A New Way of Grocery Shopping

Thrift Stores, Inc.
Self-Serve Grocers
"Our Longmeadow Store at 10 Bliss Road
Will Be Open for Business Monday"

Source: Springfield Republican
Nov. 19, 1927

In 1927 Thanksgiving Day was celebrated on November 24th. That year a few days before the big holiday a new grocery store opened in Longmeadow. It joined the other grocery/ meat stores that already enjoyed business from town residents. On Monday, November 21st residents could also purchase their Thanksgiving Day groceries at the Thrift Stores, Inc. It was very conveniently located at 10 Bliss Road- just around the corner from the Colonnade. Customers in Springfield, MA were already shopping at a Thrift Stores, Inc. The Longmeadow store was the fifth store to open. 

The Thrift Stores, Inc. has an interesting history! The gentleman who had the idea for this local "self serve" grocery store was born in Springfield, Missouri. His name was Charles F. Meek. Mr. Meek's father was a farmer and this occupation did not suit the teenager after he had an accident while plowing on the family's farm. Young Charles then worked at a grocery store in Aldrich, Missouri. His take home pay was $15 a month. Charles sent part of the money back to his mother and also saved part of his salary. His job at this grocery store included sweeping the floor, getting crackers, pickles and sugar out of barrels, delivering groceries and also closing up the store around midnight. This young man learned about managing a grocery store. A friend named Henry G. Sunderwirth had inherited some money. These two young men opened a grocery store in Missouri with their combined money and also with a loan from Charles Meek's father. The store was successful, because it sold good quality products. 

One of the customers was a young teacher named Lulu Wilson. Charles Meek married Lulu Wilson in 1910. At the end of WW1 they visited Lulu's sister who lived in Hartford, CT and was married to W. L. Mooney, the vice- president of the Aetna Life Insurance Co. This visit was very beneficial to Charles  F. Meek's dream of opening a self serve grocery store. Bustling Springfield, MA was the selected location. Plans were made and Mr. Mooney was the president with Mr. Meek manager and treasurer of this new grocery store. Lulu Meek was assistant to her husband. The name of the grocery store was Thrift Stores, Inc. It opened in 1920 in Springfield, MA.

Looking inside a Thrift Store
This store located in Springfield, MA.

This concept of self service was new to customers in our area! However, the quality of the products that were sold never fluctuated and the customers kept returning. Then, more stores opened in Springfield and the grocery stores grew to 6 locations. Store number 5 was located at 10 Bliss Road in Longmeadow, MA. By that time Mr. Sunderwirth traveled east to join the company and later Mr. Mooney retired.

A very interesting product that was first introduced to the marketplace was sold at all of the Thrift Stores, Inc. The product was frosted foods. The quick freezing process was invented by the Massachusetts scientist Clarence Birdseye.

Springfield Republican
March 6, 1930

Birdseye chose Mr. Meek's stores to introduce their product, because he had a great reputation of selling high quality products. Charles and Lulu Meek had visited the Birds Eye freezing plant in Boston, MA to learn about these products before they were sold in the Thrift Stores. To this day we purchased these products- Birds Eye frozen foods.

In November of 1942 Alvin H. Phillips purchased this chain of grocery stores. Mr. Phillips owned the A. H. Phillips, Inc. grocery store chain. He had built the block for stores in Longmeadow located on the corner of Longmeadow Street and South Park Avenue. Click here to read an earlier story about that block of stores: Was This Block of Stores the Second "Longmeadow Shops"?    

As time went on the Longmeadow Thrift Store closed. In 1946 it was no longer listed in the Longmeadow Street Directory. It was reported that the store closed due to a lack of help. Times had changed and young men were entering the armed forces. 

Charles F. Meek had a dream. He was the son of a Missouri farmer and he was also a very successful businessman. Mr. Meek remembered the daily hard work of farmers in our country. He knew that people worked hard for their wages. Mr. Meek had the reputation of selling good quality products in his stores, so he was a successful businessman.   

Additional Sources: Springfield Republican- Nov. 11, 1942; Nov. 22, 1942 and Meek Family Tree. 

~Written by Judy Moran 

"Welcome Home" After WWI

"WELCOME HOME TO LONGMEADOW'S SONS"
JULY FIRST 1919
Cover of Souvenir Booklet
Courtesy of State Library of Massachusetts

On July 1, 1919 there was a special event in the town of Longmeadow, MA. Longmeadow welcomed home the Marines, the Soldiers and the Sailors who had returned after serving their country during World War I. On that Tuesday evening dinner was served at 6:45 PM in the Chapel to these honored guests. During dinner there was music and songs. 

