B. Halsey Spencer- Successful Longmeadow Florist

Around 1922 Longmeadow, MA resident Benjamin Halsey Spencer found a new career after he was no longer able to continue working as a bank teller due to health issues.  He had been employed at the Union Trust Company in Springfield, MA.  Trying to reinvent himself, Mr. Spencer reminisced about his childhood hobby of raising flowers. This is how his new business began! His former hobby became his business.  Mr. Spencer became a successful florist raising gladiolus!  

In 1920 he, his wife Valida and young son Biron moved to Longmeadow and they lived at 97 Hopkins Place.  Mr. Spencer had a "green thumb" (as the expression goes) and was very successful in growing gladiolus on his property.  

Spencer's Gladiolus- 1922
Emerson Collection
Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society
photo enhanced courtesy of Brooke Wawrzyk

His business grew and in 1924 Mr. Spencer was elected secretary of a newly formed organization- the Gladiolus Bulb Growers' Association. The meeting was in Buffalo, New York. At this time period gladiolus were given the nickname "king of flowers".  Growing them had become a large industry in the United States and new species of these flowers were developed. 

At first he raised the flowers and bulbs on his property, but his business expanded. 

Source: Springfield Republican
Aug. 5, 1925

Mr. Spencer placed ads in our local newspaper such as this ad in 1927.

Source:  Springfield Republican
March 27, 1927

In 1929 four men were working for him.  This florist was shipping gladiolus spikes to New York.  He was one of the most successful gladiolus growers in the United States.

Source:  Springfield Republican
Dec. 8, 1929

Special care was taken when shipping the gladiolus spikes.

Source: Springfield Republican
Dec. 8, 1929

In addition to shipping the flower spikes, bulbs were also sold and shipped to customers.  A catalog was published in 1930.

There were now fields on Ely Road and storage was located at 408 Longmeadow Street.  Large, Medium and Small bulbs were sold.    

A small sample of bulbs available for sale
~1930 Catalog~

An ad for his business was published in the book Longmeadow's Sesquicentennial.  This souvenir book was published in 1933 celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Town of Longmeadow, MA. 

B. Halsey Spencer had created a new business in the town of Longmeadow that was very successful!  Then, around 1939 he also became interested in Real Estate.  Mr. and Mrs. Spencer and now their two sons (Biron and Francis) continued to live at 97 Hopkins Place in Longmeadow.  B. Halsey Spencer went on to become the executive secretary of the Building Trades Employers' Association.  

Springfield Union
Nov. 17, 1950

This gentleman had a successful business selling gladiolus spikes and also bulbs for many years.  The residents of Longmeadow and the surrounding communities probably visited his showroom and also purchased bulbs that he sold.  After planting these bulbs, they would grow, flower and add to the beauty of their gardens locally!

Additional Sources:  Springfield Republican- Nov. 29, 1924 and Sep 8, 1929; Springfield Union- Jul. 4, 1947;  
1924 Longmeadow Directory and 1920, 1930 and 1940 U.S. Federal Census.  

 ~Written by Judy Moran