by Andy Eaton
Rantoul Street has been a major force in the growth and development
of the city of Beverly. Since 1852 it has been the home to
both residential and public buildings. It has also been the
home to numerous ethnic groups who have immigrated to Beverly.
In 1840 the Eastern Railroad opened and it
ran from Boston to Beverly. The Beverly train station was located
near the Essex bridge on the Bass River. Citizens of Beverly
were concerned with the location and sought a more centralized
position. At this time the majority of the population of the
city lived on or near Cabot Street. They wanted to move the
station closer to this area.1
In 1841, Robert Rantoul bought land that stretched
from the railroad station to Cabot Street for a cost of $1200.
His land included what is now the Beverly Depot, Railroad Avenue,
Broadway and Park Street. His land was the ideal location for
a new train station. It was close to the cities downtown area,
and was close to the Bass River. Rantoul held onto the deeds
of this land despite attempts by others to purchase it.
In 1851, the plans to build Rantoul Street
were laid out. It was to run parallel to Cabot Street and covered
much of the land owned by Rantoul. The construction of the road
would be finished a year later in 1852. In anticipation of the
completion of Rantoul Street, Bow Street was built in 1851.
It would eventually connect Cabot and Rantoul.
Efforts continued to be made to build a new,
centrally located train station. After unsuccessful attempts
to build at other locations the railroad company restarted negotiations
with Robert Rantoul to purchase his land. On April 18, 1854,
Robert Rantoul sold his two acres of land to the railroad company
for $2000. Railroad Avenue was built in 1854 as another connecting
road between Rantoul and Cabot
A new railroad station was built shortly after
the company acquired the land. Upon the completion of the new
station Rantoul Street began to grow and develop. Businesses
quickly appeared in the Rantoul Street area.. Factory owners
were eager to locate there businesses on Rantoul Street because
of its proximity to the train station and Bass River. In 1856,
William Lord built the Norwood factory. This was the start of
several factories either relocating or opening in this area.
As a result of the new factories more jobs
became available. Opportunities were opening for Beverly residents
and the nations growing immigrant population. People from many
ethnic backgrounds (mainly from northern and western Europe)
moved to Rantoul Street and its surrounding areas. To help assimilate
into the new surroundings many ethnic groups set up their own
organizations and stores. Credit unions, markets, restaurants,
bakeries, and clothing shops all appeared and most were individualized
for each ethnic group. Rantoul Street became a bustling location
for immigrants and their families who worked in nearby factories.
Rantoul Street was the industrial center of
Beverly until 1906 upon the opening of the United Shoe Machinery
Corporation on Elliot Street2. The
Shoe became the cities largest factory and provided many immigrants
with jobs. Rantoul Street continues today to be a street with
both residential and public buildings. The influences of the
many ethnic groups that have lived there are still present.
Many of the ethnic organizations have disappeared, but several
restaurants, markets and ethnic clubs remain.
1. “40 Years Ago”, Beverly Citizen,
3 October 1891, available in Beverly Citizen Index 1851 – 1903,
308-310.
2. “Cummings Properties: Background
and History”, available from www.cummings.com/history.html; Internet;
accessed 5 November 2000.
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