Longmeadow town residents had been invited to come to the Town Green at 8 PM to continue the celebration on that summer evening. Everyone had the opportunity to show their appreciation for the service of these brave individuals who had returned home. The 104th Regiment Band provided the music that everyone enjoyed on the Town Green. A welcome speech was given by First Church Rev. Randolph S. Merrill and Rev. Henry Lincoln Bailey wrote a song, "Longmeadow's Welcome", for this special event. Speeches were given by Chaplin Lyman Rollins and Longmeadow resident and Longmeadow/ Springfield physician Maj. Harry C. Martin. Monologs were presented by Sgt. Harry Roach.   

The committee that planned this event had also prepared a program that would be a souvenir. Names were listed along with each individual's war service. 

Longmeadow, MA was one of the numerous communities throughout the United States that held special "Welcome Home" celebrations to thank and to honor the individuals who had risked their lives. The neighboring town of East Longmeadow welcomed home its soldiers on July 3, 1919. Maj. Harry C. Martin was a guest speaker at that event, too. Just to name a few other communities among all of the communities throughout our country that celebrated "Welcome Home" after WWI - Harrisburg, PA and Kalamazoo, MI and Woodbury, NJ and Newburyport, MA and Lancaster, WI and Springfield, MA. It was time to celebrate that these brave individuals had returned home.       

Other Sources: Springfield Republican- July 1, 1919 and July 4, 1919.  

~Written by Judy Moran    

A Beautiful Winter Painting

FIRST CHURCH
LONGMEADOW, MASS.
EST. 1716
Artist: Wiley

So many of us enjoy learning about and also revisiting the history of our town of Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Many of us follow the tradition of former residents of Longmeadow and acquire and/or purchase items that relate to our town's history. Some items are large and other items are small. 

When you walk into the Longmeadow Community House to cast your vote in the upcoming election you also have a wonderful opportunity to view a painting of a winter scene that we quickly recognize. The Community House is one of the buildings in the beautiful work of art. However, the First Church with its tall steeple can catch our attention. This large oil painting "FIRST CHURCH, LONGMEADOW, MASS., EST. 1716" is hanging on the left side of the wall in the Community House- after you walk into the building.

Plate on frame of painting

Previously, this painting had hung on the wall of a physician's office in Springfield, MA. The physician was Dr. Stanley N. Teale- a very well respected Cardiologist at Springfield Hospital (now Baystate Medical Center). Dr. Teale, his wife Shirley and their three sons Peter, Phillip and Malcolm lived for many years in a historic house in Longmeadow- 655 Longmeadow Street. When Dr. Teale retired in 1983 this work of art was gifted to him. He and his wife moved to Fairlee, VT and spent the remainder of their lives in that community. In 2008 Mrs. Teale passed away. This very well respected gentleman Dr. Stanley N. Teale passed away at the age of 101 years in 2022. Recently, his family gifted the painting to the Longmeadow Community House, so it could be displayed for all of us to admire.

While viewing this beautiful winter scene we are drawn to the center of the painting- to the First Church. There is snow on the ground and the scene looks tranquil. It may have had a special meaning to Dr. Teale, because his father Rev. Arthur E. Teale became the minister in Granby, CT after the family immigrated from Canada to the United States- when Dr. Teale was a young child. This scene from Longmeadow Street was also one that Dr. Teale, his wife and his sons recognized easily.

The artist signed his work Wiley. John J. Wiley, Jr. was born in and lived in Springfield, MA. Later he and his wife Elizabeth and children John III, Nancy, David, Kenneth and Bonnie lived in Feeding Hills, MA. Mr. Wiley was self- employed for 25 years and he took up the hobby of painting. He took art classes at the Springfield Museums and also at Bay Path College. After retiring in 1985 this artist painted only using watercolors.

Mr. Wiley displayed his work at the Agawam Public Library and in other exhibits including the art shows at the Longmeadow Shops. This artist would have been very familiar with this winter scene of the Cordis House, the Community House and First Church- while driving down Longmeadow Street. 

In 2016 John J. Wiley, Jr. passed away in Atlanta, GA at the age of 93 years. His wife Elizabeth had passed away in 2009. Mr. Wiley's works of art are found in private collections in the United States and other countries. 

This beautiful work of art by a Western MA artist can be viewed by all of us in the Longmeadow Community House. It is a winter scene that we recognize easily. 

