Naming Library Spaces: The Banx Room

We previously introduced you to the origins of the Saxe Room so today's blog post is about our smaller meeting room at the Main Library, the Banx Room. Named after the beloved Worcester cartoonist, James Albert Banks, he was more commonly known to old-time newspaper readers by his pseudonym, "Al Banx." 

Al Banx

James Albert Banks was born in Boston on April 6 or 7, 1900 (several genealogical documents conflict on the exact date) to Michael Banks and Mary (Scott) Banks. Banks served as a private in the 75th Company, Sixth Regiment of U.S. Marine Corps in Europe during WWI and was honorably discharged in 1919. He then received vocational training under the Veterans Bureau at the School of Practical Art in Boston, which was followed by a year of working in the art department of the Boston Globe, before he ended up working for the Worcester newspapers, where he used the name, "Al Banx" for his cartoons. 

The first Al Banx cartoon appeared in the Worcester Evening Gazette on February 12, 1923. Al Banx cartoons covered a wide range of life in Worcester and New England. He frequently drew cartoons about sports, as well as cartoons about daily life, politics, and newsworthy events such as historic floods and courthouse drama.

"That High School Basketball Battle on Friday Night Should be a Thriller," Worcester Evening Gazette, February 12, 1923

In addition to drawing cartoons and occasionally leading classes on the subject, Banks was involved in a variety of local community, social, and veteran groups. He was a member of the Aletheia Grotto, a masonic organization; the Gen. Charles Devens Post of the American Legion; Worcester Detachment, Marine Corps League; Massachusetts 2nd Division Association; St. Luke's Episcopal Church; honorary member of the Yankee Division Veterans Association; a trustee of the City of Worcester's World War Memorial; and more. He also frequently chaired or attended community events and even served as a guest of honor, cartoonist, or toastmaster for many of them. The Worcester Evening Gazette noted in his May 2, 1967 obituary that his favorite honor was being named "'commodore' of the Kelley Square Yacht Club, a name he gave to habitues of the Hotel Vernon in Kelley Square in the Thirties."

The mayor and other prominent men of Worcester feted Banks in advance of his July 1940 wedding to Miss K. Pauline Snow. Mayor Bennett named the cartoonist Worcester's "Ambassador of Good Will" according to the July 2, 1940 issue of the Worcester Evening Gazette. Banks and his wife later had a son, Albert Snow Banks, in March 1942.

"Banx is Named as 'Ambassador,'" Worcester Evening Gazette, July 2, 1940

Banks served in the Intelligence Section, Headquarters Co., 21st Regiment of the Massachusetts State Guard during World War II in support of their recruitment efforts. He was later promoted to staff sergeant because "Sergeant Banks had done more to establish the State Guard in Worcester than any other individual" (Worcester Telegram, March 4, 1943). Furthermore, starting in 1942, Banks wrote a weekly column supporting the troops overseas, "Banx to the Yanks," which also appeared as a radio show on WTAG. The Worcester Evening Gazette published his final "Banx to the Yanks" column on November 24, 1945.

"Guardians of Our Commonwealth," Worcester Evening Gazette, June 2, 1942

"Banx Weekly Letter to Men in Service," Worcester Evening Gazette, December 12, 1942

After the conclusion of the war, Banks continued as a cartoonist for the Worcester Telegram and the Worcester Evening Gazette. He was one of 30 cartoonists who took part in a transcontinental group tour of 8 Air Force bases in a week throughout the country in 1951 (Worcester Sunday Telegram, October 14, 1951). In 1959, the Worcester Lodge of Elks named him "Newspaperman of the Year" (Worcester Telegram, October 8, 1959) and he continued to receive accolades from organizations even after his death.

James Albert Banks died unexpectedly in his sleep at the age of 67 on May 2, 1967. Tributes poured in from the Worcester-area community, including from friends and colleagues from the Worcester Telegram, the Worcester Evening Gazette, and Yankee Magazine; the many politicians and athletes who Banks featured in his works; and residents of Worcester who loved his cartoons. Banks had worked for the Worcester newspapers for 44 years.

"These Were Characters, Mascots Al Banx Created," Worcester Evening Gazette, May 2, 1967

Several hundred mourners attended the funeral at All Saints Episcopal Church in Worcester on May 4, 1967 and he was buried at the Worcester Memorial Park in Paxton. 

"Everybody's Banx by Al Banx and His Friends," Worcester Evening Gazette, May 22, 1967

Worcester's community continued to pay tribute to their beloved local cartoonist. His cartoons were exhibited at the Worcester Art Museum in September 1967 and a memorial window dedicated to Banks was installed at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. The imagery on the window featured sketches from the Bible as well as cartoon characters created by Banks. 

