USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Holyoke > Holyoke old and new : a chronological history together with an account of the fiftieth anniversary celebration of the incorporation of Holyoke, Massachusetts as a city : 1873-1923 > Part 5
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1873 1923
1876
OLD SECOND CONGRE- GATIONAL CHURCH AT HIGH AND DWIGHT ST.
of fire department, Benjamin F. Mullin; city messenger, J. H. Clifford.
William G. Ham was elected the first chief of police.
The charter provided for the establishment of a fire department.
November 7 marks the advent of the Sisters of Providence who came to the city upon the solicitation of Rev. P. J. Harkins. A hospital was instituted in South Hadley Falls where the Sisters cared for the sick. The Farr Alpaca Company, the Newton Paper Company, the Excelsior Paper Company and the Massachusetts Screw Company were all founded in this year. Holyoke Council, R. and S. M. of Masons was organized.
1874 -William Skinner mill was erected in this year as was the Connor Brothers' woolen mill.
This was the first year that the City Gov- ernment of Holyoke functioned.
1875 On May 27, occurred Holyoke's first and greatest fire tragedy when the Precious Blood Church on Park Street burned and seventy-two parishioners lost their lives. The fire broke out during the evening services.
National Blank Book Company was or- ganized.
French Roman Catholic cemetery at Gran- by plains was dedicated.
Holyoke Caledonian Society founded.
-Sacred Heart Parish was organized. Holyoke City Hall was completed at a cost of nearly $400,000.
Unitarian Church erected at the corner of Maple and Essex Streets. Sons of St. George Society was organized.
1877 -A building boom was started in the High- lands section.
The Windsor Hotel and block and Holyoke Opera House were built by William Whit- in this year.
1878 - Opera House opened with the play "Lon- don Assurance" in April.
The Precious Blood Church (present struct- ure) was dedicated on June 3.
Parsons property on Dwight Street was purchased for a Sisters' Hospital.
The Albion Paper Company was founded. Holyoke Light Infantry, Co. D., of the 2nd Regiment was organized.
1879 -The Wauregan Paper Company and the Deane Steam Pump Company were or- ganized.
In this year the property for the site of Mount St. Vincent at Ingleside was pur- chased.
City National Bank was organized.
Court City of Holyoke Foresters was or- ganized on November 7.
First Holyoke Baseball team was organized.
THAT'S CAPSAD
OLD VIEW OF HIGH STREET LOOKING NORTH FROM CITY HALL CORNER.
HOLYOKE OLD and NEW FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
1873 1923
1880 -The Chemical Paper Company, the Nono- tuck Paper Company, the Holyoke Envel- ope Company (United States Envelope) were all founded this year.
The Mt. St. Vincent Orphanage was open- ed at Ingleside.
1881 -Whitmore Manufacturing Company was organized.
Gill Paper Mill was erected, as well as the Nonotuck Paper Mill and the Hampden Glazed mill.
1882 -Calvary Cemetery on Northampton Street was consecrated on March 20.
1883 -St. Jerome School for girls was erected on Chestnut Street in January.
The Sacred Heart Church was dedicated on June 3.
The Nonotuck Street School was dedicated. Hampden and Germania Parks were established.
1884
-This year marks the start of the Holyoke Street Railway system with a two mile- horse-car line extending from South Hol- yoke to South Hadley Falls.
On May 13, 1884 the first Board of Park Commissioners were appointed.
On June 11 the original charter was grant- ed. William A. Chase, President; C. Fayette Smith, treasurer; H. M. Smith, superintendent; William H. Brooks, clerk. Under the charter, the first line began at the corner of Main and South Streets in South Holyoke, and extended to North Main Street in South Hadley Falls.
On September 24 the road was opened.
1885 -The Home National Bank was organized as was the Peoples Savings Bank.
Second Congregational Church was erect- ed at the corner of Appleton, High and Maple Streets and dedicated on January 29. Young Mens Christian Association was or- ganized on October 7.
The South Chestnut Street school at the corner of Chestnut and Sargeant Streets was dedicated.
