Since its erection, the building was not only an armory, but also the home of landmark events and activities. Built of brick in the neo-historical style that had become popular in public buildings, the structure was dedicated with a ceremony that drew 500 people, including Massachusetts Governor Eugene Foss. Located across the street from the previous armory, the new building adjoined the estate of Cyrus Wakefield and a grove of elm trees. The Light Guard moved to their ninth temporary home in the Taylor Building (corner of Main and Lincoln Streets). Luckily, the Richardson Light Guard, assisted by Spanish American War veterans, had been successful in saving their records before the flames consumed the building. Despite valiant efforts by the town’s fire department, the building was destroyed by fire.
The town’s wooden Armory served it well, but on July 6, 1911, the Cutler Building, which stood on the corner of Main and Water Streets (site of the present Hart’s Hardware), was struck by lightning during a violent thunderstorm. The town appropriated $12,000, purchased a lot of land near the Town Hall, and erected a large wooden structure, with an attached drill hall. In 1894, Town Meeting finally voted to build a dedicated home for the military company. It was later relocated to the Rink Building on Main Street until 1895. From 1861-1866, it was housed in Kingman’s block, on the corner of Main and Albion Streets, then, from 1866 – 1869 in the ‘Albion Hall’ on Foster Street From 1871-1873 it moved to Town Hall on the corner of Main and Water Street, and thence to the old Town House, which had been moved to Main and Salem Streets. Its first home was the old Town House on the Common later it would move to the old bank building on the corner of Albion and Railroad St (now North Avenue). The company would later distinguish itself in the Civil War and the Spanish American War as Company A of the Sixth Massachusetts Infantry. Richardson would continue to support the company throughout his lifetime. Richardson, a local businessman and philanthropist who, in becoming the sponsor of the company, donated $500 toward its support. The company took the name of “Richardson Light Guard” in honor of Solon O. The RLG was founded in 1851 and was composed, mainly, of men from South Reading.
It was actually the tenth home of the fabled “Richardson Light Guard.” The Item is located at 26 Albion Street in the town center.The handsome brick building on the corner of Main and Armory Streets was built in 1913 to house the town’s military company. On January 27, 2009, the Item changed its format from broadsheet to tabloid. The newspaper competes for readers in Wakefield with a local edition of the Daily Times Chronicle, based in nearby Woburn and Reading and with the Wakefield Observer, a weekly newspaper published at the Beverly office of Community Newspaper Company.
The paper has had seven editors: Harris Dolbeare (1900–his death in 1938), Gardner Campbell (1938–1953), Robert C. The Item's presidents have all been Dolbeare's heirs-his widow Emma Dolbeare, sons Cyrus and Richard Dolbeare, and now grandson Glenn Dolbeare. The Item is famous for the "Looking Backward" column, detailing events that took place in Wakefield and around the country 25, 50, 75, and 100 years ago from the date of the newspaper. Dolbeare, who established the Wakefield Item Company April 1, 1900. Browne in March 1900 he sold out to Harris M. Young printed the first Item on May 7, 1894, running the paper until selling to printer Alstead W. ▼ The Wakefield Daily Item TypeĢ6 Albion Street, Wakefield, Massachusetts 01880 United Statesįred W. Quick facts: Type, Format, Owner(s), Publisher, Editor.
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