George Fowler built the Hampden Glaze Paper and Card Company in 1880 between the Second Level Canal and the river. It has been in the family for all these many years – that is, five generations of Fowlers. George Fowler made his home in Springfield.
Sanborn map analysis:
Sanborn 1884 map – just off the map
Sanborn 1889 map – just off the map
Sanborn 1895 map – just off the map
The Norman Paper Mill was built between the Second Level Canal and the Connecticut River. It is from 1891. It is still there but no longer used for paper production.
This mill was one of many designed by the Tower Brothers.
Sanborn map analysis:
Sanborn 1915 map and all prior maps show nothing since all is empty
Sanborn 1949 map now part of Holyoke Water Power
Sanborn 1956 map now part of Holyoke Water Power
James Newton started the Franklin Mill in 1866 on the third canal. They made fine paper. It would soon thereafter pass into the ownership of James Ramage who lived at 233 Walnut Street.
Sanborn map analysis:
The Massasoit was a maker of extra fine paper and fine paper. One of the owners was an Edward C Rogers who lived in Springfield.
Sanborn map analysis
Sanborn 1949 map as the Holyoke Water Power Co
Sanborn 1956 map as the Holyoke Water Power Co
LINK to go to my Patreon pay per view video.
William Skinner started the Unquomonk Mill in Williamsburg. He came to Holyoke in 1874 after the Mill River flood of that year.
1884
1889
1895
1905
1956
1949
mill 3 – 1915
How Silk is Made (external Youtube link – not my video)
Sanborn map analysis:
Sanborn 1949 map – map B – map C
Sanborn 1956 map – map B – map C
also called the Robertson and Black Mill
The Holyoke Manila Mill is from 1875. The Robertson brothers were the owners. It was at the juncture between the second and third canal. Their main product was manila folders.
Sanborn 1884 map – NOT
Sanborn 1889 map – does not extend to that area
Sanborn 1895 map – NOT there
Henry Seymour (FINDAGRAVE) started Seymour Cutlery in 1878. Their main product was scissors. Notice that their salesroom is in New York City. The company had his brother Robert (FINDAGRAVE) as helper. (At that location in the early 1870s was Warner File.)
Japanned and japanning means that the handle is with black lacquer.
Sanborn map analysis:
Sanborn 1915 map it is gone and Farr Alpaca is in the area
David Butterfield started the Valley Paper Mill in 1866. They made fine paper.
Sanborn map analysis
see Link for the Sanborn maps and the story
The Merrick started the Merrick Lumber Mill near the first train station. It started in 1881 and grew rapidly. They owned their own forest in Maine. The family members that ran it were:
A Judson Merrick (home at 314 Maple) death 19 October 1923 in Holyoke
John Merrick (home at 148 South) death at 10 June 1920
Joseph S Merrick (home at 225 Walnut) death at 9 January 1908
The Holyoke Machine Company was a maker of turbines. They had their origin in 1863.
