From the 1982 USGS topo. That’s why the newer streets and houses aren’t there.

White City was the name of the section of small Draper houses built on the south side of Route 16 near the Mendon town line. During the Draper years, all of the houses were painted white.The two pictures above were taken on June 27, 1923.

Hill Street, White City in 2015.
Cross Street, White City - 2024

Google Earth 2013 view of White City. (Hill Street and Cross Street.) The houses to the right of where it says Mendon Street were built starting in about 2006. .

New houses in White City - 2006. Click on photo to see more.

White City Memories

BACK WHEN                         
I saw the boy of yesterday                           
Gone these many years                          
As I reach the 80th candle                           
I find that boy is me.   
    John Chute   

The memories of a boy are not lost, just locked away until some unexpected event unlocks the portion of the brain where each adventure is stored, and presents a vivid picture, with a clarity, as though it happened yesterday.       

White City, a grouping of thirty-nine white houses built on one very large hill, was to a young boy, our town. We would go to the Community House in Hopedale for Saturday morning movies, and watch Our Gang with Spanky & Alfalfa. The 30s were trying times for parents, but for kids they were the days of Cowboys and Indians, Tarzan, the Bowery Boys and other heroes to emulate.

Fishing for horned pout on Hopedale Pond with an eight foot bamboo pole was a fun time. Rearing back on the pole you could sling that fish fifteen feet into the air and then crash it soundly to the ground. Great sport! Fonzie Calzolaio and I were late arrivals to Park Street School one morning, and upon hearing the second bell, decided we didn’t need school that day. Unfortunately a neighbor called the police and the truants were escorted to the town hall, where to our surprise we were led by the collars to the basement, and to our horror were shoved against the bars of a jail cell. Chief Malloy jerked us back shouting “Look out for the RAT!” Although I didn’t see it I am sure it was as big as a rabbit.           

One of our fun games was “King of the Hill”. Usually won by the biggest kid, but a good battle made the bruises worthwhile. In 1937 while playing this game one of the kids pointed toward Milford and shouted for us to look. Heading in our direction was a large airship that turned left when it reached Route 140. This long, cigar shaped vehicle, was then headed south to its tragic final landing in New Jersey.            

Thanks for bringing back those wonderful adventure filled days.  Shuffling along on “paper ice” would cause the thin ice to dip down and form cracks while still sustaining us. This game was played on our favorite frog ponds, of which there were four. When it was time to head home Ken Negrotti decided on one last shuffle across. We heard a shout for help and turned to see him up to his neck in ice cold water. Dino Bracci ran back and helped out, while the rest of us unashamedly had a good laugh.           

So much more. Memories are the treasures that keep us going. Working a milk route with Kenny Evers, the 38 Hurricane, the snow storm that kept us out of school for a week.  

Thanks again,       
             John Chute

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