Longmeadow Celebrated 150th Anniversary in 1933

Source: Springfield Republican
Sept. 10, 1933

In 1933 the town of Longmeadow, Massachusetts celebrated its 150th anniversary!  The Sesquicentennial was a 3 day event held from October 13th to October 15th.  Those 3 days brought many former residents back to visit Longmeadow and to enjoy the celebrations.  There were town residents who opened their homes for their guests who were family members and friends, so all could enjoy the celebration.  Longmeadow was the first town in MA that was incorporated after the Revolutionary War. 

A souvenir book was published to commemorate this anniversary of Longmeadow.  It was edited and published in 1933 by Edgar Holmes Plummer.

Click the link below to view inside this book.  

Longmeadow Sesquicentennial Official Souvenir:  150th Anniversary of the Founding of the Town of Longmeadow, Massachusetts         

In this book the program for the 3 day event was published.

Click to enlarge and view.

There were many events that took place that weekend!  Of special interest was the dedication of the Richard Salter Storrs Library on Saturday, October 14, 1933.  Later that Saturday evening there was a Colonial Ball that was held at the Community House. 

Source:
Oct. 15, 1933
Springfield Republican

During that weekend the Community House was the location for a Historical Meeting, a Luncheon, a Tea and a Ball.  This 3 day celebration included activities for young people and for older people.  It was the 150th Anniversary of the Town of Longmeadow, Massachusetts and it was celebrated!

~Written by Judy Moran      

Old House on the Green

Courtesy of
Longmeadow Historical Society

Mother's Day has been celebrated for many years in our country!  In our beautiful town of Longmeadow, MA there was a restaurant located on the Town Green where families could enjoy a special dinner on the special day set aside to honor mothers.  The Old House on the Green was located at 797 Longmeadow Street.  George E. and Margaret Adams had purchased the house at this address in 1921 and moved with their family from Springfield, MA.  The house had been built for Justin Colton, ca. 1833 (perhaps earlier).  Justin Colton's granddaughter, Miss Elsie Hatstat and other heirs sold this home to Mr. and Mrs. Adams.

797 Longmeadow Street in 1909
from the Emerson Collection
Longmeadow Historical Society

On October 11, 1940 Mr. and Mrs. Adams opened their home to visitors during specific hours and the next day guests with reservations could enjoy dinner at their establishment.  For many years organizations from surrounding areas enjoyed luncheons and dinners here.  The private home located at 797 Longmeadow Street became a guest house and a tea room.  The name was the Old House on the Green.

Bridal showers, wedding receptions, anniversary parties and annual banquets were celebrated at this charming destination.  Advertisements appeared in our local newspapers.

Source:  Springfield Republican
Sept. 16, 1945

In 1953 advertisements for Mother's Day reservations were found in the Springfield Union newspaper.
                

Source:  Springfield Union
May 3, 1953

The 1950 U.S. Federal Census lists this business that Mr. and Mrs. Adams owned as a "Tea Room".   An undated Luncheon and an undated Dinner menu can be viewed.

(Click to enlarge.)
Menu- undated
Courtesy of Longmeadow Historical Society

In October of 1958 Mr. and Mrs. Adams celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.  During that month and that year they also closed their destination restaurant.  Over the years the Old House on the Green had become a treasured dining experience for so many guests.  That dining destination became a wonderful memory for so many people in our area.

Some additional background information- George Adams did have insight into running a restaurant.  In 1899 his father Leroy Adams and his uncle Edward C. Crosby had purchased the Brooks House in Brattleboro, Vermont.  The Brooks House was well known in the Brattleboro area.  Leroy Adams sold his share of this establishment in 1907 and then spent part of his time in Springfield, MA.  He became the president of The Springfield Flour and Grain Company located on Liberty Street in Springfield, MA.  His son George E. Adams was the secretary and the treasurer of the company.

Sources:  1909 Springfield, MA City Directory; 1920 U.S. Federal Census; 1950 U.S. Federal Census; Springfield Republican-  Feb. 5, 1910; Oct. 31, 1921; Oct. 11, 1940; Springfield Union- Nov. 9, 1958 and Massachusetts Historical Commission- 797 Longmeadow Street written by Peter Santos. 

