, Connolly’s much lower jump seat and Connolly’s real position – turned toward the right side of the car.

If you are trying to trace a bullet’s straight line without considering these issues, of course it looks “magic.” The Commission and recent TV reenactments show that, when the victims are represented accurately, it is far easier to see how a bullet could enter Kennedy’s back, exit his throat and continue downward through Connolly’s turned armpit, exit via Connolly’s rib and smash his wrist.

There’s very little magic involved.

2. Oliver Stone’s JFK movie is largely a work of fiction.

One of Oliver Stone’s most recent projects is the “Untold History of the United States” where he takes an alternative view of American history since the 1940s. Despite claiming his Untold History would throw the lid off the secrets of the Cold War, Stone refuses to include even one of the two dozen theories he used in his JFK movie.

Look again at the 1991 movie and you’ll see why: at the mid point of JFK, Kevin Costner’s Jim Garrison admits, “I don’t have much of a case.” He’s right! In reality, in 1969 the Garrison case was laughed out of court in less than an hour!

Just as Stone has run for cover today, Garrison was barely there when his theories collapsed, with the New Orleans District Attorney rarely participating in his own courtroom parade of hypnotized witnesses, convicts and drug addicts.

3. Conspiracy theories are not covered up.

Far from it! Conspiracy theorists are not a minority of courageous truth tellers, they are the most celebrated and most popular part of the murder investigation. Attacking the official Warren Commission report on the murder is an immensely successful industry with thousands of books published and republished. Today, Jesse Ventura’s They Killed Our President is on the New York Times bestseller list! But don’t be fooled in to thinking that, “the truth is finally coming out.” There are very few new ideas in over 40 years of conspiracy books.

The most popular and profitable theorists like Mark Lane (of the Jim Jones cult) and Jim Marrs (self styled alien expert) have been bestsellers since the mid 1960s. However, 35 years of “investigating” has not changed much of their arguments or produced new evidence. Any supposed cover up can’t have lasted too long since Esquire magazine published its ‘Primer of Assassination Theories‘ as soon as December 1966, just two years after the Warren report.

From this point, the track record to the 1990s is clear: conspiracy gets published or broadcast on hugely successfully TV shows like The Men Who Killed Kennedy (1988); anything supporting the official Warren Commission conclusions gets ignored. Just look at the so called witnesses who got countless hours of airtime on these TV extravaganzas.

If one takes the time to track their statements to police and FBI in the week of the killing, and then compare what they say on more recent TV shows, it is easy to see them revise their tales to fit the conspiracy of the decade. Look at Julia Ann Mercer who was near the murder scene on November 22nd, who, in her 1963 FBI interviews, didn’t see or recognize anyone.

By 1973, Mercer was telling others that she was sure she saw Ruby but not Oswald. By 1983, Mercer was now sure she had seen Ruby and Oswald together that morning. Mercer is a very popular witness today but the dozens if not hundreds of other witness who stick to their FBI stories never got on TV.

4. Lone nuts are more common than conspiracies.

Everybody knows the name Lee Harvey Oswald. Many also know the names of Sirhan Sirhan, who killed Robert Kennedy, and James Earl Ray, assassin of Martin Luther King. Many conspiracy authors link these three awful murders and point to a movement or group that was “taking out” reformers who were bucking the system. Oswald, Sirhan and Ray are just patsies, whose strings are being pulled by others. However, if you look beyond these three incidents, you can see that, right up to the 1980s, presidents and presidential candidates were in constant danger from would be assassins.

From 1933 to 1994, the list is depressingly long: Francisco Martin Duran, Samuel Byck, Squeeky Fromme, Sara Jane Moore, John Hinckley, Arthur Bremer, Giuseppe Zangara, Oscar Collazo and Griselio Torresola. Why do the theorists call Oswald a pasty but leave the others as lone nuts? Conspiracy researchers like UMass professor Philip Melanson write of Manchurian candidates, those brainwashed by the intelligence agencies into performing killings. If that’s the case, then wouldn’t at least one of the unsuccessful assassins show evidence of being a member of this deadly Manchurian group?

In truth, what all of these individuals have in common is personal frustration, a desire to promote a petty political cause or gain notoriety. They are Munchausen candidates not Manchurian candidates; living in a fantasy world, not part of a fantastic plot.

Oswald fits this mold perfectly, unsuccessful in escaping the poverty of his upbringing and failing to gain status as a political figure in his defection to the Soviet Union, his pro-Castro activities, and attempted defection to Cuba in the month before the murder of Kennedy. Taking a shot a Kennedy was his plan for immortality. While Jackie Kennedy called him just a “shitty little communist,” the conspiracy theorists continue to make his wish come true.

