Perkins' Howe Building tower in background. The stockyards were built by the Fitchburg Rail Road and covered 35 acres. Law required the herds to leave the freight cars, be fed and kept in the open at least 24 hours. Drovers would drive the cattle across the river to the Brighton Abattoir. Sheep and swine were also housed here. The stockyard fell into disuse when the refrigerated train car was developed. By 1915, horses and mules (3,000/week) from Canada and the West, were shipped out to war (WWI) from here by the French Canadian Rail Road. To some the "Cowboys" were objectionable. Many in town contested this project based on health reasons. Those that opposed the resurrection of the stockyards were voted out of office or lost their jobs.
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