West Springfield: Our Story

West Springfield: Our Story Learn the story of West Springfield, Massachusetts.

On March 18, 1945, a gas explosion destroyed American Legion Post 207, which stood at 83 Park Avenue. Initially, a fire ...
08/23/2026

On March 18, 1945, a gas explosion destroyed American Legion Post 207, which stood at 83 Park Avenue. Initially, a fire caused a general alarm to go off, and was discovered at 1:20 a.m. by Officer James Bresnahan of the West Springfield Police Department. Minutes later, Sergeant Roy Dibble arrived on scene and both made attempts to enter the building. In the back, they discovered Ruby Sullivan, wife of the building’s caretaker, Patrick, who was still in the building. Both officers were able to rescue Patrick by climbing a ladder and getting him out of the building. Ruby also climbed down the ladder, after being slightly injured during the fire.

A fire apparatus reached the building just as the explosion occurred, blowing out the front and rear of it. Governor’s Councilor James Buckley, who was rushing to the scene when the building exploded, was cut by flying glass and suffered multiple lacerations. The worst laceration was a severed artery to the calf of his right leg. James was eventually brought to Mercy Hospital. The post’s records were saved from the fire, having been stored in a safe, but their building was declared a total loss.

Lieutenant Joseph Gahm of the Massachusetts state fire marshal's staff later determined the cause of the explosion. A gas meter had originally burned from its meter connections, releasing illuminating gas. This, combined with distilled wood gas, caused by the burning building, created the explosion.

A new building for The 207 was dedicated on June 23, 1946, and still stands on Park Avenue, where the previous one once stood. The old building was originally the Joseph Merrick House, which was built in the 1870s. Merrick’s house was purchased by the post in 1935.

This 1938 postcard, which comes from the West Springfield Historical Commission’s archives, features the old American Legion Post 207, prior to the explosion. It was colorized by MyHeritage.

August 19, 1909On this day, 117 years ago, Wilfrid “Billy” Bourque was killed in a race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, ...
08/19/2026

August 19, 1909

On this day, 117 years ago, Wilfrid “Billy” Bourque was killed in a race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the track's first fatality. Also killed was his mechanician, Harry Holcomb of Granville. The incident occurred on lap 58 of the Prest-O-Lite Trophy race, which was a 100 lap, 250-mile event. Bourque, who worked and raced for Springfield’s Knox Automobile Company, was driving their No. 3 car. Earlier in the day, he won the third preliminary event, a two-lap, five-mile race, using the same car. Following the tragic accident, Bourque was buried in Springfield’s Saint Michaels Cemetery. He was only 30 years old and planned on getting married the next month.

Bourque was born in Canada on March 30, 1879. In 1887, he and his family moved to West Springfield, living at 97 Bridge Street. In town, Bourque would speed around the streets, reaching upwards of 40 to 50 mph. In 1904, he began working for the Knox Automobile Company in Springfield. Bourque’s racing success with the company would start with hill climbs and other racing events. In 1908, he amassed a total of 15 wins and developed a reputation for being one of the most talented drivers during his time.

Click the link and read the blog to learn more about the crash, as well as Bourque and Holcomb. The two photos featured below come courtesy of the John Y. Hess Collection.

https://knoxracing.blogspot.com/p/1909-indy-crash.html

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/37601274/wilfrid_a-bourque (Bourque’s memorial on Find A Grave)

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xQayEZFA4Ns (Wilfrid Bourque - Indianapolis Motor Speedway's First Fatality - West Springfield: Our Story)

A personal project that had been in the works for over a year was the organizing of the West Springfield Historical Comm...
08/17/2026

A personal project that had been in the works for over a year was the organizing of the West Springfield Historical Commission’s collection of Annual Town Reports. While the process involved providing better storage and protection for the reports, the main goal was to prepare them for digitization. The first step was purchasing manila folders and archival boxes for the reports. After, each one was stored in a folder that was then labeled with the corresponding year. The reports were then placed in chronological order, and stored in archival boxes, which were labeled as well.

