ATHOL MA

ATHOL MA

Uptown Common Bandstand

Uptown Common

Phillips Park

Built - 1912

Athol or "Tool Town" is located on the Millers River near the Tully Mountains. The town was named after the Duke of Atholl, John Murray, a British nobleman during the 18th century. Athol is also noted as one of the stops to see on the famous Mohawk Trail especially during April when the town holds its annual River Rat Race.

Athol's bandstand is located in the center of the uptown business district in Phillips Park which is the eastern half of the common area bisected by Main Street. The park is named in memory of the heroes of Athol who made the supreme sacrifice in the World Wars, and in particular named after Edward H. Phillips of Athol, an Army officer killed in World War 1 action i France.

The Uptown Common was deeded to the town on February 10, 1772 by Seth Kendall and originally used as the site of the Third Meeting House from 1773 to 1827. In this very historic building, the citizens of the area passed all their votes of disloyalty to King George 111 of England and from its doors the young ment of Athol marched for Lexington, Bunker Hill, Bennington, Vermont, Saratoga New York and to Valley Force during the American Revolution.

The Uptown Common Bandstand dates from July, 1912 and was a project of the Highland Common Association and its President, Dr. James Oliver assisted by George H. Dodge. At the same time, through the efforts of Mary Sawyer Bradley, a very generous benefactor, long seats were placed around the common for public convenience, especially during the many band concerts.

The bandstand has undergone several renovations througout the many years of its existence, usually by local service clubs and other volunteers and the citizens of Athol and surrounding communities. All have always taken great pride in the structure and has maintained it well which is why it has stood for almost 100 years as of this writing.

INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY:

Dick Chaisson, Athol Town Historian

ATHOL MA

ATHOL MA

Fish Park Bandstand

Fish Park

Built - 1912

The town of Athol is not only blessed with their bandstand on Uptown Common, but also has their beloved bandstand in nearby Fish Park built 7 years later in 1919. This particular structure replaced an old one built in 1900 which was taken down after being declared unsafe. Its replacement has stood the test of time as the one in Uptown Common has although almost suffering an ill fate in 1952 when it was condemned and faced total destruction in May of 1980 at a town meeting. This bandstand in Fish Park had been left unused and idle for many years while the bandstand on Uptown Common took center stage and was always refurbished and used often during the warmer months since it is situated right in the heart of the city. At that particular town meeting, the members were faced with large repair costs for the Fish Park Bandstand due to its continued vandalism and voted for its demolition. But by 1982, a "Save the Bandstand,' petition, money and supply donations for professional repairs, a benefit auction, and volunteer labor from the Kiwanis Club, Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts combined to save and restore the town's cherished landmark. So today, it still proudly stands and used extensively during the summer months along still with the one in Uptown Common.

The very first band concert on this bandstand was held on June 16, 1919 and continuous entertainment for the citizens of Athol and visitors has resounded from this structure with only an interruption between when it was condemned until its resurgence. Prior to this, it also ceased oepration in 1934 during a remodeling project.

Fish Park is rich in history also. Sally Fish, a wealthy descendent of the town's pioneer Fish family, lived in a house located behind the Pequoig Hotel in an area named for her - Sally Fish Circle. In 1857, she donated five acres of land, which had formerly been part of her cow pasture, and of which became a playground for the neighborhood children through her generosity. The Athol school district took over this piece of land and gave it to the town's parks department in 1920 when the name was then changed from Lower Common to Fish Park.

In the 1850s, the field was used by the town's roundball (early baseball) teams, and until the 1960s by Athol's many baseball and softball leagues. one who pitched baseball on this field was William "Candy" Cummings, the inventor of the curve ball, who lived in Athol in retirement. Tennis courts were also added in 1920 and 1927 when this game became popular.

The park's most famous visitor was ex-President William Howard Taft who, on June 18, 1919, helped welcome the hometown boys back from World War 1. Fish Park has also been used extensively for circuses, carnivals, Chataugqua tent entertainment, high school baseball and football games, field days, ice hockey by temporary flooding and for countless community events. Fish Park continues to be a favorite recreation spot for children and adults to play in and enjoy the wonderful band concerts on their old bandstand.

INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY:
Dick Chaisson, Athol Town Historian