The main entrance to Parsons Hall. I’m not sure what the hall was, but now it’s an “experimental art space.”
Like the mythical bird who rises from his own ashes, Holyoke appears to be a city undergoing a rebirth, or at least making the attempt. In the meantime, the canal walk directs visitors past an array of old mill buildings. The buildings are shuttered and sad, but I think it’s a good story, I see reasons to be optimistic.
First, the canals themselves seem to be in good shape. That’s important, because I can only imagine the expense involved in restoring them. About fifty years ago, when they restored the canal walls in Lowell, MA, that had to recruit retired stone masons to direct a younger team of workers in techniques that are no longer in use. The projects were multi-year and multi-million-dollar endeavors.
Second, as I mentioned in the other posts this week, the dam across the Connecticut River is also in good shape.
Third, though the buildings look sad with their doors and windows filled in, that’s actually a very good sign. This means the buildings are protected from the elements, and it means people can’t get inside. A small textile mill in nearby Somers, CT burned after a group of 20-yr-olds broke in for entertainment. A very large mill complex in Worchester, MA burned after it had been occupied by numerous homeless people. Residents and firefighters were both loss in fighting that blaze.
There are signs of some businesses working out of the old mills. Hopefully, in time, the buildings will be transformed into homes for light industry and perhaps residences.
The collection in the gallery is offered in conjunction with Thursday Doors, a weekly blog fest where people from around the world gather at Norm Frampton’s blog to view and share images and stories of doors. If you want to join the festivities, head up to Norm’s place.
This door is on a building across from the second canal.
Gotta love these doors.
Some windows and access doors are still boarded-up, but this building is moving toward operational status.
We parked in the lot for a public park near the start of the Holyoke Canal Walk. This is the first mill building we saw. It looks sad, but it appears to be in very good shape.
There are businesses in the canal-side portion of this building. I’m not sure it’s enough to call it an economy, but I think it’s a good sign.
Potential. I think that’s about all this building has going for it today.
Boat Lock Station of Holyoke Power Company. I think the company has applied to decommission this plant.
We saw signs of life in buildings 2 and 3 along the first (upper) canal. This appears to be one of the original doors. I hope they find more of these.
Building 2 had many cars parked in its lot. That’s a good sign.
A bridge, a gate and a door, but I wouldn’t try using any of them
The building is still shuttered, but there seems to be an active loading door n the upper floor.
Close-up of that loading door.
I like the fact that someone not only added a window in one of the ghost windows,, but they actually matched the arch style.
These decorative stones are found throughout the canal walk.
Old and new. The gate is new. The ghost loading door is sealed…for now, as are the windows.
I believe these are (were) loading doors. It looks like the bottom one is open for business.
The main entrance to Parsons Hall. I’m not sure what the hall was, but now it’s an “experimental art space.”
This building is across the street from the second canal. This would not be a building that was powered by the canals. I love the stone and brick work.
Dan, I love the fact that there seems to be nascent and unseen little cells of industry going on. It’s almost a hidden yeastlike thing that may eventually enable the industrial loaf to rise.
It’s a slow process, Don, but I think they will eventually succeed. They are starting with a great setting, and they appear to have taken the first step of preserving what they have. So many cities let the building rot, and then find that they are too expensive to repurpose, or they burn.
Amazing photos, Dan. Because of your posts, I can’t look at doors the same anymore — particularly those that have fallen into disrepair or are abandoned for whatever reasons. Your photos of the red doors, across from the second canal, are extraordinary. 👌
I’m glad you enjoy these posts, Gwen. I caught the door bug from Norm. When I look at these places, I almost always see the potential for a new and interesting space.
The first doors are fantastic, especially the hardware! The last building is a work of art with incredible brick and stonework. It appears to be in fine shape too. Then there’s the building with graffiti! It makes me happy that at least some of these old proud structures might get a second chance to shine.
Ginger
I’m with you, Ginger. The notion that these buildings might live to serve a few more generations makes me vary happy. When you look at the buildings, you can see the pride of the people who built them. The only thing that makes me sad are the random, haphazard “additions” that have been put in place.
We have a mill like this that was repurposed into apartments in our town, and it’s been a success. Our building wasn’t even as nice looking as most of these.
Thanks for doing the research job I should have done, Maggie. These buildings look like they were built by people. Modern buildings look like they were built by machines.
There is something about these photos that harken back to another place and time, yet they feel so urban and today. The doors are beautiful, especially in place in such a commercial venue. It is interesting and somewhat sad thinking about the loss of trades and expertise. Even my cousin (an epidemiologist) was called out of retirement because of the pandemic.
