A Brief Introduction

"North Adams sits at the Western Gateway of the Commonwealth"

~ Dr. John Bascom, Williams College Prof., from 1855-1874.

North Adams, Massachusetts was first known for being the headquarters for building the "Hoosac Tunnel" (from 1851-1875). Proudly displayed on the official seal of North Adams is an engraving of the western portal of the Hoosac Tunnel, encircled with the declaration "WE HOLD THE WESTERN GATEWAY".

This region was rich with history before, during, and after the Hoosac Tunnel era. Among the first English settlers in this area were the soldiers and their families from Fort Massachusetts. Fort Massachusetts was located in the western frontier of Massachusetts Bay, in the township of East Hoosac, upon a meadow of the Hoosac River, in current day North Adams. It was the westernmost bastion in the northern line of colonial forts, extending from the Connecticut River, over the Hoosac Mountain, to this western frontier during King George's War (1744-1748), in 1745, against the French and their Indian allies. It was also built to prevent Dutch settlers in New York from encroaching upon Massachusetts territory from the west. And it remained active throughout much of the French and Indian War (1754–1763), until 1759, when it was decommissioned following the Battle of Quebec.

Until the building of Fort Massachusetts in 1745, very little was known in the settled parts of the state about its extreme northwest corner. It was primarily reserved as special hunting grounds by the Native Americans. The area was remote from other English settlements and not easily accessible. Covered with thick and almost impenetrable forests, large portions of it were broken and mountainous. Fort Massachusetts helped to clear the way for further European settlement into this region.

European settlers divided the territory into towns. In this region, there were West Hoosac and East Hoosac (named after the river that flows through the area), Williamstown and Adams respectively. (Williamstown named after Col. Ephraim Williams Jr., and Adams after Samuel Adams). Adams would later divide and become Adams and North Adams in 1878. By 1895, North Adams had become incorporated as a city.

The French and Indian War (1754–1763) ultimately sparked the American Revolutionary War. And the American Revolutionary War (1776-1783) created the United States of America. The American Civil War (1861 to 1865), the most destructive war in the nation's history, determined what kind of nation it would become.

The late 1800's was the most industrious and glorious time for this city––both aesthetically and economically. In the book, "North Adams and Vicinity Illustrated", published 1897, the city was described splendidly.

The city spreads out in riotous irregularity, now climbing the hillsides, now nestling in a ravine, and again almost hidden by projecting hills; in fact, from no point can the whole of North Adams be seen ... Taking Monument Square as a starting point, the stranger looks down Main street, broad, newly paved, and bordered by substantial buildings, mostly brick, many of which are handsome in style and decorations. Opening from it on both sides are other streets, where homes are rapidly giving way to places of business. Everywhere are smooth concrete walks, and well paved gutters, while the square itself is macadamized.

During the American Civil War, the area became very active. From The Adams Transcript, July 4, 1878;

The number of soldiers sent to the war was unusually large in proportion to the size of the town, and yet the amount paid for bounties was smaller than that of almost any other town in the Commonwealth. The men for the most part enlisted out of pure patriotism ... The local military company went into camp and training at once ... public meetings were held and eloquent, patriotic speeches made, business was generally suspended, money was freely contributed to equipment ... A monument stands at the top of Main Street and bears the inscription "Presented to the town of North Adams by the Ladies Soldiers Aid Society". The pedestal is brown freestone and on it stands a marble statue representing a typical American soldier standing at "parade rest". The Soldiers' Monument was designed and executed by Charles Niles Pike, the distinguished New England sculptor.

Funding for the monument was provided by the Ladies Soldiers Aid Society, C.P Sampson (shoe manufacturer), George M. Mowbray (the English chemist who produced nitroglycerin for blasting through the Hoosac Tunnel), and Sanford Blackinton (Blackinton Woolin Mills), and by the love and labour of Charles N. Pike who donated his services and bargained with material suppliers to reduce cost.

Monument Square was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 19, 1972.

In time, neglect had swept over the memorial. The "Soldier" lost his iron fence, and his nose!

Over the years, however, accidents would bring this "Invisible Soldier" up to the foreground once again. In 1978 a car struck the monument, on its 100th anniversary year of its dedication. Then, in December of 1999, the city "Christmas tree," blown down by high winds, toppled the "Soldier". Both times we were very fortunate to have it repaired by Mr. Carl Robare, who took on the project, humbly saying; "It was something that was important to me."

In 2011, a wrought iron fence was, once again, reinstalled around the Soldiers' Monument.

Dimensions: Eleven feet high

Dedicated: July 4, 1878 (Rededications: July 4, 1981 and September 29, 2000)

Type: Brown Freestone pedestal and Marble figure

- A mention in The Adams Transcript, 1878

The placing of the statue on the pedestal of the monument last week was witnessed by a large body of lookers on who were so taken with the ease of the operation, the statue being deposited by the windlass in its exact position, that their approval found expression, on the initiative of Chief Marshal Montgomery, in most hearty and enthusiastic cheers for Mr. Pike the sculptor, Mr. Leonard, the maker of the pedestal, and the Ladies' Aid Society, the donors of the monument.