In 1974, Worcester Public Library's library board of directors approved a proposal from the Friends of Worcester Public Library to rename the then-named Conference Room A on the second floor of the Main Library in honor of Al Banx. The Friends then held a commemorative program on April 27, 1974 to officially dedicate the space as the Al Banx Room. The newly renamed space was intended to showcase a permanent display of some of the Banx cartoons on rotation. The commemorative event included a slide show of some of the cartoons, as well as recorded comments about the cartoonist and his works from his former friends and colleagues.

Pamphlet for dedication program - "Al Banx: Everybody's Cartoonist," 1974

Five months later, on September 18, 1974, the president/publisher and vice president/editor of the Worcester and Telegram & Gazette Inc. presented the library with a collection of more than 1,000 original Al Banx cartoons. Head Librarian John S. Hopkins accepted the donation in the Al Banx Room and was quoted as saying the cartoons represented, "a piece of local history."

The Banx Room moved to its present location on the first floor opposite the Saxe Room during the major library renovation that finished in 2001. 

For more information on James Albert Banks and his Al Banx cartoons: 

• Visit the third floor of the Main Library to access 
• Copies of the cartoon collection on microfilm 
• Copies of the limited edition bound publication, Al Banx: Everybody's Cartoonist from the Friends of Worcester Public Library, which contains reprints of some of his cartoons and columns as well as reminiscences about the man 
• Articles and ephemera relating to "Al Banx" in our biography clipping files 
• Visit the Newspapers & Magazines Desk on the first floor to access
• The many issues of the Worcester Telegram and Worcester Evening Gazette on microfilm and see how the cartoons appeared in the newspapers 

Sources:

"A Good Feeling Inside Al Banx Gave Everyone." (1967, May 4). Worcester Evening Gazette, p. 14

"Art and Mercy Temper Justice of Judge Banks." (1926, December 31). Worcester Evening Gazette, p. 2.

"Banks' Cartooning Class to Start Thursday Night." (1941, November 10). Worcester Evening Gazette, p. 7.

"Banks Given New Military Honor." (1935, August 8). Worcester Telegram, p. 7.

"Banks Promoted to Staff Sergeant, 21st Inf. M.S.G." (1943, March 4). Worcester Telegram, p. 4.

"Banks-Snow Marriage at Church Here Today." (1940, July 8). Worcester Evening Gazette, p 10.

"Banx Cartoons to be Featured in Special Art Museum Exhibit." (1967, September 19), p. 14.

"Banx is Named as 'Ambassador.'" (1940, July 2). Worcester Evening Gazette, p. 5.

"Banx Weekly Letter to Men in Service." (1942, December 12). Worcester Evening Gazette, p. 5.

"Cartoonists in Spare Time Cartoon Other Cartoonists." (1951, October 14). Worcester Sunday Telegram, p. 1C.

"City Enshrines Al Banx' Cartoons in Library." (1974, April 28). Worcester Sunday Telegram, p. 29A.

"Elks Pick Al Banx for Award." (1959, October 8). Worcester Telegram, p. 24.

"Everybody's Banx by Al Banx and His Friends." (1967, May 22). Worcester Evening Gazette.

"Friends of the Worcester Public Library." (1974). Al Banx: Everybody's Cartoonist.

"Guardians of our Commonwealth." (1942, June 2). Worcester Evening Gazette, p. 15.

"Library Gets Banx Cartoons." (1974, September 18). Worcester Evening Gazette, p. 7.

"Library to Honor Cartoonist Al Banx." (1974, April 9). Worcester Evening Gazette, p. 4.

"Library Room Honors Cartoonist." (1947, February 13). Worcester Evening Gazette, p. 12.

"Pull Up a Chair and Meet Al Banx Cartoonist 26 Years." (1948, September 9). Worcester Sunday Telegram - Feature Parade Section, p. 7.

"T&G Cartoonist Dies in His Sleep." (1967, May 2). Worcester Evening Gazette, p. 1.

"T-G Cartoonist J. Albert Banks, 67; Funeral Rites to Be Held Tomorrow." (1967, May 3). Worcester Telegram, p. 26.

"These Were Characters, Mascots Al Banx Created." (1967, May 2). Worcester Evening Gazette, p. 37.

"Window Dedicated to Cartoonist at St. Luke's Episcopal Church." (1967, November 6). Worcester Evening Gazette, p. 12.

The Ghosts of Buildings Past: Before the Construction of 3 Salem Square

Worcester Public Library's Main Library has officially existed at 3 Salem Square at the corner of Salem Street and Franklin Street in downtown Worcester since its opening in May 1964 but have you ever wondered what was at this location before then? Today we're going to take a look at the history of this site from the 1920s to 1960 by discussing the final occupant of the buildings, the Worcester Knitting Company.

