George Street
From Worcester Activist wiki
Also HOBBS ST.
One of Worcester’s steepest streets honors Maj. Gen. George Hobbs. In the middle 1800’s, no military event or celebration was complete without him.
Of July 4, 1856, “The Worcester Book of Noteworthy Events” says: not fully carried out on account of rain. At 10, the mounted Continental paraded, under the command of Charles B. Pratt. At 11, Charles Hersey’s ‘Minute Men’ were called by the arrival of a mounted messenger with is cry (feebly given) ‘To arms! War is begun!”
“At noon a procession Commanded by Gen. George Hobbs marched through the principal streets to the Common, where dinner was served in a tent… At 5 p.m., the Butchers and Provision Dealers paraded in white frocks and caps.”
Gen. Hobbs was born in Princeton, May 16, 1806. He kept a hotel and ran an extensive stage business in Sterling.
In 1838, he moved to Worcester, taking over the Eagle Hotel, corner of Main and Thomas streets. He invested in real estate and built a number of a brick buildings throughout the city. The bricks were from his own kiln on Lincoln street.
One of the few Worcester men who ever attained the rank of major-general, he became commander of the City Guards in 1840 and important in the state militia. He also became chief of Worcester Fire Department, an alderman, and an assessor.
“The spirit and efficiency of the militia in his time were largely due to his influence and example,” wrote the Worcester Gazette when he died.
George street took its name in 1846.
Hobbs street was also named for him.
The core of this article comes from A History of Your City Streets.