The Marble Block at the corner of High and Dwight Streets was built and the Mar- ble Hall Hotel opened.
John T. Lynch, hero of the disastrous fire at the Precious Blood Church was appoint- ed the first chief of the Holyoke Fire De- partment.
During this entire year there were only thirty-three fires in the city.
Pastor and official board of First Methodist Episcopal Church organized Episcopal Church on the Highlands.
In this year Prospect Park was established.
1886 -The parish of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary was organized on March 26.
Highland Methodist Episcopal Church at corner of Lincoln and Nonotuck Streets was dedicated on March 26.
Presbyterian Society was organized.
The first extension to the original horse- car line of the Holyoke Street Railway Company was made in this year. A road was added through Dwight, High and Ap- pleton Streets to Beech Street and several months later a line from Beech to Pleasant and Lincoln Streets on the Highlands.
1887 -First Congregational Church was built at the corner of Pleasant and Hampden Streets.
Hamilton Street School on Hamilton Street was dedicated.
Shields Court of the Massachusetts Cath- olic Order of Foresters was organized on January 14.
In this year the Holyoke Daily Democrat (now the Holyoke Evening Telegram) was established by P. J. Kennedy.
1888 -Sacred Heart Grammar and High School erected on Chestnut Street.
The Holyoke Envelope Company mill fire occured on January 22. Damages were estimated at $114,000.
Six days later on January 28, occured the Chemical Paper Company fire which caused $57,000 damage.
Big blizzard hit city on March 11.
Young Women's Christian Association was organized in April. Holy Rosary Church was dedicated on August 26.
250
HOLYOKEKROLD and NEW FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
1873 1923
OLD VIEW FROM CITY HALL, LOOKING EAST.
Coburn Trolley Track Company, American Pad and Paper Company.
D. Mackintosh and Sons Company, Con- necticut River Paper Company, and Par- sons Paper Company, No. 2, were all estab- lished in this year.
1889 -In this year the Water Department com- pleted the large storage reservoir on Whit- ing Street brook.
German Lutheran Church fire on Febru- ary 14.
Windsor Hotel fire on February 28.
First Presbyterian Church at corner of Cabot and Chestnut Streets was dedicated on March 5.
City Co-operative Bank was organized.
1890
-First Methodist Episcopal Church at the corner of Elm and Appleton Streets was completed.
Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was founded.
Notre Dame Cemetery in South Hadley Falls was opened for use.
The Powers Paper Company and the Hol- yoke Hydrant and Iron works were both founded.
The Coburn Trolley Track Company left the city to establish in Willimansett.
Hamilton Park was established. Holyoke City Farm opened on October 18.
1891 -Perpetual Help Church at the corner of Maple and Prospect Streets was completed. Holyoke City Hospital was incorporated in May.
Mt. Holyoke Lodge of Odd Fellows was organized on December 5.
The Norman Paper Company, George C. Gill Paper Company, Hampden Glazed Paper Company, and the Chadwick Plush Company were all organized in this year.
In this year the Holyoke Street Railway Company completed the electrification of the entire system and erected a power house. The Elmwood and Oakdale lines were opened.
In this year the first Board of Fire Com- missioners was elected.
The first commissioners were Richard Shea, Roger P. Donoghue, Jeremiah J. Callahan, John Hildreth, Charles L. Newcomb, Val Moquin, and John J. Sheridan.
1892
-Park National Bank was established.
Perpetual Help School was erected at the corner of Prospect and Maple Streets.
Holyoke Boys' Club was founded February 3.
on
The George R. Dickinson Paper Company and the Ford Bit Company were estab- lished.
German Reformed Society was organized on October 16.
1893 -The Holyoke City Hospital was dedicated on June 10.
In this year the Board of Fire Commis- sioners was reduced from seven to three commissioners. The Goetz Silk Manufacturing Company was established.
A panic hit Holyoke this year and crippled a number of enterprises.
Holyoke Council, No. 90, Knights of Columbus was organized on March 4. The present House of Providence Hospital was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Thomas D. Beaven (deceased) in 1893 on October 4.
The Elmwood School on South Street and Precious Blood school on East Street were dedicated.
