History of Springfield, Massachusetts, USA

1636 - Springfield is settled and incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

General Henry Knox and his troops passed through Springfield, Massachusetts in the winter of 1775-76 with a load of 59 cannons pulled by teams of oxen.
The cannons were captured from the British at Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point. They were transported from Lake Champlain to Dorchester Heights, Massachusetts and used by George Washington's army on March 17, 1776 (Evacuation Day) to free Boston from British control during the American Revolutionary War.

General Henry Knox Trail - Historic Marker reads:
"Through this place passed General Henry Knox in the winter of 1775-1776 to deliver to General George Washington at Cambridge the train of artillery from Fort Ticonderoga used to force the British army to evacuate Boston."


Read more about Henry KNOX

1786 - August 29 - Shays' Rebellion in Springfield, Mass
Shays‍'​ Rebellion was an armed uprising in Massachusetts (mostly in and around Springfield) during 1786 and 1787. Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays led four thousand rebels (called Shaysites) in rising up against perceived economic injustices by Massachusetts, and later on attempted to capture the United States' national weapons arsenal at the U.S. Armory at Springfield...

The rebellion started on August 29, 1786. It was precipitated by several factors: financial difficulties brought about by a post-war economic depression, a credit squeeze caused by a lack of hard currency, and fiscally harsh government policies instituted in 1785 to solve the state's debt problems. Protesters, including many war veterans, shut down county courts in the later months of 1786 to stop the judicial hearings for tax and debt collection. The protesters became radicalized against the state government following the arrests of some of their leaders, and began to organize an armed force. A militia... Read MORE...


Read more about Daniel Ogden SHAYS

1836 - October 24 – The earliest United States patent for a phosphorus friction match is granted to Alonzo Dwight Phillips of Springfield, Massachusetts.

wikipedia.org
October 24, 1836

Read more about Alonzo Dwight PHILLIPS

1839 - Springfield
Springfield, Massachusetts
Chief town, Hampden county. This is one of the most beautiful and important inland towns in New England. It is situated on the east bank of Connecticut river, and is supplied with a good hydraulic power by Chickopee and Mill rivers. It is 87 miles W. by S. from Boston, 17 S. by E. from Northampton, and 27 N. from Hartford, Ct. Its Indian name was Agawam. First settled, 1635. Incorporated, 1645. Population, 1820, 3,914; 1830, 6,784; 1837, 9,234. Along the banks of the Connecticut are large tracts of fine alluvial meadow, which are very productive. Back from the river the land rises by a gentle acclivity to an extended pine plain.

The village and business part of the town is on a street between 2 and 3 miles in length, running parallel with the river. This village is very pleasant, well built, and contains many beautiful buildings. A handsome bridge, 1,234 feet in length, connects this town with West Springfield. Boats for the transportation of passengers, ... Read MORE...

1845 - SPRINGFIELD. [Pop. 10,985. Inc. 1636.]
Springfield was called Agawam by the Indians.

The township was originally very extensive, including Longmeadow, Wilbraham, and Ludlow, on the eastern side of Connecticut River; West Springfield, Westfield, and Southwick, on the western side; with Suflield, Enfield, and Somers, which fell into the State of Connecticut, when the new boundary line was run.

Besides the old village, Chickopee and Cabotville are large manufacturing settlements.

William Pynchon, who came over with Gov. Winthrop, was the principal founder of the town, and the few who first accompanied him came from Roxbury, in Norfolk county.

The greater part of what is now Springfield, was burnt in Philip's War.

The United States have had an arsenal and manufactory of firearms in Springfield ever since the Revolution.

The chief stand made by the insurgents in Shays' Rebellion, in 1787, was made at Springfield, where they stopped the Courts, and provoked the government troops to... Read MORE...