~Judy Moran

"Great New England Hurricane of 1938"

On This Day, September 21, 1938 a destructive and powerful storm pounded Southern New England.  This storm is now known as the "Great New England Hurricane of 1938".   Several days before it had rained and with this storm many areas of the Connecticut River Valley in Massachusetts had a total of 10- 17 inches of rainfall.  In the Springfield, MA area the Connecticut River rose 6- 10 feet above the flood stage.

The New York, New Haven and Hartford Co. railroad tracks in Longmeadow's meadows became flooded in the early morning hours of September 21st.   

Source:  Springfield Republican
Friday, Sep 23, 1938

 
Longmeadow, MA Town Officials reported that more than 200 large trees were destroyed as a result of this hurricane.  Large elm trees were uprooted on the tree belt on Longmeadow Street and also on private property.  The home of Mr. and Mrs. Coryden K. Litchard at 756 Longmeadow Street  suffered damage.  The former home of Arthur J. Skinner in the north end of town at 46 Longmeadow Street had the most damage.  A large tree fell against the northern ell of the house. 

756 Longmeadow Street (left)
Litchard Home
Source:  Longmeadow Historical Society

 Every day life was affected!  "Trolly" service was disrupted with trees across the "trolly" tracks and electric power was down.  In many areas sidewalks were no longer in good condition.  On the night of September 23rd the residents of Longmeadow continued to use candlelight, once again.

Sources:  Springfield Republican:  Sep 21, 1938; Sep 23, 1938 and The National Weather Service- Boston: "The Great New England Hurricane of 1938".        

On This Day- July 1, 1894

On This Day July 1, 1894 the Villages of West and East Longmeadow divided into two separate towns!  It was 127 years ago today.  On May 22, 1894 when it was reported that Massachusetts Gov. Frederic T. Greenhalge had signed the bill for the separation, there was celebration in the West Village.  

Source: Springfield Republican
May 23, 1894

 
~Judy Moran         

Martin Rocking Fifth Wheel Company- A New Early 20th Century Business in Longmeadow

On the corner of Longmeadow Street and Edgewood Avenue a stucco building was built in 1916.  It was advertised as containing four stores, a garage and a large hall that could seat 400 people.  It was built by Chaplin & Chaplin and the cost was about $35,000.  

[click image to enlarge]
Photo: Emerson Collection
Courtesy of Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society

A business that was located in this block from 1918- 1924 was the Martin Rocking Fifth Wheel Company.  Charles H. Martin was the president and treasurer.  Herman G. Farr was the secretary.  The business office was located at 21 Besse Place in Springfield, MA.  This business specialized in manufacturing Martin Rocking Fifth Wheels.  A Fifth Wheel is the name given to the specialized hitch that allows a trailer to attach to a motorized vehicle. It was a rounded shape, so it was called a Fifth Wheel (see figure 1 below).  The Martin Rocking Fifth Wheel rocked on hinges, so the trailer behind the vehicle was able to adjust to rocky and unpaved roads/ streets.  In the past horses had been pulling wagons with cargo to the destinations.  This mechanism made it easier for motorized vehicles to be used (see figure 2 below).

Figure 1: Martin Rocking Fifth Wheel Advertisement
[click image to enlarge]

 

Figure 2

Mr. Martin had moved to the Springfield, MA area at the turn of the 20th century to work in Springfield's automotive industry.  He designed a tractor for the Knox Company (in Springfield) when he was employed there.  After partnering with Herman Farr, another inventor who received a patent for this product, the Martin Rocking Fifth Wheel Company was formed.

This invention made shipping products from one location to another so much easier.  The term "fifth wheel" is still used today for the connecting mechanism that tractor trailers currently use!          

 Sources:  Springfield Republican- Jun 9, 1918, Apr 10, 1920, May 11, 1922 and May 18, 1922, 1918 Springfield, MA Directory, 1918 and 1920 Longmeadow, MA Directory.

~Written by Judy Moran/ Longmeadow Historian