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[Grundy’s Park, Bristol, PA]
Pond part of the Delaware Canal dug in 1827 from Bristol, PA, for bringing anthracite coal to Bristol. Note the pergola behind the trees. This is along Jefferson Avenue. -
[Grundy’s Park, Bristol, PA]
This is part of the Delaware Canal on Jefferson Avenue. The canal was dug from Bristol to Easton, PA starting in 1827 for a shipment of anthracite coal. -
[House on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Pond Street]
This mansard roof house on a knoll, surrounded by a white wooden fence, is now the site of the former Jefferson Avenue School, which opened in 1909. The former school is now called ‘The Jefferson’ and is an upscale condominium.
William and Mary Grundy, and their children Joseph and Margaret, moved to Bristol in 1877 and occupied the house when William Grundy started the Watershed Mill on Jefferson Avenue and Canal Street. The last known family to live in the house was John and Elizabeth Smiley, and their children. It was also owned by Joseph Peirce who started the Bristol Improvement Company and erected the Grundy Mill building.
Florence C. Smiley Foster, one of ten children of John and Elizabeth Smiley, described the appearance of the house in a paper she wrote about her family history. She stated that it had 21 rooms seven per floor. There was a large front porch and balconies on the second and third floors. It had a bathroom and a tank on the top floor in what was called the tank room for bath water. Her father would pump water weekly to the tank from the cellar. The fenced yard was large especially the front. There were beautiful, blooming lilacs and azaleas. Her father grew lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes in the backyard and shared them with neighbors. He also put baskets on a tree branch for boys to play basketball.
Mr. Peirce, the owner, wanted the Smiley family to buy the house because Joseph Grundy wanted to purchase it, tear it down, and have a public school built there. The Smiley family did not have the amount of money to purchase it. They then moved to Lafayette Street. Joseph Grundy purchased it, had it torn down, and donated the land for the building of Jefferson Avenue School which opened in 1909. -
[Installation of Michael Dougherty statue at the Delaware Canal Lagoon Park]
The sculptor, James Gafgen, is seen wiping off the newly mounted statue. Others unidentified. The statue was dedicated May 12, 2001 following Mass at Saint Mark Church and appropriate graveside ceremonies at his grave behind the church. The artist was from Morrisville.
Mr. Dougherty died at age 86 in 1930. Michael Dougherty was born in 1844 in Ireland and emigrated to the U.S. In 1861 he volunteered for the Union Army in the Civil War. He received the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1897. His diary of his time in the army included detailed accounts of time spent in three prisons and his narrow escape from drowning when a riverboat, returning 2,400 former Union prisoners, exploded and sank. Only 900 survived. -
[Jefferson Avenue at Pond Street]
The mansard roof house stood on a knoll where the Jefferson Avenue School was built in 1909. The former school is now called “The Jefferson” and is an upscale condominium. The stone house to the right remains today. The dairy wagon is of Appleton’s Dairies. The driver is not identified. -
[Jefferson Avenue School playground]
Students unidentified. -
[Jefferson Avenue School, Miss Lear, 6th grade class]
On back of photograph: "Mitchel Ancker, December 25, 1918. Miss Lear 6th grade."
Mitchel Ancker was born in 1907 and died in 1975. The 18 in the date above probably refers to 1918. He would have been in Grade 6 about that time. The picture may have been given to him on Christmas (December 25) of that year --Harold and Carol Mitchener.
