Many have traveled up Hampden Street and have noticed the New England Archives Company, located near the intersection of Lincoln Street. Today's post explores the history of this building.
Archibald Ferguson, born in Scotland in 1842, emigrated to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, in 1869. Their stay was short, as the Ferguson family moved to Holyoke in 1873. In 1884, Archibald Ferguson opened City Dye Works at 386 High Street. The business cleaned, dyed, repaired, and altered apparel. He continued to operate the company at this location until 1900.
On September 17, 1895, Mr. Ferguson purchased land from Henry J. Whitaker at 210-218 West Hampden Street (later renumbered 622 Hampden Street). On this land, the Ferguson Steam Laundry and Dye Works was constructed. This 175'x50' spacious one-and-a-half-story building accommodated modern laundry and dyeing equipment. The firm employed 40 and housed five teams of horses in a barn on the property used for making deliveries. The business office would remain at 386 High Street, and the West Hampden Street location started operations on April 2, 1900.
Various contractors were enlisted to erect this building, including John St. John (brickwork), Gibson (roofing), Lyman (plumbing), Kilbride (steam fitting), Polson (gas piping), Cooley (painting), and Parfitt (lettering).
In January 1920, Mr. Ferguson announced plans to close the business, dismantle the equipment, and make the necessary alterations to convert the space into a large garage. Previously, there had been interest in a silk mill moving to the premises.
However, Archibald Ferguson died at age 77 in 1920. The building's plans did not come to fruition, and the Orange Savings Bank, which held the mortgage, foreclosed on the property and sold it on February 21, 1921.
It is noteworthy that Archibald Ferguson ventured into constructing brick tenement blocks. He erected buildings in Avon Place, Commercial Street, Plymouth Place, and two large apartment blocks in Ferguson Place. He also served two terms on the Board of Alderman in Holyoke.
Source of news articles: Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript-Telegram
Early 1900s photo: Source Holyoke: Past and Present, Progress and Prosperity, Historical and Industrial Notes (1910)
21st Century Photo.
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