The Highlands: Fairfield Avenue

Posted on 6/13/25

Fairfield Avenue in Holyoke, Massachusetts
This elegant street was developed in the Highlands neighborhood in the late 19th century as part of the city’s expansion. It was known for its landscaped central greenbelt, park-like setting, and distinguished homes constructed between the 1880s and 1910s. Today, the road still maintains a parkway and features remarkable historic homes, many of which retain their original beauty.

The Transcript Telegram in 1883 stated that Daniel O’Connell is grading Fairfield Avenue from Northampton Street to Pleasant street [sic], parallel and north of Lincoln street [sic]. The land in that vicinity is owned by Rosewell M. Fairfield and James F Allyn and the opening of this widestreet [sic] will put serval find building lots in the market. Leslie B. White was also instrumental and owned a significant amount of property here as well.

Home of Roswell M. Fairfield
In a newspaper article on July 14th, 1884, it stated that Fairfield Avenue is now open for public travel. Built on the corner of Fairfield Avenue and Northampton Road, Roswell Fairfield constructed a large three‑story Queen Anne, designed and built by Fairfield. The house faces Fairfield Avenue, and the road visible in the background running behind the house is Northampton. The property behind the house would later become the home of Esleek.

Fairfield Avenue would be constructed directly across from the home of William Prentiss. Fairfield owned many of the plots and sold several homes that included electric bells and electric gas lighting. Electric gas lighting sometimes refers to lamps that had been wired with electric switches to electronically spark the gas light using wall-mounted controls.

The balustrade on this home is unique, featuring flat balusters with a diagonal Eastlake pattern carved into them.

On the right, some interesting gardening is taking place in its early stages. A close examination of the sidewalk leading to the house reveals a unique diamond pattern.

The porte-cochère is among the most utilitarian designs we’ve seen on these homes from this era, featuring only porch posts resting on stone blocks in our photo studies. Look closely and you’ll see a garden hose on the porch extending all the way to the spigot on the side of the house.

Did it rain on the house, or did they use this hose to wash the house down? Cleary the house is wet. Again, we see a view of the interesting balustrade on the balcony, matching the one on the porch: a flat pattern with incised lines cut into it.

The large chimneys in this photo are flat-topped and appear to either have a dark face brick pattern on them or a pattern that was painted directly onto the brick. Both options were common.

This is the earliest known photo of the home. In the distance, the open field is where the home of Esleek was later constructed, as mentioned in the previous post.

From the corner of Northampton Road, looking down Fairfield Avenue, we get an opposite-side view of the house. Situated at 74 Fairfield, this home marks the start of the even-numbered side of the avenue, anchoring one end of the landscaped parkway and illustrating the planned grandeur of Holyoke’s Highlands expansion. However, it would not be the grandest home on the street.

We can see that this street was constructed with beautiful brick sidewalks.

Their side yard featured several ornamental trees and shrubs, including flowering hydrangeas scattered throughout the garden.

By this time, the vines had taken hold on the porch. We get a good view of the garden urn, commonly referred to in the 19th century as a “vase” or “garden vase.”

A horse and carriage sit patiently under the carriage porch on what appears to be a warm summer day. The owners must have enjoyed hydrangeas, as they are planted throughout much of the home’s grounds.

The corner box bay features alternating stained glass between the mullions in the upper sashes of the windows—a very common Queen Anne element.

This closer view shows the balcony, where a floor-length window allows one to step out onto the second-level balcony.

A few years after the house was constructed, ornamental chimney caps appear to have been added.

This view of the home is from the late 1890s.

Beyond the heavily vine-shaded porte-cochère, we can see the back of the Esleek home’s kitchen wing.

Present Day
The house still stands today, painted in historic colors and retaining much of its original exterior woodwork. Unfortunately, it has lost its large porch or porte-cochère, but the rest of the home still stands proud.

L. B. White Residence
Leslie B. White, a local contractor and carriage dealer, was the original owner and lived there from its completion until at least 1895, before relocating to 31 Fairfield Avenue by 1896. In the foreground, we see the median of Fairfield Avenue. White was heavily involved in the development of this street. In 1886, in an article titled A New Boulevard, he is said to be the contractor and builder who owns nearly all the land on this avenue, and he will make the most of his opportunity, turning it into an attractive spot.