5. The murder of JFK did not alter American history.

In the decades after the murder, the image of a lost Kennedy Camelot was a popular one. That “things would have been different” had Kennedy lived remains a popular idea. A mini industry was built and encouraged by First Lady Jackie Kennedy and press secretary Arthur Schlesinger, promoting an outsized image of the visionary who had a mere 1,000 days to try to change America.

When the USA had to confront the issues of the 1960s, the radicalism of youth and peace movements, social and cultural tension and faction fighting over civil rights, Vietnam, and the immense national trauma of the Watergate scandal, this lost New Frontier looked better than ever. In truth, Kennedy was as flawed and fallible as any president before or after. Far from a man set on ending the tension with the Soviets, Kennedy was a staunch Cold Warrior who took the might of the Soviet Union seriously, overthrew the socialist president of Brazil, and kept a commitment to intervening in Vietnam and Laos right up to his death.

Kennedy’s image as a hawk is precisely the reason he beat out the peace wing of the Democrats, represented by Adlai Stevenson and Eleanor Roosevelt, to win the nomination for president. In attempt to become more than a junior senator from Massachusetts, JFK became a partner of Joe McCarthy and supported the pursuit of “Reds” at home and abroad.

As he rose to power, JFK was far more lukewarm on civil rights than Lyndon Johnson, closely coveting the powerful southern Dixiecrats who held the line on segregation. Kennedy’s role in Cuba is most telling. While conspiracy theorists feel the anti Castro CIA targeted the president for murder because he was weak on Cuban matters, Kennedy’s real record shows strong anti Castro actions. In fact, in the 1960 presidential election, he beat Nixon for the top spot by looking tougher on Castro’s Cuba. It is a lie that Kennedy compromised the 1960 Bay of Pigs invasion.

He was angry at CIA incompetence, not their mission. After the invasion Kennedy ramped up, not decreased, the pressure on Castro, with Kennedy’s support of anti Castro paramilitaries part of the reason Castro looked for Soviet nuclear weapons. The missile crisis of 1962 sees Kennedy hold a hard line against the Soviets despite the world coming closer than ever to apocalypse and in the weeks before his death he made public statements and laid secret plans for another coup in Cuba.

“Gosnold At Cuttyhunk” – Albert Bierstadt (Wikipedia)

Series Introduction
Welcome to the sixth installment of the series “Historical Personages of New Bedford.” The previous five installments can be found by using the keyword “personage” in the search window in the column at the left or click here.

My intention with this series is to shine some light on the lesser known names and figures of New Bedford’s past.

I won’t focus on the more popular and well-known figures since they have not only been covered in substantial depth, but information about these figures is something most people already have a cursory knowledge of. Though redundant to say, if any more information is desired, it is readily available and easily accessible.

Some of these great and popular figures got to be well known, wealthy, or famous on the shoulders of names vaguely recalled or ne’er heard. I don’t want to swing all the way to the other side and overcompensate by saying that these great figures would be no one without those you haven’t heard of. Perhaps they would have, but I think since history has traditionally ignored the lesser known figures, let’s give them their due!

Germans In America
In this article, I want to spotlight and showcase the talents of German-born, Romantic painter Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902). While he was born in Solingen, Germany he was a long time resident and fixture in New Bedford for almost two decades. He was raised in his family home which was on the northeast corner of Acushnet Avenue and Mill Street. The house built in 1780 was called the George East House. He found inspiration for his work in New England’s natural scenery and his stunning creations in some cases could be said to rival or even better it. His talent is too breath-taking to not share.

German-Americans make up the largest ethnic group in the United States and they began heading to the New World in the 1670s pushed out of their home country because of lack of perceived freedoms, land resources and religious persecution. Of course, talk of the economic flourishing and opportunities were an attractive feature as well.

They brought with them their music, customs, foods like hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst, beer, kindergarten and even the concept of the Christmas tree. Most of the Germans who immigrated were simple farmers. As with all ethnic groups, Germans began to flock together and form tight-knit communities. In the case of German-Americans these little communities were called “Germanias.” Germans who came to New Bedford began to congregate in a village called – surprise, surprise – Germantown!

Germantown and German Culture in the Region
Germantown was located in the North End and to this day is still home to some 5,000 German-Americans. There were a number of German cultural contributions to the city of New Bedford, including a Rheinberger Club or Sängerbund which was a German singing club. Like the Cape Verdean or Portuguese Clubs there were German only clubs like the Independent Order of the Red Men on North Second Street, and the Order of the Iron Hall on Purchase Street. Surely, there were eateries, butcher shops, and more.

Sadly, you wouldn’t know it as it seems the cultural connection to the Old World has died out. I would love to see a small section of the city have a German characteristic akin to what we see in the South End with the Portuguese community. Signs, business, restaurants, eateries, and more in German.

