New book outlines history from 1950 to 1975
Date: 2/22/2012
Feb. 22, 2012By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comCHICOPEE — The period of 1950 to 1975 was a time of "incredible change in the city," according to historian and author Stephen Jendrysik.
The growth of Westover Air Force Base, the decline in some of the traditional industries in the city and the transition of Westover from an active duty base to a air reserve base are all detailed in words and photos in Jendrysik's latest book from Arcadia Publishing, "Images of America: Chicopee 1950 to 1975."
Jendrysik will be speaking about the period and autographing copies of his new book at a presentation at the Chicopee Public Library on Front Street at 6:30 p.m. on March 13.
Jendrysik's previous books for the company have included a postcard history of the city, a look at the Polish community and Chicopee during World War II. He said that this new book would probably be his last for the publishers who try restricting the subject matter of their history books to at least 25 years ago.
In hundreds of photos and captions, Jendrysik details the transition the city underwent from wartime to the economic boom created by Westover to the opening of Chicopee Comprehensive High School and the closing of the city's largest employer, Uniroyal Tire Company.
Jendrysik noted the success of Chicopee's many industries had created a middle class that set the stage for the generation in the 1960s to go to college. He added the two Chicopee high schools benefited from younger "dynamic" teachers during that time, men and women many of whom had served in the military in World War II and had just graduated college.
The addition of the 99th Bomb Wing in 1956 and the conversion of Westover Air Force base to the Strategic Air Command had a positive impact on the city, he explained. The sons and daughters of the Air Force families made their mark both academically and athletically in Chicopee schools.
The influx of children of color from Air Force families also integrated the local schools, Jendrysik added.
The historian noted in his book the city also benefited from the opening of the Massachusetts Turnpike in 1957.
Although Jendrysik recounts the major events during this 25-year time in the city's history, he tells much of the story through dozens of photos depicting the social life, school activities and politics of the city.
He said that there were many photos and stories he couldn't present due to lack of space, some of which he will be presenting at his talk at the library.
One story that didn't make the book was the popularity of an area at which youth would park on Burnett Road that had a perfect vantage point to witness the take-off of B-52s from the base. Jendrysik said with a laugh the boys' dates were usually very impressed.