HOLYOKE
OLD and NEW FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
1873 1923
St. Paul's Church at the corner of Appleton and Linden Streets was erected.
Grace Congregational Church organized. German Reformed Church at the corner of Elm and Sargeant Streets was erected.
People's Street Railway Company applied for franchise.
1895
-In this year the line was extended by the Holyoke Street Railway Company to con- nect with the Springfield line. The Mt. Park line was also built in this year and the Chicopee Falls line was opened.
Isabella Court, Massachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters was organized on Febru- ary 3 and Division 11 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians was organized on August 18. Elmwood Park was established.
1896
-West Street School was dedicated.
Grace Church was erected at Cabot and Race Streets in April.
Robert Morris Chapter, Order of the East- ern Star was organized on May 7.
Mater Dolorosa Parish was formed on September 26.
It was in this year that the City Govern- ment had become too cumbersome to handle and a new charter eliminating common council and establishing a board of Alder- men, seven to be elected from wards for one year and seven to be elected at large for two year terms, was petitioned for and received.
The Street Railway established the line to South Hadley Center.
1897
-In this year the First City Government elected under the new charter took office. The Holyoke Street Railway Company established an extension from the City Hall, Hampden Street to Lincoln, another ex- tension from Willimansett to the Chicopee bridge.
1898
- -The Holyoke High School was erected on Pine Street, corner of Hampshire and Sar- gent Streets.
The Clan Maclaren was founded on January 12.
The Ladies Auxiliary, Division 2, of the Ancient Order of Hibernians was organ- ized in April.
On May 3, D. Company under the leader- ship of Major William J. Crozier left the city for service in the Spanish-Ameriean War.
The Fomer Reservoir was completed in this year.
Holyoke Ministerial Association was or- ganized on September 26.
1899 In this year the Holyoke Water Power Company gave the Holyoke Public Library the entire plot of land whereon now stands the present building.
Work on the high service reservoir was started.
The American Writing Paper Company was organized with 26 mills, 16 of which are located in this city.
Division 9, Ancient Order of Hibernians, was organized on February 19. The Uncas Tribe of Red Men was institut- ed in July.
1900 -Kirtland School on Sargeant Street was dedicated.
1901 -The Highland Grammar School on Lin- coln Street, the Morgan Grammar School on South Bridge Street and the Springdale Grammar School on Main Street were ded- icated.
Holyoke Scientific Association was organ- ized on February 1.
Cabot Lodge of Knights of Pythias was founded on March 27.
Jewish Synagogue was organized on April 15, and held services at Zion Hall on Maple Street.
1902 -- In February the Holyoke Public Library on Maple Street was completed at a cost of approximately $100,000. The building is of light pressed brick with Indiana sand- stone trimmings. When it was opened it had more than 20,000 volumes on its shelves.
Mater Dolorosa Church, corner of Lyman and Maple Streets was erected.
Ladies' Catholic Benevolent Association was organized on February 2.
HOLYOKE BAOLD and NEW FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
1873 1923
HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMING POOL
Howard Court of the Massachusetts Cath- olic Order of Foresters was organized on March 16.
Fire Department placed on a permanent basis.
1903
-Holy Rosary School at the corner of Ely and Center Streets was dedicated.
Immaculate Conception Parish was formed and a chapel erected on Ely Street.
Holy Family Parish organized.
High Service Reservoir on Tatro Brook was completed in this year.
Division 3, of Ancient Order of Hibernians was organized on June 7.
Holyoke Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles was organized June 10.
1904
-The Holyoke Lodge, 902, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was founded on April 11.
Riverside Park, to be devoted to general recreation and park purposes, was acquired in this year.
1905 -Holyoke City Hospital enlarged by big addition, the gift of William Whiting.
Holyoke firemen placed on civil service list in this year.
Holy Cross parish formed on February 1 and Holy Cross Church was dedicated on December 10 of the same year.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church located on Appleton Street, was dedicated.
1906 -In this year a large fire broke out in the McAuslan and Wakelin Company, causing much damage.
Mater Dolorosa grammar school on Maple Street was dedicated.