Other students unidentified. -
[Jefferson Avenue taken from the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Radcliffe Street]
The house on the right with the white columns and railing on the porch is number 115 Jefferson Avenue. -
[Man atop horse in front of house on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Pond Street]
This mansard roof house on a knoll surrounded by a white wooden fence is now the site of the former Jefferson Avenue School, opened in 1909. The former school is now called "The Jefferson" and is an upscale condominium. The stone house, partly visible to the right, was standing as of 1999. William and Mary Grundy, and their children Joseph and Margaret, moved to Bristol in 1877 and occupied the house when William Grundy started the Worsted Mill, now on Jefferson Avenue and Canal Street. The last known family to live in the house was John and Elizabeth Smiley and their children. It was owned by Joseph Peirce, who started the Bristol Improvement Company and erected the Grundy Mill building. Florence C. Smiley Foster, one of ten children of John and Elizabeth Smiley, described the appearance of the house in a paper she wrote about her family history. She said it had 2 rooms, seven per floor. There was a large front porch and balconies on the second and third floors. It had a bathroom a tank on the top floor in what was called the tank room for bath water. Her father would pump water weekly to the tank from the cellar. The fenced yard was large, especially the front. There were beautiful blooming lilacs and azaleas. Her father grew lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes in the backyard, and shared them with neighbors. He also put baskets in a tree for boys to play basketball. Mr. Peirce, the owner wanted the Smiley family to buy the house because Joseph Grundy wanted to purchase it to tear it down and have a public school erected there. The Smiley family did not have the amount of money to purchase it and they moved to Lafayette Street. Joseph Grundy purchased it, had it torn down, and donated the land for the building of Jefferson Avenue School. -
[Michael Dougherty statue]
This stature of Michael Dougherty (1844-1930) was erected in memory of his contribution to the Civil War. He was a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. The monument is located on Jefferson Avenue at Grundy Park. The monument was erected by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, honoring Dougherty’s country of origin (Ireland) and his service to his adopted nation. -
[Parade on Pond Street approaching Jefferson Avenue]
On the right is Jefferson Avenue Public School (opened 1909). The groups may have been from St. Ann (Church and School) celebrating a special religious day. The photograph was taken in summer (note the leaves on the trees). Religious processions were known to be held by the congregation of St. Ann Church located at the corner of Dorrance and Pond Streets. -
[Part of the Delaware Canal Lagoon Park after its restoration in 1996-1997]
Park decorated for Easter. -
[Pear Street at Jefferson Avenue]
The houses were built for workers at adjacent mills. It has been removed and lots created by the removal are parking lots. One of the families that formerly lived there and in the featured photograph is the Walt Munibach family. -
[Pennsylvania Railroad crossing at Jefferson Avenue]
The path of the railroad was moved two blocks to the left. The dark colored building on the lower left is a storage area of Edward T. Steel worsted mill (yarns). Across Jefferson Avenue, the white and gray buildings were warehouses of the Grundy Company worsted mills. The area in the upper right was developed into the community of Harriman during World War I. The photograph was taken from on top of the Steel’s Mill water tower. -
[Photograph of wooden bridge under construction at Delaware Canal Lagoon Park]
This wooden bridge replaced the original cement bridge that fell into disrepair. Part of the lagoon restoration project during 1996-1997. -
[Photograph of wooden bridge under construction at Delaware Canal Lagoon Park]
This wooden bridge replaced the original cement bridge that fell into disrepair. Part of the lagoon restoration project during 1996-1997. -
[Postcard: Jefferson Avenue School]
Stella Palermo (1912-1988). Bristol Resident V. Palermo. Third row, third from left, circled is Stella Palermo. -
[Smith family photograph taken on south side of Jefferson Avenue next to Pear Street]
Note the row of houses on the left side. This row of houses formerly stood on Pear Street between Jefferson and Logan Streets.
The family is the Smith family of Lafayette Street. This was a double house and they are seated in the yard of the second house east of Pear Street (note the iron fence directly behind the people). Warner J. Steel Mill is in the background. The picture was probably taken by an itinerant photographer who either lived there or was photographing for the day at that location. In 1884 Josiah was a wool sorter in the mills. Their home was on Lafayette Street near Cedar Street.
From left to right: Ellen Elizabeth Smith (born March 18, 1876 (Bristol)), Edgar Albion Smith (born December 29, 1880 (Bristol)), Josiah Smith (born August 1, 1841, Luddenden, Yorkshire, England, died April 17, 1891), Ann Speak Smith (born January 5, 1844, Halifax, Yorkshire, England, died April 3, 1929), Mary Alice Smith (born February 9, 1885 (Bristol)), Annie Gertrude Smith (born May 29, 1882 (Bristol), died 1972).
Not pictured with the family is Louis Oswald Smith (born August 24, 1877, died August 27, 1887).
Annie Gertrude Smith was the mother of Mildred Bell Hansom (1909-1997) whose daughter Margaret Hanson provided the information and identification. -
[Striking teachers in front of the Jefferson Avenue school in 1973]
Women unidentified. -
[The first Grundy Skating Rink located on Jefferson Avenue at Prospect Street]
Built in 1970 and enclosed circa 1975. It burned in 1995 and a new skating rink was opened in 1997 at Beaver and Canal Streets. A second rink is being constructed adjacent to the 1997 rink extending along Canal Street to Dorrance Street (as of 1999). The rink is now a recreation center with community room, game room, snack area and an outside playground.
“Jeninngs” hand written in ink with a penciled ? above it on back of photograph.