Sources: Sunday Republican- Nov. 6, 2016; Valley News (West Lebanon, NH)- Aug. 28, 2022 and October 2024 Longmeadow Town Managers Newsletter.     

~Written by Judy Moran             

Sesquicentennial Celebration- October 1933

Springfield Republican
Oct. 13, 1933

During the weekend of October 13th in 1933 many out of town guests joined Longmeadow residents to celebrate Longmeadow's 150th anniversary- the Sesquicentennial! Former residents and descendants of Longmeadow's old families arrived to celebrate this occasion. Many dinner parties took place in homes of residents- especially the evening of October 13th.

Longmeadow Sesquicentennial Official Souvenir- 1933
Title Page

The Longmeadow Sesquicentennial Official Souvenir was the official souvenir booklet for this very special time in the history of Longmeadow. It was edited and published in 1933 by Edgar Holmes Plummer. The booklet contained a wealth of information including a condensed history of Longmeadow, the weekend's schedule, and also the volunteers that made this weekend event possible. 
        
That Friday afternoon a historical pageant was presented to large audiences in the Longmeadow schools. The pageant had four interesting episodes about Longmeadow history and was written by town resident Mrs. Guy D. Miller (of 143 Maple Road). It was presented by students at the Junior High School, Converse Street School, Norway Street School and Center School. The public was cordially invited.

On Saturday, October 14th, a luncheon was served at the Community House for guests that were attending the Sesquicentennial. Mrs. Alexander Sharp (of 22 South Park Avenue) was in charge of this event. She and her committee welcomed many guests.

The Newly Constructed Richard Salter Storrs Library
in 1933
Photograph by The Harts
Longmeadow Sesquicentennial Official Souvenir

Then, in the afternoon at 3 PM the dedication of the new Richard Salter Storrs Library took place outdoors on the library grounds. The special speakers were Storrs Library President Charles H. Bump, former Minister of First Church Rev. Dr. Henry Lincoln Bailey and Rev. John J. Rogers of St. Mary's Church. After the dedication program the guests were invited to step inside the new library to view what this new building had to offer to town residents.

Later that afternoon in the Community House a reception and tea was given by town officials, their wives and members of the anniversary executive committee from 4:30- 6 PM. More than 600 people attended this reception. Some of the special guests included Springfield Mayor Dwight R. Winter, Westfield, MA Mayor Raymond H. Cowing, and State Senator Russell D. Chase of Longmeadow. Another guest Gordon W. Colton (of Brooklyn, NY) was a descendant of Quartermaster George Colton. Rev. Samuel Wolcott's nephew Charles H. Tool (of Amherst, MA) also attended.

That evening there was an anniversary costume ball at the Longmeadow Community House. Mrs. Douglas B. Wesson (of 109 Forest Glen Road) and her committee planned the costume ball. This event was open to Longmeadow residents and their guests with no admission fee. However, anyone wishing to take part in the dancing needed to be in costume. In keeping with the atmosphere, refreshments were served in a room that had been changed to resemble a tap room in a tavern. Old furniture and pewter were used. Cider, coffee, doughnuts and individual squash and pumpkin pies were served. For the Junior High School age group there was a dance at Center School. 

There were so many other activities that weekend to celebrate Longmeadow's 150th anniversary! An organ recital in the First Church was given by Mrs. Dorothy Birchard Mulroney. The Boy Scouts had an encampment on the Town Green and also an awards ceremony.  The Storrs House (home of the Longmeadow Historical Society) was open to visit and a band concert on the Town Green was given by the Lions' Boys' Club Band of Springfield.

On Sunday all of the churches had special Sesquicentennial services. Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Town of Longmeadow was very important to the residents of Longmeadow. This special event took a lot of planning by so many people to make it a memorable event. Husbands and wives both served on committees to make this a celebration one to be remembered by all who attended!              

Other Sources: Springfield Republican- Oct. 13, 1933 and Oct. 15, 1933.  

Written by Judy Moran/ Longmeadow Historian
LongmeadowHistorian.org          

Mrs. Clara Brand- Community House Manager

Mrs. Clara MacDonald Brand
(Mrs. F. Tracy Brand)
The Springfield Union
May 18, 1949

It was in May of 1949 that Mrs. F. Tracy Brand notified the Town of Longmeadow that she would be retiring on July 1st of that year. Mrs. Brand (Clara MacDonald Brand) was the Hostess and Manager of the Longmeadow Community House. She had served in this role for 25 years! 