1907 -Park Commissioners purchased Elmwood park in this year.
Holyoke Association for the Prevention and Relief of Tuberculosis was formed and a free public clinic was opened and main- tained.
1908
-Holyoke Home for Aged People was estab- lished in this year, W. S. Loomis giving a large tract of land on Morgan Street for erection of building.
Jones Point Park was purchased in this year, and large tracts of land for public playgrounds.
1909
-Beaven-Kelly Home was opened on Septem- ber 8.
William Whiting Lodge of Masons was organized.
Land located on West Street, Hampden Street and Maple Street was purchased by the city for public playgrounds. The cost of the land was $25,000.
The J. R. Smith Building (G. J. Prew) one of Holyoke's few eight-story structures was erected at corner of High Street and City Hall Court.
1910 -In this year the city government passed an ordinance providing for the control of the publie playgrounds. A playground com- mission composed of nine members, three
HOLYOKE OLD and NEW FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
1873 1923
50
of which number to be women was provided for.
It was in this year that the first pieces of motor apparatus were purchased for the Holyoke Fire Department.
Ingleside School was erected on Main Street.
1911
-The Holyoke Municipal Milk Station, the first purely municipal station in New Eng- land was established and opened in a small shop in Sargeant Street in June of this year. A commission consisting of Mrs. Summer H. Whitten, chairman, Mrs. S. R. Whiting, secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Frank Fay, Mrs. F. J. Cloutier, Mrs. J. Bertram Newton, Mrs. F. H. Clarke, Mrs. James D. Bardwell, Mrs. William G. Dwight and Mrs. F. H. Allen, was appoint- ed to supervise the work.
Holy Rosary High School and addition to other buildings, both for High School purposes completed.
William Whiting School was erected on Chestnut Street near Hampden Street.
The Elizabeth Towne Co. Building at the corner of Oak and Cabot Streets was erected.
1912 -Skinner Memorial Chapel was erected on Maple Street, adjoining the Second Congre- gational Church.
Joseph Metcalf School was erected on Northampton Street.
In this year the Holyoke Tuberculosis Hospital was opened on a hill close to the city.
1913 -The large storage reservoir at Fomer was completed in this year.
The Church of the Blessed Sacrament was erected on July 10th.
1914 -On December 10, the Holyoke Board of Trade was reorganized to become the Hol- yoke Chamber of Commerce.
Women's Municipal League organized in this year.
The Holyoke Vocational School at the corner of Sargeant and Pine Streets dedi- cated.
1915 -The Empire Theatre on High Street was destroyed by fire, on April 22.
In August of this year the Knights of Co- lumbus building on Suffolk Street at the corner of Chestnut Street, was dedicated.
In November of this year the Holyoke Ro- tary Club, the 212th chapter in the World was organized.
The Hotel Nonotuck was erected on Suf- folk Street at the corner of Maple Street.
1916 -On April 19, D. Company of Holyoke was called out for duty at the Mexican Border. The Immaculate Conception school at North Summer Street was dedicated.
1917 -On April 6, the United States declared war on Germany.
On June 5, registration for services in the draft army was held at the City Hall. 6681 Holyoke men registered for draft.
On June 11, Holyoke oversubscribed its First Liberty Loan quota of $2,000,000.
On Sept. 5, Holyoke's four men who formed the vanguard of Holyoke's representation in the National Army left for Camp Devens, Ayer.
On Sept. 24, mobilization of 104th Infantry, including D. Company of Holyoke, was com- pleted at Camp Bartlett, Westfield.
Sept. 24, 135 men left for Camp Devens.
On October 29th, Holyoke oversubscribed its second Liberty Loan quota of $4,000,000. Greek Orthodox Church was erected on Main Street.
Holyoke Kiwanis Club was inaugurated.
1918
-In May, 1918, Holyoke oversubscribed its third Liberty Loan quota.
HOLYOKE BROLD and NEW FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
1873 1923
Carpenter Hospital opened on August 8. On October 19, Holyoke oversubscribed the Fourth Liberty Loan by almost a million dollars.
