My Uncle used to own a funeral home a few blocks from the river on Cabot St. Family run from the late 1800's until he sold the business in the 1980's. It was in a big, beautiful Victorian house. Unfortunately I see on goole maps it's been torn down.
Loved it. Didn't you say you were coming to LA at some point? If so - my neighborhood of West LA has some interesting historical features, and some vibrancy of community, and good drinking spots.
I grew up south of Springfield, Holyoke was a destination because, way back then, the bars never checked ID! They used to have a great family owned newspaper that closed once the majority of the population could not read english. That entire area of Massachusetts that was home to migrants from eastern europe has changed in the past 65 years since I roamed the area.
As usual, good piece with great pics even though it was stone ass cold!
Here’s a couple more for the suggestion box from out west. First of all, it would be interesting to see your take on the small towns of the plains states- my old neck of the woods. The whole region probably had more people in it a lifetime ago than it does now, and thrived on agri work that’s now much more automated and machine-bound. One long-gone element was passenger rail service, a nice thing to have in a place where people are spread out and grouped like tiny islands in a vast ‘sea of grass.’ Another locale worth exploring would be suburban So. Cali. The archaeology of recent decades is on display here for those who can see beyond the ephemera of our present moment. But that ephemera continues to efface the traces of days past; the last orange grove in town just got scraped away by a big development. Hurry before it’s too late. (And btw, it will most likely be above freezing - bring your shorts).
Thanks for these. And the apt descriptions! I enjoyed remembering the buildings you photographed. As I understand it, Holyoke has the largest Puerto Rican population outside of Puerto Rico.
Im pretty much a Free Market/Small Federal Government/Conservative .But ive long thought that in many cases, local City and County Governments should take over abandoned factories and mills, and try to help local residents start individualy owned companies or even employee owned co-operatives.
Most of the companies that moved production overseas were making a profit while manufacturing in America.They just wanted to make even more of a profit by outsourcing the work overseas. I have to wonder if residents could start small scale workshops in these abandoned buildings with some help from local governments?
Hi Chris - long time fan. You should check out Pittsfield, MA too. My hometown. Gregory Crewdson has so masterfully captured the haunting nature of growing up in a dying mill town. My dad worked for GE and then the plant shut down. It was a visceral experience for me and I feel it to this day. I made it out alive and then some - but feel it in my bones. If you do go - check out Teo's Hot Dogs - best on the planet with lots of real people feeding their families on mini hot dogs.
There has been incredible transformation in North Adams, thanks to MassMOCA taking over the old Sprague Electric factory buildings. The town along with the surrounding towns attract artists and small business. It's not perfect, by any stretch. But it's a glimmer of hope. I personally would love to see more diversification in towns like North Adams. Economically as well as by class, race, ethnicity, etc.
Thanks for the photo essay of Holyoke, Chris. I see opportunity for revival in all these small towns. Maybe the "Great Reset" will spur independent minded individuals to strike out away from the big urban centers to gather in small towns and build lives in a community of like minded people.
So interesting about Utica. I need to reflect on that. Also, Lisa yes. MassMoca is a bright light but the surrounding area is still very poor. The question behind projects like MassMoca is can they really be sticky enough that people will visit and stay in town for a weekend (rather than a day trip) so that they will spend money and contribute to the local economy. Joe Thompson - the former director - did a masterful job of having live music festivals to draw people into the community. It's still a work in progress.
My Uncle used to own a funeral home a few blocks from the river on Cabot St. Family run from the late 1800's until he sold the business in the 1980's. It was in a big, beautiful Victorian house. Unfortunately I see on goole maps it's been torn down.
Loved it. Didn't you say you were coming to LA at some point? If so - my neighborhood of West LA has some interesting historical features, and some vibrancy of community, and good drinking spots.
Really like the way you profile cities. The photos are great!👍👍
I grew up south of Springfield, Holyoke was a destination because, way back then, the bars never checked ID! They used to have a great family owned newspaper that closed once the majority of the population could not read english. That entire area of Massachusetts that was home to migrants from eastern europe has changed in the past 65 years since I roamed the area.
As usual, good piece with great pics even though it was stone ass cold!
Here’s a couple more for the suggestion box from out west. First of all, it would be interesting to see your take on the small towns of the plains states- my old neck of the woods. The whole region probably had more people in it a lifetime ago than it does now, and thrived on agri work that’s now much more automated and machine-bound. One long-gone element was passenger rail service, a nice thing to have in a place where people are spread out and grouped like tiny islands in a vast ‘sea of grass.’ Another locale worth exploring would be suburban So. Cali. The archaeology of recent decades is on display here for those who can see beyond the ephemera of our present moment. But that ephemera continues to efface the traces of days past; the last orange grove in town just got scraped away by a big development. Hurry before it’s too late. (And btw, it will most likely be above freezing - bring your shorts).
Thanks for these. And the apt descriptions! I enjoyed remembering the buildings you photographed. As I understand it, Holyoke has the largest Puerto Rican population outside of Puerto Rico.
I wonder who owns the old mills and factories?
Im pretty much a Free Market/Small Federal Government/Conservative .But ive long thought that in many cases, local City and County Governments should take over abandoned factories and mills, and try to help local residents start individualy owned companies or even employee owned co-operatives.
Most of the companies that moved production overseas were making a profit while manufacturing in America.They just wanted to make even more of a profit by outsourcing the work overseas. I have to wonder if residents could start small scale workshops in these abandoned buildings with some help from local governments?
I don't know what the housing situation is here but I saw that big old industrial building condemned and thought why not turn into low-income housing?
Good question. I do think the city has taken over a few, and many they are trying to pivot to "light industry/office space"
Holyoke has made a move towards tax cuts for Cannabis industry. Not sure if that is really the best move. But I understand why they would try it
Great photos! Thanks for taking and posting them
Hi Chris - long time fan. You should check out Pittsfield, MA too. My hometown. Gregory Crewdson has so masterfully captured the haunting nature of growing up in a dying mill town. My dad worked for GE and then the plant shut down. It was a visceral experience for me and I feel it to this day. I made it out alive and then some - but feel it in my bones. If you do go - check out Teo's Hot Dogs - best on the planet with lots of real people feeding their families on mini hot dogs.
Thanks so much. I will put it on my list.
For me, no town in US feels more abandoned than Utica. GE also shut up their plant and town never recovered.
And also go north - to North Adams, MA
There has been incredible transformation in North Adams, thanks to MassMOCA taking over the old Sprague Electric factory buildings. The town along with the surrounding towns attract artists and small business. It's not perfect, by any stretch. But it's a glimmer of hope. I personally would love to see more diversification in towns like North Adams. Economically as well as by class, race, ethnicity, etc.
Thanks for the photo essay of Holyoke, Chris. I see opportunity for revival in all these small towns. Maybe the "Great Reset" will spur independent minded individuals to strike out away from the big urban centers to gather in small towns and build lives in a community of like minded people.
So interesting about Utica. I need to reflect on that. Also, Lisa yes. MassMoca is a bright light but the surrounding area is still very poor. The question behind projects like MassMoca is can they really be sticky enough that people will visit and stay in town for a weekend (rather than a day trip) so that they will spend money and contribute to the local economy. Joe Thompson - the former director - did a masterful job of having live music festivals to draw people into the community. It's still a work in progress.
My hometown... ❤️
Mine too!
Re Holyoke: sounds interesting but … are your pictures purposely devoid of people or is this the time of day/week or …
Little of both. Most where taken when it was 10 degrees!
10? Ok, you’ve earned your stripes! Thanks again.
Where I live, humans strip off to their bikinis when it's 10 degrees outside.