This scratch pad is a peek into a cellar filled with photos, stories, and other collected memories of people, spots visited, and collective events that if not posted will go out to the dumpster. Modern media makes it easy to share. Take some time and view with caution, and remember all of those people that travelled the same paths as others did, all bumping into each along the way.
Embedded Files
Publications by Gerry O'Reilly
Publications by Gerry O'Reilly
Wilmington Ice Skating Club 1972-1973.pdfWilmington Youth Hockey Yearbook 1972-1973
When Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito pulled on the Bruins sweater, the TV reeked of the Big Bad Bruins and of course the Broad Street Bullies. Every kid wanted a number four jersey, homemade or otherwise. Twenty years earlier Wilmington was already skating. George Spanos' restaurant was the unofficial headquarters of the Wilmington Speed Skating Club. The Silver Skates railroad derby was the trip to take to Boston to a packed Boston Garden to see Wilmington skaters compete. In the late 40s the Wilmington Skating Club was formed and a rink was carved into the swamp behind the South School on Chestnut Street for speed skating practice. With a sheet of ice now in place, hockey took over after the speed skaters practice session at the Chestnut Street rink. Wilmington High School formed its first official hockey team for the 49 - 50 season and Wilmington hockey teams have been competitive ever since. For a look back to the early 1970's young skaters, click the link in the right corner of the yearbook.
WilmingtonARetrospective.pdfWilmington: A Retrospective
"Yesterday when I Was young" there were two traffic lights on Main Street; one at Grove Avenue and one in Wilmington Center. A blinking light at the intersection Main and Lowell and hand-operated red flashing lights and road barriers at the Main Street and Route 62 North Wilmington railroad crossings. Flashing lights only at the Glen Road the Woburn Street crossings and the Eames Street spur. Two lights on Salem, no guard rails. Boy, look at it now. Turn the pages and take a peek at Wilmington as it once was in "Apple Pie and Times Gone By."
SilverLakeCollectdMemories.pdfSilver Lake - Collected Memories
If you ever heard a Bull Frog moaning or lived in fear that a Darning Needle would sew your lips tight then you know what mosquito-humming nights were like at Silver Lake. Read on and feel the past moments of four seasons at "The Lake," Vanilla cones at "Tats", Jake Riley's wisdom, and a walk to Rocco's.
Ice House Burning.pdfIce House Burning
The Ice House was an imposing structure on the Lake and Main Street. Burned in a flash and reduced to a smouldering pile.
OldSports1.pdfOld Sports Part I
Just the words of a few, need to hear from all the rest.
OldSports2.pdfOld Sports Part II
Great coverage by Hazel O'Brien of mothers and grandmothers at play.
Flowing Down the Shawsheen.pdfFlowing Down the Shawsheen
The Shawsheen River is one of Wilmington's hidden natural resources. Get your kayak and a friend and sail down the flowing stream. Take water, power bar, and camera and flow from the aqueduct site on Shawsheen Avenue to a swim at the rebuilt trestle on the old Lowell to Salem rail bed. Enter on the west side of Shawsheen Avenue and take a picture of the buttress through the culvert. Flow on ; then take a skyward picture of the tower. Flow on downstream and stop; take another picture of the buttress. Then continue on an enjoyable journey down the stream; snap pics all the way for a recount of the river day.
Dedication of New WHS.pdfDedication of the New WHS
The population of Wilmington in 1940 was 4600, in 1950 it had increased to 7034. The new high school was late in coming and only half-built. It did serve the needs of Wilmington for many generations and time well spent will always be well remembered.
Yesterday When We Were Young '50 '51.pdfYesterday When We Were Young '50 '51
Photos and words assembled for remembrance of the classes of 1950 and 1951.
1980 Mavericks.pdf1980 Mavericks Pony League Champs
WHS 1976 Football .pdf1976 WHS Football
Silver Lake Revisited.pdfSilver Lake Revisited
WHS Baseball & Softball 1977.pdfWHS Baseball & Softball 1977
Silver Lake Postcards Carousel*
Silver Lake Postcards Carousel*
*All post card images are archived in the public domain. I do have some of the original negatives that were shared with me.
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