tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post4706412835011690630..comments2024-03-29T02:46:11.295-04:00Comments on Hell's Acres: When Did Downtown Springfield Jump the Shark? Part 2Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-8474976084924471582023-04-30T12:39:25.250-04:002023-04-30T12:39:25.250-04:00Springfield was a magical place in the 1960s and &...Springfield was a magical place in the 1960s and '70s, filled with wonder and potential. Then it all seemed to collapse in on itself in a relatively short time. And through those early years of decline, I'd always hoped for a turnaround, but saw little evidence of it...only talk. After college, I lived, at various times, hundreds of miles north and south of the city in different states, and every trip driving in to visit family, I always felt I was looking at Springfield as if it were a museum display. The skyline changed so little over the 40+ years since I'd left, which to me indicated stagnation, a lack of progress...any kind of growth. When I recently had to travel downtown to the FedEx Store (now housed, ludicrously, on the ground floor of what used to be Johnson's Bookstore), I parked in the old Civic Center garage. I encountered exactly zero people on the street on my short walk from the garage to FedEx. This was on a Wednesday afternoon at 1PM. I had immediate flashbacks to how absolutely <i>bustling</i> the city once was, how full of activity and hope and people. Now it was a ghost town, except for the cars and occasional trucks that coasted by on abandoned Main Street. It was eery, empty and sad and any of the hope for the city I had felt decades ago was dead. I couldn't wait to get out of there. Though it's still called "Springfield", it's a completely different Springfield that bears no resemblance to the city I once knew and loved. I shudder to think what it will be in another 40 years. -JEAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-72853022040938827882022-04-06T14:10:17.598-04:002022-04-06T14:10:17.598-04:00Great post. Wondering how, after nine years, you c...Great post. Wondering how, after nine years, you currently feel about it all. The last time I was in downtown Springfield was to attend my high school reunion in 2014, and was shocked to find that on a Saturday, the "better" bars didn't open until 6pm. It all felt so empty. Randy Garbinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-81858135924015609622014-11-27T17:02:29.044-05:002014-11-27T17:02:29.044-05:00I was born in Springfield in 1959 and lived there ...I was born in Springfield in 1959 and lived there till I was 25, our first home was across from Springfield college, where men are men and so are the women? Ha Ha, neighborhood joke, and Watershop's pond was our favorite fishing hole and hang out. I had 7 brothers and sisters and they all went to cathedral high school, only animals went to the public schools, or so we thought. I remember the race riots in the mid 60s those were some scary times. We had a beautiful house but the black community made its way to our street, when some black teenagers came into our yard and broke one of the main branches off our beloved apple tree for its fruit my father decided it was time to move to another part of town, that was in 1966, so we moved to the area between Forest Park and the south end, Italian area Leyfred Terrace, My mom made pizzas at Santis and my dad worked at Hamilton Standard in Conneticut. We were not rich but we had everything we needed.My neighborhood friends and I used to play stick ball in the street and hide go seek after dark, catching frogs at the ponds in Forest Park or opening day of fishing season at Forest Park was a real big deal! Everyone knew everyone, I have many fond memories growing up in the 60s and 70s in Springfield MA. I have moved to a small town in south east Missouri because it reminds me of how Springfield was in my youth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-10583426312923324782014-11-09T21:09:18.141-05:002014-11-09T21:09:18.141-05:00And just think, in the fall of '71, after you ...And just think, in the fall of '71, after you graduated, it all started up again and spilled out onto State Street. The Sixteen Acres gang The Clan was heavily involved in that one. (They were also involved in the '69 one.)Hell's Acresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-11419640930133056702014-11-09T18:18:15.166-05:002014-11-09T18:18:15.166-05:00I was in the lunchroom at Tech High in 69 and reme...I was in the lunchroom at Tech High in 69 and remember lining up on our side. Then the plates, silverware, food, tables and some small people started flying. The next 2 years we went to some classes under the eyes of police and security. I remember when the folks from the "square" marched down the hill to the police lines in front of the library as I sat next to the concrete lion next to the steps smoking a joint in front of at least a hundred of Spfld's finest. Really cool times. And to think I graduated with honors in 71. We sure loved Tech. Taj Mahal's brother took a chisel from the heat-treating furnace and stabbed me with it during the first part of the riots, still got the scar. And I remember the Circle Gang in 16 acres, those were wild days. Think I'll kick back and toke a joint. Don't forget the South End and all the Italian blood.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-3789185845989146002014-05-01T14:52:58.415-04:002014-05-01T14:52:58.415-04:00Hi Art,
