A Short History of the Fitchburg Steam Engine Company.

Established in 1871, one year before Fitchburg became a City, the Fitchburg Steam Engine Company started
its operations manufacturing both short and long stroke Girder Frame Mill Engines, mainly for the Mill Industry
throughout the United States as well as an array of different size boilers built to spec within their own foundry
to suit the ever growing requirements of the Industrial Age for that period. ( Little did anyone know that it would
lead them all the way through to the mid 1920's, as well as gaining a very good reputation throughout Europe )

The company was founded by Frederick Fosdick as President and brother Charles Fosdick as treasurer and
superintendent. In 1886 Frederick Fosdick was appointed the position of Lord Mayor for the City of Fitchburg.
In 1891 Frederick Fosdick held the office of vise-president of the Parkhill Mfg.Co. a prominent mill of that era.
~ Charles Fosdick was a trustee of the Burbank Hospital, and also a trustee of the Fitchburg Savings Bank ~

The first manufacturing plant was at 38 - 42 Water Street, producing a range of Injectors, Governors, Shafting,
Hangers and Pulleys on a day to day basis and in 1892 saw a move to Oak Hill Rd, Cleghorn where they were
able to later take on special large project work which helped pave the way into winning the contract's to power
the Prestigious New York Public Library and the La Salle Hotel built in Chicago of 22 floors completed in 1905.
In 1876 the company were also selling the Haskins line of stationary engines, keeping the name intact from a
previous buyout having good sales in the marine industry with a well respected line of semi-portable engines.

( Fitchburg - A Town - February 3, 1764 ~~~~~~~~ A City - March 8, 1872 )

A Fitchburg Steam Engine Company - Horizontal Girder Frame mill engine
driving a Mill in Worcester - Year 1885.

Lighting by Thomas Edison " Menlo Park " Year 1879 - along with D.C. Power Generation in New York - Year 1882.
Soon to be followed by George Westinghouse - introducing A.C. Power Generation in New York - Year 1893.

Thanks go to a dedicated band of people within the Fitchburg community, including
The Fitchburg Historical Society for photos and information - in the making of the site.

Below
A look back on the July 4th Festivities held in Fitchburg for 2008.
In particularly to the Goodwin Family and the float entered for this day now sporting a new
passenger car compared to the tender as seen in the 2007 images ( seen below under these two images )

The photos were taken at the starting point of the parade and mark yet another year in this fine tradition now kept
alive by Four Grandsons and one Velimirovic Grandson all helping to keep the lights burning on this Special day.

Above
A look at that new passenger car caught at the right moment as two Guilford
rail diesels coupled with a Pan Am Railways diesel ( center ) slide by in the background.
( The leading diesel is the Guilford Rail System's MEC 370 ( Model No.EMD GP40 ) rated at 3000 HP )

~ 2007 ~
This Fitchburg Steam Locomotive gained 1st Prize
for the 2007 City of Fitchburg, 4th of July Parade.

The float was made and entered by the Goodwin Family following on an old tradition from their Grandfather
back in 1964, who at that time entered the first one on show. The late ( Dana D Goodwin ) was an accomplished
photographer of railroads in the 20th century, his huge collection is now looked after by the Boston & Maine Historical
Society, and are listed in the archives of the Boston & Maine Rail Road Society.

~ 1964 ~
A look back in time to the first float built in 1964, built by the late ( Dana D. Goodwin ) and friends one can gain
the size of the original float by looking at the person standing in front of the main drive wheels - nearly built to scale!

The Goodwin family have had a long association in Fitchburg stretching back to 1898 when W C. Goodwin opened one
of the Cities first shoe stores, it was later taken over and run by William D. Goodwin right up until 1987 when it closed.

~ Thanks to Mr. K. Goodwin of Fitchburg for the above photos and information ~

A link to some original photos taken by the late - Dana D. Goodwin are below ( all are in pdf form ) they also include the Fitchburg Depot,
Ashburnham Hill, the Worcester Depot, Lowell station and many more good shots...

Click below
From - The B & M Bulletin, Fall 1976

Many Thanks go to the Boston & Maine Railroad Historical Society for the above link.

~ Help make Heritage the No.1 Priority in 2009 ~

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