1852 - Springfield is incorporated as a city

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1854 - Springfield
Springfield, a city and seat of justice of Hampden county, Massachusetts, is situated on the left bank of the Connecticut river, at the intersection of the Connecticut Valley, and the New Haven Hartford and Spring field railroads with the Western railroad, 98 miles W. by 8. from Boston, 58 miles S. from Brattleborough, Vermont, 102 miles E. S. E. from Albany, and 138 miles N. N. E. from New York. Lat. 42° 6' 4" N., Lon. 72° 35' 45" W. This is one of the handsomest and most flourishing inland towns in the state. The various railways centring here bring to it an immense amount of travel ; its natural ad vantages also render it one of the most important commercial depots on the Connecticut. The city is pleasantly situated in the midst of varied and delightful scenery. The site comprises the level along the river bank, and the western portion of an elevated plain extending several miles eastward. Main street, the principal thoroughfare and seat of business, is a broad, handsome avenue,... Read MORE...

1854 - The Destructive Gale - Its Effects at the East.
...The unroofing of the great railroad depot at Springfield is described of wind force. The cars had just left for Hartford, and were just coming in from New-York, when about 300 feet of the roof was lifted off and scattered about in the streets, crushing several adjacent roofs, and demolishing carriages, &c., but fortunately no lives were lost.

The large coffee factory of Fox & Co., in Springfield, was completely demolished, and several other buildings destroyed...
The New York Times
New York, New York
March 21, 1854

1864 - Great Fire in Springfield, Mass. - Loss $106,000.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Sunday, July 24. - A fire broke out broke about 12:30 on Saturday night in a wooden building on Main-street in this city, occupied by JAMES MALLY, dry goods dealer, and GEORGE M. LAW, clothing warehouse. The ? destroyed, and the fire spread to the Music Hall block, a brick building owned by TILLY HAYNES. The upper story of the block was used as an exhibition room, known as Music Hall. The lower part was occupied by J. M. SKIFF, jeweler, and T. L. HAYNE & Co., clothing dealers, and the basement was used as a billiard room and saloon. Notwithstanding the strenuous efforts of the firemen, this block was entirely destroyed, only a portion of the walls being left standing. A fresh breeze prevailing at the time, communicated the flames to a wooden building on the corner of Main and Pynchon streets, occupied by J. FULTON, millinery, H. HUTCHINS, druggist, and MOORE BROTHERS, Photographers. This building was nearly burned to the ground. A stable at the rear of Music Hall,... Read MORE...

1873 - MASSACHUSETTS. A TERRIBLE FIRE RAGING---THE SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN OFFICE DAMAGED.
SPRINGFIELD, Feb. 5. - A fire broke out this evening in the block occupied by the Merchants' Union Express and Massachusetts. Mutual Life Insurance Company, and in a short time the flames enveloped the block. The heat became so intense that the compositors in the Springfield Republican office, the building adjoining, were obliged to stop work. The employes [sic] are busy removing valuables. The Telegraph office is now threatened and assistance has been asked from Hartford and Worcester.

1 A. M. - The rear and body of the Massachusetts Insurance Building has been destroyed. The front wall is still standing. Steamers are on the way from Hartford and Worcester.

Work has been resumed in the Republican Company's room, and the paper will appear as usual this morning.

The insurance building was almost entirely destroyed: loss about $75,000; insured. The books and papers of the company were all saved. The loss to the Republican, by water, is considerable; but at two A. M., the flames ... Read MORE...

1888 - THE SPRINGFIELD FIRE. DONOHUE, THE COMPOSER, IS DEAD, MAKING SEVEN VICTIMS IN ALL.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., March 8. - There is little to add to the story of the fire which wrecked the Daily Union office and building yesterday. A great deal of adverse criticism is heard on all sides regarding the bungling work of the hook and ladder men, and also what seems the criminal negligence in the matter of fire escapes at the front of the building. The newly-constructed top story was all of pine, painted, and the soft wood partitions aided in quickly spreading the flames to all parts of the editorial rooms. Thomas Donohue, the compositor, had just died at the City Hospital, making the seventh victim of the fire. Fred G. Ensworth, the counting house clerk who went up with the elevator at the last moment and then jumped from a window, is as comfortable as could be expected. He may possibly recover.

