New vacancy: now-empty block stands out on Denver Street

It’s been years since anyone has stayed at the Cedar Inn in Holyoke, yet it was something of a landmark on East Denver Street. Now, not a trace of it remains, as owners Paul and Teresa Mailander move forward with demolition.
    In late April, heavy equipment was brought in to knock down the motel units and office. As the debris was loaded into trucks to be hauled away, remnants of the building’s history were visible, including mattresses here and there.
    Once the buildings themselves were gone, work continued. Trees were toppled and hauled away, creating a blank slate at 525 E. Denver St.
    While those driving along the highway may think it disappeared overnight, Teresa Mailander said for them it has been a long process. Over the decade that they’ve owned it, progress has been slow. About three years ago, they removed old trailer homes from the north side of the property. In April of this year, they finally had the all-clear to raze the old motel and prepare the land for something new, and the block hasn’t been this empty since the end of World War II.
    Harry Brinkema and Wilty Poos first bought the property in July 1946 and constructed the 16-unit motel in the following year. One former owner, Margaret (Bullard) Scholl, said that the structures were built using old barn wood because there was a lumber shortage at the time.
    In May 1948, the motel was sold to Earl and Grace Smith, who then sold it to Ed and Edna Naggatz in September 1948.
    Ed and Edna operated the business for the next five years, selling it to Robert and Lillian Dent in 1953. In 1955 K. and L. Brittell purchased the motel.
    In 1957, Vince and Martha Dunn bought the establishment. It was during their lengthy ownership that the business underwent some drastic changes. In the ’60s, they completely remodeled the building and added brick to the facade. Then, in 1973, they sold the motel to Burl and Veva Lockwood.
    In September 1976, the Lockwoods formed a corporation and sold interest in the corporation to Ron and Margaret Bullard. At that time, the Bullards assumed operation of the Cedar Motel. In November 1979, Margaret opened M-R Hair Care Center in one of the rooms of the motel. She continued styling hair throughout the entire time she worked at the motel.
    In addition to the motel, during that time period, there was a 10-space trailer park that was part of the business.  
    March 31, 1999, Margaret retired from hair care, and the Bullards (and Veva Lockwood) sold the motel and trailer park to Richard and Nancy Cassel.
    The Cassels then sold it to Alan and Emma Sprague in November 2003. The Spragues were the last owners to run the motel. By the time they sold it back to the bank in 2009, there just wasn’t demand for its services anymore, Emma said.
    For almost 15 years the old motel remained standing without any real purpose.
    So what comes next? For now there are no firm plans for the future of the site, Mailander commented. But it is one step closer to being ready for whatever may be in store.