It’s true, Maggie, walking around the canals and looking at these buildings made me think about the time when the water in those canals was literally driving the economic life of a city. Trades evolve over time, I understand that, but it’s sad to think that we can’t build or rebuild the wonderful buildings of our past. I worry that, at some point, we won’t be able to repair them. I noticed that, once again, states were looking for programmers who could modify 30-40-yr-old COBOL code to change the unemployment systems. Fortunately, that was one language I chose never to learn.
Making high quality paper for over 100 years. Chances are very good that at some point in your life (maybe childhood) you held a piece of paper or a card made in those mills. It’s interesting for me to imagine that.
I think the city is trying its best to avoid demolishing these buildings. It’s such an important part of New England history. This is where the industrial revolution began.
It’s fascinating how much difference location. If those buildings were in my area, they would be snatched up immediately and converted into loft-style condos. I’ve often dreamed of living in building like these, with all kinds of quirky details and charm that the concrete and steel modern structures just can’t match.
Holyoke is trying to attract high tech industry. They are marketing the green hydro power and the aesthetics of this area. Its an uphill climb. They have to bring in / create the technology infrastructure. There is also art space in some of the buildings now. The sad part of the eventual conversion might be the loss of that space. A mill building in our town had artists and a furniture shop for many years. The building was sod to a developer who turned it into apartments, but we lost all the small businesses.
I’m looking forward to when the entire walk is complete. As it is, it was fun walking through, but construction prevented us from getting a look at some of the sights.
Even with the most innocent of intentions squatters and trespassers can do a lot of damage. We’ve lost a few historically significant abandoned art-deco buildings here under similar circumstances.
As for the doors, of course my vote is for those red ones with the gorgeous detailed overhead ironwork…what a beauty that one is.
Another fun informative post Dan. Here’s to hoping the redevelopment can continue.
It would be a shame to lose these buildings, Norm. Individually, they are interesting, but collectively, they were part of a system. The fruition of a very ambitious plan by men who had a vision.
I’m a real fan of mills kind of like I am of old barns. I hope they breathe life into them and down the road they are bustling places again. It reminded me maybe I should take a stroll downtown in my little town because we have a couple that have been rehabbed and are retail, office, and apartments.
Hi Dan – the walk must be so interesting now … especially if one can find out a little more about the history of the buildings and put a little more social history into the walk. But in a few years the walk will be very different – for the better as the decades move on. Wonderful doors, windows, openings and facades … and good to know the canals were restored and reinforced 50 years ago. Holyoke looks a delightful place to visit … take care – Hilary
Like you, I love it when heritage buildings have a rebirth. While they are often utilitarian looking on the exterior, they keep us anchored to our history. I hope in the years to come, these spaces will have been restored and repurposed.
Experimental artspace. Haven’t heard that phrase around here. Maybe it could catch on? Those are some spacious buildings to have just sitting there. Interesting post!
Sad that there is a loss of life connected to the story. Those red doors and black ironwork are gorgeous. I can appreciate the work involved in clearing old canals and waterways. There has been a volunteer movement to restore old waterways here in Ireland since the ’70’s with some taking more than twenty years to flow freely again.
It is very difficult to rebuild the canals, Jean. We just don’t have people who know how to how this work is done. I hope we can all find ways to preserve some of this important history.
That first set of doors (on the building across from the second canal) are so interesting. That orange/red color is different, for starters, and those baroque black accents really stand out. Good pics, Dan.
I love the first set of doors. They have a sort of gothic feel and are perfect for Fall. I love all the brick and stone. The buildings do look like they have “good bones” and hopefully one day they’ll find a new purpose and the area will thrive and be prosperous for the people and town.
I am optimistic that they can turn this area around. In better years, they draw a lot of people to guided tours of the canal walk, and capacity crowds to the days they drain the canals for maintenance and dredging.
No Facilities 
Dan, I love the fact that there seems to be nascent and unseen little cells of industry going on. It’s almost a hidden yeastlike thing that may eventually enable the industrial loaf to rise.
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It’s a slow process, Don, but I think they will eventually succeed. They are starting with a great setting, and they appear to have taken the first step of preserving what they have. So many cities let the building rot, and then find that they are too expensive to repurpose, or they burn.
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You could have taken those photos in almost any Maine town. Old mills and canals being slowly repurposed. Love those first doors…
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I hope to get up to Maine at some point to view some of those firsthand. I love seeing these buildings, dams and canals.
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Amazing photos, Dan. Because of your posts, I can’t look at doors the same anymore — particularly those that have fallen into disrepair or are abandoned for whatever reasons. Your photos of the red doors, across from the second canal, are extraordinary. 👌
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I’m glad you enjoy these posts, Gwen. I caught the door bug from Norm. When I look at these places, I almost always see the potential for a new and interesting space.