Last Thursday, Joel DeMelo of the Boston Public Library picked up the reports, so as to get them digitized. This service by the library is free of charge. Once digitized, the reports will be made available online for everyone to read. They range in years from 1852 to 2015. A big thank you to the Boston Public Library for assisting with this personal project. Below is the 2015 Annual Town Report’s cover, featuring various photos of then mayor, Ed Sullivan.

https://www.bpl.org/digitization/

Located in White Church Cemetery is the Soldiers' Monument. It’s dedicated to Company I of the 10th Massachusetts Regime...
08/15/2026

Located in White Church Cemetery is the Soldiers' Monument. It’s dedicated to Company I of the 10th Massachusetts Regiment and the 27 members who died of wounds or disease during the Civil War. In April 1865, surviving members of the company began to solicit contributions from the residents of West Springfield and Holyoke to assist with raising funds for the monument. Their goal was to raise $1,000.

Within a month, members of the company raised $400 for the monument. On July 24, the West Springfield Cemetery Association held a meeting, and by a vote, granted “to Co. I of the 10th Regiment, Mass. a plot of land for a Soldier’s Monument, the selection & grading to be referred to the above named Committee.” The monument was erected in the cemetery by November.

The Soldiers’ Monument is a brownstone obelisk and stands at 20 feet in height. It’s the work of Crabtree & Short, and of their special artist, A. E. Willis. Each corner has crossed muskets and a shield. On the front, or west side, is the United States coat of arms, surmounted by the American eagle in full relief.

The other three sides bear the names of battles where the regiment was engaged, which are as follows: Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Glendale, Malvern Hill, First Fredericksburg, St. Mary's Heights, Salem Heights, Second Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. Included below are the 27 names on each side of the Soldiers’ Monument:

West side -

This monument is erected in memory of those members of Company I, 10th Massachusetts Regiment, who fell in the service of their country during the Great Rebellion.

South side -

Died of wounds received in action:

Lieutenant William Arthur Ashley, May 5, 1864
Sergeant Amos Pettis Jr., May 3, 1863
Sergeant Osmyn B. Paull, May 18, 1864
Sergeant John R. Walker, August 27, 1864
Corporal Hibbard K. Bean, May 31, 1862
Corporal James Baldwin, June 13, 1864
Private William H. Estes, May 31, 1862
Private Daniel D. Shea, May 31, 1862
Private Robert J. Stewart, May 31, 1862

East side -

Died of wounds received in action:

Private William H. Atkins, August 12, 1862
Private John Barry, May 3, 1863
Private Hubert J. Boyington, May 3, 1863
Private Anthony Cain, May 15, 1863
Private Charles E. Hovey, May 3, 1863
Private Simeon P. Smith, November 7, 1863
Private Joseph Ungerer, December 10, 1863
Private John E. Casey, May 5, 1864
Private Daniel Cronin, September 9, 1864

North side -

Died of disease:

Corporal Robert Best Jr., September 2, 1864
Private Jerry Sullivan, September 2, 1861
Private James W. Burr, September 10, 1861
Private John C. Squires, September 13, 1861
Private John Falvey, May 1, 1862
Private Cassander Frisbie, July 12, 1862
Private Charles S. Harris Jr., September 17, 1862
Private Otis H. Littlejohn, February 5, 1863
Private Abner D. Otis, September 16, 1863

https://archive.org/details/oursannals10th00volurich/page/565/mode/1up ("Ours": annals of 10th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers in the Rebellion)

In 1826, the “Old Brick Store” opened for business at the north corner of Elm and Westfield streets. The store was consi...
08/12/2026

In 1826, the “Old Brick Store” opened for business at the north corner of Elm and Westfield streets. The store was considered to be the first of its kind built in West Springfield, having been referred to as a “handsome and expensive store,” with white window frames. At one point, it served as a station for the old stage line between Springfield and Albany. Inside, the store sheltered an “iron box,” where its owners stored their money and rented space for residents to keep paper and money, a precursor of banking. This was considered West Springfield’s first iron safe, which was located behind the south wall (facing Westfield Street), under the second window from the right (closer to Elm Street). Adjacent to the safe, in the back half of the store, was a door where flour, meal and feed was provided to local farmers.

