The Worthington Athletic and Social Club of Worthington Pump and Machinery Corporation leased the grove in 1942. The grove was renamed Worthington Grove.
The club had 600 members, and the intention was to maintain this as a private facility for members and their families. The facilities were modernized, and the grounds refurbished for baseball, softball and tennis. The beach and boating area were improved. A play area for children with sandboxes and chutes was added.
A pistol and rifle target range was added for members of the Wothington Corp. Rod & Gun Club.
In July 1942, the club decided to open to the public. The Glass House was available for dinners and dancing. The grounds and beach area were made available for public activities.
In 1944, controversy befell the area when the railroad allowed the city’s DPW to dispose of industrial waste near the grove. Residents protested to the mayor about the noxious smells emanating from the dumping ground. The foul aromas were spreading as far south as the Holyoke Canoe Club, as more was dumped in the area.
In September 1945, Worthington Grove was put up for sale. This included the buildings with a bar and a seasonal liquor license. Arthur Marois purchased the grove soon after and planned to use the property as past owners of the business had. In 1947, Stanley Topor of Chicopee operated as Oakes Grove, but did not wish to continue beyond that year.
In 1954, the B&M Railroad sold the 80-plus-acre property to the Holyoke Water Power Co. (HWPCo). The long-range plan was to develop this expansive area for manufacturing. The remaining 20 or so camps were ordered to vacate the land.
In 1957, the concept of an industrial park was scuttled when HWPCo announced plans to build a 137,000-kilowatt capacity steam-power generating plant on the site. The plant was built, ending the 40 years of the grove and its waterfront activities.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
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