In the early days of the Puritan settlement at Springfield Plantation, the region just west of the Union Street Cemetery was called “Cold Spring Bottom”. Land grants began here in 1650 when it was discovered that the soil was ideal for orchards and the grazing of animals.
In those days property in West Springfield tended to change hands often, but because of the excellence of the soil here, people held title to their land for long periods of time. Thus the Van Horn family owned property at Cold Spring Bottom for 90 years and the Cooley family owned the same land for the next 80 years. Finally, in the early 20th century, the demand for industrial property near the Boston & Albany rail yard led to the demise of farming in this part of town. It is difficult to imagine that for 250 years the region had been one of the community’s most important agricultural centers.
Starting in 1912, farmland along Union Street began to be converted into a large industrial complex anchored by the world famous gasoline pump manufacturer, Gilbert and Barker, also known as Gilbarco. After moving here from Springfield, Gilbert and Barker quickly became the town’s biggest employer. The company was later sold to Standard Oil of New Jersey, now known as Exxon. It was a sad time when, in 1966, Standard Oil decided to move the entire operation to Greensboro, North Carolina.
If you look down the driveway, at 380 Union Street, you will see one of the last remnants of Gilbert & Barker still existing in town. There, standing against the skyline for all to see, is the Gilbarco water tower.
But all things are temporary, and today the area is again humming with commercial activity. It is expected that the new Merrick Master Redevelopment Plan will maximize the potential of the rail yard and that this neighborhood will soon regain its place as one of the major employers in West Springfield.