Chelsea celebrated its three hundredth anniversary of the arrival of
her first settler, Samuel Maverick, during the summer of 1924. The
crowning feature of the week’s celebration was the big military and
civic parade held on the last day.
Thousands of people lined the streets over the entire course.
National and State officials reviewed the parade, and both the
visitors and the old Chelsea residents were loud in their
appreciation of the historical pageant which passed before them.
The elaborate floats symbolic of the principal phases of the history
of Chelsea are worthy of recording, especially in view of the fact
that Chelsea’s celebration was among the first of these events held.
First came a float representing Chelsea’s Original Settlers, the
Indians. It showed an open area on the bank of the Mystic River with
a wigwam from which led a narrow trail. A squaw and papoose were
seated in front of the wigwam with Indian bucks standing on a rock,
peering into the distance.
Next was Myles Standish Trading with the Chelsea Indians, September
12, 1621. A winding Mystic between two shores leading off from the
distance; Standish and party in a shallop with an Indian guide in the
bow; Indians seen on shore.
Then the coming of Samuel Maverick in 1624. Maverick is shown being
received on the bank of the Mystic by the Indians; woodland background.
The next float represented the Chelsea Ferry, the oldest in the
United States. Established in 1631 by Thomas Williams. A
flat-bottomed punt, containing passengers and propelled by stern
oarsmen, landing at a pier on the Naval Hospital grounds, with
Charlestown in the background.
Then followed Chelsea a Town, January 11, 1739. Chelsea’s old
meeting-house with people wending their way to attend a gathering.
After which the Battle of Chelsea, May 27, 1775, was depicted; Noddle
and Hog Islands in the background; a river scene, with a two-masted
schooner and sloop being towed by barges; flued with marines, to
escape attack from Chelsea shore by armed soldiers; sails of schooner
riddled and torn; mast of sloop shot in the center, flames bursting
from cannons in portholes and over the side of the schooner.
The next float pictured General George Washington’s Visit to the
Pratt House, July 1775. Pratt House is shown on a hill facing County
Road, oldest house in Massachusetts Bay Colony; Washington and staff
at the gate being received by Thomas Pratt and sons.
Then Abraham Lincoln’s Visit to Chelsea, September 17, 1848. Exterior
of Cary House which Lincoln visited after addressing a meeting in
Haskell Hall.
Chelsea a City 1857 followed. An interior scene with several city
fathers seated at a council table.
Then soldiers of the Civil War bidding good-bye to wives in Chelsea Square.
The next float depicted the opening of the Soldiers Home on top of
Powderhorn Hill, formerly the Highland Park Hotel, in 1882.
Then came the Spanish War, Roosevelt in the background, and the
Chelsea Company leaving for the War.
Then was recorded the Chelsea Fire, Sunday, April 12, 1908.
Background of a city in flames; a woman with two children fleeing
from the fire.
Next came the Chelsea Flood, Sunday December 26, 1909. Water, tops of
houses; woman with two children trudging through snow.
Then President Taft’s Visit to Chelsea on September 19, 1912. Taft
speaking in front of the State Armory; and finally the World War
battlefield scene with dead soldiers on the ground which was strewn
with helmets, trappings, etc.