Springfield, West Springfield, Chicopee and Longmeadow directory 1956, Part 294

Author: Springfield (Mass.)
Publication date: 1956
Publisher: Price & Lee Co.
Number of Pages: 1196

USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Chicopee > Springfield, West Springfield, Chicopee and Longmeadow directory 1956 > Part 294
USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Longmeadow > Springfield, West Springfield, Chicopee and Longmeadow directory 1956 > Part 294
USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Springfield > Springfield, West Springfield, Chicopee and Longmeadow directory 1956 > Part 294
USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > West Springfield > Springfield, West Springfield, Chicopee and Longmeadow directory 1956 > Part 294

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Lumber and Building Materials

MASON SUPPLIES HARDWARE - PAINT ALL MATERIALS CARRIED UNDER COVER

Phone RE 2-6253

Yard and Office: 253 Baldwin Street West Springfield, Mass.

They LOOK FOR THE ANSWER IN THEIR DIRECTORY

Where can I buy it- where can I get the information? These and many other questions are answered in the Directory - and it's so easy.

Just turn to the proper alphabetical and classified listing and you have the answer.

use your Directory

Paper Mfrs.

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1956-THE PRICE & LEE CO.'S

PREMOID CORPORATION West Springfield, Massachusetts

PREMOID

MANUFACTURERS OF SPECIAL INDUSTRIAL AND TECHNICAL PAPERS LATEX IMPREGNATED AND COATED FIBERS

INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING:

ARTIFICIAL LEATHER ON A FIBER BASE LATEX FIBER BASES FOR BACKING AND COATING NEOPRENE FIBER BASES PYROXYLIN COATED LATEX FIBERS VINYL COATED LATEX FIBERS

PAPER FOR GASKET SATURATORS (CORK AND PLAIN) PAPER FOR LATEX SATURATORS PAPER FOR RESINOUS SATURATORS

Paper Mfrs.

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WEST SPRINGFIELD DIRECTORY-1956

Woronoco Mills

Strathmore Paper Company MILLS AT WEST SPRINGFIELD AND WORONOCO, MASSACHUSETTS

Manufacturers of

BOND, WRITING AND THIN PAPERS . BOOK, TEXT AND COVER PAPERS ARTIST PAPERS AND BOARDS . BLUE PRINT BASE STOCK . WEDDING PAPERS AND BRISTOLS . GREETING CARD AND SPECIALTY PAPERS

Paper is Part of the Picture

West Springfield Mills

Real Estate and Insurance

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1956-THE PRICE & LEE CO.'S

RALPH E. FULLAM Residence Telephone RE 2-3596

HOWARD R. BRACKETT Residence Telephone RE 7-8540

ALLAN L. BAIARDI Residence Telephone RE 6-5154

KENNETH A. HOLLISTER Residence Telephone RE 4-8320

FULLAM AND COMPANY REALTORS ION SO REALTORS

REALTORS

OARDS NOU

ESTATE

SERVING WEST SPRINGFIELD AND AGAWAM

INSURANCE LIFE - FIRE CASUALTY

REAL ESTATE SALES - MORTGAGES APPRAISALS

Telephone RE 6-6351

110 Elm Street, East Elm Bldg. West Springfield

Real Estate and Insurance

WEST SPRINGFIELD DIRECTORY-1956

1047

HARRY A. FOLEY 37 PARK DRIVE W. SPFD. TEL. RE 2-8933

HARRY T. FRENCII 37 UPPER BEVERLY HILLS W. SPFD. TEL. RE 6-6047

FOLEY & FRENCH ASSOCIATES REAL ESTATE

Insurance

WIDE AWAKE AND ON

THE SQUARE REAL ESTATE FIRM

mortgages

"The Dependable agency" All Types of Insurance - Bank and Insurance Company Mortgages Tel. RE 7-8638

KENNETH W. LESSARD 691 ROGERS AVE. W. SPFD. TEL. ST 8-6802

HARRY T. FRENCH, JR. 42 BIRCH PARK CIR. W. SPFD. TEL. RE 7-8957

581 Westfield Street - On The Hill -

West Springfield, Mass.

