Julia Sanderson Christens Memorial Bridge

Julia Sanderson Christening 
the Hampden County Memorial Bridge

photo courtesy of Springfield Ma-Historic Crossroad of New England
by Paul J. Meagher

On August 3, 1922 there was a dedication ceremony for the new Hampden County Memorial Bridge in Springfield, MA. This new bridge spanned the Connecticut River from Springfield to West Springfield replacing the wooden covered Old Toll Bridge. During the ceremony "Springfield's famous stage star" and Longmeadow, MA resident Julia Sanderson christened the bridge. After being introduced Miss Sanderson walked forward to speak and scattered individual blossoms from a large bouquet she held. She then christened the new bridge.

Springfield Daily News
Aug. 3, 1922

The city of Springfield celebrated the dedication of this bridge for 2 days. A program was published in the Springfield Daily News. Massachusetts Governor Channing H. Cox and other dignitaries attended the ceremonies. 

Springfield Daily News
Aug. 2, 1922

The special guest, Miss Sanderson, was born in Springfield, MA in 1887 where her parents lived. Julia Sanderson was her stage name. Her name at birth was Julia Ellen Sackett. She used her mother's maiden name as her stage name. Her father was an actor and the family moved from Springfield, MA to Philadelphia, PA. Mr. Sackett's acting career lasted about 35 years. Julia began acting at the age of 13 years and followed her father's career. She acted in musical comedies including on Broadway in New York City. In 1919 her mother and father moved back to the Springfield, MA area to Longmeadow and they lived at 47 Roseland Terrace. By 1922 Julia Sanderson was a well recognized star and the Springfield native was a great choice to christen the new Hampden County Memorial Bridge.

While rehearsing for the show "Tangerine" in 1924 she had a new leading man. Her leading man was Frank Crumit. They were a successful couple in the show and went on to star in other shows. 

Three years later in 1927 they were married in Longmeadow. It was on July 1, 1927. The wedding took place in the Parsonage of the First Church in Longmeadow, MA. The ceremony was performed at Noon by Rev. Randolph S. Merrill. Her parents, Albert and Jeanette Sackett, were the only witnesses and guests at the private ceremony. It was Julia's third marriage and Frank's second marriage.  

That year Frank Crumit had purchased a beautiful spacious newly built house (154 Colony Road) in Longmeadow's Colony Hills. 

Springfield Republican
May 1, 1927

After their wedding ceremony they went to their new home.  

The Evening Gazette
July 1, 1927

The home was given the nickname "Dunrovin". When the couple was ready to take a break from show business they retired and enjoyed their residence in Longmeadow. However, in 1929 Julia and Frank were given the opportunity to star in a radio show together. They sang while Frank strummed his guitar and they also chatted on the show. It was very popular with their audiences and their new career lasted for 14 years! 

Frank passed away in 1943 in New York City while getting ready for a show. Julia Sanderson did a few more radio shows herself, but soon retired from this career. She sold their home and moved back to her mother's house at 47 Roseland Terrace. (Her dad had previously died.) Years passed and her mother died. Julia Sanderson Crumit returned to her native city of Springfield.

Springfield Daily News
March 26, 1959

 
Then, Julia Sanderson Crumit moved to her new home in the Stonehaven Motor Inn in Springfield. She passed away in her home at the age of 87 years on January 27, 1975.      

Additional Sources: Springfield Daily News- Aug. 3, 1922; Springfield Republican- Jul 2, 1927 and Feb. 2, 1975; Sunday Telegram- July 31, 1960.

~Written by Judy Moran/ Longmeadow Historian   

Joseph B. Cobb Was Ready to Work

Springfield Republican
July 19, 1926

On July 18, 1926 a storm with strong winds wrecked havoc in West Springfield, Springfield, East Longmeadow and Wilbraham. On that Sunday afternoon downed trees and tree limbs, downed trolley poles and wires were visible throughout the area. Telephone service was affected as was Western Union capabilities. The first news reports believed that a tornado had traveled from West Springfield over the Connecticut River and into Springfield and beyond.  

After examining the damage it was learned that the very strong storm had caused destruction to so many trees, including some in Longmeadow. 

Springfield Republican
July 20, 1926

The clean up started as soon as it was possible. That same year Joseph B. and Tirzah A. Cobb relocated from Springfield, MA to Longmeadow along with their four daughters Janet, Elizabeth, Mary and Frances. The Cobbs had purchased a house that was for sale at 54 Westmoreland Avenue. 

Springfield Republican
May 11, 1926

Joseph B. Cobb grew up in Chicopee, MA. After graduating from high school he went on to attend and graduate from Massachusetts Agricultural College (University of Massachusetts) in Amherst, MA in 1913. 

Joseph B. Cobb
1913 Graduation Photo
courtesy of
Massachusetts Agricultural College
(University of Massachusetts)

 
He was a Forester and he started up his own business. Soon after moving to Longmeadow in 1926, Mr. Cobb found that his profession was needed during that month of July in the Greater Springfield, MA area. He wasted no time in promoting his business for all residents in neighboring towns/ cities. There was an advertisement in the local newspaper the day after this weather event occurred.

Springfield Daily News
July 19, 1926

In 1928 the Cobb family moved back to the family homestead in Chicopee, MA after Joseph Cobb's mother had passed away. For many years his father Frank had served the city of Chicopee as the City Engineer. Joseph Cobb continued advertising his business in the local newspapers, but he included his current address and also the fact that his business had previously been located in Longmeadow, MA.

Springfield Republican
May 27, 1928

Potential customers would be able to locate him. His business became known as "Cobb Tree Service" located in Chicopee, MA.

Additional Sources: Springfield Republican: July 15, 1934 and Sept. 24, 1935. 

~Written by Judy Moran/ Longmeadow Historian      

Independence Day Celebration- 1894

Independence Day Celebration
on the Longmeadow Town Green
July 4, 1894
colorized photo
Source of original photo: Longmeadow Historical Society Archives

On July 4, 1894 there was an Independence Day celebration in Longmeadow. Residents and visitors went to the First Church and also to the Longmeadow Town Green to celebrate July 4th. They also celebrated the split of the West and of the East Villages in Longmeadow into two towns- Longmeadow and East Longmeadow. The split was made official a few days earlier on July 1st.

The Boston Herald
July 5, 1894

The events of the day included church services, speeches, food, dancing and chatting with neighbors and friends. 

Written by Judy Moran/ Longmeadow Historian 

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