When thinking of the sale of farm equipment in the 1920s into the early 1960s, a downtown Holyoke retailer usually would not come to mind. In the spirit of learning more about the City of Holyoke, this is the story of the Holyoke Farm Machinery Company.
The year was 1923, and Holyoke and the surrounding communities benefited from the Connecticut River valley's rich farm soil. The prospect of jobs in the mills provided workers, many of whom had relocated from Europe, with an opportunity to save their money and purchase what was then inexpensive land to farm. When they did, farm equipment would be needed to accomplish their tasks, and building materials would be required for structures.
Holyoke Farm Machinery was initially formed as a partnership with Andrew Dubiel, Hans Schuetzer, and Louis Paradysz. The store was located on the west side of High Street (#111), close to the Lyman Street intersection. The location had most recently been used as a pool hall. The business sold farm equipment and machinery, farm tools, roofing materials, feed, fertilizers, hardware, paints, and varnishes.
To provide some historical context, Terrence O'Donnell purchased the land that would become 111-115 High Street from the Holyoke Water Company on July 27, 1866. The land contained 24.44 feet of frontage on High Street and was 90 feet to the alley. The 1870 Combined Map of Holyoke and Chicopee shows a structure on this property.
Within a year of the partnership forming, it was dissolved, leaving Messrs. Dubiel and Paradysz to operate the business.
A significant part of selling equipment was hands-on demonstrations to instruct farmers how to operate and care for the machinery. Often, area farmers were invited to a specific farm where many could view the presentations.
In 1937, the Holyoke Farm Machinery Company participated in the John Deere Centennial Celebration. The Holyoke celebration took place at the 111 High Street store location and included farm movies, a display of farm tractors, farm implements, and milk coolers.
In 1938, the company placed a bid to provide a street sweeper to the City of Holyoke. The success of that bid was not determined; however, it demonstrated that the company had access to equipment other than farming-related equipment.
The business expanded around this time to include 115 High Street, the location of the former Maziarz Market, which had operated until about 1931. The space was vacant for several years thereafter. 113 High Street was the address of the upper-floor apartments.
The annual John Deere Day remained a popular event. The John Deere would often provide farming films, and the store would invite farmers and their families to the viewings. During World War II, Farmers Days were not held between 1941 and 1946.
On November 6, 1944, Louis Paradysz purchased the property, which at one time had been the home of the Magna Automobile Company at 2-4 Division Street. The real estate was purchased from William & Joseph A. Skinner, and William H. Hubbard, Trustees of William Skinner and Sons.
In 1946, Farmers Day resumed, and over 300 farmers and family members attended at Holyoke Farm Machinery's warehouse location at 2-4 Division Street at Railroad Street (now Heritage Street). Representatives of the John Deere Company were present to answer questions relating to farm equipment and the problems experienced in modern-day farming. Louis Paradysz arranged the event, provided lunch after the presentation, and conducted door prize drawings.
In 1950, Mr. Paradysz was elected President of the New England Farm Equipment Dealers Association. It was around this time that the annual John Deere Farmers Day occurred at Kosciuszko Hall at Lyman and Union streets. The 1950 event drew 450 farm attendees.
The company was doing its part to serve the farming community. Challenges would arise in agriculture, downtown development, and the growth of suburban life, affecting the business's sustainability. More will be revealed in the final chapter.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, Boston, Massachusetts
Ancestry.com (paid subscription): Price & Lee Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories
Combined Map of Holyoke & Chicopee, Beers, Ellis, and Soule, Publishers, New York City, New York
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