Having spent time living in Germany, I would love to enjoy another Altstadtfest, hear some Polka, eat some Currywurst, or Pommes Frittes with curry-ketchup. We do have an Oktoberfest though, don’t we…hmmmmm.

Anyhow, our protagonist Mr. Bierstadt – whose surname by the way, interestingly enough means “City of Beer” – came to New Bedford as a one year old in 1831. He stayed for twenty two years before moving back to Germany to study at prestigious art schools for a few years. In essence, he was a bonadife New Bedford denizen, since he had no recollection of Germany and up to the age of twenty two only knew New England. When he finished his schooling in 1858, he returned to America and traveled about.

His Life Work
As with many artists, including literary, New England’s landscape left a deep, indelible impression on Bierstadt and it threaded his work for the rest of his life. The seasons, flora, fauna, foliage, and history of the region can take on an almost spiritual hue. Bierstadt was quite the prolific painter and had over 500 original creations. His work is featured in museums across the world, including right here in New Bedford at the Whaling Museum.

Bierstadt had a central home in Irvington, New York where he kept his studio. He would spend long amounts of time abroad and was rarely in one place for long. He was received well in his day, found critical and popular acclaim and at one point even won a private reception with Queen Victoria.

He won many awards, and had no trouble selling his paintings for moderate amounts of money. In contrast, near the end of his life his work evolved as it does for many artists. He fell out of favor of critics, who felt his work became too theatrical. With the loss of critical acclaim, he began to fall out of the popular eye. Sadly, at the time of his death in 1902 he was virtually forgotten.

Without Further Ado
There is no real point in describing Bierstadt’s work. Not being an artist, I would do a disservice to Bierstadt and his pieces. Even if I were an artists and capable, there are no amount of words in any combination that would do his work justice. The most pragmatic thing to do is just end the article and let his pieces speak for themselves.

Because he was so prodigious and had such a massive volume of work, I’ve cherry picked some of what I believe to be his most stunning. Of course, that is completely a subjective process and if you would like to see more of his work, there are a number of his images available of course, on Google images.

Fire crew cleaning a steam engine (Spinner Publications)

Welcome to the fifth installment of the series “Historical Personages of New Bedford.” The first being pharmacist Robert H. Carter III, the second being photographer James E. Reed, the third was businessman and contractor Dudley Davenport and the fourth was blacksmith extraordinaire, and innovator Lewis Temple.

My intention with this series is to shine some light on the lesser known names and figures of New Bedford’s past. I won’t focus on the more popular and well-known figures since they have not only been covered in substantial depth, but information about these figures is something most people already have a cursory knowledge of. Though redundant to say, if any more information is desired, it is readily available and easily accessible.

Some of these great and popular figures got to be well known, wealthy, or famous on the shoulders of names vaguely recalled or ne’er heard. I don’t want to swing all the way to the other side and overcompensate by saying that these great figures would be no one without those you haven’t heard of. Perhaps they would have, but I think since history has traditionally ignored the lesser known figures, let’s give them their due!

Edward Dahill (1862-1950) was one of those guys who no one has heard of, but has left an indelible mark on the city itself, and even the nation as a whole. He has saved many lives and in an indirect way, continued to save countless lives after his passing.

Mr. Dahill, was born here in New Bedford and spent his childhood growing up at 772 County Street. His first job in the city was as the owner of a modest Boot and Shoe dealership at 667 Purchase Street just few blocks down the street. Selling shoes, however, is not what Edward Dahill was known for. He certainly saved no lives selling shoes. At least there is no historical mention of a miracle of this sort.

What made Edward Dahill important enough to be discussed a century later, is his service as a fireman for the city and as an innovator. The first semblance of firefighting in New Bedford was a citizen’s brigade of bucket passers, that was finally assisted by the purchase of the city’s first fire engine in 1772. It wouldn’t be until circa 1832 that a “Protecting Society” – the precursor to a genuine fire department – was founded to officially handle the breakout of fire in the city. It consisted of seven fire engines, and a sole hook and ladder company, all manned by volunteers.

Of course, at this point in time, all the engines were horse drawn. Slowly but surely motorized engines began to replace the horse-drawn engines. By 1850 a value was seen in a highly trained, motivated force to battle outbreaks and the volunteers became regular city employees by 1850. Mr. Dahill climbed through the ranks of the Fire Department at a rapid pace and by 1901 he was the 1st assistant engineer with an annual salary of $649.26. By 1904 he was Chief Engineer with a substantial raise to $1500.00. Within a year after that he would be Fire Chief until retirement.

