They call it the "Whip City." And I must admit that when I first heard that, my mind ran wild with the possibilities. But the reality is far tamer — Westfield was once America's whip manufacturing capital. The industry began in the early 1800s, when local residents began fashioning crude whips from materials at hand, like hickory and buckskin. Whip-making factories quickly sprang up, and by 1865, Westfield's whip industry had grown to include 30 factories, which together held an estimated 95 percent of the American whip market (and a good portion of the world market as well). Whip manufacturing in Westfield peaked in 1893, when about 80 percent of the town's residents worked in one of the factories. But that same year saw an invention that would eventually bring about the industry's decline — the horseless carriage.

By World War II, only two whip companies remained in Westfield. And one firm keeps the tradition alive today — the Westfield Whip Manufacturing Company. Started in 1946 (after most had left the industry) as a second career for newspaperman (and former mayor) Harold Martin, the company produced jockey whips, English hunting and riding crops, quirts, and cab, express and team whips using traditional methods. Martin's daughter Carol and her partner Daniel Seals run the company these days, selling a wide variety of whips and crops to harness racing teams, dressage teams and animal trainers. Their building, 360 Elm Street, is on the National Historic Register. In fact, they still use a plating machine (which braids threads around a wooden core) that dates from the 1860s. But their exact manufacturing process is a closely guarded secret. And that, it seems, is the way Carol's dad would have wanted it.

Established in 1669 but incorporated as a city in 1920, today's Westfield (a diverse community of 42,000) is a place with a proud Yankee heritage that is making the slow and sometimes painful transition from buggy whips to 21st century high technology. Many of its residential neighborhoods are well maintained, and its sense of community is strong, but its downtown still shows the tell tale signs of an old manufacturing center. The city hopes to change that, though, with a revitalization plan for the riverfront area near the Great River Bridge (where Westfield Whip is located) that would include shops, open air markets, the planned Columbia Greenway bicycle path (Columbia Bicycle is headquartered in Westfield) and other attractions. Indeed, revitalization is a hot topic in Westfield, as the city's residents grapple with the optimum balance between commercial and industrial growth and "city-in-the-country" quality of life while planning their future.

For many, Westfield's biggest modern-day claim to fame is its state college, the oldest co-educational teacher's college in the country. It's also the home to the Westfield Athaneum, the city's public library and museum since 1864; Woody's Brick Oven Restaurant, a favorite local hangout which rose again like a phoenix from the ashes of a fire several years ago; the Whip City Speedway, which features seasonal racing action with dwarf cars, microstocks and competition karts; and the beautiful Stanley Park.

We visited Stanley Park this past weekend for the 21st Annual WestFest, and were quite impressed, not only with the show (which featured high quality crafts, the work of some talented local artists and music by groups like Don Bastarache and His Dixieland Band), but with the park itself. Contained in its 275-acre space are beautiful gardens, quaint gazebos, a Carillon bell tower with stained glass windows, boardwalks around a pond and more. The gardens, which are just beginning to burst with color, are lovingly maintained. In fact, the park sponsors spring and summer garden workshops as part of its very busy event calendar. Other events include Dog Daze on June 23rd; the July 3rd "Celebrate America" concert with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra (playing the 1812 Overture as well as Aaron Copland's Lincoln Portrait) and fireworks display; and the July 20th Glasgow Scottish Festival, which features traditional Celtic music, a calling of the clans, dancing at the Ceilidh (pronounced "kaylee"), highland games, and of course, bagpipes.

But whether there's an event being held or not, Stanley Park is a pleasant oasis for quiet reflection, leisurely strolls or family fun. It may be somewhat hard to find (we followed the directions on the website and still got lost), but it's definitely worth a visit.

Westfield is a city at the crossroads, both literally and figuratively. While it's got much to recommend it, it has a great deal of work ahead. But it's also a place that is just as committed to its future as its past. And in the long run, it's that community commitment (plus equal doses of hard work and investment) that will help it make the transformation from decline to glory.

For more on Westfield, visit the following:

http://www.westfieldchamber.org/
http://www.ci.westfield.ma.us/index.html
http://www.stanleypark.org

Send your friends a link to this page.

(Back to Spotlights)