On November 11-12. The Armistice was signed. Parades and big celebration held here.
Holyoke's quota was 3500 men in army, 500 men in navy and 70 women engaged in war work for government.
On November 19, $227,487 was subscribed by Holyoke to the United War Workers' campaign.
1919
-On January 1, the two platoon system went into effect in the Holyoke Fire Department. March 24, the Second Congregational Church, at corner of Maple and Appleton Streets, was destroyed by fire.
On April 29, Company D., Holyoke's own, was mustered out at Camp Devens and re- turned to this city, where they were accord- ed a big welcome.
In April, Holyoke oversubscribed its quota in the fifth and last Victory drive.
Holyoke's contributions to war drives amounted to $17,087,360.40.
The fire at Whitings Farm on Northampton Street occured on October 3.
The Victory Theatre Building was erected at the corner of Suffolk and Chestnut Streets.
1920 -On May 26th, the Clarke Surgical Hospital was opened. Safford Hall, Mount Holyoke College dormitory was destroyed by fire on March 8.
1921
-Strand Theatre was opened on February 28. The new Second Congregational Church to replace the one destroyed by fire at corner of Appleton and Maple Streets was dedi- dated on December 23.
The Judd Paper Company plant in Race Street was completely destroyed by fire on March 4.
1922
-Damages estimated at many hundreds of thousands of dollars was done when the dam imprisoning the waters of Langewalds Pond gave way and the water flooded Wil- limansett, rendering hundreds of people homeless on July 18.
Women's Club was founded.
October 4 saw the motorization of the Hol- yoke Fire Department complete.
1923 -Damages estimated at $30,000 were done by fire to a large barn at the Brightside Catholic Orphanage on January 2. Quick work kept the fire from spreading to the other buildings.
On January 13 the Chemical Paper Com- parry purchased the land and buildings of the Holyoke Envelope Company in Main Street.
The Lions and Exchange Clubs were or- ganized.
The Blessed Sacrament School on North- ampton Street opened.
The Women's Municipal League was re- organized to become the Holyoke Women's Club.
August 31-September 3. Semi-centennial celebration of the City of Holyoke, with historical pageant, Anniversary ball and mammoth civic parade.
THE HOLYOKE DAM
HOLYOKE KAOLD and NEW FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
1873 1923
Commemorative Ode
BY ANNA M. LAPORTE IN HONOR OF HOLYOKE'S FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
I
Splendor of encircling hills-rugged, crouching shapes, Brooding patiently, Heads sun-drenched or dark with rain or purpled with the haze;
Splendor of the silver river, tree-fringed, all its days Flowing quietly ; Largesse this is that open-handed Beauty scattered long ago,
Scattered as the sower sows the seed-to bestow
Gifts-mountain-majesty and river's flow-gifts
Upon the radiant vale, where the young city lifts Its deepening vision, in contemplation Of a setting rare as that makes jewel richly glow.
II
But setting would be naught, Had it not been fraught
With all that makes Life dear,
With human hope and fear,
Love, toil, and joy and grief,
And dreams beyond belief.
III
For the young city's history is not a book Blood-stained- Not rife, With strife, As many famed In old-world medieval tales; its annals look
Upon a past all starred with progress, feat of those Who wrought Not alone In brick or stone But sought,
Escutcheon high, to follow where the Spirit goes.
IV
So to plan the clang of machine and whirr of the loom, that from the mill, Brick-built, utilitarian, there be spun a silk as soft
As that once dyed in Tyrian purple; and so to fill
A vat with pulp, that there should come the paper-magic oft With us repeated- Paper many tinted Rich as the vellum of yore;
V
So to have built in the busy mart where Trade is plied,
There yet should rise our granite City Hall, like Giotto's tower,
Moon-ridden, star-sheen on it, burnished with setting sun, a guide
To the home-coming; so to have harnessed the mighty river with power;
To have thought of the rose;
Of organ-music-those
Are the fruits of the Spirit indeed.
VI Then let us help Holyoke honor her history-makers, For they have builded well; Givers they were; we are the takers Of legacies that spell Reality, Shot through and through, as gold in tapestry, With the fair dreams of men.