Undated photograph of the Worcester Knitting Company

The Worcester Knitting Co. (also known as the Worcester Knitting Company) officially incorporated in September 1923 at 18 Salem Street, with Abraham S. Persky as the president and treasurer of the company.  The company opened earlier in 1923 and leased the space from M.P. Whittall and Alfred Thomas, both manufacturing leaders in the city. The company manufactured knitted goods and fabrics, including garments such as pants, vests, and especially bathing suits. Through the years, the company would advertise for various factory and administrative jobs in the Worcester Telegram and Worcester Evening Gazette.

Expect Good Summer Trade, Worcester Telegram, February 28, 1925

Advertisement for Experienced Stitchers, Worcester Telegram, August 19, 1929

Advertisement for Inspectors, Worcester Telegram, December 16, 1929

By September 1929, the Worcester Telegram reported that the Worcester Knitting Company wanted to take over the space occupied by the City of Worcester's public school department at 90 Franklin Street (located in the Burns Building), just around the corner from 18 Salem Street. The school department had used that space as executive offices as well as for a manual training school, with classes in mechanical drawing, blue print reading, and machine tool designing. Starting in 1930, 90 Franklin Street became the address of record for the Worcester Knitting Company. The company expanded over the years, ultimately occupying the top five stories of the six-story Burns Building as well as the entire five-story building around the corner on Salem Street. Persky even managed to own two other companies, including the Worcester Spinning and Finishing Co. in Leicester and the Narragansett Knitting Mills in Woonsocket, RI.

1936 Sanborn Map

On July 12, 1948, the Worcester Knitting Realty Co., a holding company led by Abraham S. Persky, purchased the Burns Building at 86-100 Franklin Street and the five-story property at 10-16 Salem Street from Matthew P. Whittall. The Worcester Knitting Company had occupied the site since Persky founded the company and the Whittall family had owned the buildings for 45 years. 

Of course, as you might have realized, the Worcester Knitting Company was not the only company that existed at Franklin and Salem Streets. At the time of the sale in 1948, there were several tenants occupying the first floor of the Burns Building, including Whalen's Restaurant, Inc.; Paquette Stationery Co.; Nursery Furniture; and Salem Square Mill End Store.

1950 Sanborn Map

While the Worcester Knitting Company was comfortably settled at their property, the Worcester Free Public Library had long outgrown their space on Elm Street. The library's board of directors had discussed building a new library building since the early 1900s, citing lack of space as well as fire hazards. In 1921, the board requested funds for such a building, even though they did not have a specific plan or even a prospective site. While the mayor rejected the request that time, the library looked for a site where they could potentially construct their new building. Suggestions over the years included creating a civic center in the area of Salem Square with the new library, a municipal auditorium, and other municipal buildings; a location on Pearl Street; the Elks Home on Elm Street; and many other locations. 

Proposed Sites for New Library Building, July 1948

In 1952, the Worcester Sunday Telegram reported on the Worcester Housing Authority's redevelopment project of the Salem Street area and mentioned the Worcester Knitting Co.'s building as being one of the affected properties. The proposed project included demolishing buildings taken by eminent domain, widening streets, constructing new commercial areas, and more in a roughly 23 acre-section of the downtown Worcester area. During that same year, the Worcester Housing Authority suggested that a new library be built at that project area. The New Salem Street Redevelopment Project was contentious for a number of reasons, with proponents for the project advocating for "slum clearance" and opponents discussing loss of businesses, displacement of the residents who lived in the area, and the costs of the project.

By 1953, the library's board of directors recommended the Worcester Knitting Company site as the new location of the library. There was much controversy over building the library on the site of the Worcester Knitting Company building. The Worcester Knitting Company did not want to move at all, and vociferously protested against this proposal. Persky claimed that several hundred Worcester-area people who worked at the factory would lose their jobs if the company moved out of the city. There were requests to exclude the property from the redevelopment project. and the Worcester newspapers were full of articles during this time about the political fights relating to the redevelopment plan and the fate of the Worcester Knitting Company property.

The company won a reprieve with an agreement with the City Council on April 22, 1954, which gave them until June 1960 to vacate the property. In the meantime, the Worcester Knitting Realty Co. sued the city and the Worcester Housing Authority to prevent the eminent domain seizure of the property. A group of taxpayers also filed a lawsuit regarding the redevelopment project.  The final decision on the lawsuit ruled against the Worcester Knitting Realty Co. in 1956. Eminent domain proceedings and demolition of the other properties in this redevelopment area aside from the Knitting Company properties commenced shortly after. 

Before Salem Street Demolition Started / As the Redevelopment Project Looks Today,
Worcester Telegram, July 27, 1957

In 1958, Mayor O'Brien and several city councilors rejected the idea of having the library at that site, claiming that even though a new library was necessary, they didn't want it to move to the Knitting Company site. A lost of tax revenue was one of the reasons that Mayor O'Brien advocated against moving the library to that location. On the other hand, City Manager Francis J. McGrath was all in favor of the proposed location for the library. By the end of 1959, however, library board and a majority of the city council agreed that the Worcester Knitting Company site was the best location. 

