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| The first greenhouse was built for Lucien O'Connor of Providence on a private estate at the corner of West and Cherry streets that was developed by Walter and Maud Ailman starting in 1906. Part of the house dates from1799. Berthus Jansen, from the Netherlands, became the owner in 1930 and added the larger unit winding up with about 11,000 sq. ft. under glass. While he had some retail trade, the business was mostly wholesale for the Boston Flower Market. He raised chrysanthemums in the Fall, and sweet peas in the Spring, as well as carnations and snapdragons. He operated the enterprise from 1930 to 1952 when he was taken ill and had to retire. Other florists were active there for the next 15 years or so until the greenhouses were taken down and the property was sub-divided. |