Life From The Roots

The Life From The Roots blog topics have changed several times since I began this blog in 2009. I initially wrote only about the family history I had been working on for 20 years. Years later, I was into visiting gardens, historical homes, churches, libraries that had genealogical collections, historical societies, war memorials, and travel/tourism places. I also enjoy posting autographs and photos of famous people I've met or have seen.

Along with my New England roots, other areas include New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.

Please check out the labels on the right side for topics (please note, they need work). Below the labels and pageviews is a listing of my top nine posts, according to Google. Four of them pertain to Lowell, MA. These posts change often because they are based on what people are reading.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

There Is A Lot to Like About Lowell -- Shedd Park and Rogers Fort Hill

"There is A Lot to Like About Lowell" is the city slogan.

(See tab on right side called "Lowell Series" for many more articles about Lowell.)

Shedd Park and Rogers Fort Hill

Shedd Park and Fort Hill Park are separate parks, but adjoin each other. Shedd Park has fifty acres to provide a wonderful place for families to go for their outdoor activities. Hiking, tennis, huge playground, sledding in the winter, picnic fun and other activities are available. There is a complete history report in the Forgotten New England blog, seen HERE.

Corner of Boylston and Roger Streets.

Shedd

Playground

----

A Gift To the

City of Lowell

Freeman Ballard Shedd

A. D. 1910

"Rogers Fort Hill Park has 11 acres of grass, a fountain, paths and gardens, and 23 acres of woods. Today, the park is being restored to its former glory. The vision is to bring back the features of the original design. Part of the lower park is already restored, and, in time, a restored Spring House at the base of the hill, and benches and walkways will grace the park land. There will also be a west side pergola.

The park will have a commemorative garden, to recognize the original settlers of the area, who were Native Americans. It will also commemorate the life of Senator Paul Tsongas, who is dedicated to the park. The park will be linked to a Greenway and a Blueway trail system, with a stairway down to the river. There will also be a play fort for kids and a restored Spring House." "In the 1900s, the park had activities including a zoo and winter carnivals. The park slipped into a decline in 1960, however, because of budget cuts, but this trend is being reversed with the help of the City of Lowell and many volunteers. The Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999." (This was new to me, so I'm glad I found this site, seen HERE.) Because this is a genealogy blog, I must mention that the Lowell Cemetery is next to both parks.

Rogers Street to the left of the park, center of the park is below.

Top of Fort Hill.

Me, late 1960s at the top of Fort Hill.

Sledding down Shedd Park's hill (Feb. 2017).

Monday, November 10, 2014

Rogers Toy Company, a 76-Year old Family Business. Photos were taken in November 2014.

Rogers Pool Patio & Toy Co. Inc.

150 Middle Street

Lowell, Massachusetts 01852

Four days ago (November 2014), I decided to go into Rogers Toys on Middle Street, Lowell, MA because several members of a Facebook group I'm in (about Lowell) and I often mentioned this store and wondered if it was still in business. I went to the store and told the owner, Gary Rogers, who I was and asked if I could take photos for my blog. Without hesitation, he said, "yes." When I got home, I posted them, with a short paragraph describing how neat the store was, all the merchandise...but it was missing shoppers. A little update, I called and spoke with Gary today (December 2, 2012), and he assured me that this family business of 76 years is still operating. He remembered the blog and said he still has plenty of toys for all. I plan on stopping in very soon and possibly taking more photos.

Within hours, many in the Facebook group responded with 108 wonderful comments, 367 Likes and 107 shared it, which meant more people saw it. To me, this was a viral post going around the United States. Everybody was interested in the store, and they all want to keep it in business, more years than the current 70 years. Almost all the stores from the late 60s, when I first lived here, have either closed or have gone out of business.

Gary Rogers, holding the 13-page printout of comments, I printed it out and brought it to him about a week later for this photo. He told me had a shopper come in and mention my Facebook page, so he assumed it was due to my posting with the photos to the Lowell group. I want to thank all of you who shared and commented. This is about remembering something old in Lowell that we and maybe our parents still remember.

Above photo was taken on my first visit. When I asked Roger if he had any old photos of the store, he pulled out a binder with quite a few. I chose two of his to take pictures of to share with you. One thing about former Lowell residents, they love to see the old. All the buildings in downtown Lowell are pretty much the same as in 1909. I have no idea how old this building is, but it is listed in the 1918 Lowell City Directory, that I happen to have. (My genealogy friends will love hearing that.) Their phone number was simply 4000.