New Bedford Streets; A Piece of Americana: Elm Street

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Welcome to our sixth installment of New Bedford Streets; A Piece of Americana. I invite you to read up on the history behind William Street, Kempton Street, Middle Street, Centre Street and Ashley Boulevard. As usual, I’d like to re-iterate the importance of reader feedback, correction, and contributions.

by Joe Silvia

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 based 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 help!


Many of the previous articles revolved around streets that required a lot of detective work, the origins were dubious, and/or when the origin was clear, the article required a fair volume of research. In the case of Elm Street, the origin is very clear and really altogether not that complicated. However, what I thought would be a simple, clear, and relatively light article to write turned out to be the opposite as it often does! It turns out there is quite a bit of history on Elm Street. In fact, too much to cover in one article. So I hope the reader will forgive me for taking liberty in cherry picking the historical moments.

Many streets are a tribute to an historical figure – mostly local, but at times national – or even hearken back to sovereign England. Sometimes the streets are named because of the street’s primary function or placement, like “Centre Street”, “Middle Street”, or “School Street.” Which, though I digress, has made me often wonder why New Bedford has no “Main Street.”

From humble beginnings
There is no mystery about the origins of Elm Street. Elm Street is one of the oldest streets in New Bedford’s history with official mention of it going back to as early as 1805, as sourced from Ricketson’s book. It was named after a particular Elm that grew on the street. It wasn’t removed when the street went up. It was respectfully allowed to stay. The street was laid and buildings were erected around it. While the Elm tree was a favored tree back then, just like the Maple is in Canada, what remains lost to history is the reason for honoring this specific elm tree so early in the city’s beginning.

F.A. Sowles Saw Mill – Courtesy of Spinner Publications

Was it a landmark? Was it a favorite spot to find shade? Was it just a healthy respect for nature by the city planners? We may never know.

Elm street was at the heart of New Bedford during its first years. It shares its inception with the first streets, Union Street, Front Street, Centre Street, Water Street, etc. It wasn’t that far away from the Kempton farm and the bustling waterfront, so Elm Street played a pivotal role in the city’s growth early on. Indeed, one of the first spermaceti candle making facilities was Rodman Candleworks on the corner of Elm and Johnny Cake Hill built in 1810. This is a time when New Bedford still included Fairhaven and had approximately 5,500 people.

Elm Street was and still is a lengthy street and as it leaves the business hustle and bustle near the waterfront became a popular area for residents. People like Joseph Russell (129 Elm Street), Francis Hathaway (Hathaway Homestead on corner of Elm and Purchase), and Daniel Ricketson chose Elm Street as a residence. The MacLeod building was named after business mogul, Everett B. MacLeod who came to the city in 1805, started a retail clothing store based on a credit plan. He was so successful, and enlarged his store so many times that he simply went ahead and bought the entire block at the corner of Elm and Purchase streets.

In 1829 the Elm Street M. E. Church was set on fire, sparking riots and mob violence. This was blamed on the owners and frequenters of the infamous Ark which we detailed a few months back. You can read all about this major, fascinating event in the article The Story of New Bedford’s Arks; Of Sketchy Denizens, Mob Violence and the Hard Dig Neighborhood.

It was also a street that had a number of popular spots like the Elm Street Society of Methodists, the Empire Theater (118 Elm Street), the Lion Theater (Elm and County), Mr. Holmes’ Meeting House (Purchase and Elm), and the Elm Street Pool Room.

The Circus versus the Quakers
In the 1820s to the chagrin of New Bedford’s conservative Quakers a 6 days a week circus Buckley, Weeks & Co., opened up on the northwest corner of County and Elm Streets. The circus was so despised, and pressure from the Quakers so great, that selectmen stopped granting licenses to the managers of the circus and forced them to move towards the Dartmouth line. The conservative Quakers were against anything theatrical. Officials eventually relented and the circus continued, and the amphitheater they performed in was even visited by the New York Zoological Exhibition and a Columbian Circus.

By 1836 “The Lion Theater” replaced the circus which even ran some Shakespeare plays. Yes, Shakespeare in New Bedford! More pressure from the conservative Quakers forced the selectmen to again refuse licensing for a ten day period before relenting. In 1840, the pressure was so great that the city voted for theatrical licensing 12 in favor and 566 against. Imagine that.

Empire theater – Courtesy of Spinner Publications

The famous John Snow Stable was a popular destination before the automobile. This was located on the corner of Elm Street and Acushnet avenue in the 1840s.

