William J. Howes, Architect (Part 1)

The story of Holyoke would be incomplete without noting the distinguished architects who designed many of Holyoke's buildings and were visionaries. One of these prominent architects was William J. Howes, whose story will now be told. 

William J. Howes was born in Holyoke on October 22, 1865, to James R. and Angeline (Sampson) Howes. His father, who was originally from Ashfield, Mass., was a contractor and later became a state building inspector. William J. Howes attended Holyoke schools and, upon completing his education, entered the building business.

He studied architecture under the guidance of Henry F. Kilburn, who, like his father, hailed from Ashfield. Mr. Kilburn, who worked for the New York architectural firm run by Mr. Bellows, was the final designer of Holyoke's City Hall. The initial architect, Charles B. Atwood of Boston, was replaced after failing to deliver updated plans on time, resulting in significant construction delays.

Mr. Howes later worked for the renowned Holyoke architectural firm, Clough and Clough.

In 1893, at the age of 28, he established his own office, and in 1917, his son, Paul S. Howes, joined the firm. 

Mr. Howes' initial office was located at 201 High Street above the Holyoke Savings Bank. In 1906, he was listed on the fifth floor of the Ball Block at 225 High Street. From 1907 to about 1935, he settled into the McAuslan-Wakelin building at 243 High Street. He subsequently relocated his office from High Street to his home at 37 Harvard Street.

Some of the prestigious works in Holyoke, unless otherwise noted, designed by Mr. Howes, included:

1894- Chester Library, Chester, Mass.

1894- German Reformed Church, Sargeant and Elm Streets 

1900- McAuslan & Wakelin building, High Street   

1900- William Wakelin's home, 1450 Northampton Street

1907- Holyoke State Armory, Sargeant Street 

1908- Pittsfield State Armory, Pittsfield, Mass.

1909- Mt. Park Pavilion plans
1911- Goshen Town Hall and Memorial Library, Goshen, Mass.

1912- Majestic Theater, Main and Appleton Streets

1913- Walter Batchelder's home at the corner of Harvard and Cleveland Streets

1914- Elmwood Park dingle bridge (Beech Street side)

1915- Holyoke Canoe Club

1915- Isolation Hospital, Homestead Avenue

1916- Holyoke Canoe Club buildings

1919- Ward 1 Bathhouse

Mr. Howes was a member of the first Parks and Playground Commissions established by Mayor Nathan P. Avery in the early 1900s. He was an ardent supporter of playground space and was influential in designing the layouts of many of Holyoke's public grounds.

In 1934, he and Miss Catherine Clark were elected vice presidents of the Connecticut Valley Unitarian Society at its 74th annual conference, held at the Holyoke church.

Mr. Howes was also active with the Massachusetts Archeological Society and was elected first vice president in 1939.

As much success as Mr. Howes had in achieving formidable results, it was another project that did not gain traction, which fascinated me. In Part 2, Mr. Howes's architectural plan for Waterfront Park will be unveiled.

William J. Howes continued to work the remainder of his life. A bout of pneumonia contracted at age 80, while at a job site in Amherst, resulted in his passing on February 3, 1946.

Citations:

Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.

Ancestry.com (paid subscription); Census and Birth records

Ancestry.com (paid subscription); Price & Lee, City of Holyoke (Massachusetts) Directories

Massachusetts Cultural Research and Information System, Boston, Massachusetts

William J. Howes, 1943 photo