KENNETH G. SPEED

CHARLES B. HEGEMAN

SPEED

AND

HEGEMAN

Insurance Agency FIRE LIFE PUBLIC LIABILITY

REALTORS

ARE AC TIVE MEMBERS Of CONSTI WIST

ATION SOYVOR

Real Estate SALES APPRAISALS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

54 ELM STREET

WEST SPRINGFIELD

RE 7-2604

MASSACHUSETTS

Next to the Post Office

Roofers

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1956-THE PRICE & LEE CO.'S

Gravel Roofing Asphalt Shingles Slating Gutters

REPAIRS

P. A. LABBE CO.

Furnace Work Ventilation Duct Work Caulking

ROOFING and SHEET METAL WORK OVER 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE SERVICE AND QUALITY 364 WESTFIELD STREET TEL. RE 2-2343 WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASS.

H. C. Sheaffer, President-Treasurer

H. C. Sheaffer Co., Inc. SINCE 1912

ROOFING AND SHEET METAL CONTRACTORS

TELEPHONE RE 6-4352

Office and Shop, Rear 30 Eldridge Avenue Box 23, West Springfield, Mass.

FISHING IN

THE RIGHT SPOT ?

Have you ever noticed a dejected fisherman sitting for hours, without even a nibble - and the small boy fifty feet away pulling in the big ones?

It's just a case of fishing in the right spot. The directory is the right spot for your advertising - it will produce the results - the big ones.

use your Directory- the RIGHT SPOT

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WEST SPRINGFIELD DIRECTORY-1956

A SUMMARY

Suggested and Planned by American Community Advertising Association. Adopted as a regular feature in all directories published by the Association of North American Directory Publishers. Completed and corrected annually through the courtesy of the West Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Allan L. Baiardi, Secretary 110 Elm Street.

WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASS.

Established February 23, 1774

Form of Government Elective Town Meeting System.

Population Mass. Census (1955) 22,871.

Population of Age Males 49.6%, Females 50.4%.

Predominating Nationalities of Foreign-Born French, Italian, English, Bohemian, Irish, Polish, German.

Area

17 sq. miles.

Average Temperature

50.3º.

Parks Two with 68 acres valued at $150,000.

Assessed Valuation $57,371,365 (1955).

Tax Rate $44 per $1,000 (1955).

Bonded Debt Town's bonded debt is $5,287,000.

Post Office Receipts $312,374 (Dec. 31, 1955).

Church Buildings Thirteen, practically all denominations.

Building and Construction Building permits issued valued at $5,155,730. Number of permits issued 1955, 454.

Industrial (1955) Number of establishments 68, employing 4,434 men and women paying wages of $20,798,000 annually.

Trade (Retail) Retail territory serves 42,000 people within a radius of 10 miles totaling $23,800,000. Newspapers

One. Radio Broadcasting Stations

WTXL. Principal Products

Paper, fibre boxes, machine gears, chemicals, paints, gasoline pumps, tin, solder, type metal, wood boxes, bound books, farm produce, magnetos, machine tools, trailer truck accessories, wrapping paper machin- ery and hair tonic.

Hotels One with 25 rooms. Eleven motels with ac- commodations for 340 people.

Railroads Boston & Albany, Boston & Maine.

Amusements

One theatre, with a seating capacity of 850; 2 outdoor theatres, Junior high school au- ditorium seats 850. Community Y.M.C.A. Eastern States Exposition.

Educational

Number of schools 12, including 1 junior, 1 senior high school and 2 parochial schools. Number of pupils in public schools, 3,925, in parochial schools 990. Number of teach- ers in public schools 171; in parochial schools 27.

Public Library

One with three stations containing 44,750 volumes. Circulation, 97,030 (1955).

