Longmeadow's First Tennis Club

Longmeadow Tennis Club
July 1914
Emerson Collection- colorized
courtesy of Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society

111 years ago in 1913 the Longmeadow Tennis Club was established on the grounds of the Richard Salter Storrs Library to provide recreation activities for town residents. The Trustees of the Storrs Library had given permission for 3 tennis courts to be built.

The Evening Union
May 2, 1913

Individuals who were interested in using the future tennis courts had contributed money to build them. Those individuals who contributed at least $5.00 by July 1, 1913 would not be asked for additional monies for dues that year. They became members of the Longmeadow Tennis Club and they were given a membership ticket and a copy of the rules and bylaws of this new organization. The courts were prepared by Vaughan & Kibbe.

Springfield Republican
May 20, 1913
Click to enlarge.

 

 
Opening day was Saturday- June 28, 1913! It was a big event in Longmeadow and it was estimated that 150 people came to this event. The tennis courts were used all afternoon. In addition to tennis, archery, tether ball and croquet were also enjoyed by the attendees. Refreshments were served under an elm tree. The Refreshments Committee was chaired by Longmeadow resident Miss Alice Clark. 

The Springfield Union
June 30, 1913
Click to enlarge.

The tennis courts were a wonderful addition to Longmeadow. Some residents enjoyed playing tennis and other residents and their families came to watch the matches and to socialize with their friends. This also became a great place to meet new residents who had moved into Longmeadow. 

On the afternoon of June 5, 1915 a Tea was given by this club on the grounds of the Storrs Library. The tennis courts were used all afternoon. Clock golf and croquet were also played and children enjoyed playing on the lawn. At this Tea ice cream and punch were served under the apple trees. 

Longmeadow Tennis Club Tea
June 5, 1915
Emerson Collection- colorized
courtesy of Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society

Time moved on. In 1932 the tennis courts were need of repair. However, they were not repaired. The town of Longmeadow was growing and the well visited small Richard Salter Storrs Library building became too small to meet the needs of the townspeople. A larger building for a library was needed. Plans were made to build a new larger library on the grounds for Longmeadow residents. The tennis courts were located on the property of the Storrs Library. It was stated in the Springfield Union, Dec. 31, 1932 issue that, "The space is needed for the parking of automobiles for those who will come to the new library, when that is completed and for the house of the caretaker of the library." 

The new Richard Salter Storrs Library was built (our current library) and the Dedication Exercises were on Saturday, October 14, 1933. This took place during Longmeadow's Sesquicentennial Celebration- when Longmeadow celebrated its 150th Anniversary. No longer were there tennis courts on this property.   

Additional Sources: Longmeadow Sesquicentennial Souvenir Booklet- 1783- 1933 and Springfield Republican- June 7, 1915.

Written by Judy Moran- Longmeadow Historian

Harry C. Beaver- Executive at Rolls- Royce of America

1923 Silver Ghost Oxford Touring Car
Rolls- Royce of America, Inc.
Springfield, MA
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Gifted in 1923 to former President Woodrow Wilson for his 67th Birthday
Photo courtesy of Bonhams/Cars

On July 12, 1923 Rolls- Royce of America celebrated the 3rd anniversary of its manufacturing plant in Springfield, MA! Longmeadow, MA resident Harry C. Beaver was the Treasurer of this company. The address for the manufacturing facility was Page Boulevard. The British parent automobile company Rolls- Royce could better serve the American market with a manufacturing plant located in the United States. There were customers for this automobile here in the U.S. and Rolls- Royce could avoid the high tariffs that were put on imported luxury automobiles by having a manufacturing plant in the United States. Springfield, MA was chosen for the location of the plant because of the large pool of skilled workers in the greater Springfield, MA area.

Rolls- Royce of America Factory
Springfield, MA- circa 1920's
courtesy of Springfield Ma- Historic Crossroad of New England by Paul J. Meagher

One of the owners of a Rolls- Royce of America vehicle was former President Woodrow Wilson. In 1923 (after he had left office) anonymous individuals presented him this gift valued at $15,000 in honor of his 67th birthday. (Photo of this automobile is located at the beginning of this article.)

Buffalo Evening News
Dec. 29, 1923

The Treasurer of Rolls- Royce of America Harry C. Beaver had previously worked for the Springfield automobile company Stevens- Duryea and had left the Springfield area. However, he returned to the area when offered the position of Treasurer of Rolls- Royce of America. Mr. Beaver, his wife Jane, sons Paul and Harry, Jr. and daughter Joyce W. moved to their new home located at 38 Hopkins Place in Longmeadow, MA. (Note: This address no longer exists.)

Harry C. Beaver
Springfield Daily News
Date: April 3, 1947

The family enjoyed living in Longmeadow and became involved in the community. Mr. Beaver was on the planning committee for the Longmeadow Community House in Longmeadow. At Rolls- Royce of America he went on to become the Vice- President in charge of operations in 1925 when the President L. J. Belnap left the company.

Mr. and Mrs. Beaver's children attended high school traveling into Springfield, MA, because Longmeadow did not have a high school at that time. Their son Paul Beaver graduated from Springfield Technical High School in 1920. In 1922 Harry, Jr. also graduated from Springfield Technical High School. Their daughter Joyce W. graduated from Central High School. In 1929 Mr. and Mrs. Beaver purchased a new residence in Longmeadow at 75 Meadowbrook Road. 

Mr. Beaver resigned from Rolls- Royce of America in 1931. The company was not as profitable as it had been in the past due to the Depression and the lack of interested customers for the expensive cars. Then, he went on to become President of the Worthington Pump and Machinery Corp. that had headquarters in New Jersey. 

Other Sources: 1913, 1914 Springfield, MA City Directory; 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940 U. S. Federal Census; 1921, 1929 Longmeadow Street Directory; Springfield Daily News- Sept. 7, 1934 and Springfield Republican- Sept. 9, 1919.

With deep appreciation to Bonhams/ Cars for the beautiful photograph of the 1923 Silver Ghost Oxford Touring Car gifted to President Woodrow Wilson.

Written by Judy Moran