The store’s first proprietors were Joseph and Charles Ely, who operated under the firm of J. & C. Ely. They kept dry goods, jewelry and groceries in it. The February 1929 issue of The Little Chronicle also mentioned that the Elys “advertised to engage ‘stage and steamboat passages,’ also to give ‘those planning a visit to New York, letters of introduction to Samuel Fraunces’ ‘Queen’s Head’ Tavern,’ corner of Broad and Queen (now Pearl) Street.”

A few years later, a burglary occurred at their store. According to an article from the Springfield Republican, dated September 4, 1892, “about 1830 burglars entered the store by boring a hole through the side door and so raising the bar used in fastening it. Among the goods taken was a case of silver spectacles, which was afterward recovered, the thief while in prison telling where it was hidden.” Although the door had been repaired, it still showed how the burglars entered it decades later.

It would appear that by 1841, the store came under the ownership of Edward Southworth, who was appointed as the town’s postmaster that year. It's likely that West Springfield’s post office moved into the building by that time as well. In 1936, the West Springfield 300th Anniversary Committee further elaborated on the ownership, stating that "usually the proprietor of the store secured the appointment of postmaster, though occasionally it went to someone else who either rented space in the store, or had the space given him because of the trade it brought.” An article from the Springfield Republican, dated August 21, 1915, provides a brief chronological timeline of the store’s later ownership, although it appears that some names were overlooked and errors were made. The article mentions Dr. Stickney, who was appointed as the postmaster in 1849, and his successor, Lewis Leonard, who was also the store’s grocer.

It further elaborates that “Capt. Henry A. Phelon was probably the next man to take the store after Mr. Leonard sold out. His successor was Theodore Demond, who later gave way to George A. Sherman. Chauncey Pease and C.E. Terry bought the store from Mr. Sherman and the place was known for several years as the Pease & Terry store. The Royce brothers, A.F. and E.J. Royce, succeeded Pease & Terry, and they have had the store for the past few years. Since they have owned it, it has changed its purpose. The post-office was moved to the drug store across the road, and the old grocery store has been divided into three parts, a barber-shop, a tailoring establishment and a shoemaker's shop.”

More specifically, the post office was moved around 1895, to the south corner of Elm and Westfield streets, which was later referred to as the Darling Block. In 1881, the store underwent remodeling. But in September 1915, it was torn down. This was after the Royce brothers sold the store to Chaplin & Chaplin of Springfield. It was replaced by the Elm garage, which was torn down in 1939. Since then, the site has been used for gas stations, including Esso, Exxon, Texaco, Getty, Shell, and currently, Sparkys. Take a look at the “Old Brick Store” and how it appeared over the years.

August 9, 2022On this day, four years ago, demolition of the old Philip G. Coburn Elementary School began. The process t...
08/09/2026

August 9, 2022

On this day, four years ago, demolition of the old Philip G. Coburn Elementary School began. The process took over two weeks to complete. Coburn Elementary School, originally the West Springfield Junior High School, stood for nearly 100 years, having been completed in 1924 at a cost of about $300,000. An addition was built in 1929, costing nearly $240,000 to construct. On October 4, 1998, the old Junior High School was dedicated as an elementary school, after students from grades six to eight had transferred to the new West Springfield Middle School. It was also renamed in honor of Philip G. Coburn, the former owner and editor of the West Springfield Record.

Prior to Coburn's demolition, members of the West Springfield Historical Commission toured the school on June 25. During the tour, some items were saved and added to the historical commission's archives. Among the items saved was the school's high water mark plaque from the Great Flood of 1936. A note on the back indicated that the high water mark was 49 inches from the ground. Take a look at some photos from the tour, courtesy of Branden Bruso Photography, a member of the historical commission.

https://www.wwlp.com/video/demolition-underway-at-the-old-coburn-elementary-school-in-west-springfield/7903641/

August 4, 1996On this day, 30 years ago, the Hampden County Memorial Bridge was rededicated. The rededication ceremonies...
08/04/2026

August 4, 1996

On this day, 30 years ago, the Hampden County Memorial Bridge was rededicated. The rededication ceremonies drew local and state dignitaries, military personnel, retired veterans and hundreds of local residents. Major General Raymond A. Vezina of the Massachusetts National Guard served as the master of ceremonies. Starting at 11 a.m., the ceremonies opened with a color-guard procession.

