From Using a Horse Drawn Cart to Selling Cars

Arthur A. Brooks

Arthur A. Brooks was a man who kept "reinventing" himself the longer that he lived in Longmeadow, MA. He was born in Kensington (Berlin), CT in 1866. His dad Sheldon was a farmer as many men of that time period were. When Arthur was 14 years old he was living in Worthington, MA with his paternal grandparents- Herrick and Matilda Brooks. 

Arthur met a young woman named Lettie I. Baker who lived in nearby Chesterfield, MA. They were married in her hometown on June 10, 1891. On their Marriage Record Arthur's occupation was listed as a Butcher. In 1900 this young couple and their little son Sheldon B. were living on North Main Street in Springfield, MA. Arthur Brooks was a salesman in a grocery store. In 1906 he was working in C. S. Allen's grocery store in Longmeadow. The following year, 1907, he and his family were living on Ward Street in Longmeadow.

1907 Longmeadow Street Directory

By following Arthur A. Brook's life we become more aware of changes in Longmeadow. He and his family lived in a house that his boss C. S. Allen owned on Ward Street. Currently, there is no Ward Street near the Wolcott Brewer Young Mansion.

Ward Street in Longmeadow, MA
Portion of 1912 Map

In 1908 the family moved into the first house they owned. They purchased G. W. Allen's house at 107 Hopkins Place.

Springfield Daily Republican
March 6, 1908

Then, in March 1909 Mr. Brooks went into business for himself by purchasing an egg and butter business owned by H. B. Loveland of Springfield.

Springfield Daily Republican
March 17, 1909

By this time he and Lettie had 3 children- Sheldon, Edward and Elizabeth. In 1915 Arthur continued his egg/ butter business, but then he changed the product that he was selling. He continued in sales, but he became a salesman selling automobiles. Arthur A. Brooks reinvented himself, again!

Times were changing! In 1916 the Colonnade was built on the corner of Longmeadow Street and Bliss Road. Residents could purchase eggs and butter along with other needed groceries at the A & P located there. It was also the time period that residents purchased cars.

In his obituary Arthur A. Brooks was described as a "pioneer automobile salesman". He became the manager of P. A. Williams used car department that was located in Springfield. (The owner Philip A. Williams, Jr. was a Longmeadow resident.) Later, Arthur Brooks also worked for Gales Ford Agency in Longmeadow. This business was located at 410 Longmeadow Street.

Springfield Republican
Dec. 6, 1936

The Brooks family had moved from Hopkins Place to 104 Nevins Avenue. Later, Mr. and Mrs. Brooks rented the house at 90 Lincoln Park. Arthur A. Brooks had many talents and he was able to carve out a comfortable life in Longmeadow for himself, his wife and his children. He was always able to reinvent himself! Lettie Brooks passed away in 1941 and Arthur A. Brooks died 2 years later in 1943. 

Additional Sources: 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940 United States Federal Census; Chesterfield, MA Marriage Records;  Springfield Daily News- June 28, 1941 and Springfield Republican- Feb. 4, 1943.

 

~Written by Judy Moran

A Great Investment on Longmeadow Street

931 Longmeadow Street
built ca. ~1870

On April 26, 1898 there was an advertisement in the local newspaper, the Springfield Daily Republican listing a house in Longmeadow, MA that would be sold at auction. The Bodurtha Property was located on Main Street (now known as Longmeadow Street). The auction would take place on Friday, April 29th at 2 PM. The Auctioneer was Springfield resident and former Springfield Mayor Newrie D. Winter. 

Springfield Daily Republican
April 26, 1898

The house and the property were known to town residents as the "Bodurtha Place". (Currently, the address is 931 Longmeadow Street.) Mary Jane Bodurtha purchased this property from Delia Bascom in 1871. Mrs. Bodurtha was married to Daniel Yale Bodurtha. Six months earlier in February of 1871 this property was owned by the widow Matilda House. 

After purchasing the house and property, Mary Jane and Daniel Bodurtha lived here. She became a widow in 1881 and continued living in this house at 931 Longmeadow Street. Mrs. Bodurtha died ten years later in July of 1891. A week before she died she conveyed the property to Frank B. Allen-  a Longmeadow Selectman and also a Longmeadow town assessor. Taxes were probably due.  Mr. Allen sold the house and property to the Town of Longmeadow for $5.00- that same day. For the next few years the Town of Longmeadow collected rents and also unsuccessfully tried to sell this property. Repairs were made by the Town of Longmeadow, so the appearance of the house could have changed and the house was hooked up to Town Water. Then, in 1898 at the Longmeadow Annual Town Meeting it was voted for the town to auction off the property.

Springfield Daily Republican
April 5, 1898

Thomas E. Burns was the new owner. The 1898 Longmeadow Annual Town Report includes the sale of the Bodurtha Place. It was auctioned off for $1,600.00. Mr. Burns was an Irish immigrant who had lived in Longmeadow for a number of years. On May 21, 1885 he and Agnes Quigley were married in Mitteneague (West Springfield). They were both born in Ireland, immigrated to the United States and became residents of Longmeadow, MA. Mr. Burns was a Teamster and Miss Quigley was a Domestic at the time that they were married. They became Naturalized Citizens and also raised 2 sons who were both born in Longmeadow. Frederick was born in 1886 and William was born in 1891. 

931 Longmeadow Street- 1870-1894-1912 Maps

[click to enlarge]

Thomas Burns changed his occupation and became a watchman at the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railway. He lived in this house at 931 Longmeadow Street until he passed away in November of 1936. Mrs. Burns died in December of 1949. Her obituary shared that she had been a resident of Longmeadow, MA for 67 years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Burns were married when West Village and East Village were the two sections of the Town of Longmeadow. They purchased their home after the two villages split into two separate towns- Longmeadow and East Longmeadow. They witnessed horses and wagons traveling on Longmeadow Street and then automobiles sharing the street. There are so many more events that these two people who were born in Ireland saw while raising their family in Longmeadow, MA.  

