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flag  History of Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Journey back in time to Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Visit Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and genealogy.

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Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Holyoke, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA

Holyoke was named for Rev. Edward Holyoke, an early president of Harvard college.
How New England Towns Received Their Names
The Day
New London, Connecticut
October 21, 1914

In 1895, William G. Morgan, of Holyoke, created a game called "Mintonette." The game is now called "Volleyball."

Holyoke includes: Money Hole Hill, Oakdale, Riverside Station, Rock Valley, Smith's Ferry, Springdale, Wykoff Park, Brightside, Churchill, Depot Hill, Elmwood, Ewingville, The Flats, Goodyear Park, Hasting's Heights, Highland Park, Ingalside, Ireland Parish, and Maple Terrace.


netronline.com/mass_lookup.htm

There is MUCH more to discover about Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA. Read on!
  • 1745 - Holyoke is settled

    Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

  • 1850 - Holyoke is incorporated

    Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    Hotel Hamilton. Holyoke, Mass.

    "...built around 1850 as a hotel called the Holyoke House. Located on Dwight Street, between Main and Race streets, it was later known as the Hotel Hamilton and was extensively remodeled and expanded around 1890. The building was purchased in 1911 by Joel Russell and then housed the J. Russell Hardware Company. The hotel closed in 1943..." mass.historicbuildings.com
    Postcard
  • 1854 - Holyoke
    Holyoke, a post-village of Hampden county, Massachusetts, on the right bank of the Connecticut river, and on the Connecticut River railroad, 8 miles N. from Springfield, and 106 miles by railroad W. by S. from Boston. The Hadley Falls Company, chartered in April, 1848, with a capital of $4,000,000. ...Read MORE...


  • News 1860 - A Noble Pair of Horses
    Mr. Russell Wood, of Holyoke, Massachusetts, had a very narrow and miraculous escape from death last Tuesday. While coming down a mountain with a load of wood, he fell off, and was so paralyzed as to be unable to move, and was obliged to remain under the wagon wheels from three o'clock in the...Read MORE...


  • 1873 - Holyoke is incorporated as a city

    Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

  • News 1874 - Dye-House Fire
    The dye-house of D. Macintosh, at Holyoke, Massachusetts, was burned on Friday night. Loss $5,000.
    The Emporia Weekly News
    Emporia, Kansas
    February 13, 1874

  • News 1875 - Another Summer Resort Burned.
    SPRINGFIELD, Mass., July 25.- 'Ingleside,' a well known summer resort, about three miles southwest of Holyoke, was completely destroyed by fire this evening. It was built by J. S. Davis, a few years ago, at a cost of $156,000. It has not been open for guests this season.
    The Philadelphia Inquirer
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    July 26, 1875

  • News 1875 - Burning of French Catholic Church
    The sad disaster caused by the burning of the French Catholic church at Holyoke, Massachusetts, still causes great gloom in that part of the country. The deaths number about 80. A considerable number of the victims were French Canadians, and their charred and mangled corpses have been sent to their ...Read MORE...


  • News 1877 - President Hayes Endorsed
    President Hayes was endorsed at Holyoke, Massachusetts, on Thursday evening, by an immense assembly of citizens, and in the exercises leading republicans equally shared. The soul of the great pacificator goes marching on. - Pittsburh Telegraph, rep.
    The Atlanta Constitution
    Atlanta, Georgia
    October 24, 1877

  • News 1882 - Fell Under Wagon
    V. V. Goddard, a brick mason, of Holyoke, Massachusetts, was instantly crushed to death yesterday morning, at South Hadley Falls, by falling under the wheels of a loaded brick wagon.

    Thomas Flattery and two other young men, whose names are unknown, were drowned in the river at Holyoke,...Read MORE...


  • News 1888 - A portion of the Holyoke (Mass.) Envelope Company;s mill was burned on the 22d. Loss, $325,000.

