New Bedford Streets; A Piece of Americana: Purchase Street

Street Widening Project
While Mayor Charles Ashley and the general populace felt the street needed broadening, some city officials and merchants were reluctant to do so. Many merchants did not want their livelihood to go on hiatus or their shop relocated while their building was razed and the project undertaken.

In addition, those on the west side of the street felt they would be paying taxes twice. They felt they were already paying taxes and once the widening would be finished they would be responsible for paying an additional tax, called a Betterment Tax, under Massachusetts law. In addition, they would suffer with smaller facilities, meaning less inventory and revenue for shops, and landlords charging tenants less.

In The American City, Volume 10 Watson Randolph mentions the street was so narrow and traffic so treacherous that it “…caused danger to life.” By 1913, residents had had enough and a petition 6,000 strong was brought to the city, who followed with a majority vote approving the idea. The project would happen. Purchase and Union Streets were both broadened to support the increased traffic. The west side of Purchase Street from Union to Elm was expanded by 16′ 1/2 feet and the Merchants Bank Building on William and Purchase was completely rebuilt.

The total cost then for the Purchase Street expansion was $373,885.72, an estimated 30 million dollars in today’s money. Damages to local businesses was $22,114.28 or approximately $2,500,000. During the reconstruction, these businesses were either demolished or renovated. This foresight allowed Purchase Street to further grow and therefore the city to prosper.

Not many major events happened in the following decades. In 1956, a parade which drew 50,000 was went down Purchase Street led by Gregory Peck who was here to promote the film premiere “Moby Dick.” Citizens showed their spirit by donning 19th century garb during the parade. There was also a Captain Ahab Beard contest with an award of $100 as well as a $25 savings bond!

So that is how Fourth Street became Purchase Street and got its name! If you have some anecdotes or photos to share or corrections to make please comment below. As with all these articles, a discussion is better than a lecture. So please, hop right in and start yapping!

Purchase Street Timeline
1700s: Purchase Street is known as Fourth Street. A small dirt road.
1792: City’s first Post Office, at the William Tobey residence opens on the corner of King & Fourth, or Union & Purchase.
1807: William Wall captures Fourth Street view in painting.
1834: Street map is made.
1837c: Unitarian Society’s meeting house on William & Fourth becomes the Liberty Hall. Street is renamed Purchase Street.
1839: Purchase Street from William to Union is paved for the first time.
1869: YMCA leases rooms at the northwest corner of Union and Purchase Streets.
1884: Private foundation St Luke’s Hospital began operations at the Taber Estate at 81 Fourth St with 11 beds.
1887: Bradford Smith Building is erected at 1927-1941 Purchase Street.
1890: Photographer James Reed begins to operate a studio at 5 Purchase Street.
1896: The Dawson Building is erected at 1851 Purchase Street.
1897: Union Street Railway Car Barn and Repair Shop is built at 1959 Purchase Street. Times and Olympia Buildings erected at 908-912 and 880 – 898 Purchase Street respectively.
1906: President Crapo of Union Street Railway has police placed on Purchase Street Line for workers who refused to strike.
1913: Street widening project begins.
1914: James Reed’s Studio is one of the casualties of the widening of Purchase Street.
1916: The Olympia theater is built at 883 Purchase street.
1956: Moby Dick Premiere, 50,000 strong parade, Captain Ahab Beard Contest.
1978: Union Street Railway Car Barn and Repair Shop is placed on the Historic register.
1981: The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center opens on 874 Purchase Street.
1982: The Dawson Building is placed on the Historic Register.
1983: Times and Olympia Buildings both placed on the Historic Register.
1984: Bradford Smith Building is placed on the Historic Register.
1985: C.F. Wing store closes.
2003: Fire at 2343 Purchase Street, Sturtevant & Hook Hardware & Building Supplies.
2012: Elaine Lima’s iconic Black Whale Shop closes.

Special thanks to Spinner Publications and the New Bedford Whaling Museum for the images.

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