HOLYOKEKROLD and NEW FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
1873 1923
HON. JOHN F. CRONIN, MAYOR OF HOLYOKE, 1923.
PROGRAM OF EVENTS
Holyoke's Semi-Centennial Celebration FRIDAY, AUGUST 31 8.00 P. M.
Old Fashioned Costume Ball, City Hall Auditorium. Music by Wittstein's Orchestra of New Haven and Bourassa's Orchestra of Holyoke.
Eight o'clock-Reception, with concert program com- prising a melange of Old Airs, with instrumental solos by Bourassa's Orchestra.
HOLYOKE BAOLD and NEW FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
1873 1923
Nine o'clock-General Dancing, featuring Old Fashioned Waltz, Fox Trot, Quadrille, and Two- Step.
Ten o'clock-Special attractions, directed by Mr. William F. O'Brien-
Colonial Waltz by the Misses Anna O'Brien, Mary Baker, Mary Cassidy, Alice Mason and Helen Hil- berger. Swan Dance by Miss Johanna Goeckingk. Polka by Miss Helen Hilberger. "In the Days of Pompadour," a musical ballet. Characters : The Prince, Mr. John B. Reilly; The Princess, Miss Claire A. Sullivan ; The Masked Favorite, Miss Viola Hobart ; The Medium, Miss Dorothy Glidden ; Dancers, the Misses Helen Crowley, Katherine Seward, Viola Hurley, Katherine Scannell, Mary Manning, Odenea Mitchell, Helen Laughrey and Agnes Manning. Spanish Tango by Miss Hilberg- er and Mr. O' Brien, assisted by the Misses Mason, Cassidy, O'Brien and Baker.
Eleven o'clock-Grand March and Waltz. Music, combined Orchestra.
Eleven-thirty o'clock-Dancing. Two-Step, Paul Jones and Virginia Reel. Luncheon, followed by general dancing.
8.00 P. M.
Block Dance-Brown avenue between Laurel and Willow streets. Special attractions at 8 o'clock.
Music by American Legion Band.
Block Dance-Dwight street between Beech and Lin- den streets. Special attractions at 9.30 o'clock. Music by City Band.
(Special attractions are the same as presented at Costume Ball)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 10.30 A. M.
Firemen's Muster Parade.
11.30 A. M.
State Constabulary Drill on Maple Street Play- grounds.
1.30 P. M.
Firemen's Muster Playout on Maple Street Play- grounds.
3.00 P. M.
Historical Pageant - "Holyoke's Life and River" -in honor of Holyoke's Fiftieth Anniversary as a City. At Crafts Hill, Northampton and Dwight streets. (See page 47 for details.)
8.00 P. M.
Block Dance-Maple street between Essex and Ap- pleton streets. Special attractions at 9.30 o'clock. Music by City Band.
Block Dance-Sargeant street between Bridge and Summer streets. Special attractions at 8 o'clock. Music by American Legion Band.
(Special attractions are the same as presented at Costume Ball)
(General dancing at all Block Dances is from 8 to 11 o'clock)
8.00 P. M.
Historical Address and Picture Display in City Hall Auditorium, Mayor John F. Cronin presiding. Program opens with the singing of "America" by the audience, led by a quartette. Introductory address by the Mayor followed. Then, a selec- tion by the quartette, following which the Historical Address was delivered by Rev. E. B. Robinson,
. Pastor of the Grace Congregational Church. An- other selection by the quartette preceded the Picture Display, each slide described by Atty. E. J. Stapleton. The program was concluded with the singing of "The Star Spangled Banner" by. the audience, led by the quartette.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 CHURCH DAY
Morning
Pastors of the churches of the city had been requested to make mention, at their morning services, of the
HOLYOKEKROLD and NEW FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
1873 1923
city's celebration and to draw attention to the great contribution which the church has made tow- ard the upbuilding of our city and to give a short history of the growth of the church.
2.00 P. M.
Groups of singers with speakers will visit the City Hospital, House of Providence Hospital, the Aged People's Home, the City Farm and the Tubercu- losis Hospital.
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