West Springfield was represented throughout the event. First, Selectmen Chairman Martin C. Lyons provided remarks, expressing the bridge’s importance and significance in an article from the West Springfield Record, dated August 8, 1996. He also added that “as we gather today to commemorate this bridge in honor of those who have given their lives in service to our great country, let us not, like the bridge, take them for granted… for it is through their ultimate sacrifice that we are able to freely assemble this morning, and take part in these great festivities.” After, West Springfield Veterans’ Agent Derek A. Barlow assisted with the unveiling of plaques, honoring local veterans of World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and other conflicts.

Following the unveiling of the plaques, Trisha Dickson, a fourth grade student at John R. Fausey Elementary School, read a poem that focused on the bridge and the veterans it commemorated. Additional remarks were given by Representative Walter A. DeFilippi, who mentioned that his father and uncles poured the concrete for the bridge when it was built. The complete list of events that occurred during the rededication ceremonies can be read below, along with every member of the Memorial Bridge Rededication Committee, courtesy of the rededication’s program.

Other highlights from the weekend long celebration included the Knox Motor Car Club Antique Automobile Display, 25th annual West Springfield Arts Festival, West Springfield Boys’ and Girls’ Club Super Scoop, “Bridge Bash” Dance Party at Riverfront Park, Memorial Bridge Invitational Baseball Tournament, Springfield and West Springfield Recreation Departments Youth Art Enrichment Programs, Connecticut Valley Historical Museum Exhibit, Memorial Bridge Rededication Video, 1996 Memorial Medal and more.

The Hampden County Memorial Bridge began to show signs of wearing and neglect by the late 1980s. In 1988, Mayor Richard E. Neal of Springfield initiated plans and lobbied for money to repair it. Two years later, Kiewit Eastern Construction of Omaha was awarded the $10 million project, and work commenced in 1991. However, an excessive amount of deterioration was exposed while removing the base of the bridge, and the cost and timetable of construction needed to be expanded.

With the project later having to go out for bid again, it would now include replacing the bridge’s original arches and piers. Repair work was also put on halt for nearly a year and a half. But after new plans had been drafted for reconstructing the bridge, Daniel O’Connell’s Sons of Holyoke took control of the now $24 million project, and continued repair work in May 1993. They completed the project by November 1995, and even donated the plaques that were unveiled during the rededication ceremonies. Within the West Springfield Historical Commission’s archives are these photos of the Hampden County Memorial Bridge, when it was under repair and reconstruction.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Memorial Bridge Rededication Ceremony:

Procession

Military and Veteran Color Guards -
Posting of Colors, Ceremonial Unit, Massachusetts National Guard

National Anthem -
Chief Warrant Officer James M. Girard, Conductor 215th Army Band, Massachusetts Army National Guard

Invocation -
Commander (Chaplain) W. Donald Fournier, USN Retired

Greetings -
Master of Ceremonies Major General Raymond A. Vezina, Adjutant General Massachusetts National Guard

Remarks -
The Honorable Michael J. Albano, Mayor, City of Springfield
Chairman Martin C. Lyons, Board of Selectmen, Town of West Springfield

Memorial Plaque Unveiling -
Samuel D. Stilwell, 1996 Springfield Veteran of the Year
Derek A. Barlow, West Springfield Veterans’ Agent

Poem Reading -
Trisha Dickson, Grade 4, Fausey School, West Springfield
Carlos Vargas, Grade 2, Bowles School, Springfield

Remarks -
The Honorable Linda J. Melconian, Senator Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden District
Representative Walter A. DeFilippi Commonwealth of Massachusetts 6th Hampden District