This photo may have been taken before the house was fully completed and is the earliest known photograph of the home.

In the last chapter on the Esleek Residence, we saw the view of this home from his backyard.

Historical records show that the beautiful Queen Anne–style home at 56 Fairfield Avenue was completed around 1888. Contractor and carriage dealer Leslie B. White, who helped design several nearby homes, lived here until at least 1895 before moving down the street and eventually to Westfield.

The grounds of the property appear to be lined with large, light-colored stones.

In the foreground, we see a hitching post for a horse. To the left is a birdbath or part of a fountain.

In this photo, we get a fantastic close-up view of the home, with the family on the porch and their carriage under the porte-cochère. The child’s large rocking horse sits next to the mother on the porch.

In this view, we can see the unique application of the top portion of the shutters resting on the awning, attached with a hinge—an interesting detail. Look closely at the end of the porte-cochère roof finial, it appears an American flag is mounted on top. The second-floor balcony has been enclosed with screens. The side of the porch also features very ornate wood appliqué designs, somewhat randomly nailed in place. Notice that the front of the balcony is very plain and simple. Hold that thought for later…

This house’s gables feature large, expressive details, including a huge sunburst with a carved face—though it’s difficult to make out in this shot.

The roof ridge is fantastic, featuring what appear to be large Chinese dragon heads. It’s unclear whether they are made of metal, terracotta, or wood—but they are striking. Here, you can also make out the face carved into the sunburst in the gable.

The child’s umbrella baby carriage is parked near the stairs.

Can you identify what is on the back porch?

To the right of the carriage house doors, we see a swan statue that almost appears to be part of a fountain. Could it have once belonged to the birdbath or fountain seen in the front, just not currently assembled? Looking inside the dark carriage house, we see a lone chair and exposed beams.

The side yard, enclosed by the circular driveway, features a large statue of two children holding an umbrella.

Fountains were a significant feature in the 19th century, and if you had the money to splurge, you could choose from a wide variety of options available in catalogs. This appears to be the same statue I found listed as the New Design Centennial Fountain. But during my research on Mr. White, I also came across some interesting news articles…

Fountain with a Story
In 1886, the Transcript Telegram published an article stating that some children had damaged a fountain Mr. White had installed, featuring two children holding an umbrella. A few months earlier, another 1886 article noted that the pretty fountain with which L. B. White ornamented the junction of Pearl St. and Fairfield Avenue has not been properly cared for. Children have rights, but the liberty to destroy fountains is not a right for anyone. The house was said to be constructed in 1888. Is this the same fountain that now sits on his lawn a few years later?

This is a fantastic carriage house, complete with a tower and a corner porch. The horseshoe-shaped window above the carriage house door is also a fitting detail. Note that there is no roof cresting on this structure—yet.

Another outbuilding appears to be echoing the roofline of the carriage house. Several carriages sit to the left of the building.

In 1890, a book on Holyoke was published, and this photo was included. Awnings had been added to the carriage house by that time.

If you remember earlier, the base of the balcony was simple and unadorned, but here we can see that ornamentation has been added to the balcony rail.

If you remember earlier, the carriage house did not have roof cresting—but now, cresting matching the main house has been installed. Also notice that the horseshoe window was removed and replaced with two large doors.

Changes to the Property
Sometime in the early 20th century or late 19th century, the property was subdivided and sold off for the construction of other homes. At this point, the carriage house was moved behind the main house. John F. Knightly, a slate roofer, is documented in the 1900 census at this address. He lived there with his wife Maria and their young children. After that, the Towers family.

Present Day
By 1911, the home was owned by Charles H. Tower, a traveling salesman and later manager of an asbestos mill. He lived there with his wife Jennie and remained in the house until his death in 1941. Remarkably, this is another home that still stands and appears to be largely intact. Sadly—but not surprisingly—the roof ridging with its animal heads has been lost to time. Here, you can also see that the original carriage house still exists.

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