    St Joseph Herald
    Saint Joseph, Michigan
    January 28, 1888

  • Holyoke Massachusetts, 1890
    HOLYOKE is a modern, enterprising and growing city, situated on the west side of the Connecticut River, and midway of the north side of Hampden County, 106 miles west of Boston. It is bounded on the north by Easthampton and the Mount Tom district, east by South Hadley and Chicopee, south by West...Read MORE...


  • News 1895 - February 9 – Mintonette, later known as volleyball, is created by William G. Morgan at Holyoke, Massachusetts.

    wikipedia.org
    February 9, 1895

  • 1895 - Holyoke
    Holyoke, a city of Hampden co., Mass., on the W bank of the Connecticut River, 8 miles N. of Springfield and 9 miles S. of Northampton. It is on the Connecticut River Railroad, and is a terminus of the Holyoke Branch of the New Haven & Northampton Railroad. A dam 1019 feet long has been built...Read MORE...


  • News 1900 - FIRE DESTROYS THE SUMMIT HOUSE ATOP MOUNT TOM.
    Holyoke, Mass., Oct. 18 - The Summit House on the peak of Mount Tom, near Holyoke, Mass., was totally destroyed by a blaze that could be seen for many miles throughout the valley.

    The loss was placed at $60,000, and was fully covered by insurance.
    The News-Democrat
    Uhrichsville, Ohio
    October 18, 1900

  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    City Hall, Holyoke, Mass.
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    Second Level Canal, Holyoke, Mass.
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    High Street, Holyoke, Mass.
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    Summit House, Mount Tom, Holyoke, Mass.

    "...The Mount Tom Hotel was constructed on the summit of Mount Tom in 1897, but it burned down three years later. Subsequently rebuilt, it burned again in 1929 and was never rebuilt..." wikipedia
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    Looking Up Dwight Street From Main Street. Holyoke, Mass.
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    Holyoke, Mass. YMCA.
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    3rd Lower Canal
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    First Level Canal
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    Public Library, 1905

    In 1870 along with John and Edwin Chase, William Whiting incorporated the Holyoke Public Library, serving as its first president. wikipedia
    Postcard
  • News 1907 - MANY FINGERS CUT OFF. Two Accidents at Holyoke in Which These Valuable Members Were Lost.
    Yesterday was a bad day for Holyoke fingers. Nine were lopped off, as reported last evening, with outlying districts to be heard from. Fred Joyall, a lad of 15, who has been employed at the Norman division of the American writing paper company, got both hands caught in the calendar so that all...Read MORE...


  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    View from Summit House of Mt. Tom showing upper station of Mt. Tom R.R.
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    Trolley Road to Mountain Park, 1909
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    Second Congregational Church, 1910
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    Holyoke Canoe Club, Smith's Ferry
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    Mt. Tom Railroad
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    Casino, Seating Capacity of 3000, Mountain Park
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    Restaurant, Mountain Park
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    Interior Nonotuck Hotel, 1910
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    Holyoke City Hospital
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    Mt. Tom Golf Club, 1911
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    Kenilworth Castle

    Kenilworth 'Castle,' built in 1894-1895 by Edward C. Taft, founder of the Albion Paper Company of Holyoke, originally as a summer residence. It was reported to have been outfitted luxuriously with materials, furniture, and paintings from around the world. The building was located on a large tract of land near the Smith's Ferry section of Northampton. An annexation agreement in 1909 made this area part of Holyoke. The home was demolished in 1959. digitalcommonwealth.org
    Postcard
  • 1916
    Holyoke, a city of Hampden oo., Mass., on the W. bank of the Connecticut River, 8 miles N. of Springfield, on the Boston and Maine and the New York, New Haven and Hartford Rs. A dam 1019 feet long has been built across the river, which falls 60 feet in the course of a mile and affords immense...Read MORE...


