Throwback Thursday Mar-30-2017

Editor’s Note: I love nothing more than a good prank and given the fact that this Saturday April Fools Day, I thought it fitting to revisit a Throwback Thursday post from last year that had me laughing at my desk.

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The Original Post:

Having employed over 17,000 people in its peak, The Amoskeag Mills themselves were a machine. Like any modern company today, employee safety was, seemingly, a priority. The Amoskeag Mills created a series of photographs to promote and encourage workplace safety.

Alright, I have to admit that when I first saw some of these pictures they made me giggle. Not knowing the context in which they were taken, I had to double take at the guy very clearly lying on the ground on purpose (see left).

Or how about this man apparently “Running a Hand Truck against a Machine?” (see right). These guys were definitely not the best actors. While Amoskeag’s attempts at promoting safety was a very real campaign and issue, almost 100 years later I’m sure it’s safe to look back and find them somewhat entertaining…

THANK YOU to the Manchester Historic Association for letting me scour your photo archives again this week!

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Throwback Thursday Mar-16-2017

Every year, the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches down Elm Street, complete with floats, horses, bagpipes and bands! With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, I thought it’d be fun to take a look at the different attractions that the parade has brown down the strip over the years. Thanks to Saintpatsnh.com (The St. Patrick’s Day Parade’s official website!) I was able to grab photos from parades over the past 14 years to share with you. It seems to me that every year the parade only gets bigger and better!

This year’s parade will take place on Sunday, March 26th, and kick off at noon RAIN OR SHINE! You don’t want to miss out on what’s sure to be the best St. Patrick’s Day Parade yet!

To check out more photos from past parades, visit their gallery.

Still don’t have plans for St. Patty’s Day? Visit our guide to find out how downtown is celebrating!

Thank you again to the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee for these photos!

2015 – Photo by Ken Ryan

2016 – Photo by Jack Murphy

2009 – Photo by Jack Murphy

2012 – Photo by Jack Murphy

2010 – Photo by Jack Murphy

2008 – Photo by Jack Murphy

2005 – Photo by Jack Murphy

2007 – Photo by Jack Murphy

2003- Photo by Jack Murphy

2006 – Photo by Jack Murphy

2014 – Photo by Jack Murphy

2004 – Photo by Jack Murphy

2011 – Photo by Jack Murphy

2013 – Photo by Jack Murphy

Throwback Thursday Mar-9-2017

Before the blizzards of 2015 or 1978, there was the great blizzard of 1888 here in the Northeast. The blizzard hit 129 years ago on March 11, 1888. The blizzard, also referred to as the “Great White Hurricane,” was, and still is, considered one of the most catastrophic winter storms in the history of the Northeast.

According to the History Channel, in New York City alone, about 200 people were killed when snow totals neared 22 inches and winds reached 40 mph. Cities across the Northeast spared the same fate. Here in Manchester we received over 40 inches of snow! To make matters worse, snowbanks throughout the city measured 12 to 15 FEET! There were “snow drifts over the tops of houses from New York to New England, with reports of drifts covering 3-story houses.” About 400 people in total were killed during the storm. Many were tragically overtaken by the wind, snow, and frigid temperatures and froze to death.

The storm forced NYC and Boston to look underground for their subway and telegraph systems, as well as their water and gas lines where they still exist today.

Below are some wonderful shots of Manchester following the Winter of 1888. It’s seemingly one that is quickly forgotten in recent memory, but had a lasting effect on our region.

Thank you to the Manchester Historic Association for the great photos!

 

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Throwback Thursday Mar-2-2017

One major part of Manchester’s history is that of St. Mary’s Bank, the first credit union in the nation!

According to the St. Mary’s Bank website:

In 1908, Monsignor Pierre Hevey, [pictured right] Pastor of Sainte-Marie’s parish in Manchester, New Hampshire, organized what was soon to be known as the first credit union. The goal was to help the primarily Franco-American mill workers save and borrow money.

With the start of the bank, Manchester’s large immigrant population quickly benefited.