Where Dahill enters the history books in general, and specifically New Bedford, is his contribution to firefighting technology. Up until the turn of the 20th century spring mechanisms were used to extend the engine ladders. In 1902, Dahill invented an air-hoist aerial ladder to be used on the fire trucks. Instead of manually turning a crank, compressed air would do the work easier and faster. Within 7 seconds a 70 foot ladder could be extended. So ahead of it’s time was the air-hoist that it would not find something more efficient with hydraulics, until more than 30 years later.

Edward F. Dahill gave New Bedford over 50 years of service in the Fire Department and his innovation not only saved lives in the city, but countless lives all over he world.

For this installment of “Who Remembers?” let’s take a stroll down the automobile memory lane. We’ll only go back a few decades since we have to “remember” and that means we have to be alive! 😉 We’ve revisited past buildings, structures, and businesses, so I though it time to cover something different. I know there are many automobile buffs, but you certainly don’t have to be an auto geek to enjoy this walk into the past. I have linked videos of the commercials for each automobile for those who want more visuals.

Do you recall these cars or one that is not on the list? Did you own one? Have any anecdotes to share? Please do!

If you want to take any other strolls down memory lane, to the right you will find a categories widget with a drop-down menu. There is a historical category. You’ve been warned though! You will look up at the clock after a few “minutes” and find hours have passed. Like a certain brand of chips, you can’t just “eat” one. A lot of fun, without being boring.

So, let’s see who remembers these vintage autos…

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1. Pontiac Fiero
‘Fess up. You know you owned one. Debuting in 1984, the Lamborgh…I, mean the 2 seat, 4-cylinder Pontiac Fiero had a whopping 92 horsepower and could race any moped in the city and crush it. If you were cruising the “Ave” and some hot chics, you could pretend to hit the headlight switch by accident and reveal the hidden headlights. The girls would see this, flag you down and give you their phone numbers. Easy kills. Right? Guys…hello?! Why’s there an echo in here?

“Fiero” means “proud” in Italian or “ferocious” in Spanish. The only thing ferocious about the Fiero was its attack on your wallet due to repair bills from shoddy engineering. Engine fires abounded, cooling system issues, oil leaks and more seemed to be common anecdotes. It didn’t matter. You had a Rolodex of girls’ phone numbers.

2. Ford Pinto
This subcompact car made by Ford was common throughout the 70s in your choice of a variety of hideous colors. In concept, the Pinto was intended to be direct competition with the growing popularity of imports, particularly the Volkswagen Beetle.

Concerns about the safety of the gas tank design led to a recall in 1978. It turned out that the concerns were unwarranted as the car was shown to be as safe as any other car on the road. Regardless, the damage was done and the recall seemed to be the death knoll as the car was taken from production in less than 2 years. The car cost less than $2,000 when it was debuted in 1971. In 2004, the big meanies at Forbes “awarded” the Ford Pinto with the dubious honor of being one of the Worst Cars of All Time and if that didn’t hurt, in 2009 Business Week named it one of the Fifty Worst Cars of All Time. Ouch.

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3. Chevrolet El Camino
To compete against the Ford Ranchero, Chevrolet rolled out another chic magnet, the El Camino. The coupe utility vehicle debuted in 1959, ran for another year before going on hiatus. After a hugely successful debut year – beating the Ford Ranchero – its second year was a dismal loss causing it to be discontinued. It returned in 1964 and had a successful run until 1987. However, the Chevrolet Lumina Ute is clearly the modern equivalent of the El Camino. Just take my money Chevrolet, just take my money. Right guys? Guys?!

4. AMC Gremlin
Sticking with the theme of chic magnets, no girl could resist a guy in a Gremlin! Debuting in 1970 it was a competitor of the Ford Pinto and Volkswagon Beetle, but FASTER. It was a downright hot rod. Performance AND beauty!

The dictionary definition of a “Gremlin” is ‘a small gnome held to be responsible for malfunction of equipment.’ Clearly, not a well-thought out model name. AMC execs were unconcerned and began to market the Gremlin as ‘a pal to its friends and an ogre to its enemies.’ Tremble all you foes of the Gremlin, the Ogre on wheels is coming for your soul. In spite of its reputation as a fast car and its use on the auto racing circuit, an attempt by the Houston Police Department to consider the Gremlin as the official car of the force resulted in zero follow up orders. Bewildering. The Gremlin died out in 1978.

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5. Yugo GV (Zastava Koral)

Making many “Worst Car Ever” lists, the Zastava Koral or Yugo as it was called colloquially since it originated from Yugoslavia, debuted in 1987. GV meant Great Value. There were such high expectations for the vehicle to take off in the states that full-page ads were taken out in the New York and Los Angeles Times and the prestigious National Enquirer.