"What You Should Know About Your City"

"The helpful kind of patriotism is the kind that grows out of a knowledge of one's town, of her growth, her people, her property, her government and her needs. This knowledge develops, first, an intelligent interest: then, a sympathy: then a reasonable affection: a wise and temperate jealousy for her good name and a wish that she may prosper and grow more beautiful: and, finally, a desire to help her to become greater and finer, a bright and clean workshop and a home for the best of men and women."-John Cotton Dana.

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1956-THE PRICE & LEE CO.'S

HISTORY

The West Springfield that was and that is

West Springfield, Massachusetts, first off-shoot from Springfield, the "Mother Town," was the larg- est, most important settlement of this region. The first permanent house was built here about 1654. It became a separate parish in 1696. Its first church and its first school house were built in 1740. The attempt was made to incorporate it as an independent township in 1756 but not until February, 1774, was the in- corporation accomplished. Exactly a month later in March of that year, the first town meeting was held in the old First Church (built 1702), on the common.

Before incorporation, the town numbered only a few houses scattered along "Shad Lane" now Main Street, southward to the old "Ferry Lane" now East School Street, thence extending by winding course to the Agawam River giving the route of George Washington's two journeys through West Springfield, and ending where the outlines of the old Agawam "ferrying-place" are yet plainly visible on the river bank near the Hamblen place.

West Springfield up to 1810 contained a greater population than the mother town and was for years the mainstay and support. Within the limits of the original territory of this settlement, William Pynchon and his associates planted their colony in 1636, but later moved to the east side to avoid floods. In 1653, the proprietors made an allotment of lands on the west side of the river, which were not occupied at once, but used as meadows and pas- tures. Gradually the settlers crossed over to build homes on the rich bottom lands. In 1696 the second parish, comprising three districts, Agawam, the Street and the Chicopee plains, was established on petition of the inhabitants. In 1774, West Spring- field applied for and was granted the full powers and privileges of a town. Its original territory ex- tended from the Connecticut state line to the fort

of Mt. Tom and included the richest lands of the Mother town.

West Springfield has grown much in the 181 years since its incorporation. According to census figures, Springfield had grown enough when it had started to rival the population of its west-side daughter, to reach a more even balance. For ex- ample, the population of West Springfield as late as 1820 reached 3246, while Springfield was only 668 ahead! A closer balance than the two will never again reach! Because of the fear that it might bring an undesirable class, if the project of having the proposed United States Armory on the West Side was carried out, the town's golden opportunity had been passed! Thus supremacy in population, as well as greater industrial and commercial prosperity be- came settled on the East Side, where it has since remained!

OLD FIRST CHURCH OF THE COMMON

The old First Congregational Church on the Common, nearly opposite the present Town Hall, (see historic bowlder, marking the location), was erected within four years after the formation of the parish, as the date stated on the quaint gilded rooster weather vane, 1702. The building was 42 feet square, and with its gable-topped, "two-story" tower, was 92 feet in height. The architect was the veteran builder, John Allys, of Hatfield. The vane was said to be of precisely the same height and size of the imported-from-England bird which has been performing similar duty on the tower of the First Congregational Church in Court Square, Spring- field. It was said to have been purchased at the same time, with three others, made by the English coppersmith.

The first story constituting audience room and galleries, with three outside doors, and two windows each side of the doors with corresponding windows above them to light the galleries and upon each of the four roofs projected a dormer gable with a

window. The pulpit, on the north side in place of a door, was lighted with one window on each side. Above this story was another much smaller than the first, having one window on each side and high roofs and gables like the one below, upon this was a third story smaller than the second with roofs and gables, the body portions of this story having on each side an opening to serve the purpose of a bell- room.

A drum was used for 41 years and then a bell was procured and used for 18 years when its tones were ruined in like manner and re-cast and replaced in its place in the tower; in 1802 it was transferred to the new church on the hill; it was re-cast in 1825 to enlarge its size. The building was clap- boarded but never painted. All the windows were small with leaden sash glazed with diamond shaped glass.