The walkway to Steiger's is long gone...Hi Art,<br /><br />The walkway to Steiger's is long gone.<br /><br />Thanks for commenting. Yes, I try to stay positive about the future of Springfield. But here's the latest thing to be depressed about: http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/04/springfield_police_31-year-old.html<br /><br />This guy, who lives on Donbray Road in the Acres, was arrested in the Breckwood Pond lot with his crack dealing supply. The cops were aware of him because of complaints about drug dealers and youths around them loitering in Sixteen Acres Center. I'm glad they caught him, but it goes to show you the state of things that a casino ain't gonna fix.Hell's Acresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-67901507661501044162014-05-01T14:38:37.220-04:002014-05-01T14:38:37.220-04:00Wow, I've really enjoyed parts 1 and 2 of jump...Wow, I've really enjoyed parts 1 and 2 of jumping the shark. In short, I put the start of the decline with the closing of the Springfield Armory and especially the building of I-91 right through downtown, cutting the city off from the river and destroying lots of homes and businesses in downtown. It cut a swathe through the heart of downtown that Springfield never recovered from.<br /><br />Of course that perspective is largely my parents' from when we lived there. I'm 48, grew up on Longhill in Forest Park. Lived in Springield until 83, left between my junior and senior years but for the 80s and 90s I was always there several times a year and every few years since and still have family and close friends there. It's still part of my genetic makeup but I doubt I would ever return to Mass, let alone Springfield, to live. I live in VT now, work in NH and always feel like I'm crossing behind the Iron Curtain when crossing into Mass! :-D<br /><br />Reading this blog was heartbreaking, nostalgic, entertaining and slightly hopeful. I went to FPJHS, then Classical. Our family business was in the South End on Columbus Ave and my mother worked at City Hall and later at Commerce. Often I would walk downtown on Main Street or Columbus (probably stupid in retrospect. Would it be worse today?) Took the city buses to and from Classical or Tech for Summer School (wasn't the best student a few of those years). <br /><br />Your description of Pynchon Park was eerily familiar. I remember the elevator that smelled like piss--when it was operational. After summer school I'd walk from Tech, through the back of the Cathedral property, jump a fence and go to the library and Nat Hist Museum, then sometimes through Pynchon Park when it open. They tried for a time just closing it at night but leaving it open during the day. Then on to Steigers or Baystate West to catch the bus home or go to the Rebel Peddler and home. <br /><br />I remember clearly when F&W closed and then was torn down. Some friends of mine and I went through the site as they tore it down. They tore it down from the back, oh so slowly. I have vivid memories of going up the old escalators and the view from the top out the back of the building. There was a restaurant up top (and a lunch counter in the basement as I recall) and I can see the floor disappearing by the booths that were still there and looking towards 91 and the river. <br /><br />Even then as a teen it broke my heart to see the decline of Springfield right before my eyes. The pedestrian walkways to nowhere from Baystate to where Forbes once stood was emblematic of that though a building went there eventually. Is there one to where Steigers once stood? <br /><br />Then St. Joseph's (where I was baptized and first communion) torn down for a half-empty strip mall, then the tornado. At least the tower from the old armory is still there. It's heartening to see it be planned made part of the supposed casino. (yeah, believe that when I see it) I thought the tower was destroyed after the tornado. <br /><br />Well, this reply has been kind of rambling, mostly in gratitude for you writing this blog! It takes me back in time!<br />Artnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-29455551494640429282013-09-18T15:27:13.694-04:002013-09-18T15:27:13.694-04:00I'll be the first one to say that the problems...I'll be the first one to say that the problems that Springfield faces are not unlike the problems that many small and mid-size cities face in the US. But, this is Springfield, and somehow it feels more important than all the other small and mid-size cities out there.<br /><br />Super excited, however, to read that the Union Station project is finally. starting. to. happen. Could reliable commuter-rail service (or at least improved Amtrak) between New Haven and Springfield be far behind? (Oh please, oh please, oh please.) it would make trips to the 413 so much easier.Agawamiannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-81112522208437139502013-09-18T11:33:03.421-04:002013-09-18T11:33:03.421-04:00Thanks, Agawamian.
