Spring Street got its start as a path for Williams College students from West College to draw water from a spring near the intersection with Walden Street.
Gradually, the eponymous Spring Street developed as the town’s foremost business street, overtaking Water Street in that regard.
A glance through records at the Williamstown House of Local History shows since 100 years ago, and 70 years ago, some businesses have remained the same, and some are only memories.
In 1931, according to the town directory at the House of Local History, a person going to Spring Street could send a telegram via Western Union, arrange for a delivery of coal or shoot a game of pool.
Those enterprises are long gone, as is the school that stood where the post office now stands, and the Boys’ Club. Nor is there any longer an automobile repair shop — nor, even the more recent service station, Art Lafave’s that closed just a year ago. Nor are there a photographer, an inn, nor a bookseller and print dealer.
Nor can you take a bath in the basement of the building that currently houses Where’d You Get That!?, St. Pierre’s barbershop, and the upstairs offices of the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation. That building was moved from the area now occupied by the First Congregational Church on Main Street, where it housed Mather’s Store.
Nor can you find a taxi, at the long-vanished Seymour’s Garage, which advertised “trips made to all surrounding cities, anywhere, anytime.†For shoe repair and blacksmith’s work, you have to go elsewhere.
But some establishments keep up their traditions.
The Williams Newsroom was established in 1893, and continues to sell newspapers and periodicals and student supplies, just as it declared in its advertisement in the 1931 directory.
Hart’s Drug Store still sells prescriptions and fine scents and soaps, but it no longer bills itself as The Rexall Store.
McClelland’s stationers store is still operating, although its press has moved to North Street.
Geo. M. Hopkins still sells furniture, general household furnishings, and is a funeral director, although there may not be much call today for Vudor porch shades, since few people have sleeping porches nowadays.
St. Pierre’s barbershop is still trimming hair.
And although the names have changed, there is still a grocery store — now the Berkshire Hills Market — where Ruether & Co. once dealt in meats and poultry, fresh and smoked; a bank, now First Massachusetts, where once was the Williamstown National Bank; and a jeweler. There was, and is, a bakery, now Clarksburg Bakery, when once the Williamstown Food Shoppe billed itself as “The Home of Good Things to Eat, wedding and birthday cakes, made to order.†And Treet Cleaners operates where Drummond’s formerly did.
American Legion Post No. 152 still meets on the corner of Walden Street, although its new home is rising at the foot of the street, where Robin’s Restaurant was located.
One memorable image of that building, from the files of Randy Trabold, the late Transcript photographer, showed adjoining campaign headquarters, Republican and Democratic. The Sevenson supporters took advantage of the GOP “We Like Ike†slogan by adding their banner, just next to it, reading “But We’ll Vote for Stevenson.â€
The picture appeared on the front page of the New York Times and as a full page in Life magazine.
In the group pictured were Albert Keep, Walter S. Wilmott, Irwin and Bernice Shainman and Ralph Renzi.
Mr. Trabold caught the image, which was apparently of short duration, as the Republicans soon removed their Ike banner.
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
The home prior to renovations.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!
Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.
This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.
The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.
The house is listed for $359,500.
We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieriand Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.
What was your first impression when you walked into the home?
Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.
Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.) The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.
What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?
Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few. All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.
Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house. New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house. New paver patio in the back yard.
What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?
Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.
Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.
What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?
Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.
Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.
Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?
Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.
Andrews: Built in about 1965.
What do the current owners love about this home?
Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.
Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.
What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?
Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.
You can find out more about this house on its listing here.
*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.
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