The Mountain Park Zephyr 

A somewhat blurry photo of the  Mountain Park Zephyr taken at an outing in the summer of 1957. The train's route was much different in the 1950s. As you can see, the tracks ran around what would become the western end of the Mt Park golf course and continued south and looped around part of the midway near the Penny Arcade. The children's "Paddy Railroad" was also located in the center of the Zephyr's route near the Arcade. In the 1960s when the golf course was built, a train tunnel and elevated walk/water fountain over the railroad tracks were added near the Stardust Ballroom in the background to the right.  (ebay auction photo)

Holyoke Street Railway-Westfield Route

A photo taken around 1908 of the Holyoke Street Railway's trolley car Number 39 enroute to Hampton Ponds.  Remnants of the old trolley route can still be seen behind the HCC and off of Apremont Highway. (Seminole Bailey Archive)

Canonchet Park / West Street School 1905

A young lady only known by the initials "L.S."sitting on the steps to the entrance of Canonchet Park in the summer of 1905. In the background is the old West Street School.  (Seminole Bailey Archive)

More Views Of Lower Dwight Street/Depot Hill Area

Lower Dwight Street circa early 1900s. Upper photo gives a good glimpse of the First Level canal and a horse cart that must have been the equivalent of today's tractor trailer hauling goods uptown. 

Both pictures show the William Skinner silk factory which is now the location of the Children's Museum and a billboard advertising Dexter's Mothers Bread. (Seminole Bailey Archive)

Boxcars being loaded or unloaded at the rail yard  behind Main street at Depot Hill. The train station and tenement buildings along Lyman street can be seen in the far background.  (Seminole Bailey Archive)

Another view of the "Gateway To The City" at Main & Dwight streets taken at the base of the footbridge at Depot Hill.  (Seminole Bailey Archive)

Mountain Park - 1890s

Crowds gather for a performance on the outdoor stage at Mountain Park in the 1890s. You can say the park has come full circle for now it is once again a venue for outdoor concerts.

The original stage was located at the end of the old fireworks field.  The Ski Area road would be in the back of the stage and the present day stage area at the opposite end of the field.

Can you imagine how uncomfortable it must of been for those people who were dressed like that on a hot summer's day?

                  

                  The show must be over, time to head back to the pavilion for a cold brew.

High & Appleton Streets 1899

     Looking north at the intersection of High and Appleton streets in the summer of 1899. (Seminole Bailey Collection)

Main & Race Streets Early 1900s

This section of Holyoke had some beautiful architecture. On the left heading south on Main Street some of the landmarks seen in this picture are the Hotel Monet at the corner of Main and Mosher, the Whiting Street Building at 32 Main Street and at the far end of the block the Hotel Jess. The Jess along with a few other buildings are still standing.  On the right is the famous Flat Iron Building  and behind it the Hotel Hamilton.  The Flat Iron Building had many shops on it's ground floor including Bardwell Drug Store. The American Writing Paper Company had it's offices there. By the early fifties the building was vacant and soon afterwards was demolished.

The Whiting Street Building at 32 Main Street (photo courtesy of John L. Dickey)