City of Holyoke

Historic Preservation Plan Update CITY OF HOLYOKE March 2016 The City of Holyoke was awarded a Survey and Planning Grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission to complete this update of the 1991 Preservation Plan. Matching funds for the project were provided by the Holyoke Office for Community Development through the Community Development Block Grant program. The Office of Planning and Economic Development and the Office of Community Development were jointly responsible for overseeing this project. The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission was retained to complete the report. Specific project objectives include: 1. An assessment of Center City Holyoke’s historical and cultural resources (including buildings, structures, objects, areas, landscapes, burial grounds, and sites), including their current level of identification and general state of preservation; 2. Identification of issues and opportunities pertinent to preservation of Holyoke Center City’s historic and cultural resources; 3. An assessment of the status of historic preservation in the City, including existing preservation mechanisms, and the present integration of historic preservation activities into the City’s broader planning, environmental, social, economic, and sustainability goals and procedures, with special focus on the Center City area; 4. Identification of historic preservation proprieties and the development of an action plan to ensure implementation of priority historic preservation goals; 5. Identification of ways to further integrate current historic preservation activities with broader planning, environmental, social, economic, and sustainability goals and procedures for the Center City area; 6. Encouragement of activities that identify, document, preserve, and promote historic and cultural resource associated with diverse minority, ethnic, society and cultural groups who have played a role in the history of Holyoke and Massachusetts; and 7. Encouragement of communication and cooperation between existing groups engaged in historic preservation activities. SUB-AREA RECOMMENDATIONS The 1991 Preservation Plan identified three sub-areas in the Center City area: Churchill, a residential neighborhood between Essex and Franklin streets, and Beech and Maple streets; Downtown from Linden to Front streets, and Essex to Lyman streets; and the Flats/South Holyoke area between the canals, 391, and the Connecticut River. No map detailing these areas was included in the plan. When mapped from descriptions, as below, it is clear that there were streets, including south of Churchill and east of downtown, not included in any particular neighborhood. Downtown Churchill South Holyoke/The Flats Under the City of Holyoke’s neighborhood definitions, South Holyoke and the Flats are divided along Crescent Street; Churchill extends from the Route 391 ramps to Cabot Street, and from Beech to Race; and Downtown is bounded roughly by Linden Street and Race Street, and Cabot to the River (see map to right).1 These sub–areas are also roughly consistent the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce boundaries, the Holyoke census tracts, and the 2009 Center City Vision Plan’s neighborhood boundaries. Based upon discussions with the Planning Department, the Historical Commission, and residents, the Center City target area for this project will be defined as Route City of Holyoke Neighborhoods 391/Resnic Boulevard to the west, Beech Street to the north, and the Connecticut River to the east and south. For the purposes of this Plan, within this target area, there will be three sub-areas: the Churchill neighborhood, the Downtown neighborhood, and the South Holyoke/Flats neighborhoods (see map on the next page). Center City Vision Plan Neighborhoods 1 City of Holyoke. Neighborhoods Map. Available at holyoke.org/ordinances-maps. Downtown Churchill South Holyoke/The Flats NATIONAL REGISTER LISTED AND ELIGIBLE RESOURCES Properties listed on or determined eligible for listing on the National Register in Holyoke are: Name Address Listing Date (# of properties) NR DIS 1986 (1) Ball Block 225 High Street PR 2002 (1) NR DOE 1976 (1) Caledonia Building 185-193 High Street NR IND 1979 (1) NR DIS 1986 (1) Friedrich Block 449-461 Main Street NR IND 2002 (1) Hadley Falls Company Center, North Canal, Grover, Lyman NR DIS 1972 (5) Housing District Streets Between Front and South Streets and the Holyoke Canal System NR DIS 1980 (4) Connecticut River Hampden Park Historic Roughly bounded by Hampden, NR DIS 2012 (22) District Chestnut, Maple, and Dwight Streets NR IND 1975 (1) Holyoke City Hall 536 Dwight Street NR DIS 1992 (1) Holyoke Fire Station #2 452 Main Street NR DOE 1980 (1) Maplewood Hotel 328-330 Maple Street NR IND 1983 (1) North High Street Historic High Street, between Dwight and Lyman