Longmeadow Community House- 1923
Longmeadow, MA
Emerson Photo
courtesy of Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society

It was after her husband F. Tracy Brand passed away in 1923 that Mrs. Brand took on this new position for Longmeadow. Previously, Mrs. Brand had been the secretary of the Longmeadow Community House Association.

1949 Longmeadow Annual Town Report

Clara MacDonald (McDonald) Brand was a native of Maine and she had graduated from Colby College. After graduation she taught school in Bath, Maine. Then she moved to Springfield, MA. Miss MacDonald taught ninth grade at the State Street Elementary School, so she had experience with children and also with the public.

State Street Grammar School- Springfield, MA
Clara B. MacDonald
Teacher- Grade 9
Springfield Daily Republican- June 17, 1906

Then, on April 17, 1907 Miss MacDonald married Frederick Tracy Brand. He also worked in Springfield. Mr. Brand was a Teller at a bank- the Springfield Institution for Savings. Three years later they moved to Longmeadow. Mr. and Mrs. Brand had two sons- Thomas and Alexander.

Her husband died in 1923 and soon after Clara Brand was appointed to the position to become the Hostess and the Manager for the new Longmeadow Community House. There were so many activities to schedule for residents and other guests at this new venue. Early on the very well attended May Breakfast was one of the events that relocated to the Community House.

Springfield Republican
May 1, 1924

The Boy Scouts and the Brownie Scouts scheduled meetings. Dancing classes and community group meetings were held at this location. Special Lectures drew audiences from Longmeadow and also the greater Springfield area. The Community Players presented plays. Meetings of the Red Cross, Woman's Maternal Association and women's groups from all of the churches in town took place in this building. There were so many different activities at the Longmeadow Community House!

Springfield Republican
Sept. 28, 1924

In addition, town primaries, town elections and town meetings were also held here. The Longmeadow Community House was busy.

In 1944 teenagers enjoyed attending the "Jive Junction" Dances. The very popular Saturday afternoon movies began in the autumn of 1945. The average attendance at these movies for young people was 150 elementary and Junior High School students. Mrs. Clara Brand scheduled all of these activities.         

This lady lived in Longmeadow for 55 years. In 1959 she relocated back to Springfield. Clara MacDonald Brand passed away in December of 1962 at the age of 88 years. Both of her sons had married, raised their own families and were living in Springfield. Mrs. Clara Brand had come in contact with so many residents in the Longmeadow area. They remembered talking with her while attending the programs, the meetings and the special events that she scheduled at the Longmeadow Community House when she oversaw all of the events. There were so many wonderful special events held in this building! Longmeadow and area residents had so many long lasting memories.  

Other Sources: Springfield Daily News- May 18, 1949; Springfield Republican- Jan. 6, 1946; Springfield Weekly Republican- Jan. 24, 1924 and The Springfield Union- Dec. 14, 1962.

~Written by Judy Moran        

Longmeadow's First Tennis Club

Longmeadow Tennis Club
July 1914
Emerson Collection- colorized
courtesy of Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society

111 years ago in 1913 the Longmeadow Tennis Club was established on the grounds of the Richard Salter Storrs Library to provide recreation activities for town residents. The Trustees of the Storrs Library had given permission for 3 tennis courts to be built.

The Evening Union
May 2, 1913

Individuals who were interested in using the future tennis courts had contributed money to build them. Those individuals who contributed at least $5.00 by July 1, 1913 would not be asked for additional monies for dues that year. They became members of the Longmeadow Tennis Club and they were given a membership ticket and a copy of the rules and bylaws of this new organization. The courts were prepared by Vaughan & Kibbe.

Springfield Republican
May 20, 1913
Click to enlarge.

 

 
Opening day was Saturday- June 28, 1913! It was a big event in Longmeadow and it was estimated that 150 people came to this event. The tennis courts were used all afternoon. In addition to tennis, archery, tether ball and croquet were also enjoyed by the attendees. Refreshments were served under an elm tree. The Refreshments Committee was chaired by Longmeadow resident Miss Alice Clark. 

The Springfield Union
June 30, 1913
Click to enlarge.

The tennis courts were a wonderful addition to Longmeadow. Some residents enjoyed playing tennis and other residents and their families came to watch the matches and to socialize with their friends. This also became a great place to meet new residents who had moved into Longmeadow. 

On the afternoon of June 5, 1915 a Tea was given by this club on the grounds of the Storrs Library. The tennis courts were used all afternoon. Clock golf and croquet were also played and children enjoyed playing on the lawn. At this Tea ice cream and punch were served under the apple trees. 

