The house at 95 Maple Street in Springfield, around 1889. Image from the Inland Architect and News Record, Volume XII No. 9.
The house around 1938-1939. Image courtesy of the Springfield Preservation Trust.
The scene in 2017:
For many years, this site on Maple Street was the home of James Dwight Brewer, a local merchant and member of the prominent Brewer family. However the house in the first photo is not the same one that he lived in. Brewer died in 1886, and the property was inherited by his daughter Harriet. In 1889, she had the old house moved to the rear of the lot, at 100 School Street, in order to make room for the house in the first two photos. Her husband, Dr. Luke Corcoran, was a leading physician in the city who also served as a trustee of the Northampton State Hospital. The Corcorans were also art patrons, and amassed a considerable collection here at their home.
Luke and Harriet Corcoran had two children, James and Sarah, although Sarah died in 1881 at the age of two. James became an author and journalist who worked for the Springfield Republican, along with writing several books of his own. He married his wife Carolyn in 1901, and the couple lived here with James’s parents and their daughter Celeste. Both Luke and Harriet died in the 1920s, but James and his family continued to live here for many years. Carolyn died in 1953, but James was still living in this house until around 1963, when he sold the property to the Insurance Company of North America. The house was subsequently demolished, and the insurance company built the current building on the site. This building later became offices for Milton Bradley, and is now the Milton Bradley Elementary School.
12/2020 update: Special thanks to photos.innersource.com for providing the 1889 image from the Inland Architect and News Record.
Great site. Fascinating to these photos. Thanks.
I actually own a dovetailed chest that had belonged to Luke Corcoran; beautiful piece.
My grandparents Ervin and Hattie Lewis were the maid and butler at this home in the 50’s and early 60’s. I spent a good part of my time here with them. Mr. Brewer Corcoran and wife Cecie left me fond memories. Mrs. Corcoran bought me my first pair of roller skates, you know the one’s with the key. She patiently led me up and down the sidewall in the back of the house ’til I could navigate on my own. Mr. Corcoran would have a box of chocolates waiting for me once I bought him his slippers in the Library where I could pick just one. They were both very lovely people and I’m very happy that I was a part of history at 95 Maple St., Springfield, Ma.