1903 Labor Day Picnic at Stuckert's Grove

Trolly traveling north on Longmeadow Street
perhaps on return trip to Springfield, MA after picnic- Sept. 7, 1903
Emerson Collection
Photo courtesy of Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society

In 1903 Labor Day was celebrated on September 7th!  That was 120 years ago.  In the greater Springfield area many different activities were planned for this holiday. A list of events that took place in the city of Springfield, MA was published in the local newspaper.  There was an interesting variety.  Of special interest was the first listed activity: 
TO-Day- Labor parade and picnic.    

Springfield Daily Republican
Sept. 7, 1903

In downtown Springfield, MA a parade in honor of Labor Day began about 9:45 AM.  Members of labor organizations marched in groups with their fellow members along with bands and drum corps units.  It was estimated that there were 3,500 men who took part in this parade.

Springfield Daily Republican
Sept. 8, 1903

This large parade included about 100 carpenters wearing their caps and light colored shirts.  Tailors and capmakers along with about 100 grocery and provision clerks marched.  Blacksmiths that numbered about 50 men wore black shirts, caps and held hammers.  Brewery workers marched and also had a float.  Painters, decorators, cigar makers and  plumbers were also represented.  The bricklayers and the horseshoers wore their new leather aprons.  Bartenders, machinists, bakers and coal handlers also marched as did more men that had other occupations and also were members of a union.  

The Labor Day parade had a specific route:  Howard Street to Main Street onto State Street. The parade continued to Dwight then Worthington to Main Street onto Carew, and then "countermarch to Court Square".  George H. Wrenn was the Grand Marshall.

George H. Wrenn
Springfield Daily Republican
Sept. 16, 1902

This gentleman was the well respected president of Springfield's central labor union. 
          

Springfield Daily Republican
Sept. 7, 1903

As noted in Springfield's schedule for the day (shown at the top) there was a picnic after the parade!  The location for the picnic was in Longmeadow!  It was at Stuckert's Grove off of Mill Road (near Longmeadow Street).

Springfield Daily Republican
Aug. 3, 1903

Stuckert's Grove was owned by Louis Stuckert.  He and his family lived at 909 Longmeadow (Main) Street after they moved from their home in Springfield.  He had a restaurant/ saloon in Springfield and also had been the proprietor of the United States Hotel on Springfield's Main Street.

1894 Longmeadow, MA Map
see red arrows: Louis Stuckert's House and Stuckert's Grove

The men who marched in the parade along with guests and visitors made their way to Longmeadow by trolly. After getting off of the trolly by Mill Road they made their way to Stuckert's Grove.  Activities had been planned for the remainder of the day along with having lunch. A baseball game between grocery clerks and barbers was the highlight of the afternoon.  An orchestra played at this event, so interested individuals could also dance.  The tickets for Stuckert's Grove had been sold earlier!
 

Springfield Daily Republican
Sept. 7, 1903

However, traveling to Longmeadow on that day was challenging!  So many people needed and wanted to take the trolly.  Extra cars were needed and put into service.  Some individuals who were eager to attend the picnic walked to North Chestnut Street to get on a trolly, so they could then travel to Longmeadow!  The trollys were filled with passengers ready to enjoy their afternoon! 

This Labor Day celebration was very well attended and very successful!  The large parade was enjoyed by many people.  Then, nearly 5,000 people traveled to Longmeadow to enjoy themselves at Stuckert's Grove.  The picnic began in the afternoon and lasted until night.

Additional Sources:  1898 Springfield, MA Street Directory; 1900 U.S. Federal Census; Springfield Republican: July 4, 1891 and 1905 Longmeadow, MA Street Directory.

~Written by Judy Moran