The effects of Z. Lansol, the Hungarian compositor, who jumped and was instantly killed and whose body is at the morgue, were claimed this morning, but the only clue to his identity... Read MORE...

Springfield Massachusetts, 1890
SPRINGFIELD, the capital of Hampden County, is a beautiful, industrial, and progressive city, in latitude 42° 6' 4'', north and longitude 72° 35' 45'', west, 98 miles southwest of Boston by the Boston and Albany Railroad, having a population of 37,575. It is finely situated on the east bank of the Connecticut River, and embraces many elegant public buildings and private residences, together with the ample grounds and structures of the United States Armory, established here in 1795. The city has for its boundaries Chicopee on the north, Wilbraham on the east, Longmeadow on the south, and Agawam and West Springfield on the west. The assessed area is 16,635 acres. There are 2,934 acres of forest. The post-offices are at Springfield, Indian Orchard (a pleasant village in the northeast section), Brightwood and Sixteen Acres.

The formative rock consists of middle shales and sandstones; and the land rises a little distance from the river into pleasant eminences, which afford fine building ... Read MORE...

1891 - First Basketball Game
First basketball game played in Springfield

1892 - January 15 – James Naismith's rules for basketball are published for the first time in the Springfield YMCA International Training School's newspaper, in an article titled "A New Game."

wikipedia.org
January 15, 1892

Read more about James NAISMITH

1892 - March 11 – First basketball game ever played in public, between students and faculty at the Springfield YMCA.
The final score is 5–1 in favor of the students, with the only goal for the faculty being scored by Amos Alonzo Stagg. A crowd of 200 spectators watches the game.
wikipedia.org
March 11, 1892

1893 - September 21 - First Gasoline-Powered Automobile
The first successful gasoline-powered automobile was perfected by Charles and Frank Duryea in Springfield.

September 21 – Brothers Charles and Frank Duryea drive the first gasoline-powered motorcar in America on public roads in Springfield, Massachusetts.
www.e-referencedesk.com/ resources/state-history-timeline/ massachusetts.html
September 21, 1893

1893 - Big Fire at Springfield.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Nov. 22.- Fire broke out in the Worthington Street Block, owned by I. I. Dexter & Co., about 12:30 this morning, and that, with one adjoining, are burning. The firemen expect to hold the flames in these two buildings, although the result is in doubt.

Henry Dickinson is half owner in the two buildings, and in the rags which were stored in both. Although a brick partition separated them, the rags burned with such heat that the walls gave way.

The first structure burned was built four years ago, at a cost of $20,000, and was occupied by A. I. Leonard & Co., seeds men; the Stearns Paper Company, and the Graphic Company. The upper floors were stored with rags.

The second block was worth about $25,000. The first floor was occupied by the Union Cycle Company, and the rest by I. I. Dexter & Co. The third block, now threatened, is owned and occupied by James Dolan, also a rag dealer. The loss already amounts to $75,000.
The New York Times
New York, New York
November 22, 1893

1895 - Springfield
Springfield, a city and seat of justice of Hampden co., Mass., is situated on the left bank of the Connecticut River, at the intersection of the New York, New Haven & Hartford, New York & New England, and Connecticut River Railroads with the Boston & Albany Railroad, 98 miles W. by S. of Boston, 58 miles S. of Brattleborough, Vt., 102 miles E.S.E. of Albany, and 138 miles N.N.E. of New York. Lat. 42°6’ 4" N.; Lon. 72° 35' 45" W. This is one of the handsomest and most flourishing inland towns in the state. The various railways centring here bring to it an immense amount of travel; its natural advantages also render it one of the most important commercial depots on the Connecticut. The city is pleasantly situated in the midst of varied and delightful scenery. The site comprises the level along the river-bank, and the W. £ of an elevated plain extending several miles E. Main street, the principal thoroughfare and seat of business, is a broad, handsome avenue, over 3 miles in length. This ... Read MORE...

1897 - FIRE IN SPRINGFIELD, MASS. The Opera House Burned and Two Persons Overcome by Smoke.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., April 5. - A stubborn fire which broke out in the Gilmore Opera House at 11:30 o'clock to-night gutted the block and caused a loss of between $80,000 and $100,000.