Arson, Burlesque and Elvis
In 1859, an arsonist set fire to William A. Nash’s carriage factory, which spreads to Hathaway & Brother Stables causing 67 horses to be cut free and run about the city. I tried to find images of what had to have been a spectacular sight. Andrew J. Dam’s Billiard saloon and bowling alley was next to burn as the fire spread, then on to Joseph Linton and L.G. Carpenter’s blacksmith shops and a few other buildings on Mechanics Lane including the Union Boot and Shoe store and the City Guard station at Mechanic’s Hall though these last buildings were saved.

By 1922, the hold on theatrics in the city by conservative Quakers was virtually gone and the Empire Theater was built on 118 Elm Street. It originally hosted music shows, comedy acts, and dance events before the Zeitz purchased it and turned it into a movie theater ten years later. It was a popular destination for decades following and it closed its doors with its last showing of the musical film adaption of the Lerner and Loewe stage musical “My Fair Lady” starring Audrey Hepburn in 1964. It remained closed for one year, resurrected for one live burlesque performance of “Those wonderful Days of Burlesque” before closing for good.

To illustrate the change of times, on September 24, 1957 five teens got 6 months probation for hooting and hollering as they impatiently waited for Elvis’ “Jailhouse Rock” to be released. I doubt we’ll see any kids get 6 months probation for hooting and hollering while waiting for the new One Direction video. Those teens who possess a criminal nature have elevated their activities just a wee bit since then.

The Elm?
So Elm Street begin with a specific tree, respectively grew around the tree as the city’s fortune ebbed and flowed, before finally being removed or dying. It may have perished when Dutch Elm disease came to the U.S. in 1931. It may have been blown down in a hurricane. Or it may have been removed by the city. I would hate to have been in the city crew that had to go and remove this connection to the city’s past if that was the case. It’s sad that the tree even had to go, and even sadder if the maxim that progress can’t be stopped won the day here. The sheer size of the tree and angle it grew at makes me lean towards a hurricane or high winds blowing it down. If you heard a story, a rumor, or know how the Elm tree of Elm street disappeared, PLEASE share!


Elm Street Timeline
1805: First mention of Elm Street in Daniel Ricketson’s book. Everett B. MacLeod comes to the city.
1810: Samuel Rodman builds his candleworks. William Rotch builds a schoolhouse here.
1828: Buckley, Weeks & Co. circus opens.
1829: M.E. Church catches fire and sparks riots, and mob violence.
1833: Sixth Street extended from Elm to Middle street.
1834: 170 Elm is erected. The oldest still standing building on Elm Street.
1836: The Customs House, now the Post Office is built. Lions Theater opens.
1837: New Bedford’s first “successful” high school is built.
1843c: John Snow stables open.
1859: Arson starts the Elm Street fire and burns almost a dozen buildings down.
1896: Wilson Stables built at 22 Elm Street.
1913: A 6,000 signature strong petition leads to the widening of Purchase street on the west side from Union to Elm by 16 1/2 feet.
1914: Another fire burns down the last horse stable in the city. The popularity of the automobile means another is not built.
1915: Current Post Office building is erected.
1922:The Empire Theater was built on 118 Elm Street. Artist and author, Normand Chartier is born from parents Ovide Chartier and Stella Rousseau.
1977: Peabody Apartments are built.
1978: Carney Academy is erected.
1981: VA Clinic is erected at 175 Elm Street.
1982: Elm Street parking garage is erected.
1983: SRTA building is erected.
1995: Standard Times Building is erected.
1998: Ernestina moved its offices from a trailer on the State Pier to the F.A. Sowle Building.

Special thanks to Spinner Publications and the New Bedford Whaling Museum for the images. I can’t say enough about the generosity and kindness they have both extended. If you enjoy these images, you are in for a real treat by visiting their websites or the Museum. They also have a gift shop and some great publications for sale that will make FANTASTIC Holiday gifts!

