New Building for Town Offices- 1930

The Longmeadow Police Department in Front of the Town Office Building
1933
Source:  Longmeadow's Sesquicentennial Official Souvenir

On Dec. 15, 1930 the Longmeadow, MA Selectmen met for the last time at the old Town Hall at 417 Longmeadow Street.  Their next meeting would be held at the newly built Town Office building located at 20 Williams Street!  This new building would also be the home for the Longmeadow Police Department.  An Open House for interested residents was held from 1 PM- 8:30 PM on Dec. 21, 1930.  

Springfield Republican
Dec. 21, 1930

The exterior of this new building on Williams Street was designed to resemble a former house located in town so many years ago- the "Marchant" Samuel Colton house.  (The house had been located on Longmeadow Street, south of Crescent Road.)  The doorway of this new Town Office building was recognized as a reproduction of "Marchant" Colton's doorway.  Click here to learn more about former town resident "Marchant" Samuel Colton and his front door.

The architect for this building was Morris W. Maloney and it was built by J. G. Roy.

Source: Springfield Republican
Date: Dec. 21, 1930

After stepping inside the Town Office building a wrought iron lantern could be viewed hanging from the ceiling.  Then, passing through swinging doors visitors entered the center hall. The Town Clerk's offices along with two other offices were located on the left side behind a bank style counter.  

The Selectmen's room was located on the first floor in the rear of the building- after walking up 3 steps. A framed photograph of "Marchant" Samuel Colton's house hung over the fireplace in this room.  This photograph was given to the town of Longmeadow in Memory of Frederick H. Colton by his wife, Mary Meyrick Colton of Springfield, MA. Mr. Colton was the great- grandson of "Marchant" Samuel Colton.  Frederick H. Colton passed away in 1928 after spending his career working for The Republican newspaper in Springfield, MA.

Source:  Longmeadow's Sesquicentennial Official Souvenir
1933

This beautiful new building had so much more office space than the old Town Hall had.  The old Town Hall (located on Longmeadow Street) had previously been a schoolhouse.  The Superintendent of Streets and the Water Commissioners had offices, too.   

On the second floor there were more offices.  The Planning Board, the Assessors and the Building Commissioner were located here along with a Hearing Room. In the Hearing Room a large table, called a "tavern table" was built by boys in the Longmeadow Junior High School to be used in the new Town Office Building.  The table was 10 feet long and very useful for meetings. 

Source: Springfield Republican
Date: Jan. 21, 1930

The third floor was where the Engineering Department was located.

There was a separate entrance for the Longmeadow Police Department that was located in the basement of this building.  The entrance was in the rear- on the east side.  The Police Chief had a private office and there was a large room for the Officers with a shower, lockers, and lavatory.  A detention room, a first aid room and a cot and lavatory could be located easily. 

In order for this new building to be constructed on this site, changes had to be made.  The Chapel was torn down.

Reflections of Longmeadow
Second Printing 1998

This beautiful new Town Office building was spacious and the various department heads had their offices in the building.  A women's rest room and lockers were also easily found.  In 1930 this was a beautiful and large building that could serve our community well for many years to come.

Below is a slide show of the Town Office building.  These images were the front covers of the Longmeadow Annual Town Report for many different years.  You will notice that the front doors have changed over the years due to making the building more accessible for many more residents and visitors.             

                     

Sources:  1930 Longmeadow Annual Town Report, Springfield Republican- Dec. 16, 1930; Dec. 21, 1930; Springfield Weekly Republican- Nov 22, 1928; Judy Moran's Colton Family Tree and Longmeadow Annual Town Report covers.

~By Judy and Jim Moran