The pioneer manufacturers of the city are the firm of Bisbee, Endicott, and Company, who established a machine-shop in 1836, and a foundry in 1846, and are still in business.
Aside from these, Chelsea manufactures anchors, pilot-bread, mattresses, bluing, boxes, bricks, britannia ware, brooms, cardigan jackets, carriages, chairs, cigars, confectionery, enameled cloth, fire-brick, furniture, hose, lamp-black, lumber, oils, wall-paper, planes, pottery, roofing, salt, soap, spices, type, tinware, varnish, vaccine matter, vessels, yeast, and window-shades,—giving employment to a very large number of skilled artisans.
There are two well-managed banks in the city, two ably-conducted newspapers, one large and several small hotels, and an Academy of Music, which is one of the finest provincial theatres in New England, boasting of a fine auditorium and a well-appointed stage.
The Naval Hospital, which generally accommodates about a dozen patients, occupies eighty acres of the most desirable part of the city, the hill upon which it is built overlooking Mystic River.
The Marine Hospital, in the same neighborhood, which has usually from seventy-five to eighty patients from the ranks of our mercantile marine, occupies a lot of about ten acres.
Powderhorn Hill the summit of which is about two hundred feet above the level of the sea, commands a fine view of Boston Harbor, the ocean, and many miles of inland territory. Chelsea is spread out like a map at its base. It has been the dream of enthusiastic admirers of the varied scenery afforded from the top, to include it within the limits of a public park, forever set apart for the benefit of the present and coming generations. Half-way up the side of the hill stands the Soldiers' Home, where many scarred veterans of the Union army find a safe haven, cared for by those who appreciate their struggles in their country's cause. The city, although occupying narrow limits, has become a very attractive place for residence. The streets are broad, straight, and shaded by very many thrifty trees. The water-works, organized in 1867, supply good water; gas is furnished at reasonable rates, and the city has nearly completed a system of sewerage, which adds to the comfort and health of the people. The public buildings are commodious and ornamental. Churches of pleasing architecture, of many religious denominations, appropriate school buildings and good schools, spacious and elegant private mansions, a well-organized fire and police department, a public library, low death-rate, and good morals, serve to make the city of Chelsea a very desirable place for those seeking a quiet home in a law-abiding municipality.