The first three Yugos were red, white and blue. Yeah, America was going to love the car that only cost $3,900 came with FREE maintenance and a 10 year/100,000 mile warranty, right? There’s that echo again, this time a 30-year-old echo.

Even when it was unveiled, it was a car that was hazed, picked on and ridiculed for its tiny size, appearance and top speed of 86 mph. Another problem was that no one read the owner’s manual. ‘Murica! The manual recommended that the owner the engine’s timing belt every 40,000 miles or you’d get a blown engine. It’s free maintenance, not free parts/engines.

Adding to the poorly structured and marketed automobile, was the tragic story of Yugo owner Leslie Ann Pluhar, who was blown off the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan by a 55 mph wind gust. Audits, failed tests, re-engineering, restructuring certainly weren’t helpful, nor were United Nations sanctions on Yugoslavia. That’s not even the end of it!

The coup de grace blow that helped kill the little car that couldn’t was NATO’s 1999 accidental bombing of the company’s automotive division, instead of their arms manufacturing division. Oopsies.

Time for another stroll down memory lane. If you enjoy this article and wish to take more of these strolls, to your right you will find the both a search box and a category sorter. In previous articles we’ve discussed The Peanut Shop, Mars Bargainland, Mitchell’s Fish & Chips, Bob & Eileen’s, etc., as well as ten of Fairhaven’s Forgotten Landmarks like the Drive-Thru, Water Tower, A&W, Barbero’s, etc.

As always, we encourage correction, discussion, and anecdotes. Memory isn’t always reliable when it comes to specific details.

Throughout New Bedford’s History there have been a few Woolworth’s Five & Dime Stores. At least three – one on South Water Street, one on Purchase Street and one on Fish Island. I vaguely recall a few visits when I was a child to the Purchase Street store. The genius of Woolworth is that my mom could leave me at the counter with a grilled cheese and something from the soda fountain while she shopped unmolested. What’s a soda fountain, you say? If you don’t know you’ll have to ask mom or dad!

I remember the toaster machine, the hair nets, and the malted milk. Woolworth’s back then was known colloquially as the “Five & Dime”, which was a clever way of saying a store where you could buy things very inexpensively. The term “Five & Dime”, believe it or not was coined – pardon the pun – to describe a store-wide policy to charge only a nickel or a dime for all products within the store. Of course, inflation had other plans.

The younger generation thinks that K-Mart and Wal-Mart had an original idea, but Woolworth’s was a department store far before either existed. Thread, clothes, drugs (no-not those kind), sport’s goods, silverware, shovels, etc. You name it. You could buy a variety of goods and take a break for a meal at the eatery. Nowadays, the soda fountain has been replaced by a Little Caeser’s or Starbucks, but the concept is the same.

40 cents for a ham and cheese (“You will like it!”), 20 cents for an orange juice, and 25 cents for a Banana Split. You could buy a “Hamburger Sandwich” and have it with some “French Fried Potatoes”!

Frank Winfield Woolworth opened his first “Woolworth’s Great Five Cent Store” in Utica, New York, on February 22, 1878. By 1904 there were 6 stores from New York to Canada and 8 short years later in 1912, there were almost 600 stores! By 1997, the chain went out of business, but kept it’s sporting goods or shoe-ware division going. What is the name of the division today? Foot Locker!

What are your fondest memories of Woolworth’s?

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Growing up, I recall only one important thought when I woke up on the morning of a school day: a bowl of cereal and sitting before the television. It was ritual. Hey, first world kids need to destress before the “stress” of a school day. The best method is a bowl of Cookie Crisp and some TV therapy. The best school days ever, were those when it was snowing. One eye and ear on the television and the other ear on the radio. “C’mon snow! Keep coming. We need a blizzard!” That would mean my brother and I could stay in our underoos and watch TV all day. Epic.

In case you were wondering, Mike’s were Spiderman and mine were Superman. Mike is probably still under the illusion that Spiderman would win in a fight, but that’s just crazy talk. Duh.

The other prime times to watch TV? After getting dropped off from school, which meant racing through the door, grabbing my mom’s homemade cucumber, tomato, onion insalata and plopping down in front of the TV. Saturday morning was perhaps the single best time all week. Mom would have to muscle us to get outdoors. Who doesn’t remember the classic mom line “You have to go outside and get some fresh air.”? How come mom’s didn’t understand that fresh air wasn’t a priority?! TV was!

Lastly, Saturday night was a GREAT time to watch.

Anyhow, here are ten television shows I recall and have fond memories of growing up. I have to stop at ten for practical reason, so this list by no stretch of the imagination is exhaustive. For your enjoyment, I have placed a video link within each header.

