ucture being made absolutely
solid. The original cost of the structure in 1849 was $150,000. The cost
of the extension finished in 1870, was $350,000. By that time the town
of Holyoke and its water-power were rapidly realizing the anticipations
of its projectors.

The water of the river is distributed through a series of three canals
aggregating three and a half miles in length, the power being repeatedly
utilized, as after leaving the first level canal, the water flows from
the wheels into the canal of the second level, from the second level
into the third level, and thence to the river, which completes its
perfect curve to the south of the city.

[Illustration: THE HOLYOKE DAM.]

Among the first colonists of the New City were an army of laborers who
came to dig and wall the canals. These settled in shanties and cabins
near the river-bank. When the great factories were built, a corps of
operatives came to work in the mills. As in Lowell, Manchester and other
manufacturing towns, many of the factory-girls came from New England
homes, and were distinguished for their independence and thrift. A
little later, ship-loads of expert weavers were brought from England and
Scotland to work in the cotton-mills. A ship called the "North America"
brought a load of 130 young Scotch people who shipped from Broomielaw
Quay, in April, 1854. They were induced to come by the superior
inducements offered here, and some of the best weavers ever employed in
the mills came from Scotland. Later there was a large immigration from
the Canadas, and from Ireland.

The entire population by the census of 1850 was 3,715. March 14th of
that year the town was incorporated, bearing the name of Holyoke,
Governor Briggs approving the bill.

The name selected was historical, from Mt. Holyoke, christened some two
hundred years before, but its origin was from Elizur Holyoke, one of the
early residents of this section.

The town of Holyoke was formerly a portion of Springfield of which
Elizur Holyoke was among the early settlers, coming from England when a
youth; and his name is identified with its early records. In 1640 he
married Mary Pynchon. the tradition of whose grace and loveliness comes
down with the musty records of the past, and lingers like a bright,
sweet touch of romance among the historical pages of the grim colonial
days.

[Illustration: SECTION OF THE DAM.]

A notable man of his time was Elizur Holyoke, and he was of a committee
ch