Simonds Manufacturing Company, Building No. 5, 23-55 North Street, Fitchburg

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The building is significant as part of the former plant of Simonds Manufacturing Company, a maker of saws and machine knives. From the late century to the present, the company has been one of Fitchburg's major manufacturers. This building was the power house. Description: The power house measures x 40' in plan and is a single tall story in height, with a nearly flat roof. A brick partition bisects the in- terior. The north part is open from the base- ment to the roof; the floor level in the south half is higher, matching that in Building Nos. 2 and 3, to which it is connected by a passageway. Window openings, with only a remnant of small- pane wooden sash remaining, are segmental-arched in shape with stone sills.

The south part has a single tier, while the north part has a second level of smaller windows; there are also three large loading openings, only one of which re- tains its doors. The 128'-tall chimney is let- tered "Simonds Saws." No equipment remains. History: The building was built as part of the reconstruction of the company's Fitchburg plant. A bank of boilers occupied the north half, and the south part housed a large steam engine.