01. Bozo’s Circus/Bozo’s Big Top/Bozo the Clown
This franchised show was different depending upon where you grew up. Being franchised as opposed to syndicated meant that each regional market would have their own version. I don’t particularly recall whether “our” Bozo the Clown was franchised here in New Bedford, from Boston or elsewhere. Was it WLNE? Perhaps the re-runs were from other markets? I do remember how much I loved the show. Looking back, he was kind of creepy, but I didn’t think so when I as a kid.

02. Kung-Fu Theater
I wonder how many vases and televisions were smashed and how many fat lips were generated from this great show. Nowhere else on TV would you get a 10 minute long fight scene of epic proportions for something as simple as “Father sent me to get rice cakes.” You want rice cakes? Here, have a quivering palm and a tornado kick!

Men with long white hair in ponytails hiding edged weapons, running across water and leaping over 20′ walls seemed so normal. The classic dubbing of voices that never matched, and moving lips before and after the audio always led to a chuckle and had to be mimicked in fight scenes amongst brothers and friends in living rooms across the country.

03. Creature Double Feature
I don’t recall whether Creature Double Feature came before or after Kung-Fu Theater, but I think it was on the same channel WLVE-56 on Saturday afternoons. After building up a sweat kung-fuing it was time to settle down, grab some Ramen Noodles and a PBJ. We wanted to see how poor Japan would fare against some gargantuan monstrosity.

The Japanese must have been exhausted physically and economically having to constantly rebuild their cities every weekend after Mothra, Godzilla, Rodan or their ilk destroyed it. I was just overjoyed that they did rebuild it, so it could be destroyed again. We were so lucky that civilians in Japan had readily available cameras so that we American kids could enjoy the documentaries.

04. Hogan’s Heroes
Ah, stupid German soldiers getting outwitted by imprisoned Americans. Doesn’t sound like a good premise for a kid’s show, but we loved it. The over-the-top acting and general ineptitude from Sergeant Schultz made for great laughs. Bob Crane’s Colonel Hogan would make impossible to succeed solutions to the crew’s problems work, but just could never seem to succeed in escape. Thanks goodness, because the show would have ended! The bumbling, non-threatening Germans made it seem like it wouldn’t be so bad to be kept at a Luftwaffe stalag. Ah, to be a kid again.

05. Three Stooges
Perhaps my favorite show of all time. Maybe even the greatest show of all time period. I have tried unsuccessfully, time and again to get my daughter hooked. Fans love to discuss the best third stooge to circulate. Was it Shemp, Curly or Shemp II?

Their brand of physical humor and their potato like brains always led to stomach busting laughter. Schadenfroh never felt so good. Just saying the Three Stooges evokes the memorable lullaby sounding theme. In addition to the series, they made numerous movies, and many of the WWII themed films were particular treats. My personal favorite was “The Three Stooges Meet the Monsters.” There will never be a comic trio like the Three Stooges.

06. Courtship of Eddie’s Father
I just love this series theme, both the visual and aural aspects. I can vividly recall Eddie and his Father along the beach and the great soundtrack. “Don’t you know, you’re my best friend!” The father played by Bill Bixby, and son (Brandon Cruz) lived together because mom and wife, Helen had passed away. Little Eddie really wanted a mom, and made many attempts at trying to get his father to fall in love with any lady that entered the picture.

Mrs. Livingston played by Miyoshi Umeki, was the Japanese housekeeper and Nanny that would always clean up the mess, both literally and figuratively. Just a well written show.

07. Rhonda “Up All Night”
Rhonda Shear, hostess of “Up All Night” was probably my first crush. Or was it Heather Thomas in ‘The Fall Guy’? While actress and comedienne Caroline Schlitt originally hosted the Friday night show, Rhonda Shear and her…ahem…talents were all that mattered.

Comic Gilbert Gottfried would host the Saturday evening shows and was perfectly zany for tweens and teens. The show would centralize on some horrendous B Movie, sexploitation film or Cult Classic. Before or after commercial breaks the hostess would have some funny, sardonic, or witty commentary or even a skit.

08. Gilligan’s Island
Listen. Either you are a “Ginger” guy or a “Mary Anne” guy. I was (and still am) a Mary Anne guy. I was going to share my Fruit-Roll Up with you, but being a Ginger guy, you get NOTHING. This show started out in black & white before evolving into color.

The premise was that a group of people chartered a boat for a “three hour tour” somewhere off the Hawaiian islands. A tropical storm shipwrecks them on an unknown island and voila – we now have a hit TV show. There was a perfect blend of characters with opposing personalities to generate comedic conflict. The chemistry between Alan Hale’s “Skipper” and his “little buddy”, Bob Denver’s Gilligan provided most of the laughs. We also had millionaires Thurston Howell and his wife, the Professor, and the unheralded radio narrator. Who here doesn’t have the them song “The Ballad of Gilligan’s Isle” playing in their head?

