History, Architecture, before and after black & white.

History, Architecture, before and after black & white. Exploring black and white history through colored lenses.

1484 Northampton Street Holyoke Massachusetts.This home is still there and the carriage house is now used as a separate ...
02/21/2026

1484 Northampton Street
Holyoke Massachusetts.
This home is still there and the carriage house is now used as a separate residence.

56 Fairfield Ave Holyoke Massachusetts
02/17/2026

56 Fairfield Ave Holyoke Massachusetts

284 Maple Street Springfield Massachusetts
02/15/2026

284 Maple Street Springfield Massachusetts

Memorial Bridge Springfield Massachusetts 1922
02/15/2026

Memorial Bridge
Springfield Massachusetts
1922

William Hayes Perry Residence.1317 Pleasant Street.Built 1876Architect: E.F. Kysor.Originally located in Boyle Heights, ...
02/15/2026

William Hayes Perry Residence.
1317 Pleasant Street.
Built 1876
Architect: E.F. Kysor.

Originally located in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, CA
Now located at Heritage Square, just off the 110 Freeway, Montecino Heights, Los Angeles, CA

74 Fairfield Ave Holyoke Massachusetts
02/08/2026

74 Fairfield Ave Holyoke Massachusetts

TitleJames Fielding Cosby residenceStudioBritton & Rey.Collection IDLos Angeles Public Library Legacy CollectionLocation...
02/06/2026

Title
James Fielding Cosby residence
StudioBritton & Rey.
Collection ID
Los Angeles Public Library Legacy Collection
Location/Accession
C-4 (241) 8x10
DateCirca 1890
Physical Description
1 photograph :b&w

Description
Exterior view of the home once owned by James Fielding Cosby, located at 3003 So. Figueroa Street.
It has a wide main entrance and a smaller entrance on the left side of the house. A large wrap-around porch, round as well as square towers, three chimneys, decorative shingles, ornamental spindles and brackets. The photo is of the residence soon after completion.
Samuel and Joseph Carter Newsom were the architects.
The house was finished in 1887 at a cost of $30,000.

Joseph Cather Newsom residencrStudioBritton & Rey.Collection IDLos Angeles Public Library Legacy CollectionLocation/Acce...
02/06/2026

Joseph Cather Newsom residencr
Studio
Britton & Rey.
Collection ID
Los Angeles Public Library Legacy Collection
Location/AccessionC-3(338)
Date
Circa 1890
Physical Description
1 photograph :b&w
Description
Exterior front view of the Victorian residence belonging to American architect, Joseph Cather Newsom (1857-1930). The home was located at

819 W. 9th St. in Los Angeles. A sign that reads, "For Sale, 816" can be seen posted on the front window. Photo dated: circa 1890.

182 Linden Street Holyoke Massachusetts
02/05/2026

182 Linden Street Holyoke Massachusetts

The property at 71 Fairfield Avenue in Holyoke, Massachusetts, is a prominent historical residence known as the Wilbert ...
02/04/2026

The property at 71 Fairfield Avenue in Holyoke, Massachusetts, is a prominent historical residence known as the Wilbert Dean House. It is a cornerstone of the Fairfield Avenue Local Historic District, which was established in 2007 as the city’s first local historic district.
​Historical Background
​Construction: The house was built in 1886-1887-/71 Fairfield Avenue.
​Original Owner: It was built for Wilbert Dean. During this era, Fairfield Avenue was a prestigious "streetcar suburb" in the Highlands neighborhood, attracting upper-middle-class residents who worked in Holyoke's booming paper and textile industries.
​Architectural Significance: The home is a quintessential example of Queen Anne Victorian architecture. It is characterized by its complex roofline, asymmetrical facade, and the use of mixed materials including brick, clapboard, and shingles.
​Key Architectural Features
​The Porch: One of its most striking features is the rounded, two-tiered front porch (often referred to as a "wedding cake" style) which offers expansive outdoor living space typical of high-Victorian design.
​Carriage House: The property includes a detached two-story carriage house. These were originally used for horses and carriages but many, including this one, have since been converted for use as garages or additional living/studio space.
​Interior Details: Historically, the home is known for its grand foyer with folding French doors, ornate fireplaces in the main living and dining rooms, and extensive built-in cabinetry.
​The Fairfield Avenue Neighborhood
​Fairfield Avenue itself is historically significant for its landscaped median and its collection of well-preserved late 19th-century homes. The neighborhood was developed after the introduction of streetcar lines made it easy for residents to commute from the quiet, elevated "Highlands" to the industrial canal district downtown.

Significant structural changes were made at the turn of the century to modernize the home's silhouette:
​Side Tower: A prominent tower originally located on the side of the house was removed.
​Original Chimney: The center chimney was removed, completely altering the internal flue system and central layout.
​New Chimney: A new brick chimney was constructed on the left side of the home, which remains its current profile today.

818 W. Adams Blvd, Los Angeles CA.Original photo taken circa 1940Looking from across the street towards the residence of...
02/04/2026

818 W. Adams Blvd, Los Angeles CA.
Original photo taken circa 1940

Looking from across the street towards the residence of Charles Capen, known as the White Castle. This Queen Anne Revival style residence, located at 818 W. Adams Boulevard, has since been demolished.

Address

Dwight Street
Holyoke, MA
01040

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