Additional Sources: Springfield Daily News- Dec. 24, 1949; Springfield Republican- Nov. 4, 1936; Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System; 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930 United States Census Records; 1870, 1894, 1912 and 1920 Longmeadow, MA Maps.

~Written by Judy Moran                   

"Go East Young Woman"

Sarah J. Lee
1903 Graduation Photo
courtesy of the University of California, Berkeley

We learn about many individuals who lived in Longmeadow many decades ago. Some young men left this town and followed their dreams. There were also young women who left their families and their friends and settled in other areas of our country. One young woman who left her family and friends was Sarah J. Lee. However, Miss Lee was born on the West Coast in Alameda, California. The year was 1882. She had a twin sister, Esther. Both sisters graduated from the University of California, Berkley in 1903. Sarah became a teacher in a high school in Riverside, California. 

In 1918 during WWI Sarah J. Lee traveled to the East Coast- to Philadelphia. She found a position at the Independence Bureau of Philadelphia. It was a company that dealt with fire and accident prevention. In the year 1920 Miss Lee left Philadelphia and traveled to Springfield, MA. She had found a new position at a large department store in Springfield, MA. The department store was Forbes & Wallace. Miss Lee became the employment manager at Forbes & Wallace. This was a position that she held for over 25 years before retiring from this company.

Forbes & Wallace
Springfield, MA
courtesy of Digital Commonwealth

Sarah J. Lee never married. She was a successful dedicated employee at Forbes & Wallace. After arriving in this area Sarah lived in Springfield. One dwelling where she lived was at 108 Byers Street. 

In 1925 she lived in a house on Longmeadow Street. The house was a historic home that was located at 536 Longmeadow Street.  In 1927 the house was rented by Edward H. and Bertha H. Gamwell and Miss Lee continued to live in this home.

536 Longmeadow Street
Longmeadow, MA
Date: October 1917
courtesy of Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society

In 1932 Mr. Gamwell passed away and his wife moved away. Miss Lee continued to enjoy living in this house.

It was in 1937 that Sarah J. Lee became a homeowner. She purchased this house at 536 Longmeadow Street from the owners Guy S. and Lillian F. Perkins.

Springfield Republican
Nov. 7, 1937

Miss Lee lived in Longmeadow and commuted from her home to work in Springfield. In her free time she enjoyed driving her car and traveling throughout New England. There were trips to California to visit her family and stay connected with them, but Longmeadow, MA was her home. Miss Lee passed away in her cherished home on March 6, 1950.

Now, her home is located on the campus of Bay Path University. It is known as the Longmeadow House- Human Resources Dept.

536 Longmeadow Street- side view
Longmeadow House- Human Resources
Bay Path University Campus

More history about this historic home was written by Judy and Jim Moran and is located below:

Click image to enlarge and to read.

Additional Resources: 1910, 1930, 1940 U.S. Federal Census and The Springfield Union- March 7, 1950.

~Written by Judy Moran     

Preparing For Christmas 100 years Ago

Springfield Republican
December 21, 1924

Days before the Christmas holiday 100 years ago (Thursday, December 25, 1924) Longmeadow residents were preparing for their celebration. Many families would be welcoming home family members. 

Springfield Republican
December 22, 1924

Other town residents would be traveling a short distance or a long distance to celebrate with their family. 

Groceries to be purchased were on "to do" lists and there were also gifts to purchase. The Somers Creamery located in Springfield, MA advertised serving their ice cream on that special day in December.

Springfield Republican
December 21, 1924

Some people enjoyed the option of dining out for their Christmas Dinner. The Oaks Hotel located in Springfield advertised their 25th Anniversary with a special dinner on Christmas Day. The cost of the dinner was $2.00.

Springfield Republican
December 24, 1924

The Highland Hotel on Hillman Street ("next to Steiger's") invited potential diners to their establishment, too.

Springfield Republican
December 22, 1924

On December 20th Longmeadow resident Phillip A. Williams, Jr. and his wife Helena (of 8 Westmoreland Avenue) held an Anniversary/ Christmas party for the employees of his company- Williams Motor Sales Company that was located in Springfield. On that Saturday evening the employees and their family members traveled to Longmeadow and celebrated at the Longmeadow Community House. 150 attendees enjoyed a chicken pie dinner and then dancing after dinner.  

Springfield Republican
December 21, 1924

On that same day- December 20, 1924 the surgeon Dr. Frederick D. LaRochelle of 113 Converse Street was married to Springfield resident Louise West Bolt. Miss Bolt was a former nurse and the wedding took place in Springfield.

In downtown Springfield business was booming.

Springfield Republican
December 21, 1924

The weekend before the Christmas holiday the large department stores (Steiger's, Forbes & Wallace and Meekins, Packard & Wheat) and also the smaller specialty shops did a brisk business. 

Springfield Republican
December 21, 1924

At Meekins, Packard & Wheat there was a special event advertised on Wednesday, December 24th. "The Goldenaires" were a "Quartet of Trumpeters" and they played Christmas Carols that afternoon for all to enjoy at that department store. 

Springfield Republican
December 24, 1924

The sidewalks on city streets and the trolleys were so crowded. City residents were shopping along with other shoppers that traveled into Springfield to purchase their gifts.

Springfield Republican
December 21, 1924

Preparing for the Christmas holiday was a very busy time for area residents. Longmeadow residents who celebrated this holiday were preparing for this special day in December 1924 as we are preparing in 2024.

Happy Holidays to all! 

~Written by Judy Moran

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