09. 6 Million Dollar Man
That slo-mo. The sound of bionic muscles contracting and expanding. “gggnn gnnnn gnnn” or something like that. If only I could get in an industrial accident or run over by a car and have my missing limbs replaced with bionic ones! I’d throw the football 90 yards, whip 200 mph fastballs, and toss bullies around like legos. I’d be the most popular kid in school. Every kid dreamed that he could be astronaut Steve Austin played by Lee Majors. Two bionic legs, a bionic arm and eye made one of TVs most memorable characters for me. “We can rebuild him…we have the technology.”

10. The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk series starring Bill Bixby (again) as Bruce Banner and Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk, left an indelible mark on me. For one, Banner was an intelligent, affable, fellow with a secret. He was admired for his smarts and geniality, which I was picked on or taken advantage of – people would ask me to help them or allow them to copy my work. His secret was a monster inside. As a teen I was angry about a lot of things and wanted to rail out. Smashing people would be a good start!

I also felt that my nerdiness could be disguised or protected if I lifted weights and played sports. I felt a real affinity with both characters, “ego and id” if you will. The series was well acted, had a fantastic original story and the icing was the fair amount of suspense and concern that Bixby would get caught by Mr. McGee who suspected that Banner and the Hulk were the same. Remember, Banner could simply walk into any town and have jobs thrown at him? Sigh.

Do you remember these? Which others do you recall?

In this series, I’d like to take a lighter approach to the history of the Whaling City. I come across a lot of really interesting historical facts and the vast majority of them do not merit an entire article. The problem is that they are just too interesting to not share. At least from the point of view of an historical nerd like myself. Or nerds like us, right? Guys? Hello? Why is there an echo in here? Is that a snore that I hear?

Well, I hope I’m not alone. I’m a hopeless optimist, so am going to chug ahead with my nerd train. I am going forward with the thought that there are people genuinely interested in the region’s history. Enthusiastic for it. Famished for it. I’ve had to be creative to come up with ways to compile the information that doesn’t seem forced or artificial. With that having been said, I offer you the first installment in a series that centers on firsts of New Bedford.

1. The First Ship Built: the “Dartmouth.” (1767)
The Dartmouth was the very first ship to be built in New Bedford in 1767 on a piece of land near where Hazard’s Wharf is today. This land was originally owned by Francis Rotch and he would use the property – which coincidentally had many Buttonwood trees – to start a small shipyard. This 80′ long vessel’s purpose was to transport whale oil to London. Up to this point the largest sea vessels to be built were whaleboats.

Does the name Francis Rotch and the vessel Dartmouth sound familiar? Well, they should. The Dartmouth was one of a trio of sea vessels involved in the Boston Tea Party that pre-empted the Revolutionary War, and was actually the first to arrive on the scene.

2. The First Library (1853)
The First Library was not where City Hall is today, but at the Perkin’s Building at 139 Union Street where Berk’s Militaria is today. This library was first opened on March 3, 1853. Up to this point there were only private libraries or collections. Interestingly, one of the first private libraries as called the “Old Encyclopedia Society” since the 18 volume Dobson’s Encyclopedia (1789) was the base of the collection. Another private library of 5,500 books called the “Social Library” was the largest contributor the Free Public Library when it opened.

3. The First Residence (1760)
When the region was sparsely populated with homesteads and farms – some running 800 acres in size – a fellow you may have heard of who went by the name Joseph Russell, sold part of his expansive farm property to a Caulker, one John “Jack” Loudon from Pembroke. He was the first person to build a residence within the planned Bedford Village limits. Loudon purchased a modest 1 acre tract of land, just south of what would be Union and Water Street, or the “Four Corners.” At this time in New Bedford’s History, the tide came up to South Water Street and this particular acre was chosen because Loudon had ambitions to start a shipyard. Within a year he would be followed by Carpenter John Allen and Blacksmith Elnathan Sampson.

4. The First Escalator (1898)
This first was also the nation’s first. America and the nation’s first escalator was built within the Star Store (aka New Bedford Dry Goods Co.) at Union and Purchase Streets. Of course, today the Star Store Building is UMass Dartmouth’s College of Visual and Performing Arts.

5. The First Post Office (1792)
New Bedford’s first Post Office was opened on the corner of Purchase and Union Streets on June 12, 1792. The building was eventually named after its first postmaster William Tobey and called simply “the Old Tobey House” before becoming Lawton’s Drug Store.