  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    High School
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    B. & M. R.R. Station
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    Presbyterian Church and Masonic Temple
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    Post Office
    Postcard
  • Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
    Tower at Scott Park, Anniversary Hill
    Postcard


Old Photos, Pictures, Advertisements and Postcards from Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA


Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Hotel Hamilton. Holyoke, Mass.

"...built around 1850 as a hotel called the Holyoke House. Located on Dwight Street, between Main and Race streets, it was later known as the Hotel Hamilton and was extensively remodeled and expanded around 1890. The building was purchased in 1911 by Joel Russell and then housed the J. Russell Hardware Company. The hotel closed in 1943..." mass.historicbuildings.com

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
City Hall, Holyoke, Mass.

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Second Level Canal, Holyoke, Mass.

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
High Street, Holyoke, Mass.

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Summit House, Mount Tom, Holyoke, Mass.

"...The Mount Tom Hotel was constructed on the summit of Mount Tom in 1897, but it burned down three years later. Subsequently rebuilt, it burned again in 1929 and was never rebuilt..." wikipedia

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Looking Up Dwight Street From Main Street. Holyoke, Mass.

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Holyoke, Mass. YMCA.

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
3rd Lower Canal

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
First Level Canal

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Public Library, 1905

In 1870 along with John and Edwin Chase, William Whiting incorporated the Holyoke Public Library, serving as its first president. wikipedia
Read more about William WHITING photo of ancestor

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
View from Summit House of Mt. Tom showing upper station of Mt. Tom R.R.

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Trolley Road to Mountain Park, 1909

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Second Congregational Church, 1910

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Holyoke Canoe Club, Smith's Ferry

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Mt. Tom Railroad

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Casino, Seating Capacity of 3000, Mountain Park

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Restaurant, Mountain Park

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Interior Nonotuck Hotel, 1910

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Holyoke City Hospital

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Mt. Tom Golf Club, 1911

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Kenilworth Castle

Kenilworth 'Castle,' built in 1894-1895 by Edward C. Taft, founder of the Albion Paper Company of Holyoke, originally as a summer residence. It was reported to have been outfitted luxuriously with materials, furniture, and paintings from around the world. The building was located on a large tract of land near the Smith's Ferry section of Northampton. An annexation agreement in 1909 made this area part of Holyoke. The home was demolished in 1959. digitalcommonwealth.org
Read more about Edward Calvin TAFT

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
High School

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
B. & M. R.R. Station

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Presbyterian Church and Masonic Temple

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Post Office

Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Postcard
Pinterest
Tower at Scott Park, Anniversary Hill

History, News and Stories of Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Add informationAdd History/News/Story
  • 1745 - Holyoke is settled

    Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
  • 1850 - Holyoke is incorporated

    Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
  • 1854 - Holyoke
    Holyoke, a post-village of Hampden county, Massachusetts, on the right bank of the Connecticut river, and on the Connecticut River railroad, 8 miles N. from Springfield, and 106 miles by railroad W. by S. from Boston. The Hadley Falls Company, chartered in April, 1848, with a capital of $4,000,000. ... Read MORE...

  • News  1860 - A Noble Pair of Horses
    Mr. Russell Wood, of Holyoke, Massachusetts, had a very narrow and miraculous escape from death last Tuesday. While coming down a mountain with a load of wood, he fell off, and was so paralyzed as to be unable to move, and was obliged to remain under the wagon wheels from three o'clock in the... Read MORE...

  • 1873 - Holyoke is incorporated as a city

    Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
  • News  1874 - Dye-House Fire
    The dye-house of D. Macintosh, at Holyoke, Massachusetts, was burned on Friday night. Loss $5,000.
    The Emporia Weekly News
    Emporia, Kansas
    February 13, 1874
  • News  1875 - Burning of French Catholic Church
    The sad disaster caused by the burning of the French Catholic church at Holyoke, Massachusetts, still causes great gloom in that part of the country. The deaths number about 80. A considerable number of the victims were French Canadians, and their charred and mangled corpses have been sent to their ... Read MORE...