All of the interior of the first story was all open, exposing to view beams, studding, rafters and

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WEST SPRINGFIELD DIRECTORY-1956

outside boarding, no inside finishing above window stools, the floor was laid at the bottom of the sills making it necessary to step over the sill to the floor. Two flights of stairs led up to the galleries in the south easterly and south westerly corners, start- ing each side of the door. Around the walls were 15 large square pews, in the central part were two rows of long slips fronting the pulpit with, a partition between them, one division being oc- cupied by the men the other by women, one aisle on the east and one on the west side. Pulpit, pews and railing of oak and yellow pine, of the size, style and height of the pulpit nothing is definitely known, it was furnished with a sounding board.

This unique house of worship was occupied for a century without plaster or paint, or was ever a fire

built within its walls, the women using foot-stoves with live coals. In 1748 Mr. Obadiah Frary, of Northampton, constructed a wooden "Meeting House Clock" and it was placed in the tower and was used for 25 or 30 years, when it became unfit for use and was removed. The building being sadly in need of repairs, the parish gave the people liberty to make repairs which was done at expense of nearly $600.00; it was used 16 years after this, when it was abandoned for the new church on the hill, June, 1800, for which the contract price was said to have been $1400.00 and 10 gallons of St. Croix Rum, valued at $60.00; no rum was used, its value in money divided among the men. 6 to 10 men were employed, and the contractor, Timothy Bill- ings, thought he made $4.00 a day.

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY

In 1775, a library was established in West Springfield through the efforts of Rev. Dr. Lathrop, the pastor of First Parish, and John Ashley, a public-spirited citizen. There were 50 volumes in this collection, they were carried from house to house in a two bushel basket. It was considered a high honor to have the Library in charge. Beginning about 1850, the Library was in charge of the Town Clerk, during the long service of John M. Harmon. It was conducted from his home on Westfield Street, later from a room in the Town Hall assigned for library use. The annual appropriation was $50 plus the dog tax. By a payment of 50 cents a year, books could be drawn out on the first and third Monday of each month. Later the hours of opening were increased and the annual fee abolished. In 1887, a librarian, D. G. White, was appointed, who served until his death in 1913. The present building was completed in 1916 at a cost of $25,000, the gift of the Carnegie Corporation. It is erected on a site

purchased by the town from William and Edwin Leonard, and maintained by an appropriation made annually by the town. In addition there are four trust funds the income of which is used to purchase books; the Daniel Granger White Nature Library, the Martha D. S. Ludington Fund, the Lillian Trask Williamson Fund for the purchase of reference books and books of travel, and the Josephine Pokorny Czecho Slovak Library for the purchase of books in the Bohemian language and books about Czecho Slovakia.

The building is open from 10 a. m. to 8 p. m. daily except Sundays and holidays. There are branch libraries in the Community Y. M. C. A., the John Ashley School, the Memorial Avenue School and the Riverdale School. Each of these is open one day a week in charge of an assistant from the central library. In 1954, the total number of volumes was 43,573 and the circulation for the year 87,712.

EASTERN STATES FARMERS' EXCHANGE

Skies on both sides of the Atlantic were be- coming overcast with the clouds leading inevitably to war, when then this truly great world movement was quietly launched. Rev. John A. Sherley, a Bennington County (Vermont) Minister secured ready and sympathetic cooperation of the paper- manufacturer, Horace A. Moses. From the be- ginning, these two genuine philanthropists have worked untiringly and whole-heartedly for greater improvement in farm life and general community betterment. It was most fortunate the same broad motives have actuated both men. Mr. Moses has continuously and consistently counted Agriculture among his fields of manifold activity. The happy combination of Mr. Moses and Mr. Sherley quite promptly resulted in 1913 in the incorporation of the now-famous Hampden County Improvement

League, whose large and commodious building on Memorial Avenue is a worthy landmark which now speaks for itself. An important outgrowth of this active philanthropy was the formation in January, 1918, of the Eastern States Farmers' Exchange. Touching further important upward steps of con- tinuous progress came the Eastern States Agri- cultural Credit Corporation, organized August, 1923.

