Stereoviews are the primary source for pictorial images of early Springfield. They originated in the 1850's, and remained popular until about 1900. Since that was a very fast-moving era in Springfield, they can be the only pictorial source of many buildings.
This page is an attempt to document the stereoviews of Springfield, Massachusetts. I will list the company making the stereoview, any information I can find about that company, and the "checklist" that is provided on the reverse side.
Click on each of the links below to explore the stereoview checklists, along with the actual images of the items in my own collection.
Stereo Cards
I have a lot of springfield cards if you want to add them to the site or to your housesofspringfield site. let me know and I will loan them to you. Jim
Stereo Views
Check out the NY Public Library website for some really great Springfield stereo views. Some are unidentified. Maybe visitors to our virtual historical society can help. www.digitalgallery.nypl.org.
NY Public Library stereo views
Wonderful collection of Stereo Views, thanks for the tip. I did identify several. In the series they show under Springfield, #72 is the back side of the Arsenal. #92 is a view across Court square to 1st Church. 93 is the Catholic Cathedral on State St and 94 is Church of the Unity. Several other commercial buildings rang a bell, especially the one with the rounded left wall. jim
Identified stereos
Thanks, Jim. I will go back and look at the views you have identified. I think the building with the rounded wall may be the southeast corner of Main and Harrison looking south. That particular building did not look familiar but some of the others do.
Looking for Foot's Block image
Hello all. I am involved in a research project on Springfield that is very specific in nature. we are looking for any photos of the of "Foot's Block" on corner of State and Main. There seems to have been one stereoview done of it. There may be others. we would also be interested in any lithos or engravings that might show Foot's Block. It seems to be a needle-in-a-haystack to find one, but this webpage may be of help. Thanks so much.
snogreen
Foot's Block pictures
I have located two separate views of Foot's Block: both photos are taken from the east side of Main Street looking south past a couple of buildings to Foot's. I am certain I have seen better views, but have not yet come across them. One of the two I found is on page 14 of "Springfield Illustrated, State Fair Edition" (1888) and the other is on an unnumbered page of a rather unusual view book of Springfield (no apparent title), copyrighted 1904 by H. Rude.
Foot's Block
I am back with my reference books and have found some information on Foot’s block and company. On page 144 of Picturesque Hampden County, Part 1, there is a picture of the current(1892) building as well as a picture of the original store and also a picture of Mr. Foots house on Maple St. Also there is a long write-up about the company. Hope this helps.
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American machine works. 1879
I am looking for any information I can about this company and its history.
I have an original wooden and metal sign from it....it's spectacular!!!
I'm so interested in its history!!
Anyone?
Thanks!!
American Machine
The company was incorporated in 1848. An early customer was the Springfield Republican which purchased the company's steam operated printing machine in 1848. It was believed to be the first newspaper outside of Boston to use such a machine. A wide variety of other machines was manufactured by the company.
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