A Gathering Of Memories
Saugus: 1900 - 2000

There was a book produced (now in its second printing) that covers a full century in the Town of Saugus, from 1900 - 2000. Please note that it now has its own web site and much more information is available there.

The intention is to gather the memories, the memorabilia, the pictures, all that is available to leave a legacy for future generations, to leave them as complete and authentic a picture as we can of the town there was in 1900 and the town there is now entering the new millenium, and what took place in the intervening years to transform the former into the latter.

Those of you out there who would like to be part of our effort, please dig down deep into your memories, your memorabilia, your pictures, etc. and share them with us.

Here are a couple of samples of what will be in the rapidly expanding book:

• The Early Lynnhurst School

• The Old State Theater

In general though the book will cover numerous topics including:

• Demographics:

  Who was here in 1900, later, where did they come from, where did they work, what marks did they leave

• The Neighborhoods:

  Where, what made them unique, how has each survived as an entity, or what changed them

• Industries, Making A Living:

  What was here and where, where did the products go to, where are the remains, ice houses, fishing, factories, dairy and crop farms

• Historic Sites:

  Memorials, Airport, Race Track, CCC Camp, Iron Works Restoration beginning in 1948, etc.

• Government & Politics:

  Town Managers, Selectmen, Personalities

• Public Service:

  Police, Fire Departments

• Schools:

  Teachers, the Losses, the Fires, the Memorable

• Transportation:

  Trolleys, Trains, Bus Lines, etc.

• Churches:

  When did they come, which ones no longer exist

• Theaters:

  State, Dream, Open Air Theater where Eastern Bank Headquarters is now located, Sears Complex

• Newspapers:

  Advertiser, Herald, etc.

• Military Service:

  Civil War veterans to Desert Storm

• The Famous, The Achievers:

  Dr. Gale in Civil War who was still here until around 1936, Sgt. DeFranzo, M. Starkey

• The Colorful Who Left A Mark:

  Edjo Wozny-Jim Boyle, John J. Mullen, etc.

• Flora & Fauna:

  Swamps, bogs, marsh-life, etc.

• The Waterways:

  Rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, swimming holes, reservoirs, etc.

• Saugus High School Sports:

  The Hall of Fame etc.

• Saugus High School Band:

  Local music, etc.

• Glossary of Nicknames:

  Both places and personalities, such as the Pigeon Pluckers, Indian Rock, Cinder Path, Gypsy Road, The Pit, The Canal, Iron Mike, Shipwreck Ed, Bazooka Bob, Heavenly Gates, Lick, Skink, etc.

• Where We Played, Idled, Had Fun:

  Rathole, Community House in Cliftondale, toboggan sites, skiing, skating, dance halls (Shadowland, Pythian Hall, Charlie Hecht's Outdoor Pavilion, Kimball's Starlight, etc.)

• Restaurants & Other Establishments Passed On:

  Herb White's Diner, Warnie's Cafeé Slop Shop, Adventure Car Hop, Bill Carter's, Nicolo's, Cogliano's, Sherman's, Chickland, etc.

• The Tragedies:

  Events that have left deep impressions -- Gus Belmonte, Harry Vitale, other losses

• First Impressions Of Our Town:

  Coming here for the first time, realizing this town for the first time

• Other Memorable Events:

  Storms, Hurricane of 1938, Carol, snows of 1945, 1978, etc.

• Any And All Other People, Events, Topics:

  Anything that helps serve to extend the fact, lore, and legend of Saugus; things that have helped make it the town that it is

A Gathering of Memories is also featured on NewWriters.com, and it has its own site. It has also has a sequel.