The Worcester Knitting Company purchased some of the former Whittall Carpet Mills buildings at 1 Brussels Street (Behind what is now the former Rotman's) in Spring 1958 but indicated that it would take some time to make the necessary alterations to the buildings to fit the needs of the company. The company finally moved in March 1960 and the former Worcester Knitting Company property at Salem and Franklin Streets was demolished that same month. 

Building Coming Down, Worcester Telegram, March 29, 1960

The City of Worcester purchased the property for the library in 1961 after many bureaucratic hurdles and construction on the new library began in May 1962 by Granger Contracting Co., Inc. The laying of the cornerstone to the new library was officially celebrated in a ceremony held October 1962 (see our blog post here: On This Date in WPL History: October 21, 1962 - Cornerstone Ceremony at Main Library) and the library officially opened to the public in May 1964. Aside from our two-year tenure at Fremont Street during the 2001 renovation, we've been at 3 Salem Square for approximately 60 years!

City Buys Library Site, Worcester Telegram, November 2, 1961

Start of Construction on New Library, Worcester Telegram, May 17, 1962

Unfortunately, the Worcester Knitting Company, Inc. filed articles of voluntary dissolution with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in January 2002.

To end our post, we're going to treat you to a little trivia: did you know that Franklin Street near the Worcester Common has not always been Franklin Street? Throughout Worcester's history, this one section of street was named South Street (because it was south of the Common), Franklin Street (named after Benjamin Franklin), Park Street (starting ~1844), and then officially (again) on January 1, 1913 became known as Franklin Street.

Sources:

"Abraham Persky, 80; Head of Knitting Firm. (1969, April 4). Worcester Evening Gazette, p. 17.

Achorn, R. (1952, April 2). "Housing Board Ambitious Group." Worcester Sunday Telegram, p. 7.

"Before Salem Street Demolition Started / As the Redevelopment Project Looks Today." (1957, July 27). Worcester Telegram, p. 6.

"Building Coming Down." (1960, March 29). Worcester Telegram, p. 13.

"City Buys Library Site." (1961, November 2.) Worcester Telegram, p. 23.

"City Council Dynamites Original Salem Street Plan." (1954, March 26). Worcester Telegram, p. 1.

"Council OK's Salem St. Plan, 6-3." (1954, April 23). Worcester Telegram, p. 1.

"Expect Good Summer Trade." (1925, February 28). Worcester Telegram, p. 8.

"5 Councillors Oppose Plant Site for Library." (1958, March 8). Worcester Telegram, p. 1.

"Franklin Street Site Approved for New Library." (1953, March 21). Worcester Telegram, p. 9.

"Knitting Firm to Leave Salem Sq. Within 3 Months." (1960, January 21). Worcester Telegram, p. 24

"Library Trustees Again Ask Mayor to Act on Fund for New Building." (1921, March 10). Worcester Telegram, p. 1.

"Made in Worcester." (1947, May 12). Worcester Evening Gazette, p. 16.

"McGrath Asks Library on Franklin." (1958, January 17). Worcester Telegram, p. 1.

"Salem Square Project Under Way this Year." (1957, January 9). Worcester Telegram, p. 12.

"Salem Sq. Area Eyed as New Library Site." (1952, October 5). Worcester Telegram, p. 1C.

"Salem Sq. Properties are Sold." (1948, July 12). Worcester Evening Gazette, p. 1.

"Salem St. Project Gets Under Way." (1956, November 21). Worcester Telegram, p. 2.

"Salem Street Project and Library Site Cause Hot Flare-Ups." (1954, January 15). Worcester Telegram, p. 1.

"Salem Street Project Wins Court Approval." (1956, November 20). Worcester Telegram, p.1.

"6 Councillors Favor One Salem St Change." (1954, March 31). Worcester Telegram, p. 1.

"Start of Construction on New Library." (1962, May 17). Worcester Telegram, p. 1.

"Street Art in a City Plan." (1922, June 4). Sunday Telegram Magazine, p. 11.

"Suit Filed Against City." (1954, June 24). Worcester Telegram, p. 2.

"Tool Designing Will be Taught." (1925, October 2). Worcester Telegram, p. 6.

"Worcester Knitting Co. Plans to Buy Part of Former Whittall Mills." (1958, March 29). Worcester Telegram, p. 1.

"Wrecking of Knitting Mill is Next Week." (1960, March 17). Worcester Telegram, p. 21.

Yoffie, A. (2002, February 7). Articles of Dissolution - Worcester Knitting Co., Inc.