The fire is supposed to have started in the Acme Laundry, and had gained such headway before it was discovered that a general was sounded. Mrs. Mary Turner, and old lady, who roomed in the block, was overcome by the smoke and Capt. Boss of Chemical Engine, No. 1, who was attempting to get her out of the room, was also overcome. Both were taken out, but Mrs. Turner's condition is critical.
The New York Times
New York, New York
April 6, 1897

1900 - PECULIAR RAILWAY ACCIDENT.
Passengers on 7:16 Train Last Evening Get a Little Shock.

The passengers in the smoking car on the train on the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad, due in this city at 7:16 last evening, were surprised and shaken up by the sudden crashing of five windows on one side of the car and the sudden stopping of the train, near William street. The accident was due to the opening of one-half of the door of a refrigerator car which was standing on a side track near the street. The passenger train was moving rapidly and the suction of air is supposed to have caused the door of the car to swing open. The engine and baggage car passed safely, but the door opened when the smoking car was passed and the car was caught at about the middle, where five windows were smashed in a twinkling. A large hole was also made in the side of the car by the iron brace on the refrigerator door. The glass was scattered over the passengers and Henry A. Trombley, a clerk in Forbes & Wallace’s, received several ... Read MORE...

1905 - January 6 - BIG FIRE IN SPRINGFIELD - THE CITY HALL DESTROYED; LOSS, $50,000
Springfield, Mass., Jan. 6 - Springfield's City hall, valued at more than $30,000, was destroyed by fire in less than an hour today. The fire was discovered in the assembly hall at 12.45 by employees of a food fair being held in the hall. There were probably fifty people in the building and the flames spread so rapidly that there were many narrow escapes, but it is believe all got out. Across a narrow street is the police station and court room. This took fire several times, but was only slightly damaged. On the other side, but a few feet distant, is the large department store of Smith & Murray, which narrowly escaped burning. Help was called from neighboring cities. The city carries no insurance.
Boston Evening Transcript
Boston, Massachusetts
January 6, 1905

1906
Springfield, a city and seat of justice of Hampden co., Mass., is situated on the left bank of the Connecticut River, here crossed by several bridges, on the New York, New Haven and Hartford, the Boston and Albany and other railroads... Springfield is one of the handsomest towns in the state. The site comprises the level along the river-bank and the W. portion of an elevated plain extending several miles E. Among the more notable public buildings are city-hall, court-house, city library (with about 140,000 volumes), Federal building, art museum, science museum, and the United States armory, the last-named established here in 1795 and the most extensive in the Union. The arsenal tower commands a beautiful view of the city and surrounding country. Springfield is the seat of a state almshouse, various hospitals, the French-American College, and of the International Young Men's Christian Association Training School. Among the city's pleasure-grounds is Forest Park, containing 464 acres.... Read MORE...

1907 - BIG PUBLISHING HOUSE BURNED - Phelps Co., at Springfield, Mass., Sustain Loss Estimated at $1,000,000 - Spontaneous Combustion Started Fire.
Springfield, Mass., Jan. 28. - The entire plant of the Phelps Publishing Company, comprising four buildings and covering nearly an acre of ground, was destroyed by fire to-day, causing a loss estimated at $1,000,000. No one was injured.

The fire started from spontaneous combustion among some benzine-soaked rags in the basement of the main building. In addition to this structure, which was four stories in height, there was another four-story building, one five stories in height, another of two and a half stories, all being connected by passageways. All the buildings, which were of brick, were destroyed.
Charlotte Daily Observer
Charlotte, North Carolina
January 29, 1907

1907 - HURT BY JUMPING FROM CAR. Brakeman Thought Car Would Overturn and Leaped.
William H. Whalen, a brakeman employed by the Boston and Albany railroad, was seriously hurt late yesterday afternoon by jumping from a car which was being switched in the local freight yard. The car collided with another one, the forward trucks leaving the rails and the end being crushed like an eggshell. Evidently Whalen thought the car would overturn, as he jumped to the track below. He sustained a badly-sprained ankle and severe bruises and contusions about the right shoulder, and will be laid up for several days.
Springfield Republican
Springfield, Massachusetts
June 21, 1907