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The first doors are fantastic, especially the hardware! The last building is a work of art with incredible brick and stonework. It appears to be in fine shape too. Then there’s the building with graffiti! It makes me happy that at least some of these old proud structures might get a second chance to shine.
Ginger
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I’m with you, Ginger. The notion that these buildings might live to serve a few more generations makes me vary happy. When you look at the buildings, you can see the pride of the people who built them. The only thing that makes me sad are the random, haphazard “additions” that have been put in place.
We have a mill like this that was repurposed into apartments in our town, and it’s been a success. Our building wasn’t even as nice looking as most of these.
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Love the eye-catching red – and the wrought-iron hardware on that one door! Wowza!
I’d love to see a photo of the Parson’s Hall in its heyday – I’d like to know what was in the bricked-in space above the door.
Wait – google to the rescue – https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/Parsons_Hall%2C_Holyoke_Mass.jpg
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Thanks for doing the research job I should have done, Maggie. These buildings look like they were built by people. Modern buildings look like they were built by machines.
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I do love your featured post of that red door, it is really eye catching. Plus that last photo with arches over the windows are just lovely!
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I’m glad you enjoyed those photos, Teresa. The building with the arches is such a work of art.
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good morning, love the red doors.. but then I would! very asian!!
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I’m glad. I love red doors.
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There is something about these photos that harken back to another place and time, yet they feel so urban and today. The doors are beautiful, especially in place in such a commercial venue. It is interesting and somewhat sad thinking about the loss of trades and expertise. Even my cousin (an epidemiologist) was called out of retirement because of the pandemic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s true, Maggie, walking around the canals and looking at these buildings made me think about the time when the water in those canals was literally driving the economic life of a city. Trades evolve over time, I understand that, but it’s sad to think that we can’t build or rebuild the wonderful buildings of our past. I worry that, at some point, we won’t be able to repair them. I noticed that, once again, states were looking for programmers who could modify 30-40-yr-old COBOL code to change the unemployment systems. Fortunately, that was one language I chose never to learn.
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I agree, Dan. Our country has had some amazing craftsmanship in its short history.
I am thankful I do not remember enough about Cobol to play in that arena.
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The detail in the stone, wood and ironwork show the pride they had in their buildings. And it stands the test of time.
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It does, Pam. If things proceed according to a very long term plan. these buildings will stand for many decades to come.
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That last building is such a beauty. Are those apartments on the top two floors? Imagine the light flooding in those windows?! Beautiful!
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I don’t know if they are apartments of office space. The building is just amazing.
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You had me at ‘ghost’. 😉if only old buildings could talk. 💕
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Making high quality paper for over 100 years. Chances are very good that at some point in your life (maybe childhood) you held a piece of paper or a card made in those mills. It’s interesting for me to imagine that.
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Those brick buildings look wonderful. I hope someone restores and reuses them. It would be a shame if they are just knocked down.
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I think the city is trying its best to avoid demolishing these buildings. It’s such an important part of New England history. This is where the industrial revolution began.
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It’s fascinating how much difference location. If those buildings were in my area, they would be snatched up immediately and converted into loft-style condos. I’ve often dreamed of living in building like these, with all kinds of quirky details and charm that the concrete and steel modern structures just can’t match.
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Holyoke is trying to attract high tech industry. They are marketing the green hydro power and the aesthetics of this area. Its an uphill climb. They have to bring in / create the technology infrastructure. There is also art space in some of the buildings now. The sad part of the eventual conversion might be the loss of that space. A mill building in our town had artists and a furniture shop for many years. The building was sod to a developer who turned it into apartments, but we lost all the small businesses.
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Ooops… the initial sentence should read, “It’s fascinating how much difference location makes.” :)
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Understood.
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Nice collection Dan. Where is the Phoenix pub with the red door ? Asking for a friend…
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Who knows what’s behind the big red door, John.
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Beautiful buildings that kind of make me sigh about what could be. I like the red doors. Tres chic.
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I hope we will look back in several years and see something that preserves the beauty and significance of these buildings and canals.
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Gate bridge and door photo is great!
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
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I’m glad you like that photo. I’m reasonably sure that structure won’t survive, but I like it.
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Great photos, Dan. All these buildings look like they need a friend.
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They do indeed, John. That’s a great way to put it. I hope the grand plans for this area can come to fruition.
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Seems like it should be a natural to build a destination feature. Coffee houses, Bars, hotels, theater. live music venue.
