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The History of the
Public Library in Winthrop |
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Notable People |
Willard M. Bacon |
Architect |
Willard Michael Bacon |
Birth |
July 1860 |
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Wellsboro, Penn. |
Death |
Sep. 25, 1947 (age 87) |
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Winthrop, Mass. |
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Pauline Emily (Hackett) Bacon |
Birth |
March 1862 |
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Newmarket, Ontario, Canada |
Death |
May 7, 1942 (age 80) |
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Winthrop, Mass. |
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| Born in Wellsboro, Pa., Willard moved to Boston around 1880 to work as a draftsman for an architectural firm. He became head-draftsman in 1884 and left to start his own firm in 1886. He had married Pauline E Hackett (1862-1942) in 1884 and the couple moved to a house he had built in Winthrop on what was then called Great Head (Cottage Hill now). In 1913 the family moved to another house he designed on Elwood Court. In a career that spanned over 40 years, Willard designed numerous residential, commercial, and institutional buildings in the Boston area and throughout the region. In Winthrop alone, he designed the Frost Public Library, Winthrop Town Hall, Center and Beach Fire Stations, E.B. Newton School, Elliot Elementary School, Dalrymple School, Elks Club, Winthrop Yacht Club, and in some reports, over 100 houses. He retired in 1929 and would spend his summer months with family at a home in Gilmanton, N.H. |
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"WILLARD M. BACON, Architect, No. 85 Water Street.— Among the most popular and accomplished members of the architectural profession in Boston must be mentioned Mr. Willard M. Bacon. Mr. Bacon was born in Pennsylvania and at an early age began the study of architecture, for which he has a great natural aptitude, and his training for his chosen profession was the best that could be secured for him. He has had ten years hard practical experience and for the past three years has been in business on his own account in Boston, where he has resided for seven years. Numerous fine buildings in all parts of the city and New England attest his knowledge and good taste as an architect and building superintendent. Mr. Bacon is prepared with ail the necessary facilities to execute or carry out any architectural undertaking, not only promptly, but with that intelligent apprehension of design which make his efforts so highly appreciated. He will be found prompt, liberal and enterprising, never unsolicitous for the benefit of his patrons, .and .always prepared to offer advantages in keeping with such a reputation." |
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Willard M. Bacon |
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Willard M. Bacon |
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"This house was built c.1913-14 for and possibly by Winthrop architect Willard M. Bacon. Elmwood Court started out during the 1880's as a narrow rectangular lot leading from Washington Avenue and ending at a small harbor side tract owned by the Belcher Brothers. Willard M. Bacon moved here c.1913 from 162 Washington Avenue. Bacon may have designed this house for himself. Bacon is the architect that made the most substantial impact on the design of Winthrop's built environment. Bacon was born in Willsboro, Pennsylvania in 1860. At age 20, he joined the important Boston architectural firm of Sturgis and Brigham as a draughtsman. In 1884, he established his own architectural practice at 27 Kilby Street, Boston. He was a resident of Winthrop for 60 years, designing the town's public library, High School, Winthrop Yacht Club, grammar schools, fire stations and the Winthrop Town
Hall. He designed many Boston area residences and is credited with the design of several of the
houses in Caruth Street, Dorchester's, fine collection of turn of the century residences. He retired in
1929 and died in September of 1947." |
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Willard Bacon designed summer house in Marblehead |
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Cambridge hotel by Willard Bacon |
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Winthrop Town Hall by Willard Bacon |
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