These several remarkable aggregations of man and means has resulted in establishing an "Ex- change" like no other, anywhere, most effectively rendering material aid in modern Agriculture, now employing several hundred persons, and all ac- complishing the same beneficent ends as those anticipated more than twenty years ago by its far- sighted founders.

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1956-THE PRICE & LEE CO.'S

EASTERN STATES FARMERS' EXCHANGE

The Easteru States Farmers' Exchange, Incorporated, founded in 1918, established headquarters in West Springfield in 1928. This is a cooperative association of farmers in nine northeasteru states. The Exchange operates two feed, four fer- tilizer, and two insecticide production units. It grows seed in states across the country and in foreign lands, and operates 82 regional distribution depots, in- cluding one in West Springfield.

HAMPDEN COUNTY IMPROVEMENT LEAGUE AND JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT

The Ilampden County Improvement League, the agency which carries extension service to the people of Hampden County was founded by Mr. Horace A. Moses, on January 25, 1913. The aims of the organization as set forth in the bylaws are "to foster, encourage and promote all things in the communities of Hampden County which tend to in- crease the productivity of the soil, or to advance or conserve the educational, civic, moral and religious welfare of the communities." The League has as- sisted in the organization of extension work in twenty-four counties in New England, New York and Pennsylvania. In October, 1925, the League moved iuto a building of its own on the grounds of

the Eastern States Exposition, given by President Moses.

The success of the 4-H Clubs in various parts of the country, prompted Mr. Moses to start some- thing of the kind here.

The movement had the support of prominent men from the start. The late Theodore Vail assisted Mr. Moses in financing it, while President Calviu Coolidge was warm in his indorsement of the move- ment. The Rotary Clubs of the Nation raised $50,000 to assist Junior Achievement, and the entire coun- try east of the Rocky Mountains, has felt its in- fluence. In 1925, the Junior Achievement Building was erected on the Exposition grounds. This build- ing was also the gift of Mr. Moses.

STORROWTON VILLAGE On The Eastern States Exposition Grounds

Original Colonial and early American buildings have been restored and grouped around a village green to form Storrowton, the most unique village

in America. Storrowton, the gift of Mrs. James J. Storrow of Boston, preserves for posterity the peace- ful charm and beauty of the early New England Vil-

WEST SPRINGFIELD DIRECTORY-1956

1053

EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION is the largest agricultural exposition east of the Mississippi. Each year over 350,000 visitors see this famous fair which runs during the third week in September.

lage life. The latchstring is out at the little white entrance gate every day including Sunday, from May to November. Delicious foods, such as grand- mother made, as well as modern New England favorites, are served in the old tavern that has dispensed hospitality for nearly two hundred years. Antique furnishings grace the rooms, and rare hand- carved panelling, corner cupboards, and hand-hewn beams are distinctive features. Each building is a gem of early-American or Colonial architecture that had been abandoned to destruction in some New England village.

Hospitality is graciously offered to thousands who journey from all parts of the world to visit the village a few hours or to remain a few nights. Here you can wander intimately through the group of original buildings which express the dignity and rugged simplicity of the Colonial and post-Revolu- tionary period in the history of America. Great open fireplaces glow cheerily on cool nights for those who spend a night or a week-end in the Potter Mansion.

The old country store has quaint treasures for souvenirs or gifts-everything from early-American glass and prints to great peppermint sticks. Down

the village path is the fine old town house, the Cape Cod cottage with its gay old-fashioned gardens, and the meetinghouse with one of the oldest hand made organs in the country. Even a little red school- house and a blacksmith shop are a part of the village.

Old time dances are a weekly feature on Friday evenings in the great stagecoach barn. The old fiddler "calls" and no one is too old or too young to join merrily in the contra dances and quadrilles that are famous features of the village.

Handicraft that has delighted women for gen- erations is included in the exhibits at the village. There are coverlets woven on old looms, quilts evolved from the piece-bag, rugs, melon baskets, silhouettes, samplers and other treasures.

Around the village green after twilight the quaint lamps cast a friendly glow upon the mellow buildings that have cradled the early pioneer set- tlers of New England and now perpetuate for all time the dignity and courage that is our heritage. The restful beauty of the village will linger long in your memory.