Longmeadow Tennis Club Tea
June 5, 1915
Emerson Collection- colorized
courtesy of Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society

Time moved on. In 1932 the tennis courts were need of repair. However, they were not repaired. The town of Longmeadow was growing and the well visited small Richard Salter Storrs Library building became too small to meet the needs of the townspeople. A larger building for a library was needed. Plans were made to build a new larger library on the grounds for Longmeadow residents. The tennis courts were located on the property of the Storrs Library. It was stated in the Springfield Union, Dec. 31, 1932 issue that, "The space is needed for the parking of automobiles for those who will come to the new library, when that is completed and for the house of the caretaker of the library." 

The new Richard Salter Storrs Library was built (our current library) and the Dedication Exercises were on Saturday, October 14, 1933. This took place during Longmeadow's Sesquicentennial Celebration- when Longmeadow celebrated its 150th Anniversary. No longer were there tennis courts on this property.   

Additional Sources: Longmeadow Sesquicentennial Souvenir Booklet- 1783- 1933 and Springfield Republican- June 7, 1915.

Written by Judy Moran- Longmeadow Historian

Harry C. Beaver- Executive at Rolls- Royce of America

1923 Silver Ghost Oxford Touring Car
Rolls- Royce of America, Inc.
Springfield, MA
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Gifted in 1923 to former President Woodrow Wilson for his 67th Birthday
Photo courtesy of Bonhams/Cars

On July 12, 1923 Rolls- Royce of America celebrated the 3rd anniversary of its manufacturing plant in Springfield, MA! Longmeadow, MA resident Harry C. Beaver was the Treasurer of this company. The address for the manufacturing facility was Page Boulevard. The British parent automobile company Rolls- Royce could better serve the American market with a manufacturing plant located in the United States. There were customers for this automobile here in the U.S. and Rolls- Royce could avoid the high tariffs that were put on imported luxury automobiles by having a manufacturing plant in the United States. Springfield, MA was chosen for the location of the plant because of the large pool of skilled workers in the greater Springfield, MA area.

Rolls- Royce of America Factory
Springfield, MA- circa 1920's
courtesy of Springfield Ma- Historic Crossroad of New England by Paul J. Meagher

One of the owners of a Rolls- Royce of America vehicle was former President Woodrow Wilson. In 1923 (after he had left office) anonymous individuals presented him this gift valued at $15,000 in honor of his 67th birthday. (Photo of this automobile is located at the beginning of this article.)

Buffalo Evening News
Dec. 29, 1923

The Treasurer of Rolls- Royce of America Harry C. Beaver had previously worked for the Springfield automobile company Stevens- Duryea and had left the Springfield area. However, he returned to the area when offered the position of Treasurer of Rolls- Royce of America. Mr. Beaver, his wife Jane, sons Paul and Harry, Jr. and daughter Joyce W. moved to their new home located at 38 Hopkins Place in Longmeadow, MA. (Note: This address no longer exists.)

Harry C. Beaver
Springfield Daily News
Date: April 3, 1947

The family enjoyed living in Longmeadow and became involved in the community. Mr. Beaver was on the planning committee for the Longmeadow Community House in Longmeadow. At Rolls- Royce of America he went on to become the Vice- President in charge of operations in 1925 when the President L. J. Belnap left the company.

Mr. and Mrs. Beaver's children attended high school traveling into Springfield, MA, because Longmeadow did not have a high school at that time. Their son Paul Beaver graduated from Springfield Technical High School in 1920. In 1922 Harry, Jr. also graduated from Springfield Technical High School. Their daughter Joyce W. graduated from Central High School. In 1929 Mr. and Mrs. Beaver purchased a new residence in Longmeadow at 75 Meadowbrook Road. 

Mr. Beaver resigned from Rolls- Royce of America in 1931. The company was not as profitable as it had been in the past due to the Depression and the lack of interested customers for the expensive cars. Then, he went on to become President of the Worthington Pump and Machinery Corp. that had headquarters in New Jersey. 

Other Sources: 1913, 1914 Springfield, MA City Directory; 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940 U. S. Federal Census; 1921, 1929 Longmeadow Street Directory; Springfield Daily News- Sept. 7, 1934 and Springfield Republican- Sept. 9, 1919.

With deep appreciation to Bonhams/ Cars for the beautiful photograph of the 1923 Silver Ghost Oxford Touring Car gifted to President Woodrow Wilson.

Written by Judy Moran