For just $5, the price of one share of capital stock, anyone in the community could become a member. Savings were accepted from workers, families, and children. The accumulated savings were, in turn, lent to members to purchase and build homes, establish neighborhood businesses, and meet the personal financial needs of the community.

St. Mary’s Bank prospered. The credit union moved into its own offices in 1913 and hired its first paid, full-time manager in 1916. In 1917, the state legislature approved a bill changing the name from “St. Mary’s Cooperative Credit Association” to “La Caisse Populaire, Ste-Marie”. And, by 1923, the credit union’s assets exceeded $1 million. In 1925, an amended charter allowed the institution to be called either “La Caisse Populaire, Ste-Marie,” or “St. Mary’s Bank.”

In 1930, St. Mary’s Bank moved into “The Marble Building,” a landmark in the center of what was then the commercial heart of Manchester’s West Side. As the credit union expanded, so did its menu of traditional products and services. Checking accounts, Christmas Club accounts, safe deposit boxes and a wider variety of loans became available. By the mid 1950’s, St. Mary’s was serving several thousand members and had $6 million in assets. In 1970, St. Mary’s Bank built and moved into its present main office at McGregor Street in Manchester.

One super interesting note about St. Mary’s Bank and their 100 year history, is their resiliency. As their website states:

Over the years, St. Mary’s Bank has helped members through difficult times, including the Great Depression and the bankruptcy of Amoskeag Manufacturing Company in 1935. When thousands of banks failed during the Great Depression, St. Mary’s Bank remained open, even during the “Bank Holiday” of 1933, when President Roosevelt closed all banks nationwide. St. Mary’s Bank also survived the economic disruptions of the early 1990’s, which saw the failure of many familiar Manchester banks.

St. Mary’s Bank continues to be an institution in Manchester that has stood the test of time! And as their website reads, “It costs no more to belong to St. Mary’s Bank now than it did in 1908. For just $5, anyone can become a member, by purchasing one share of capital stock.”

Images via Manchester Historic Association

History Information via St. Mary’s Bank

Throwback Thursday Feb-23-2017

As I was scrolling through the Manchester Historic Association’s archive, one picture caught my eye.
The picture?

A giant, blue pig.

Said pig.

Pretty eye-catching, right?

So with a little investigating, I found out some pretty interesting information about this structure. According to a tiny news blurb in The Southeast Missourian‘s November 20, 1972 issue (even Missouri thought this was cool!), the pig was “28 feet in height and 100 feet in circumference. It [was] painted bright blue with pink flowers on the sides, and…built around a trailer.” As I continued to read on I learned “the piggy is a temporary facility of a local bank while they are remodeling. It has four bank teller stations inside, and two drive up stations outside.” With a few more clicks, I found out the bank was a branch of the now-closed Manchester Bank. According to the Manchester Historic Association, it was built around Labor Day in 1972.

How’s that for an actual  piggy bank!?

All images courtesy of The Manchester Historic Association.

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Throwback Thursday Feb-16-2017

Back in 1888 and 1902, Manchester had such chilly winters, the Amoskeag Falls FROZE!

The Covered Bridge at Amoskeag Falls was built in 1842 for $12,069. It collapsed to rising water in 1854 and rebuilt. It then stood until 1921, when it again, collapsed.

The frozen falls were located directly under the bridge and are an impressive showing of frigid winters of Manchester’s past! If they could survive brutal winters in 1888 and 1902 we can survive this one! Enjoy the shots below!

Thanks to the Manchester Historic Association for the great pictures!

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Throwback Thursday Feb-2-2017

In 1927, The Amoskeag Textile Club hosted the Snow Shoe Carnival which consisted of a parade and some snow shoe races at Textile Field, which is now known as Gill Stadium. Gill Stadium recently celebrated its 100th Birthday in 2014! Read more about Textile Field here! And enjoy the photos of the Snow Shoe Carnival below!

Below are some images of the parade and snow shoe races courtesy of the Manchester Historic Association!

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