#1: Forbes and Sears Carriage on the corner of Elm & Acushnet Ave.from 1865 – Spinner Pub.
#2: 1934 Street scene on Acushnet Ave & Elm Street – Spinner Pub.
#3: Elm Cafe on the corner of Acushnet and Elm street – Spinnr Pub.
#4: Alanson Gammons house built in 1798 on NE corner of Elm and North streets- Whaling Museum
#5: Daniel Ricketson’s House
#6: A mule hanging out with the boys at Denny Shay’s Barroom – WhalingCity.net
#7: Fire at Naptha Clothes Cleaning Company at Elm & Cedar – Whaling Museum
#8: Corner of Elm and Front Streets – Spinner Pub.
#9: Covil’s on the corner of Elm & Acushnet Ave – Whaling Museum
#10: 1859 Fire at William A. Nash’s carriage factory – Whaling Museum
#11: Corp Brothers Welding – Whaling Museum
#12: Parker Hotel on Elm & Purchase – Spinner Pub.
#13: Corner of Pleasant and Elm Streets – Whaling Museum
#14: Purchase and Elm streets – Whaling Museum
#15: The Thomas Hathaway house, NW corner of Elm and Purchase – Whaling Museum
#16: “The Elm” – Whaling Museum
#17: Drawing of what the barns on Joseph Russell’s property looked like in 1808 – Whaling Museum
#18: Wilson Stable at 22 Elm Street before renovation – Spinner Pub


About Joe Silvia

When Joe isn't writing, he's coaching people to punch each other in the face. He enjoys ancient cultures, dead and living languages, cooking, benching 999#s, and saving the elderly, babies and puppies from burning buildings. While he enjoys long walks on the beach, he will not be your alarm clock, because he's no ding-a-ling.

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14 comments

  1. Of great interest to me. I was born on Elm and Cedar in the 40s before the trolley tracks were removed. Remember watching the trolley turn the corner from elm to cedar.Always ran to my porch when the trollley approached. As i sat on the porch, i could see down Cedar Street to the ” giant” door at the end of that street. That was House of Correction. When the police went out on calls and returned…that door would open . To me as a child, I thought it was the end of the world. A giant gap that people were taken when they did something wrong. A kid’s imagination.

  2. I can never get enough of anecdotes! Thanks for sharing and breathing life into the article Joan!

  3. Great info keep it coming! Can you do a story on Union st. I know it has a rich military history, thanks.

  4. Hi Henry! Thanks for taking the time out to read. I will do Union Street next per your request!

  5. Glad to read this new article. Very interesting and love the pictures. Keep it coming.

  6. Thank you Lynne! Coggeshall Street will be hitting the presses VERY soon.

  7. Am very curious about Perry St & Kearsarge St. I grew up on Perry & went to school at St. Joseph’s on Kearsarge. As a matter of fact I’m curious of “St. Joe’s” origin/history too….

  8. I would be very interested in any history about Arnold Street. Our house on the corner of Arnold and Tremont, used to be a hideout for slaves. When my parents bought the house in 1972, there were still wooden “cots” in the attic where slaves used to hide. I don’t know if they’re still there, but I doubt my father removed them because we never used the attic. Although my father updated certain things in the house when we moved in, he was a stickler for trying to keep it as historically intact as possible. When we moved in it still had the huge black slate sink with a spigot faucet in the kitchen. The original marble and pewter sink installed in the bathroom is still there. I remember the previous owner was a Miss Wood….she was a spinster and the house had been passed to her through the family. She was the last surviving family member and we were the first family of “non-family” to live in the house.

    • Hi Linda – very interesting anecdote. There are a lot of homes in that area whose cellars and attics have Cubby holes , hidden panels and other spots to hide slaves. Some businesses towards the waterfront have tunnels that lead to the piers so ships could dock and slaves could “disappear” immediately. There are tours in the summer where you can learn more about the Underground Railroad. Fascinating stuff.

      While I haven’t done an Arnold or Tremont Street in the series, I did write an article on James and Sarah Arnold which contains some info on the area:

      Thanks for sharing!

      http://www.newbedfordguide.com/historical-personage-james-sarah-arnold/2015/02/20

  9. Great article as a homeowner on Elm Street we tried to look up information on when a house was built we could not find very much information at all the landing say the land belong to the city of New Bedford in 1891 a structure was built but the first occupants or family name that owned the house where the promise but that’s not till 18 94 so little confused about who built the house wish New Bedford had better records but you my friend to the wonderful article and thank you so much

  10. Great articles in your street series. If you ever get a chance, I would suggest doing a story on Howland Village. It was/is a neighborhood that won national recognition in the 1850s for its unique family attributes that D.W. Howland built for his workers at the Howland Mills on Orchard Street in the South End, I think your readers would really enjoy it. I believe the neighborhood in on the National Register of Historic Places and 45 of the original 50 cottages still exist today. Ma Raffa’s is one of the original houses. The Village encompasses Circuit, Gosnold, part of Bolton, and a piece of Rockdale Avenue.

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