This hand-colored bird’s-eye view print of Monson, Massachusetts was drawn and published by O. H. Bailey & Co. in 1879. Monson was settled in 1715 and incorporated in 1775. In the mid-1800's when the railroad was built right through town,
Monson began it transformation from farming community into industrial center. Existing saw, woolen and grist mills were now able to ship goods more easily. This led to expansion of the mills and much growth to the town.
Granite was quarried from the hills nearby and reached by a branch of the railroad. The granite was used in Monson buildings and foundations.
In the late 1800's, Monson maintained a number of hat manufactories.
The illustration includes labeled roads, buildings, waterways and railroad route. Displayed at the bottom are illustrations of Merrick, Fay & Co’s Straw Works, Green’s Hotel and Reynolds Woolen Mills.
Features references to the following locations:
N. L. N. R. R. Station.
Central Block.
Towne’s Block.
Barton’s Block.
Green’s Block.
Green’s Hotel. D. G. Green, Owner & Proprietor.
Cushman’s Hotel. L. G. Cushman, Owner & Proprietor.
Congregational Church.
Methodist Church.
St. Patrick’s R. C. Church.
Monson Academy.
School Buildings.
Monson National Bank. C. W. Holmes, President. E. F. Morris, Cashier.
Merrick, Fay & Co., Manufacturers of Straw Goods.
Reynolds’ Mills (Fancy Cassimeres). J. L. Reynolds, R. M. & T. Reynolds.
S. F. Cushman, Manufacturer of Fancy Cassimeres.
D. W. Ellis & Son, Manufacturers of Fancy Cassimeres.
C. W. Holmes, Jr., Manufacturer of Fancy Cassimeres.
W. N. Flynt & Co’s Steam Saw Mill.
G. W. Burdick, Blacksmith, Granite Tools, Wholesale & Retail Ice Dealer.
H. R. Glynn, Carriage Maker.
Chas. E. Smith, Harness Maker.
A. Squier, Lumber Dealer and Builder.
Post Office, Towne’s Block, R. S. Munn, P. M.
Chas. Fowler, Towne’s Block, General Stock Merchandise.
Geo. E. Grout, Towne’s Block, Watches, Jewelry, Notions, etc.
G. W. Andrews, Dentist, Barton’s Block.
Duchette & Boon, Merchant Tailors and Gents’ Furnishing Goods, Barton’s Block.
Eugene F. Willis, Clothing, Hats, Caps and Gents Furnishing Goods, Green’s Block.
Chas. R. Dudley, Attorney and Insurance Agent, Green’s Block.
G. H. Newton, Attorney & Insurance Agent.
Marvin Bradway & Son, Insurance Agents.
Bills & Blush, General Stock Merchandise.
Rogers & Co., Dry Goods, Groceries, etc.
H. Squier, Groceries, etc.
F. H. King, Choice Groceries, Tobacco, etc.
D. G. Potter, Grain, Flour Coal, etc.
H. P. Witherell, Tinner and Plumber.
T. F. Packard, Books, Stationery and Notions.
W. A. Deichman, Millinery and Fancy Goods.
H. E. Aldrich, Livery and Feed Stable.
Residence and Office of G. E. Fuller, M. D.
W. N. Flynt & Co., Rough or Dressed Stone Work, from Monson, Fitzwilliam, Quincy or Scotch Granite. Office at Green’s Hotel, Monson.