Hometown History #70: A Spectacular July 4 Tradition

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Above, the 'finale' of an early 20th century Franklin Independence Day, the collapse of a giant bonfire.

From the 1920s to perhaps even the 1950s, Franklin maintained a tradition of capping of its Independence Day celebration with a spectacular bonfire.

A typical event, covered in the Sentinel of July 6, 1939, tells the tale

THOUSANDS WITNESS HUGE BONFIRE SPONSORED BY FIREMEN ON HOLIDAY EVE

CROWD ESTIMATED AT 25,000 THRILL BY 85-FOOT TOWER SET ABLAZE ABOUT 11:30 PM FOLLOWING DISPLAY OF FIREWORKS – 75 PER CENT OF CARS ESTIMATED AT 8000 COME FROM OUT OF TOWN, MANY FROM RHODE ISLAND.

Estimates running as high as 25,000 fixed the attendance at the bonfire staged by the Franklin Fire Department at Indian Rock Park, Monday night. The turn-out of people was a new record and everybody appeared to have a very pleasant time. The majority of night-before-the-Fourth celebrators were out-of-town people, of course, and the impression among observers was that a great many of them came from Rhode Islands. This deduction was made by the number of Rhode Island cars seen about town. The fireman parked more than 3,000 cars on the field; in fact, squeezed in as many as they could. It is estimated that at least another 5,000 cars were parked along the highways near the bonfire scene and on may streets on elevated land, as for instance Summer street, at and beyond the Town Infirmary.

From the point of view of the sponsoring firemen, the event was an outstanding success. In fact, they are so pleased with support accorded their efforts, that they have already started on plans for next year’s bonfire. In fact, something like 700 railroad ties have already been stored away to start next year’s pile.

The enormous turn-out of automobiles, of course, created a major traffic problem for Chief of Police Walter P. Burke and his augmented police force. Regulars and special police did herculean work, and slaved many patient hours keeping cars moving. It is to their credit and that of drivers that not a single accident of the slightest kind was reported.

Patrolman Joseph Cataldo had one of the really tough assignments, directing traffic at the junction of East Central, King and Chestnut streets. For a few hours Officer Cataldo was just about as busy as he will ever want to be on any assignment. And the post was not without its bodily risks, as he himself can testify. In fact, on one occasion, to save himself from being run down, he had to leap on the bumper of a car bearing down on him and hold on as best he could, until the vehicle was slowed down. Taking his experience in stride, “Joe” let the incident pass (and the driver too) and went back to his illuminated spot at the crossroads, not even taking time to investigate the seriousness of the cuts and bruises sustained in his narrow escape.”

Exploding bombs, along about 11:30 PM was the signal that the firemen were about to light the bonfire. Then came the illumination, on the bonfire pile, “F.F.D. Welcomes You.” Right afterward there was a 50-foot Niagara Falls and an American Flag in fireworks, atop the pyre.

It was a thrilling spectacle and the great throng showed its delight with cheering and honking of horns.

The 85-foot bonfire was ignited at once and the flames spread through the great pile quickly. The mass burned for more than half an hour before it toppled.

The collapse of the pile was the signal for hundreds of motorists to start for the exit gates. And then the fun began. Despite long delays in getting underway, most everybody seemed to realize that everything possible was being done to make progress as swift as possible and everybody made the best of the situation.

Eating places and gasoline stands uptown, remained open all night and had just about all the business they could handle.

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A 1947 article about that year’s celebration mentions that there was midget car racing as well as
the ‘big bonfire.’

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