Q. When was the Whitin Machine Works at
full capacity?
A. "By 1948, (after a strike called in Jan. 1946) The Shop was operating
at peak capacity, employing 5,615 men and women."
Q. How many total units of housing were
constructed by the Whitins for their workers?
A-"After Leland Rd., Woodland, Summit, and Church Street developments
were added, there were 100 more units completed. This now resulted in 989 total
housing units owned and built by the company."
Q. How many singing members in the Whitin
Male Glee Club were present for the group photo taken in March 1950?
A. There were seventy Whitin Male Glee Club singing members present for
this photo, in addition to pianists Leo Robinson and Cynthia Brown Fournier. A
trio consisting of three female soloists: Marion Gonlag McCooey, Alice Bloem and
Luella Ballentine were also there, in addition to the famous conductor C.
Alexander Peloquin. (Source: The Whitin Spindle, Vol. III #3, pp. 8-10 (March
issue; hard-bound copies available at Whitinsville Social Library. This writer
will furnish all individual names, upon written request)
Q.: Who was Floreen Russell Campbell and
what did she do at the Whitin Machine Works?
A. She was one of several girls who worked on "The Shop's" freight
railroad back in 1919. Her photo appeared in The Whitin Spindle, vol. I
#11 (Dec. 1948).
Q. Who was the original "popcorn man" of "The Shop," in the early 1950's, and
where did he operate his stand?
A. Alan Edward Blizard had his popcorn stand set up on the corner of "The
Shop's" parking lot near Grove St., near an exit. But later on, one of Alan's
sons married Lucien Thibeault's daughters, and he became the "popcorn man" of
Rockdale, at the bottom of Sutton St. And it was great popcorn for only
twenty-five cents!
(Source: "History of Whitinsville," written by
Kenneth M. Warchol, Chairman, Northbridge Historical Commission. Printed by
Eagle Printing Co., Whitinsville, MA. Copies available at the town hall.)
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Email Author Don Gosselin:
donyogoss@verizon.net