THE MONUMENT

The monument which was so appropriately dedicated yesterday (July 4, 1878) has been variously criticised, and while there are those who complain because it did not cost more money, and consequently consider it unworthy a town the size and importance of North Adams, everybody admits its' beauty and simplicity and admires the art and skill displayed in its construction. The contrast between the statue and the pedestal is marked and pleasing, giving a rich effect to the whole, and the proportions could hardly have been bettered. The monument, in its central and prominent position, is a beautiful ornament to the town and a fitting emblem of the gratitude of the people towards the heroes who fell in defense of their country. The statue has been carved from a block of the purest Sicilian marble, and has finished a delicately soft, grey white. It represents the typical American soldier, wearing all his accoutrements and standing in the position known as "parade rest." The beholder is at once impressed with the manliness, simplicity and fidelity to ideal of the figure. It represents that class of the Massachusetts soldiery distinguished for their intelligence, honor, and bravery - men, who, while fitted in every respect for positions of importance and trust, and to adorn any walk in life, yet for the sake of principle and out for pure patriotism sacrificed the comfort of home and all their bright prospects to risk the dangers and endure the hardships of the common soldier. The face wearing a saddened expression, as though the soldier were mournfully viewing the graves of his fallen comrades, is full of sympathy, and denotes a thoughtful, intelligent and educated man, and a strong and resolute nature. The position of the figure is a natural and correct one and everything about it is true in all the details from the beard and mustache upon the manly face and the wavy hair swept back at each side of the army overcoat. On account of its elevated position there was no necessity, perhaps, for the nicety with which every part of the statue has been brought out, but Mr. Pike has attended to the minutest points with a fidelity and skill that would be credible were the work to be placed in an art gallery for inspection and criticism. This will be seen in such little matters as the buckles and rivets upon the cap and cartridge boxes and the relief given to details about the musket, bayonet, and belt. The statue must elicit praise for the rarely skillful and faithful work of the artist as well as admiration for the truthful conception and marked simplicity of the model. Two or three facts connected with this subject will be of interest here: The model was designed and made by George E. Bissell of Poughkeepsie NY., a former pupil of Mr. Pike. The original statue by Mr. Bissell has undergone many changes in Mr. Pike's work all of them being noticeable improvements. The block from which the statue is carved weighed 7,000 pounds and was probably the finest piece of Sicilian marble ever seen in this vicinity. The pedestal is of elegant brown freestone, the same as that in the Williamstown monument, and is eleven feet high, the distance from the soldier's cap to the bottom of the lower base being about 18 feet. The lower base is 5 feet 10 inches square and 2 feet thick, the second or sub-base 6 feet 6 inches square and 1 1/2 feet thick, the "die" (in three sections) 5 feet 6 inches long and 3 feet square at base, and 2 feet 11 inches at top, and the "cap" 4 feet 4 inches square and 1 1/2 feet thick. On the face of the middle section of the die is carved in bold relief the national shield ornamented with a laurel branch and bearing the dates 1861 and 1865 and this inscription: "Presented to the town of North Adams by the Ladies' Soldiers Aid Society." It is hoped that sometime on the other three sides of the die, as was originally intended, there will be engraved a list of the Adams soldiers who lost their lives in the war. It is also intended to enclose and ornament the ground around the monument.

- Reprinted from The Adams Transcript, July 1878

A CARD OF THANKS

The Ladies of the Soldiers' Aid Society would tender their thanks to the chief marshal, W. W. Montgomery, for his untiring efforts on their behalf, and would congratulate him upon the skill which could arrange and carry into successful execution such a military display as that of the 4th instant. They would thank also his adjutant and aids, who admirably seconded all his efforts. To all the companies they would return thanks for their gentlemanly deportment, and to the bands for their spirited and touching music. To the speakers of the occasion they would render thanks for the many complimentary words they spoke of the ladies, and for the brave utterances for country and duty. To the president of the day, they would return thanks for his courteous attentions and for the graceful performance of his duties. To the housekeepers, they would speak their thanks for their bounty in providing so largely for the day, as after feeding more than a thousand the provisions would feed a thousand more. T the young men who served us so faithfully in collecting the food and in waiting upon the tables all the day; to the gentlemen and ladies who bore the burden and heat of the day for us in the hall; to W. W. Freeman for his generous loaning of cloth to cover the numerous tables; to the committees who performed their duties so faithfully; to Company C. who loaned us the use of their hall; to Mr. Marsh and others who so finely decorated it; to John H. Orr for providing 1,000 quarts of coffee; to the town for so generously entering into the expenses of the day; to the police for the fine order and quiet of the occasion, and to the thousands of people who though crowded yet orderly; to each and all we would return our heartfelt thanks.

To the artist, Mr. C. Niles Pike, the ladies would express their warmest thanks for the monument which he has erected for them; selecting the best of material and executing his work in the finest manner. The money which they pay him is no adequate compensation, but it was all they had, and he accepted it for the love of his work and because he wished his native town to possess a soldiers' monument. We hope the gentlemen of the town will express their approval, not by compliments to the ladies, but in a more satisfactory manner to Mr. Pike. And lastly, to the good God who tempered the heat of the day so that we were able to endure and enjoy it.

Mrs. James T. Robinson, in behalf of the Ladies' Aid Society.

- Reprinted from The Adams Transcript, July. 1878

To learn more about George E. Bissell visit the Connecticut Historical Society website.

Additionally: Here and here.

References:

• "The Hoosac Valley: Its Legends and its History," by Grace Greylock Niles (published 1912)
• "North Adams and Vicinity Illustrated," (published 1897)
• "The North Adams Transcript;"
• -The Adams Transcript, July 4, 1878
• -The Transcript, March 7, 1978 & July 3, 1981
• -North Adams Transcript, December 13, 1999
• "Berkshire: The First Three Hundred Years 1676-1976" (published 1961 & revised 1976)
• "Western Massachusetts, A History. 1636-1925" Vol.I, by Lockwood