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Great collection of doors and buildings! That canal walk looks like something I’d love to do… exercise with views.
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I’m looking forward to when the entire walk is complete. As it is, it was fun walking through, but construction prevented us from getting a look at some of the sights.
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Dan, those are some spectacular doors and windows. But I’m pos-i-lutely giddy about that bright red-orange door. Hugs on the wing.
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That is an amazing entrance, Teagan. I couldn’t resist including that, even though it’s outside the canal system.
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Even with the most innocent of intentions squatters and trespassers can do a lot of damage. We’ve lost a few historically significant abandoned art-deco buildings here under similar circumstances.
As for the doors, of course my vote is for those red ones with the gorgeous detailed overhead ironwork…what a beauty that one is.
Another fun informative post Dan. Here’s to hoping the redevelopment can continue.
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It would be a shame to lose these buildings, Norm. Individually, they are interesting, but collectively, they were part of a system. The fruition of a very ambitious plan by men who had a vision.
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Red doors, yup! But I also love the brickwork a/o stonework around the windows in that last shot on the bottom. It’s beautiful.
janet
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These buildings are from a time when artistry and craftsmanship worked together. I hope they are successful in preserving these structures.
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Me too.
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I’m a real fan of mills kind of like I am of old barns. I hope they breathe life into them and down the road they are bustling places again. It reminded me maybe I should take a stroll downtown in my little town because we have a couple that have been rehabbed and are retail, office, and apartments.
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I love to see these buildings preserved and repurposed. I hope you do take that stroll, and share the results with us.
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Interesting place Dan. You highlighted a certain era – I like that. Of course the red door jumps out, but red doors I think are supposed to do that:)
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I think they are. This is a very interesting area. I hope they can continue the work. It could be amazing in a few years.
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Hi Dan – the walk must be so interesting now … especially if one can find out a little more about the history of the buildings and put a little more social history into the walk. But in a few years the walk will be very different – for the better as the decades move on. Wonderful doors, windows, openings and facades … and good to know the canals were restored and reinforced 50 years ago. Holyoke looks a delightful place to visit … take care – Hilary
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Thanks Hilary. I hope to visit again in a couple years. I do think it will keep getting better. Slid but steady – I hope.
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Like you, I love it when heritage buildings have a rebirth. While they are often utilitarian looking on the exterior, they keep us anchored to our history. I hope in the years to come, these spaces will have been restored and repurposed.
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I share that hope, Joanne. There’s so much history here. It would be a shame if it couldn’t be celebrated.
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Filling in the windows is a good way of protecting the buildings, Dan. I wouldn’t have thought of it but can see it’s usefulness. Great photographs.
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I’m glad you liked this post, Roberta. These aren’t the fanciest buildings but they have enormous potential.
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Experimental artspace. Haven’t heard that phrase around here. Maybe it could catch on? Those are some spacious buildings to have just sitting there. Interesting post!
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I’ve seen cities lease these spaces out to artists before. The rent is dirt cheap, but it’s better to have the building occupied than empty.
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I’m sure it’s better to be occupied. No argument from me there 👍🏻
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It’s wonderful to see towns and cities being reborn. I loved the red doors!
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I hope they can turn this city around. It’s really beautiful.
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I am optimistic they can turn it around. Love the arched brick and stone. And oh, that red door with amazing hardware. Thanks, Dan.
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I am optimistic, too, Jennie. They seem to realize that they have a wonderful attraction here.
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😀
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Sad that there is a loss of life connected to the story. Those red doors and black ironwork are gorgeous. I can appreciate the work involved in clearing old canals and waterways. There has been a volunteer movement to restore old waterways here in Ireland since the ’70’s with some taking more than twenty years to flow freely again.
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It is very difficult to rebuild the canals, Jean. We just don’t have people who know how to how this work is done. I hope we can all find ways to preserve some of this important history.
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The red doors are my favorites. That hardware!
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Those doors are wonderful. They are outside of the mill zone, but I couldn’t resist.
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That first set of doors (on the building across from the second canal) are so interesting. That orange/red color is different, for starters, and those baroque black accents really stand out. Good pics, Dan.
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Those doors really stood out, Paul. The color is somewhat lost on me, but I do realize that it’s not your ordinary red door.
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I love the first set of doors. They have a sort of gothic feel and are perfect for Fall. I love all the brick and stone. The buildings do look like they have “good bones” and hopefully one day they’ll find a new purpose and the area will thrive and be prosperous for the people and town.
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I am optimistic that they can turn this area around. In better years, they draw a lot of people to guided tours of the canal walk, and capacity crowds to the days they drain the canals for maintenance and dredging.
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