NR DIS 1986 (39) District Streets North High Street 2008 580 Dwight Street, 230-236 Maple Street NR DIS 2008(3) Boundary Increase North High Street 233-411 High Street NR DIS 1992 (48) Boundary Increase Prospect Park Maple Street at the Connecticut River NR IND 2002 (11) Clovis Robert Block 338-348 Main Street NR IND 2002 (1) US Post Office – Holyoke 650 Dwight Street NR IND 1986 (1) Main Branch NR IND 1973 (4) Wisteriahurst 238 Cabot Street PR 1997 (4) Cleary Building 190-196 High Street NR DOE 1976 Steamer Company Number Three was determined eligible for the National Register in 1976, but it has been demolished. Holyoke Fire Station #2 (452 Main Street) was determined eligible for the National Register in 1980. At that time, MHC’s opinion was that “the station is one of the oldest in Holyoke and remains in nearly original condition. It was also the central fire station, and the direct result of an ordinance for establishing a fire district. It is also an imposing brick and brownstone structure, containing elements of both classical and medieval design.”2 In 2016, the building appears to still retain its integrity with the exception of some replacement windows. It is 2 Inventory Form HLY.55, 1984. likely still eligible for the National Register but an updated inventory form would have to be completed. PREVIOUS MHC OPINIONS ON ELIGIBLITY MHC has written opinion statements on the National Register eligibility of other properties in the Center City target area. Halls’ Dairy (172 Sargeant Street, HLY.461) “was built in 1920 in the Colonial Revival style. The two story seven bay brick building was one of the few commercial buildings in the Oakdale area of Holyoke. The building was originally constructed the HP Hood and Sons Creamery. Harvey P. Hood founded the company in 1846 in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Throughout the 1920s- 1940s, the budding housed a variety of creameries, confectioners and dairy production. The original smokestack chimney remains and there is also a small wooden addition to the rear of the building. The building now houses an Italian Restaurant and it has experienced some renovation, mainly window replacement and fenestration brick-infill. Staff have determined that 172 Sargeant Street is individually eligible for listing in the National Register and meets Criteria A and C for its associations with the development of Holyoke's commercial history and as an example of Colonial Revival architecture.” In 2016, the building appears to have retained its integrity. Although just outside the target area for this project, it should be re- examined for its National Register eligibility. The same inventory form and opinion statement indicated that the Oakdale neighborhood was also a potential National Register district, stating that the “potential district consists primarily of residential and commercial buildings constructed between 1870 and 1930. It is uncertain if 172 Sargeant Street could be incorporated into this district. In addition, 172 Sargeant Street is located amidst a series of commercial/residential buildings: a 1925 apartment building as well as some remaining un-inventoried structures. With more information, there may be a smaller commercial district here. ”3 Oakdale is outside the target area for this project, but should be re-examined for its National Register eligibility. 3 Inventory Form HLY.461, 2000. Perkins Block, 68 Main St/335-339 Dwight St, HLY.297 Eligible, also in a district, per A&C (reviewed 2001) The Perkins Block (aka Hotel Jess) is “a visually striking, highly ornamented Italianate commercial block that anchors the corner of Main and Dwight Sts. Once and extremely vital neighborhood composed of commercial and industrial buildings, canal activity, and a rail line in an area once known as Depot Square, this building has retained a high degree of integrity while many of its neighbors have been demolished or fallen prey over time to unsympathetic alterations. Despite changes in use and fire damage, many interior and exterior architectural details survive. This building is individually eligible for the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria A and C at the local level. While the full history of the building is not yet known, it needs to be fully fleshed out in any nomination. The surrounding area, once a bustling commercial district, is now only a remnant of its former self. Despite heavy losses and alterations, it appears that there may indeed be a small commercial district that runs north down the east side of Main St (HLY.291-300).” In 2016, this property has retained its integrity and is likely still eligible for the National Register. Lyman Mill, 72 Front St, HLY.69 Eligible only in a district, per A&C, more information needed (reviewed 1986) Lyman Mill

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