Springfield in Hampden County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Union House / Chandler Hotel / Edisonia Theater
— Stop 5 • Springfield Experience Walk —
By Cosmos Mariner, July 5, 2019
1. Union House / Chandler Hotel / Edisonia Theater Marker
Union House / Chandler Hotel
The Union House opened as a hotel in 1846. Two Presidents slept here, including James K. Polk, the 11th President, who stayed during a trip through the Northeastern part of the country. He was joined by his Secretary of State James Buchannan, who would go on to become the 15th President. The name evolved over time, becoming the Chandler Hotel in 1886. In 1933, the Chandler Hotel closed permanently but the building remained in use for various merchants. In the 1950's, a new commercial storefront was added to the building.
In 2017, the historic façade was preserved and incorporated into the MGM Springfield property.
Edisonia Theater
The Edisonia Theater formerly stood at 1156-1176 Main Street, built in 1913 and designed by architects E.C. and G.C. Gardner.
It was named as a tribute to Thomas Edison and was one of Springfield's earliest moving picture houses. Retail storefronts were added in 1937. In the 1940's the theater was closed and renovated as a grocery store housing the Springfield Public Market. The market was a local landmark until it closed in the 1960's.
Courtesy of the Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History
2. Marker detail: Hotel Chandler, corner Main & Bliss, Springfield 50th Anniversary, 1902
Erected 2018.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #11 James K. Polk, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #15 James Buchanan series lists.
Location. 42° 6.016′ N, 72° 35.175′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Massachusetts, in Hampden County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Crossett Lane, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, facing Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: One MGM Way, Springfield MA 01103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Burbach, Bangs, and McKinney Blocks (within shouting distance of this marker); Stockbridge Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Theodore Seuss Geisel Was Born Here in 1904 (within shouting distance of this marker); Howard Street School / WCA Boarding House (within shouting distance of this marker); Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mass Mutual Building (about 300 feet away); 95 State Street
Courtesy of the Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History
3. Marker detail: Union House / Chandler Hotel
In the 1950's, a new commercial storefront was added to the building.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Springfield Experience Walk
Photo by Margo Webber; courtesy of Secretory of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin
4. Marker detail: Edisonia Theater
By Cosmos Mariner, July 5, 2019
5. Union House Facade (marker visible on wall, near center)
By Cosmos Mariner, July 5, 2019
6. Union House / Chandler Hotel Facade (view from Main Street)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 89 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 21, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
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