Hot Table, an excellent restau...Thanks, Agawamian.<br /><br />Hot Table, an excellent restaurant that specializes in coffee and paninis, replaced Gus and Paul's and is open on Saturday mornings, but alas, not on Sundays.<br /><br />I also found it difficult to get a cup of coffee in downtown Hartford on a Sunday morning, but you're right. Why the hell should one have to cross the bridge into West Springfield for this?<br /><br />Some enterprising person should lug a "coffee and muffins cart" onto Main Street in the mornings. It would make a fortune!Hell's Acresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-3087453424192275682013-09-18T11:23:20.866-04:002013-09-18T11:23:20.866-04:00Just found your blog...
I've never lived in S...Just found your blog...<br /><br />I've never lived in Springfield but grew up not far away (Agawam) Even though it's been 20+ years since I've lived full-time in WMass, I hate seeing what's happening there. Your theory about a jumping-the-shark point in downtown's history is interesting. I might add, the completion of I-91 and I-291 through downtown. Didn't those sections take until the late 60s/early 70s to finish?<br /><br />And, any time the conversation goes to Johnson's Bookstore, there is always a moment of "Ah, I miss Johnson's Bookstore!"<br /><br />Present day, there seems to be a lot of people who are willing to come into Springfield, if there's a good reason to. Red Rose on a Saturday night is absolutely packed. Bright Nights (though that event may have run its course) seems to be very popular. When the entertainment district was safe, it was crowded with people. I'm thinking about the balloon parades, pancake breakfasts, and Tastes of Springfields we went to back in the 80s (yeah, getting on 30 years ago, but still...)<br /><br />About three years ago my husband and I stayed at the Sheraton because of a big family event. Sunday morning, instead of taking the (overpriced) breakfast at the hotel, I thought that we could walk out on Main Street and find a place to sit and eat. Ha, ha, ha. I thought for sure that the Friendly's would be open (what Friendly's you ask--good question) or perhaps the Gus & Paul's in Tower Square (closed.) There was not a single place nearby to even get a cup of coffee. We gave up, jumped in the car and went over the bridge to West Springfield. Now, mind you, both the Marriott and Sheraton were fully booked--there were people downtown. But there was nothing to draw those people to the street.<br /><br />I'm not sure what the answer is, except that giving people a safe and fun reason to come to downtown (i.e. not just because they need to go to the RMV) would be a big step in the right direction.Agawamiannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-43878503740924627792013-07-17T21:27:11.277-04:002013-07-17T21:27:11.277-04:00That's it--you used the "N-word". I...That's it--you used the "N-word". I'm cancelling your Food Network contract. :-)<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09005342496130169942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-83774729001099517402013-07-01T14:52:05.335-04:002013-07-01T14:52:05.335-04:00Hot Tuna played the Paramount with Taj Majal and T...Hot Tuna played the Paramount with Taj Majal and The Band in '87. The Hippodrome marquee was just my Photoshop work lolHell's Acresnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436846479279507747.post-29081650174415985492013-07-01T11:37:35.779-04:002013-07-01T11:37:35.779-04:00what year was hot tuna at the hippodrome? remember...what year was hot tuna at the hippodrome? remember seeing a couple of shows at the paramount beautiful bones in that place, dylan in fall of 90 and santana/buddy miles show maybe the next year. barroomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12903199556163026319noreply@blogger.com