Northampton Massachusetts and Dinner

…continuing with our exploration of parts of the northeastern United States.

At the end of our 17^th day on the road, we checked in to our Hampton Inn in Hadley Massachusetts and then went out looking for a place to eat.  We checked out one place that didn’t appeal to us and another, an Italian restaurant that did appeal to us…but it was booked solid!  I had an image of Northampton as a beat up old industrial town…but we’d run out of options so we decided to cross the Connecticut River bridge and see what the town had to offer.

Once again, I was reminded to never ‘assume’ anything!  Northampton was a surprise to both of us.  Northampton is an academic, artistic, music and countercultural center.  This cleverly decorated railroad bridge and walkway set the tone for me.  This town of about 28,500 residents is roughly 15 miles north of Springfield Massachusetts and while it did suffer somewhat with the decline of manufacturing in the area, that endeavor was never the key to Northampton’s existence.  

Downtown Northampton is alive and well, with hotels, restaurants and shops…

Conservatives beware!  Northampton is reputed to be the most politically liberal medium sized city in the United States.  Numerous alternative health and intellectual organizations are located here.  The city has a high proportion of citizens who identify as gay and lesbian and it’s a popular destination for the LGBT community.  I sure didn't see any MAGA hats! 

The area has always seemed to be ahead of its time.  Congregational preacher, theologian and philosopher Jonathan Edwards sparked the 1734 Christian Revival in Northampton.  This led to the Great Awakening under his leadership.  By way of contrast vs. Northampton’s current political leanings, Edwards is considered one of the founders of what we call today evangelical Christianity. 

To learn more about Jonathan Edwards go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Edwards_(theologian), and to learn about the Great Awakening go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Awakening.

In any case, we were just looking for good place to eat in a casual atmosphere…

After looking around a bit and checking out street-side menus, we decided to have dinner at Fitzwilly’s Restaurant and the Toasted Owl Bar.  They must be doing something right here since this dining venue has been in business here since 1974…45 years as of 2019. 

The Toasted Owl Bar is massive, attractive and impressive.  It was busy when we arrived and much busier when we finished our dinners and departed. 

This was one of the dining areas.  It was warm and cozy despite the high ceilings.  Note the old brick wall on the left.  I wonder what occupied this space in the early 1900s…

Then we looked up and noted the brick arches from another era and yet another area for diners. 

FYI... The first permanent settlement of the area took place in 1654.  The town itself was incorporated in 1775.  The town and surrounding area played a key part in American history.  

In August of 1786, Daniel Shays and a large group of Revolutionary War veterans stopped the civil court from 'sitting' in Northampton.  Shays’ Rebellion led to an attack on the nearby Springfield armory and it involved thousands of ex-soldiers.  It also drew retired General George Washington back into public life, leading to his 2 terms as our first President. 

To learn about Shays’ Rebellion and its many ramifications on American history, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shays%27_Rebellion.

For an appetizer, we ordered Fitzwilly’s Gorgonzola and Garlic Bread. ($10.95) This lovely loaf of garlic bread was served with melted gorgonzola and alloutte cheese.  It was excellent…and very filling too!

Laurie chose the Fish and Chips for her entrée. ($16.95) Fresh haddock fillets were dipped in beer batter and flash fried, then served with French fries and some nice coleslaw.  Laurie enjoyed her meal but I did ‘have to’ help her finish off one of those fish fillets and a few fries…

For my dinner, I chose the Bacon, Shrimp and Asparagus Pasta.  I can’t tell you what it cost as it doesn’t seem to be on the current menu.  It’s a pity too as I really enjoyed it.  I love shrimp, asparagus and pasta…plus everyone knows that everything is better with bacon!

We made a good choice for our evening meal!  Fitzwilly’s Restaurant and the Toasted Owl Bar is located at 23 Main Street in Northampton Massachusetts.  Phone: 413-584-8666.  This restaurant’s website is at: https://www.fitzwillys.com/.

After diner it was dusk and we walked around for a little while to work off some of our ‘lite’ meal.  I had to take a photo of this closed old time train car diner just across from Fitzwilly’s.  It dates back to the 1930s and for 24 years, it was called “Kathy’s Diner”.  Before that is was the “Red Lion Diner” and the “Miss Northampton Diner”.    It had been vacant since June of 2013.  Hopefully someone will restore it and open it for business once again!

This beautiful old hotel is the Hotel Northampton.  Built in 1927, it is a member of the Historic Hotels of America.  It features 106 guestrooms and suites.  Lewis Wiggins constructed the hotel and part of his goal was to achieve museum status for the hotels furnishings.  Many of those antiques still grace the hallways, restaurants and lobby.

 

Wiggins actually disassembled and moved a 141 year old tavern to incorporate into his hotel.  It was actually a tavern that one of his ancestors had built.  He reassembled what is now a 200 year old tavern in the hotel.  This hotel and tavern have housed and fed many celebrities and famous people.  They include the Dalai Lama, Dwight Eisenhower, Nicole Kidman, David Bowie, John F. Kennedy, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, Calvin Coolidge, Bob Dylan, Jenny Lind, Stephen King, Wynton Marsalis and Leonard Nimoy.

For more information about this hotel, its rates and dining opportunities, go to http://www.hotelnorthampton.com/.

As we departed the area the next morning, we passed this amazing and attention getting structure.  This is the Northampton City Hall.  It was built in 1850.  Its designer conceived of it as a novelty, combining the Gothic, Tudor and Norman styles…complete with arrow slits in the towers. 

Sadly, in a 1923 restoration of this building, the historic second floor auditorium was lost.  Back in the day it seated 1,000 people, playing host to Jenny Lind, P.T. Barnum, Horace Greeley, William Lloyd Garrison, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass. 

One more footnote about Northampton.  It is the home of Smith College.  Graduates of this independent women’s college include Sylvia Plath, Barbara Bush, Nancy Regan, Gloria Steinem and Julia Child.

That’s all for now.  Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them…

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave