The story of the B. F. Perkins & Son plants situated on Crescent Street and Winter Street in Holyoke took a major turn in the 1920s.
Before beginning the account of the company's relocation, here are a few brief notes.
In 1922, J. Lewis Perkins acquired the William S. Loomis estate on Northampton Street for $60,000. The property was described as extending back to the Easthampton line, more likely back to the William Whiting land on Easthampton Road. It excluded the northeast portion of the land that included the Loomis house occupied by Mrs. Loomis. Mr. Perkins planned on constructing a $100,000 home on the property. Bond and Franz drew the plans for the new residence.
In 1924, B. F. Perkins & Son issued a statement that the plant was moving from Holyoke to Willimansett. In two prior land transactions, the company acquired approximately 13 acres of land at 893 Chicopee Street and at an off-Montgomery Street location. The newly constructed factory would have rail access.
The company would double its present space and greatly increase its manufacturing output. The American Tissue Mills would fill the Crescent Street space vacated by B. F. Perkins & Son. The plans were drawn by Green & Lockwood of Boston, and the total construction and equipment costs were anticipated at $1 million.
In November 1924, Casper Ranger Construction began construction of the office building.
Fred T. Ley & Company was the general contractor for 2 of the mill buildings, with construction beginning on July 13, 1925. Two Holyoke businesses, E. H. Friedrich Company and Holyoke Valve & Hydrant Company, were also awarded contracts. The Friedrich concern was assigned the plumbing work, while Holyoke Valve and Hydrant would install the heating and sprinkler system.
In late July 1925, the Perkins Co. received permits from the city of Chicopee to construct 3 new buildings. Fred T. Ley & Company was selected as the general contractor.
In September 1925, the first mill began its operations with 20 workers. In April 1926, B. F. Perkins & Son sold the Winter Street realty to the American Tissue Mills.
Epilogue:
In 1927, J. Lewis Perkins gifted the little-used company campsite with cabins in the Pearl City section of South Hadley to the Girl Scouts for overnight stays. He has sand hauled into the pond's rocky beach for their enjoyment.
On December 27, 1928, John Lewis Perkins died at his home at 156 Lincoln Street. At the time, his son, J. Lewis Perkins Jr., was President of the company, and a second son, Benjamin Perkins, was Treasurer.
The company remained in the family until its sale in 1968. The plant was acquired by Standard International Corp., later Standex Corporation. At the time of sale, Donald S. Perkins, son of J. Lewis Perkins Jr., was President, and Benjamin Perkins Jr. was the Treasurer of B. F. Perkins & Son.
In 1996, the company ceased manufacturing at the 40-worker plant and moved operations to another of its plants in Rochester, New York.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
Ancestry.com (paid subscription): Price & Lee Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories
Hampden County Registry of Deeds, Springfield, Massachusetts