1910 - TEAMS STRUCK BY AUTOMOBILE.
The heavy automobile truck used by the New England telephone company to carry supplies for the linemen collided with two teams at the corner of Chestnut and Sharon streets Tuesday morning and seriously injured one of the horses. The auto skidded and struck first a team owned by Nicholas Zeo, smashing the wagon and throwing out the driver. The machine then slid into the delivery team of Hall & Stewart, knocking down the horse and causing such injuries that he may have to be killed.
The Springfield Republican
Springfield, Massachusetts
March 3, 1910

1910 - EXPRESS OFF RAILS
Two Mail Clerks and an Engineer Badly Injured.
ACCIDENT AT SPRINGFIELD, MASS.

Springfield, Mass., March 15 - Two mail clerks and an engineer were seriously injured today when the New York express, bound for Springfield from New York on the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad, jumped the rails in the southern end of the city.

The engine rolled down the bank to the edge of the Connecticut river
while two small cars, a baggage car, and a passenger car left the rails.
St. Albans Daily Messenger
St. Albans, Vermont
March 15, 1910

March 6, 1930: Clarence Birdseye's first frozen food appeared in grocery stores in Springfield, MA

The Old Farmer's Almanac www.almanac.com
March 6, 1930

1935 - Friendly's Ice Cream is founded in Springfield
Friendly's was founded in 1935, at the height of the Great Depression, by brothers Prestley and Curtis Blake in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Blake brothers opened a small ice cream shop named "Friendly", selling double-dip cones for 5 cents each. wikipedia
friendlys.com /about-friendlys/about-us

1938 - "Long Island Express" - HURRICANE, FLOODS SWEEP NEW ENGLAND. 296 WERE KILLED IN STORM ALONG ATLANTIC COAST; PROPERTY DAMAGE ENORMOUS.
...At Springfield, the grandstand at the Eastern States exposition ground collapsed, injuring four and when 10,000 spectators stampeded in panic, scores were trampled.

Failure of power and telephone service left doctors to perform emergency operations by search light and cut residents of many towns off from communication with their police.
Looting was reported in a few areas...

Dunkirk Evening Observer
New York
September 22, 1938

The "Long Island Express" was first detected over the tropical Atlantic on September 13, although it may have formed a few days earlier. Moving generally west-northwestward, it passed to the north of Puerto Rico on the 18th and 19th, likely as a category 5 hurricane. It turned northward on September 20 and by the morning of the 21st it was 100 to 150 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. At that point, the hurricane accelerated to a forward motion of 60 to 70 mph, making landfall over Long Island and Connecticut that afternoon as a... Read MORE...

1944 - HURRICANE HITS NEW YORK AND NEW ENGLAND COASTS. HIGH WINDS LASH JERSEY, LONG ISLAND.
...About one-fourth of the city of Springfield was without lights.
Also about 100 families there were evacuated from a housing project as a precautionary measure. They were bedded in a school on cots and blankets furnished by the Red Cross...
The Troy Record
Troy, New York
September 15, 1944

1968 - February 17 - Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield Mass, opens

historyorb.com
February 17, 1968

Read more about James NAISMITH

2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Springfield:
The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum: Explore the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss, the beloved children's book author, at this interactive museum. It's a fantastic place for kids and adults alike.

Springfield Museums: This complex houses five museums, including the Springfield Science Museum, the Michele and Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts, and the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum. You can spend hours exploring art, history, and science.

Basketball Hall of Fame: As the birthplace of basketball, Springfield is home to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Learn about the sport's history and its legendary players.

Forest Park: This 735-acre park is a great place for a leisurely stroll, a picnic, or even a game of golf. The park also hosts events throughout the year.

Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden: Located in Forest Park, this garden features whimsical sculptures of Dr. Seuss characters like the Lorax and the Cat in the Hat.

Springfield Armory ... Read MORE...