Remarks -
The Honorable Richard E. Neal, United States Congress 2nd Congressional District

Remarks -
The Honorable Argeo Paul Cellucci, Lieutenant Governor Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Blessing of the Fleet -
The Most Reverend Thomas L. Dupre Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield

“God Bless America” -
215th Army Band, Massachusetts Army National Guard Field Artillery Battery

Closing Remarks -
Major General Raymond A. Vezina

Recessional -
215th Army Band, Massachusetts Army National Guard

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Memorial Bridge Rededication Committee:

Honorary Chairperson -
Major General Raymond A. Vezina - Adjutant General, Massachusetts National Guard

Co-Chairpersons -
Judith A. Matt - President, Spirit of Springfield
Matthew H. Ferri - Deputy Director, Western Massachusetts Office of the Governor

Massachusetts Highway Department, District 2 -
John W. Hoey, Jr. - District Highway Director

Members -
Jeanne Ahearn, Mayor Michael J. Albano, Kimberly A. Barbieri, Derek A. Barlow, Charles Brids, John Briggs, Susan Brown, Christina Blanchfield, Barbara A. Campanella, William F. Campanella, Gregory B. Chiecko, Victoria Connor, Stewart Creelman, State Representative Walter A. DeFilippi, Timothy P. Donoghue, William H. Ensign III, Bruce Fitzgerald, Karen M. Frawley, Frances Gagnon, Marianne Gambaro, David Goggin, Alan R. Goodhind, Thomas Goodwin, Amy J. Harper, John Hentz, Bernard Lally, Barbara LaPierre, Susan Lavoie, State Senator Brian P. Lees, Dominic G. Longo Jr., Martin C. Lyons, Peter J. Maynard, James McLean, State Senator Linda J. Melconian, Adam Metsch, Edward J. Moriarty, Congressman Richard E. Neal, Eugene O'Neill, Phillip Pike, Timothy A. Reilly, Rosemary Sandlin, State Representative Anthony M. Scibelli, Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Senez, Mary Ellen Shea, James Shriver, Samuel D. Stilwell, Patrick Sullivan, Robert D. Sweeney, Richard S. Thomas, Robert Walker, Joseph Yablonski Jr., Steven T. Young, Deborah A. Ziemba

Last month, and just before retiring, Howard Bernard was courteous enough to donate a large collection of West Springfie...
07/31/2026

Last month, and just before retiring, Howard Bernard was courteous enough to donate a large collection of West Springfield High School yearbooks to the West Springfield Historical Commission. This coordinated donation was to ensure that the historical commission would have gaps filled in its yearbook collection. Included are most of the yearbooks from the years 1958 to 2025. Thank you, Mr. Bernard, as well as the yearbook staff, for your generous donation.

For 30 years, Bernard worked at West Springfield High School, having graduated from there in 1982. During his teaching career, Bernard was an Engineering/Physics teacher, chairman of the Science Department, mentor for the Robotics team, coach for the As Schools Match Wits team, head of the Yearbook Club, and started the annual Punkin Chunkin competition.

The West Springfield Town Museum will be open on Saturday, August 1, from 1 to 3 p.m. Admission is free, but donations a...
07/28/2026

The West Springfield Town Museum will be open on Saturday, August 1, from 1 to 3 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. The museum is located at 55 Altamont Avenue. Come check out the Mittineague Room, which also features an exhibit on Bear Hole. This includes items pertaining to the old Bear Hole Resort and Massasoit Spring.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1547381536781254

July 25, 1989On this day, 37 years ago, these photos were taken primarily along Main Street. Included in one of the phot...
07/25/2026

July 25, 1989

On this day, 37 years ago, these photos were taken primarily along Main Street. Included in one of the photos are the Heritage Landing Condominiums, located at 169 Main Street, which were new at the time. They were built on two lots, including one where the old Doctor Charles Sherman House (as labeled on photos of the house) stood. The house was located at 177 Main Street and torn down in 1974. Click on each photo to read the descriptions that went with them.

Source: West Springfield Historical Commission

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