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West Springfield, Massachusetts
Ciudad
Ciudad de West Springfield [*]
Storrowton Green at the Eastern States Exposition
Flag of West Springfield, Massachusetts
Bandera
Official seal of West Springfield, Massachusetts
Sello
Apodo (s): 
West Side,
"Crossroads of New England" [1]
Location in Hampden County in Massachusetts
Ubicación en el condado de Hampden en Massachusetts
West Springfield, Massachusetts is located in the United States
West Springfield, Massachusetts
West Springfield, Massachusetts
Ubicación en los Estados Unidos
Coordenadas: 42 ° 06′25 ″ N 72 ° 37′15 ″ W / 42.10694°N 72.62083°W / 42.10694; -72.62083 Coordenadas : 42 ° 06′25 ″ N 72 ° 37′15 ″ W  / 42.10694°N 72.62083°W / 42.10694; -72.62083
PaísEstados Unidos
ExpresarMassachusetts
condadoHampden
Establecido1655 [2]
Incorporado (ciudad)1774
Incorporado (ciudad)2000
Gobierno
 • TipoAlcalde-concejo ciudad
 •  AlcaldeWilliam Reichelt [3]
Área[4]
 • Total45,42 km 2 (17,54 millas cuadradas )
 • Tierra16,73 millas cuadradas (43,33 km 2 )
 • Agua0,81 millas cuadradas (2,09 km 2 )
Elevación65 pies (20 m)
Población ( 2010 )
 • Total28,391
 • Estimación (2019) [5]28,517
 • Densidad1.704,54 / mi2 (658,11 / km 2 )
Zona horariaUTC-5 ( Este )
 • Verano ( DST )UTC − 4 ( este )
código postal
01089
Código (s) de área413
Código FIPS25-77850
ID de función GNIS0618194
Sitio webCiudad de West Springfield, Massachusetts

West Springfield es una ciudad [6] en el condado de Hampden , Massachusetts , Estados Unidos. Es parte del área estadística metropolitana de Springfield, Massachusetts . La población era 28,391 en el censo de 2010. La ciudad también se conoce como "West Side", en referencia al hecho de que está en el lado occidental del río Connecticut desde Springfield, un hecho que jugó un papel importante en la historia temprana de la ciudad.

Historia [ editar ]

El primer centro de reuniones de West Springfield, que sirve como su iglesia y espacio público para reuniones, la estructura de 92 'de altura se construyó sobre el común en 1702 y se demolió en 1820 [7]

Asentamiento anticipado [ editar ]

Parafraseando, del libro de historia oficial de la ciudad: El área que se conoció como West Springfield se estableció en 1635. Los colonos huyeron a un terreno más alto en el lado este del río y fundaron Springfield después del gran huracán de 1635. Oeste Springfield era una buena tierra agrícola, por lo que algunas familias se quedaron en el lado oeste.

Problemas de transporte tempranos [ editar ]

Aparte del comercio de pieles de castor, la actividad económica en Springfield colonial temprano consistió en gran parte en la agricultura de subsistencia y la cría de animales, siendo el trueque el medio de intercambio preferido para las cosechas de los vecinos y los bienes producidos localmente. Molinos de molienda y aserraderos también estuvieron presentes en el asentamiento temprano. [8]

Debido a que el río Connecticut era demasiado ancho para cruzarlo en ese momento, los cruces tuvieron que hacerse en bote. El Hay Place fue creado entre el actual pueblo común y East School Street, [9] para las personas que cultivaban o cortaban tierras en el lado oeste para dejar sus cultivos mientras esperaban el transporte de regreso al lado este.

En la década de 1650, algunos colonos ingleses habían comenzado a vivir a tiempo completo en el lado occidental del río, probablemente cerca de lo que ahora es Riverdale Road, frente al río Chicopee. [10]

A principios de esa década, Springfield había hecho una provisión de que cualquier hombre capacitado (y sus animales de trabajo) podría ser requerido a trabajar hasta seis días de ocho horas en las carreteras locales (el equivalente en economía de trueque a un impuesto de infraestructura). En 1666, los residentes del lado oeste se quejaron de tener que trabajar en los caminos del lado este mientras los suyos no estaban bien cuidados. Después de una disputa considerable, se determinó que los hombres del asentamiento se ocuparían de los caminos en sus propios lados del río. [11]

Formación parroquial y creciente independencia [ editar ]

En muchos sentidos, la distinción entre la iglesia y el estado en la antigua forma de gobierno de la ciudad de Nueva Inglaterra era confusa, aunque las reuniones religiosas y seculares se llevaban a cabo por separado y, en general, las dirigían diferentes personas.