  • News  1875 - Another Summer Resort Burned.
    SPRINGFIELD, Mass., July 25.- 'Ingleside,' a well known summer resort, about three miles southwest of Holyoke, was completely destroyed by fire this evening. It was built by J. S. Davis, a few years ago, at a cost of $156,000. It has not been open for guests this season.
    The Philadelphia Inquirer
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    July 26, 1875
  • News  1877 - President Hayes Endorsed
    President Hayes was endorsed at Holyoke, Massachusetts, on Thursday evening, by an immense assembly of citizens, and in the exercises leading republicans equally shared. The soul of the great pacificator goes marching on. - Pittsburh Telegraph, rep.
    The Atlanta Constitution
    Atlanta, Georgia
    October 24, 1877

    Read more about Rutherford Birchard HAYES photo of ancestor
  • News  1882 - Fell Under Wagon
    V. V. Goddard, a brick mason, of Holyoke, Massachusetts, was instantly crushed to death yesterday morning, at South Hadley Falls, by falling under the wheels of a loaded brick wagon.

    Thomas Flattery and two other young men, whose names are unknown, were drowned in the river at Holyoke,... Read MORE...

  • News  1888 - A portion of the Holyoke (Mass.) Envelope Company;s mill was burned on the 22d. Loss, $325,000.

    St Joseph Herald
    Saint Joseph, Michigan
    January 28, 1888
  • Holyoke Massachusetts, 1890
    HOLYOKE is a modern, enterprising and growing city, situated on the west side of the Connecticut River, and midway of the north side of Hampden County, 106 miles west of Boston. It is bounded on the north by Easthampton and the Mount Tom district, east by South Hadley and Chicopee, south by West... Read MORE...

  • 1895 - Holyoke
    Holyoke, a city of Hampden co., Mass., on the W bank of the Connecticut River, 8 miles N. of Springfield and 9 miles S. of Northampton. It is on the Connecticut River Railroad, and is a terminus of the Holyoke Branch of the New Haven & Northampton Railroad. A dam 1019 feet long has been built... Read MORE...

  • News  1895 - February 9 – Mintonette, later known as volleyball, is created by William G. Morgan at Holyoke, Massachusetts.

    wikipedia.org
    February 9, 1895

    Read more about William George MORGAN photo of ancestor
  • News  1900 - FIRE DESTROYS THE SUMMIT HOUSE ATOP MOUNT TOM.
    Holyoke, Mass., Oct. 18 - The Summit House on the peak of Mount Tom, near Holyoke, Mass., was totally destroyed by a blaze that could be seen for many miles throughout the valley.

    The loss was placed at $60,000, and was fully covered by insurance.
    The News-Democrat
    Uhrichsville, Ohio
    October 18, 1900
  • News  1907 - MANY FINGERS CUT OFF. Two Accidents at Holyoke in Which These Valuable Members Were Lost.
    Yesterday was a bad day for Holyoke fingers. Nine were lopped off, as reported last evening, with outlying districts to be heard from. Fred Joyall, a lad of 15, who has been employed at the Norman division of the American writing paper company, got both hands caught in the calendar so that all... Read MORE...

  • 1916
    Holyoke, a city of Hampden oo., Mass., on the W. bank of the Connecticut River, 8 miles N. of Springfield, on the Boston and Maine and the New York, New Haven and Hartford Rs. A dam 1019 feet long has been built across the river, which falls 60 feet in the course of a mile and affords immense... Read MORE...



Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA Genealogy

Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were born or died in Holyoke.

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Ancestors Who Were Married in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

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Ancestors buried in Holyoke - Cemeteries in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Forestdale Cemetery

Genealogy Resources for Holyoke

Holyoke, Massachusetts Directories, 1888-90, 1892

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