By Jane D. O’Donoghue
Special to PRIME
After graduating from Cathedral High School in 1946, I started my first big-girl job.
My duties as a bookkeeper and all-around office girl were at a plumbing and heating company. William P. Brown Co., Inc., was located at 31 Sanford St. This was one block off Main, just north of State Street. That street no longer exists, and the MassMutual Center occupies this entire area.
If I had errands to do at lunchtime, or plans to meet a friend, I often stopped at the Waldorf Restaurant at the corner of Sanford and Main for a quick cup of coffee, sandwich, and maybe a piece of their apple pie with a scoop of ice cream. Turning left at that corner, there was a line of small businesses such as The Shoe Box, Nature Food Center, Inc., Montgomery Ward Catalog Department, and Steinert & Sons with their elegant display of pianos. Steinert’s also had small booths for listening to records on approval.
The next store was The Mill Outlet offering draperies, fabric, and all the necessary accessories to make your own, or order custom-made. My mother traded there occasionally. Lewdon's Milliners conducted business at 1211, next door to the Ellis Title Building. The Farm Market and Brook's Men Shop brought me to the corner of State Street and The Springfield Safe Deposit and Trust Bank.
A right turn at the north corner of Sanford Street revealed M. H. Barnett, the purveyor of cigars and cigarettes. Guarding the front door was a tall wooden Indian holding a handful of cigars. Youth Center occupied a shop, with Sears & Roebuck and Lord's Clothing store next in line. Hartshorn's Opticians abutted Albert E. Lerche, Druggists. This was also a spot for a quick soda or sandwich on a stool at their soda fountain counter.
If I crossed Main, the first place at the corner of State was Carlisle's. This hardware store carried anything you ever wanted. After that, heading north, Cooley Jeweler's window display tempted with elegant gems and watches. Shea Cleaners of Springfield, The Singer Sewing Machine Co., and next in line, the Nuttie Goodie Shop – which sold handmade chocolates and light lunches – and Carter Shoes offered their wares and services. Alaska Fur Company lured passersby.
Elm Street – with the Courthouses and lawyers' offices– kept pedestrian traffic busy in a friendly walking area. Court Square, with welcoming greenery and benches, was a neighborly open-air spot. The Court Square Theater also attracted people with their stage shows and movies.
Fire and Police Headquarters were located down Court Street just past Broadway. If you were anywhere near Court Square when the Fire Department had a call, a siren on Main Street loudly alerted pedestrians and traffic. Everything was at a standstill as the trucks roared out with firefighters clinging to the sides.
Depending on the season and time, the bells from the Campanile rang out for all to enjoy. In front of the park area at the Square, a drinking fountain spouted water from a lion's mouth for a quick cool drink.
I'll insert a note here for Market Street. This was a short narrow street parallel to Main. At the corner of State Street was the Town Hall Grill for a special lunch and, downstairs, was the Rathskeller for men only; a gathering place for business and deals on the lunch hour. Blakes Restaurant and H.L. Ross Paint Company also conducted business on Market Street.
There were many choices to shop, eat, and meet. Most buildings had at least two floors and their listings consisted of offices for lawyers, insurance companies, doctors, dentists and other businesses needing a presence in the downtown center. Buses ran on a regular schedule with stops at almost every block and routes extended to most parts of the city. Public transportation was still vital to business.
This was a look back to my working days and soon, I'll continue north on Main for other remembered sites.