Para los primeros colonos de Springfield, la asistencia a las reuniones de la ciudad y los servicios religiosos congregacionales semanales (a menudo ambos celebrados en la "casa de reuniones" de la ciudad) en el asentamiento temprano eran obligatorios, y esto se imponía mediante multas. [12]

Durante varias décadas, los residentes de West Side solicitaron alojamiento de la ciudad en forma de un servicio de ferry gratuito, pero fueron rechazados por la reunión de la ciudad e incluso por árbitros de Northampton y Hadley. [12] En marzo de 1683, Reice Bedortha, su hijo John, la esposa de John Lydia y su recién nacida Mercy, se ahogaron en el Connecticut de camino a la iglesia cuando su barco se hundió. [13] Los residentes del lado oeste renovaron sus quejas y comenzaron a exigir su propia casa de reuniones de la iglesia. El 29 de mayo de 1697, el Tribunal General de Massachusetts finalmente aprobó una parroquia separada y una casa de reuniones para los aproximadamente 200 residentes. [14]

Las parroquias del lado oeste también fueron creadas para Agawam (1696), Feeding Hills (1800), [15] y Holyoke ("Parroquia del Norte" o "Parroquia de Irlanda" llamada así por los primeros colonos irlandeses John y Mary Riley; 1786). [dieciséis]

La colonia de la bahía de Massachusetts aprobó una ley en 1647 que requería la construcción de una escuela pública en cualquier ciudad con 50 familias o más. En 1706, después de dos años de presentar una petición, los residentes del lado oeste recibieron fondos para la construcción de una escuela (aunque los estudiantes del lado oeste podrían haber sido educados en casa antes de esa fecha). [17]

En 1707, la parroquia del lado oeste fue delegada de la ciudad de Springfield reuniendo el derecho a otorgar tierras en su territorio. [17]

Independencia de Springfield [ editar ]

La casa Josiah Day , construida c. 1754, se cree que es la casa de salinas más antigua hecha de ladrillo en los Estados Unidos; hoy los recorridos están a cargo de la Sociedad Histórica de Ramapogue

Dada la continua necesidad de cruzar el río Connecticut para asistir a las reuniones municipales y la tensión este-oeste sobre la asignación de recursos, los residentes del lado oeste solicitaron al Tribunal General de Massachusetts que se incorpore como una ciudad separada en 1756. Después de una reunión municipal particularmente polémica en 1773 que rebotó entre las casas de reunión en costas opuestas y casi resultó en un cierre del gobierno de un año, las propuestas de partición finalmente se enviaron de ambos lados a la legislatura colonial. El 23 de febrero de 1774, West Springfield se incorporó como una ciudad separada, con territorio que incluye lo que ahora es Agawam y la mayor parte de Holyoke. [18]

Inmediatamente se creó otra disputa cuando el estatuto de la ciudad le impidió gravar la propiedad de los residentes de Springfield dentro de sus límites. Esta ley se modificó más tarde para que se aplicara solo hasta que se vendiera dicha propiedad, pero la última parcela de este tipo no se convirtió en gravable por West Springfield hasta la década de 1860. [19]

Revolución americana [ editar ]

Los minuteros de West Springfield participaron en la Guerra Revolucionaria Estadounidense que comenzó el 20 de abril de 1775, el día después de las Batallas de Lexington y Concord . [20] En 1777, un importante contingente de tropas británicas y de Hesse fue capturado en la Batalla de Saratoga y transportado a Boston (para una posible deportación o encarcelamiento). Mientras acampaban en West Springfield, algunos de los mercenarios alemanes se quedaron y se casaron con la población local. [21]

Las condiciones económicas posteriores a la Revolución llevaron a la Rebelión de Shays en Springfield y West Springfield en 1786-1787.

Puentes [ editar ]

El puente conmemorativo del condado de Hampden , que une West Springfield con Metro Center Springfield

Los avances tecnológicos permitieron que se construyera el primer puente sobre el río Connecticut en 1805. Era un puente de peaje construido sobre pilotes de piedra; la calzada subía y bajaba a medida que pasaba por seis vanos en forma de arco. Este puente fue dañado por las inundaciones de primavera en 1814, y después de un colapso parcial debido al tráfico pesado, fue demolido.

En 1816, se abrió un puente de reemplazo en Bridge Street. Fue destruido en 1818 por el hielo primaveral, a pesar de un valiente intento de evitar que se lave río abajo atándolo a un árbol. (El cable se rompió.) Un tercer puente construido sobre los mismos cimientos, estuvo en uso durante más de 100 años y se conoció como el "Puente Viejo de Peaje", aunque los peajes se eliminaron en 1873. [22]

El moderno Memorial Bridge se inauguró en 1922; se sometió a una importante revisión en la década de 1990.

El primer puente de North End se inauguró en 1887 con una armadura de metal resistente en forma de caja (la parte superior de la caja está suspendida sobre la calzada). En 1923, la plataforma de madera sellada con alquitrán se incendió, lo que se vio agravado por las tuberías de gas que transportaba el puente. El puente de reemplazo en esta ubicación todavía está en uso. [23]

Se construyó un puente de peaje de madera a Chicopee desde Riverdale (en la base de Wayside Avenue - anteriormente Bridge Street - y Ashley Avenue) en 1847, pero se quemó en 1903. [24]

En el siglo XIX se construyeron varios cruces del río Westfield, pero la mayoría fueron destruidos por las inundaciones. También se construyeron varios puentes de carreteras a finales del siglo XX.

