Seventy Years Of The Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Page 34

constructed churches up to 1865 were the Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, Unitarians, Universalists, and the Society of Friends. A branch of the Young Men's Christian Association had been organized in 1864, and there were several organizations devoted to civic welfare and temperance. There was, however, no hospital in the city prior to 1871.

The support of these institutions and municipal services was derived from a community that was chiefly engaged in industrial pursuits. The first mills in Worcester were built over a century before the Civil War. There were many lowhead water power sites available. On them were built saw and gristmills, fulling mills, and trip-hammer shops. Later arose factories for the manufacture of cloths, corduroy, jeans, and cottons. Thereafter textiles and textile machinery were among the most important products of the city.

At the beginning of the Institute's history there were several manufactories in which were produced cotton sheetings, woolen goods, blankets, and thread. Carpet weaving was undergoing experiments but had not then developed into the vigorous industry of later years. Machinery used in textile manufacturing was being built in many plants - cardclothing, looms, finishing machinery - and the names of Crompton, Curtis, Marble, Earle, and Knowles were well known in the trade.

One of the major industries of the community was the wire works of I. Washburn & Moen, which led the country in the production of rods and wire, music wire, and crinoline wire. A portion of its product was used locally in the manufacture of screens and woven wire, wire goods, corsets and hoopskirts.

It was near the beginning of the machine tool industry, and already there were being manufactured lathes, planers, drills, and gear cutters. There was also a large production of machinists' tools, wrenches, and machine screws. Several foundries were in operation, as well as a plant for making car wheels.

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Last Modified: Fri Jul 30 11:15:25 EDT 1999