Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, and educated as a teacher of business at Eastman Business College, Hannah Thompson arrived in Holyoke around 1898 by way of Troy, Kansas. She accepted a teaching opportunity at Child's Business College at 271 High Street. In 1899, when the college was sold, Hannah Thompson was disappointed and contemplated returning to the Midwest. However, she decided to stay and tutor several students, and then formed her own school, the Thompson's Commercial College.
Hannah Thompson lived for a short time at 336 Maple Street, then settled at 214 Pine Street. In an age where men greatly outnumbered me in leadership positions in industry and business, Hannah Thompson was one of the early trailblazers for women.
The college was located on the fifth floor of the Senior block at the southeast corner of High and Appleton Street. In 1901, the graduating class consisted of four students, and by 1903, that number had increased to 23, in a ceremony held in Wakelin Hall.
The course of study was pretty consistent with the former Holyoke Business College, with offerings including:
Stenography
Typewriting
Practical English
Spelling
Penmanship
Bookkeeping
Practical Business Methods
Correspondence
Business Forms
Rapid Calculation
Commercial Arithmetic
Commercial Law
The aim was to provide the tools necessary to obtain better jobs and higher incomes for its graduates. The ads indicated that there were many opportunities for placement upon successfully completing one's education. Ads were placed to appeal to ambitious students and their parents, promoting the school as an opportunity for higher pay and advancement, as opposed to the limitations of factory work. There was a sense of hope and optimism for a brighter future, which helped sell the benefits of attending the commercial college.
Courses were available by day or evening to accommodate the schedules of those in the workforce or with other responsibilities.
In 1904, the school doubled in size and relocated to the quiet interior of the Senior Building, thereby distancing itself from the city's sounds. The school's furniture and machinery were the most modern available at the time.
In 1913, the school changed its name to the Thompson's Holyoke Business School. It chose Holyoke in its name, as the rival Holyoke Business Institute had ceased operating the previous year, and there would no longer be any possibility of confusion with similar names.
Hannah Thompson continued as principal of the school, inspiring students, where many Holyoke businesses sought her graduates for employment.
Some of the businesses hiring the school's graduates included;
Casper Ranger Co.
The Buchanan & Bolt Co.
Cowan Truck Co.
Coburn Trolley Track Co.
American Thread Co.
American Writing Paper Co.
Brown's Shoe Store
YMCA
New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad
The Walsh Boiler Works
Parfitt-Martin Co.
Howes, Architect
Taylor-Logan Co.
Smithtablet Co.
Butler's Clothing
Stedman Paper Co.
National Stamp Co.
The school continued until Hannah Thompson retired and sold the business in 1927. Miss Thompson remained very active in Holyoke, sharing time with the city and St. Joseph, Missouri. She was an active participant in many clubs, including the Holyoke Women's Club, Hampden Women's Club, League of Women Voters, and the Delphian Society.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
Holyoke Public Library History Room, online Price & Lee City Directories, Holyoke, Massachusetts.
The Senior Block, 380 High Street, Holyoke, MA
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