The late 1890s and early 20th century were a period when companies banded together to form larger entities, aiming to eliminate competition and regulate prices for their goods and services. The negative side was the loss of autonomy, as control over a company's destiny was usually in the hands of distant or inefficient management.
In the paper industry, over 20 companies, many of which were in Holyoke, were acquired by the American Writing Paper Company. Thread companies were purchased by the American Thread Company. In the area of envelope production, Holyoke Envelope Company and nine others were purchased by the United States Envelope Company. The ten companies and the number of companies in each city were: Holyoke (1), Springfield (3), Worcester, MA (3), Hartford (1), Rockville, CT (1), and Milwaukee, WI (1).
The company was organized in Portland, Maine, on June 25, 1898, and was capitalized for $4.5 million in stocks and $2 million in bonds available for purchase. A portion of the total stock and bond offering was made available to the public on July 22, 1898.
The name of the Holyoke concern was changed to United States Envelope Company, Holyoke Division. The U.S. Envelope Company began operating on September 1, 1898. The Holyoke division would only produce envelopes. Much of its inventory of paper boxes and related paper items was sold to the Forbes & Wallace department store for retail sales.
There were two court actions initiated by the Holyoke Envelope Company versus the United States Envelope Company due to delays in closing on the sale of the business. Both were seeking about $30,000 in additional sales proceeds due to funds being held for eight months beyond the promised payment date. Except for a small amount granted by the court, the defendant was upheld. Holyoke Envelope Company was approved for corporate dissolution in 1905.
In January 1923, United States Envelope sold its plant in Holyoke to the nearby Chemical Paper Company. The machinery and equipment would be removed to Springfield. Approximately 150 employees were affected by the action, which would result in the plant's closure by March 31, 1923. Space additions were made to the plants in Springfield and Hartford, providing employees with the opportunity to transfer to local facilities.
What became of the factory at 624 Main Street, which closed over 100 years ago? Here's the chain of title to the property with years owned:
(1958-1965) Standard Packaging Corporation
(1965-1968) Polep Bros. Real Estate Inc
(1968-current 2025) Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Public Works (Eminent Domain, I-391 Project)
The demolition of the factory building to accommodate the new I-391 overhead bridge occurred in February 1970. Lawler Construction Company of South Hadley was awarded the $18,000 contract. Although the I-391 project was several years away from starting in Holyoke, the building was razed due to it being a fire hazard.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; The Boston (Massachusetts) Globe; publication dates and pages are shown.
Ancestry.com (paid subscription), Price & Lee City Directories, Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Registry of Deeds, Hampden County, Springfield, Massachusetts
