When writing about a topic, one never knows where that topic may lead. The story of Milton Spies, a well-known tailor in the first half of the 20th century, is an introduction to a six-part series on an iconic Holyoke landmark. More on that will be developed as this story unfolds.
Milton S. Spies was born in New York City on January 25, 1874. At about age 23, he moved to Massachusetts and opened a tailor shop in Northampton. In 1900, he married Edna S. Fountain in Springfield, where he resided and had a tailor shop. During the early 20th century, the couple had two daughters, Naomi and Edna R. Spies
In 1901, they moved from Springfield to Holyoke, and he opened his tailor shop at 368 High Street at the corner of Appleton. He named his business, Milton S. Spies, Tailor for Young Men.
Edna S. (Fountain) Stiles purchased property consisting of 1.75 acres from Daisie B. Dickinson, as Guardian of Lucretia E. Dickinson, a minor and child of the late R. Arthur Dickinson. The property had been in the Dickinson family since 1867. The residential address was later shown as 1471 Northampton Street.
This was an era when tailors made custom-made clothing, including suits, trousers, and shirts. Mr. Spies kept up with the latest clothing styles by visiting trade shows in New York, where he also purchased his fabrics.
He was one of the founding members of the Merchant Tailors Protective Association, formed in 1911 to represent tailors in negotiations with employees of the tailors' union. He attended several national conventions held in the eastern half of the country.
On May 1, 1912, Milton S. Spies purchased 75 acres of farmland with buildings on the County Road leading from Easthampton to Holyoke. The property was owned by James McMahon of Easthampton and Patrick McMahon of Holyoke. The land had been in the McMahon family since 1864, and was previously situated in Northampton and Easthampton. As a condition of sale, the McMahons were granted agricultural rights to 12 of the acres.
In 1913, Mr. Spies moved his shop to 346 High Street, above Conway's Music Store. This was also the year Mr. Spies was injured while haying at the former McMahon property on the western portion of Easthampton Rd. A horse kicked back with such force that it took Mr. Spies several weeks to recover from shin injuries.
Mr. Spies had a heightened interest in agriculture. He purchased 34 shares of the first 143 shares sold on the initial day of the Eastern States Agricultural and Industrial Exposition stock sale.
He was also involved in various civic, trade, and social groups, including the Red Cross, Kiwanis, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Elks, Odd Fellows, the Dynamiters Club, and the YMCA. He was a longtime Playground Commission committee member from the 1910s, a city alderman during the 1920s, and, at one point, had aspirations to run for mayor.
In 1925, the Milton Spies purchased the former McMahon homestead and 12+ additional acres located at the far western end of Easthampton Rd.
In 1926, he announced he would move his shop to a building he had long owned at 907 Main Street in Springfield. The move occurred in early 1927. The following January, he returned to Holyoke and opened a new shop in the Caledonian Building at 189 High Street.
In October 1928, after resolving a business setback, he incorporated as Milton S. Spies, Inc.
In the early 1930s, now out of public office, Milton Spies remained outspoken about the city. He had proposed reconfiguring the approach to Northampton Highway at the entrance to Mt. Tom Reservation to make it more noticeable. He also advocated for the state takeover of Mt. Tom and the Mt. Tom Reservation.
In 1931, Mayor Fred G. Burnham appointed Milton Spies to the Board of Public Works, with his service to commence in 1932.
1932 was also a notable year for the Spies family, the City of Holyoke, and the surrounding area. Milton Spies built a log-cabin-style building on Easthampton Road for his daughter, Edna (Spies) Williams. The building would serve as a 75-seat roadside restaurant, initially called Milton Spies Log Cabin Restaurant.
In 1936, Mr. Spies closed his Caledonian building tailor shop. The Springfield shop was previously discontinued. In 1939, he returned to his craft, working at Golen Tailor Shop at 696 Dwight Street in Holyoke.
Mr. Spies remained quite active in civic affairs and subsequently resided at the Roger Smith Hotel and later at Shelly Knolls apartments on Appleton Street. He died in 1967, leaving a legacy of accomplishments for his family and his city.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; publication dates and pages are shown.
Ancestry.com (paid subscription): Price & Lee Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories
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