Holyoke Hydrant & Iron Works - Holyoke, MA

Holyoke Hydrant & Iron Works manufactured fire hydrants from 1887 until 1896 in Holyoke, Massachusetts. An advertisement from 1888 shows their early hydrant line, which was based on the hydrants of Pattee companies. Pattee & Perkins, then R. Pattee & Co., and then Pattee & Draper, also from Holyoke, MA were the predecessors of Holyoke Hydrant & Iron Works. Holyoke later developed a hydrant model of their own. In 1896 the company was purchased by Norwood Engineering Co of Florence, Massachusetts, which continued manufacturing the later hydrant model under the name "The Holyoke".

A more complete history of the Holyoke Hydrant & Iron Works can be found on the Pattee companies page.

All photos © Jeff Kaminski and restored hydrants a part of his collection unless otherwise credited.

  'Pattee style' model
This group of hydrants are identical, including the MAR 17, 1874 patent date found on the bonnet, to the later version (no barrel groove) of the R. Pattee & Co. and Pattee & Draper hydrants shown on that page.
  • Some hydrants of this group also have an 1891 date on the operating nut enclosure like Norwood hydrants and are called Style 1B below.
  • For a description of the different TYPES of "plant leaf" barrel embossing see the previous (Pattee companies) page. The TYPE is so indicated with each photo below, if known.
    • "Style 1A" "Style 1B"

    1440 Style 1B, Type 3
    Nozzles: 1x 2½"
    Size: 4" barrel I.D.
    		2286 Style 1A, Type 2
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 4" barrel I.D.
    		1779 Style 1A, Type 3
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: 4" barrel I.D.
    		1441 Style 1B
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: ~4" barrel I.D.
    Location: Massachusetts
    0910 Style 1A
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4"
    Size: ~4" barrel I.D.
    Location: Massachusetts
         		1442 Style 1A
    Nozzles: 3x 2½"
    Size: ~5" barrel I.D.
    Location: Massachusetts
         		2288 Style ?
    Nozzles: 4?x 2½" internally gated
    Size: ~6" barrel I.D.
    Note: flip lid design
    Source: 1891 company ad

      Later model
    Three different styles of "HOLYOKE HYDRANT & IRON WORKS" embossing have been noted. The nozzles are leaded-in unless otherwise indicated. Examples of this model have been assigned arbitrary Style #s in the photos below and are listed after each photo number for each hydrant. Norwood Engineering would later sell this Holyoke model.
    "Style 2" "Style 3" "Style 4"

    0872 Style 3
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: ~4" barrel I.D.
         		0096 Style 2
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Size: ~4" barrel I.D.
    Location: Holyoke, MA
    Photo: © 2000, E. Kennedy         		2368 Style 3
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4"
    Size: ~4" barrel I.D.
    		 1443 Style 3
    Nozzles: 3x 2½"
    Size: ~5" barrel I.D.
    Location: Massachusetts
    0840 Style 3
    Nozzles: 3x 2½"
    Size: ~5" barrel I.D.
    		1717 Style 4
    Nozzles: 3x 2½"
    Size: ~5" barrel I.D.
         		0839 Style 3
    Nozzles: 3x 2½"
    Size: ~5" barrel I.D.
    Note: casting for center nozzle sized for pumper
    		1885 Style 3
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5", screw-in
    Size: 5" barrel I.D.
    Location: Private collection
    1704 Style 4
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5" screw-in
    Size: ~5" barrel I.D.
    Location: Private collection         		1732 Style 3
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: 6" barrel I.D.
         		0911 Style 4
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 5"
    Size: ~6" barrel I.D.
    Location: Massachusetts

      High Pressure model?
    This model is embossed with the name "HOLYOKE HYDRANT AND IRON WORKS"
  • Outward appearance is very similar to the R.D. Wood High Pressure model
    • 2475
    Nozzles: 2x 2½", 1x 4"
    Location: Newton, Massachusetts
    Photo courtesy Ken Patton
    © 2007 Ken Patton

      Hercules model
    This model is embossed with the name "HERCULES" and "HOLYOKE VALVE AND HYDRANT"
  • This main feature of this hydrant is a secondary valve designed to prevent water hammer.
  • US. Patent #726369 was issued to John J. Sullivan in 1903 for this hydrant.
    • 2474
    Nozzles: 2x 2½"
    Location: Lawrence, Massachusetts
    Photo courtesy Ken Patton
    © 2007 Ken Patton

    Part 1 (Pattee companies) , Part 2 (Holyoke) , Part 3 (Norwood)
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