We promise there will be no swabbing of the decks, scaling to the crow’s nest or flogging via cat-o-nine tails. If you already know what it means to have an appetite for a salt horse, would look forward to gamming (not gaming), or could definitely steer a sea vessel two points on the weather bow then you have no need for this article. Saunter off or perhaps deride this article as being written by a rube. If you are like me – a landlubber – and have an interest in the lexicon, jargon or cant of the old seafarers and whaling history, then climb aboard. Mutiny will be tolerated as long as it’s in the form of corrections, additions and constructive feedback. No walking the plank.

These articles will be light, easy reads. One term described in a few sentences or paragraphs as opposed to the novellas I end up unintentionally writing. Once a term is broken down and explained, and perhaps its context furthered by an historical anecdote, there is really no point in carrying on. So after I blather for a few paragraphs, I’ll finish off with a few of those fantastic, vintage images that the New Bedford Whaling Museum and Spinner Publications possess and allow us to use. In a sense, the text within the article is a cleverly disguised way to showcase these photos. Hopefully you’ll extend me a bit of liberty since even if you don’t enjoy the writing, you will be subsequently rewarded through the photos.

There is an enormous wealth of general naval terminology that was utilized by seafarers in general and even more added to that mountainous pile in the way of specific lexicon of whaling masters and crewmen. I’d imagine if one of us landlubbers was transported through time, or were alive in the whaling heyday and had the misfortune to libate too much during a burlseq…ahem…silent movie and woke up at sea, we’d be at a loss for words among the conversation aboard. Pardon the pun. If you’re around a few mechanics, a group of musicians, or carpenters, you know what it means to feel lost in the conversation. It sounds like English, but shop-talk is virtually incomprehensible to lay people. You may even be familiar with some of the words, just haven’t the faintest clue what they mean within context. Sailors have their own language, if you will, and whalers had their own dialect within this language.

Sailing is such a large part of the world’s history that many terms are woven right into the language during everyday conversation amongst the general populace. Often, we use naval terms unawares. For example, how many of you have been traveling on foot with company and do as I hope many adults would do: look both way before crossing the street? Though this isn’t a popular habit with many of New Bedford’s pedestrians who prefer to leap into traffic then look, I’m assuming that isn’t you. Anyhow, you look both ways, turn to your partner and without blinking say “The coast is clear.” Coast?! We aren’t out to sea!

All joking aside, the lexicon is rich, full of euphemisms, innuendos, and meaning. It is a beautiful language in its own right. Shop-talk is born out of necessity. Out to sea, where loss of life was common and frequent, all needed to be on the same page. Communication needed to be packed with information using the fewest amount of words as possible. A difference of a few seconds, out at sea could mean at best a loss of profit, and at worst, loss of souls. Of course, that may depend on your perspective. If you were a wealthy landlubber, back at home in your estate counting your fortune, you may feel the inverse is true.

Like any language or dialect, it would be a shame to lose it to history. New Bedford’s success over the years is due in large part to whaling. New Bedford will forever have its history interwoven with that of worldwide whaling. New Bedford’s history IS world history. To lose the naval jargon of whaling, would be to lose part if its history and what made New Bedford. So let us dive into this language and have a little fun!

“Gamming” according to the Free Dictionary is:

1. To visit with.
2. To spend (time) talking or visiting.

Technically speaking a “Gam” [excluding the slang term for legs] is a social visit between whaling vessels, whalers or the crew. It was coined in the 1840s and generally means pulling alongside another whaling vessel and “hopping” aboard to enjoy a social.

Being out to sea for years at a time, staring at the same ugly mugs can be monotonous, cause mental fatigue and breed conflict. Gamming was a way to perhaps break out some grog, musical instruments and dance a jig. Anecdotes, tall tales told of exaggerated bounties, and the obligatory “one that got away” stories could be swapped.

In essence, it was a way to blow of some steam, boost morale and recuperate.

The term’s etymology has been suggested as deriving from the British “gammon” which is a term that describes misleading or deceptive talk, alluding to the tall tales that were surely told during these socials. Some have suggested it is related to “gaming”, which also surely took place. The image that serves as the banner of this article is from the 1949 movie “Down to the Sea in Ships” and shows a Captain’s wife in a gamming chair being transferred from one ship to the other. If a vessel pulled into port or alongside another ship, the gamming chair would be used to transfer women to the ship.

The movie takes a conservative approach and suggests the chair was used to transfer wives to the boat. However, if you returned to port after years, there would be no reason to bring your wife on board, since one was heading home. In all likelihood, it was used to bring women of lesser repute aboard while at some faraway port to replenish supplies, receive maintenance or repairs.

Considering that the gamming chair would have provided a great view of…ahem….a women’s gams, one has to wonder the words aren’t somehow related.

Looking for other terms to enjoy?

“Hove Down”