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1956-THE PRICE & LEE CO.'S

SCHOOLS

THE NEW WEST SPRINGFIELD SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

The new school, on its Piper Rd. frontage, will be located close to the street to achieve economy in the installation of utilities, service drives, etc. There will be an entrance from Piper Rd., and one from Amostown Rd., both leading into paved park- ing areas to allow parking automobiles away from the highway.

Approaching the Piper Rd. entrance, you will face the auditorium on your left, and the gym- nasium on your right, with administrative offices connecting the two and facing on Piper Rd. Con- necting the auditorium with the academic wing is the two-divisional cafeteria, seating a total of 500 pupils (during school hours) or the same number of adults at community events (after school hours). The auditorium seats 1,000, and is adequate for community necds as well as school functions. The stage will be sufficiently large to accommodate school, amateur or professional theatricals, concerts and the like. The auditorium is serviced by ample dressing rooms, storage areas, band practice room and a small group practice room. There will be an attractive lobby facing Piper Rd.

The gymnasium will seat approximately 1,000 at a basketball game or other indoor athletic events. For classroom purposes it will divide into three sections for multiple use by various physical education classes, in addition to which there is a room for

small-group educational activities. There is plenti- ful storage at either end of the gymnasium.

The academic wing (connected to administra- tive offices, auditorium and gym by the cafeteria section) is made up of sufficient classroom space to properly care for the multitude of subjects re- quired in the modern High School program. There arc rooms of varying sizes to fit the subject needs.

The building itself will be of red-brick veneer over cinder blocks. It will be both practical and economical, with widespread use of directional glass block and clear glass to provide natural lighting. Floors will be of asphalt tile, except in the shops; ceilings will be acoustically treated.

There will be satisfactory areas to meet the needs in Homemaking, Industrial Arts and Art. The Building Committee recognizes a need for these courses which stir a vital interest and enthusiasm on the part of many students not interested in a strictly academic program. For boys, there will be adequate areas designed for Graphic Arts, General Shop, Agriculture, Metal Work, etc .; and, for the girls there will be areas for advantageous teaching in Foods, Clothing, and Homemaking.

Thus has every effort been made to plan a new High School from which our young people will come forth well-educated, and to which our older citizens will go forth for their many fraternal and com- munity activities.

JOHN ASHLEY SCHOOL

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WEST SPRINGFIELD DIRECTORY-1956

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WEST SPRINGFIELD HAS GROWN RAPIDLY-DOUBLING ITS VALUATION BETWEEN 1940 AND 1955 AND CONTINUING A WELL-BALANCED GROWTH

INDUSTRIAL

West Springfield, because of its ideal location as an industrial center, has attracted outstanding and nationally-known industries to the community.

----

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WICO ELECTRIC COMPANY

The Wico Electric Company introduced the first storage battery in 1897. Since that time mag- netos, distributors, complex ignition systems, and other allied precision products have been produced by them. The modern 125,000 square foot one-story

plant is designed for economical production with assembly line speed, and is located on the Boston and Albany Railroad and close to excellent truck- ing facilities.

STRATHMORE PAPER COMPANY

The Strathmore Paper Company mills in West Springfield turn out many of the letterhead, print- ing, technical, and artist papers that have made the name "Strathmore" synonymous with "quality

papermaking" throughout the world. A Strathmore subsidiary, the Premoid Corporation, manufactures various grades of artificial leather and paper-based specialties.

RESIDENTIAL

People from all sections come to live in West Springfield, which has fine residential areas, with easy access to fine schools, churches of all faiths,

stores, and factories. All of the well-established utilities are available to encourage a rapid growth of high quality homes.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Springfield, West Springfield, Chicopee and Longmeadow directory 1956, Part 294

Author: Springfield (Mass.) Publication date: 1956 Publisher: Price & Lee Co. Number of Pages: 1196

Author: Springfield (Mass.)
Publication date: 1956
Publisher: Price & Lee Co.
Number of Pages: 1196