Desastres naturales [ editar ]

Las advertencias de los indios Agawam demostraron ser ciertas [se necesita aclaración ] en 1647, 1767, 1801, 1804 y 1818. Los diques de la época de la Guerra Civil impidieron que el agua creciera en el río Agawam en 1878, pero las fuertes lluvias inundaron la ciudad nuevamente en 1927. Tanto las fuertes lluvias como un gran deshielo provocaron una inundación aún más masiva en 1936, con 8.000 personas desplazadas en la ciudad de 17.000. Los puentes de la zona sobrevivieron; el puente del ferrocarril está siendo abatido por un tren de carga completamente cargado estacionado intencionalmente al otro lado. El huracán de Nueva Inglaterra de 1938inundó los cultivos a lo largo de Riverdale Road y dañó gravemente los terrenos de la exposición, lo que provocó el cierre de la feria durante la temporada. También abrió un agujero en el dique en Mosley Avenue, que fue reparado antes de que las aguas de lluvia pudieran inundar una vez más la parte baja de la ciudad. [25] Sin embargo, otra gran inundación ocurrió en 1955, destruyendo las instalaciones de agua potable de la ciudad en Southwick y destruyendo Bear Hole Dam, Piper Reservoir y Memorial Pool (todos los cuales fueron reconstruidos). [26]

El clima invernal también ha causado daños significativos en ocasiones durante la historia de West Springfield. La Gran Ventisca de 1888 dejó caer más de 5 pies (1,5 m) de nieve, con derivas de 20 pies (6,1 m). [27] También ha habido ventiscas más recientes en 1978 y 1996 .

El 1 de junio de 2011, un tornado tocó tierra en West Springfield, cruzó el río Connecticut y luego devastó la ciudad de Springfield, Massachusetts . Devastó partes densamente pobladas de West Springfield, causando dos muertes en la ciudad, incluida una madre que murió mientras protegía a su hija de 15 años. [28] El presidente estadounidense, Barack Obama, declaró el área que rodea West Springfield y Springfield como un área de desastre federal . [29]

El 29 de octubre de 2011, una tormenta de nieve arrojó más de diez pulgadas de nieve húmeda sobre la ciudad y sus alrededores. La nieve se aferraba a los árboles que todavía tenían la mayoría de sus hojas. El resultado fue la caída de árboles y ramas en casas, vehículos, líneas eléctricas y carreteras. Se necesitó más de una semana para que algunas casas recuperaran el suministro eléctrico.

Agricultura [ editar ]

El Eastern States Farmers 'Exchange , conocido hoy por The Big E, fue fundado en 1918 y se fusionó con otras cooperativas para formar Agway en 1964. Su antigua sede ahora sirve como West Springfield Town Hall. [30]

La agricultura continuó dominando la economía local cuando comenzó la horticultura en la década de 1830, concentrándose en el área de Riverdale Road. Estos cultivos estaban destinados a ser enviados al mercado a cambio de efectivo, en lugar de ser utilizados por la familia de agricultores para sí mismos o para intercambiar por otros cultivos. El crecimiento de la población y la mejora de los enlaces de transporte aumentaron el tamaño del mercado potencial; en 1860, West Springfield utilizaba invernaderos y exportaba cultivos frescos a Boston. La agricultura siguió siendo una parte importante de la economía de West Springfield durante muchas décadas, pero el desarrollo de la tierra y los cambios económicos llevaron a un declive, y en la década de 1940, era una actividad menor en la ciudad. [31]

La Exposición de los Estados del Este comenzó en 1917 como una reacción contra el lento declive de la agricultura de Nueva Inglaterra. La feria anual de otoño es, con mucho, la atracción turística más grande de West Springfield y una de las ferias más grandes del país. El recinto ferial alberga muchos eventos durante todo el año.

El primer caballo Morgan se crió en West Springfield en 1789-1790. [32]

Ferrocarriles e industrialización [ editar ]

La antigua estación de Mittineague, construida durante la expansión de la base industrial de West Springfield, hoy sirve a una congregación de la iglesia local.

La manufactura ligera comenzó a crecer en el siglo XIX, incluyendo pieles curtidas, carruajes de caballos, pólvora, cerámica, pipas industriales, sombreros y botes. [33]

Cuando la Revolución Industrial llegó al oeste de Massachusetts en el siglo XIX, los muchos ríos de rápido movimiento de la región dieron como resultado un auge de la ciudad industrial . Las primeras fábricas textiles y de papel estaban atendidas por inmigrantes irlandeses que sufrían hambruna y que casi duplicaron su población en la ciudad entre 1840 y 1860. La fabricación de papel se convirtió en una industria regional importante, incluso dentro de los límites de la ciudad, incluida (en su mayoría agrupada en el río Agawam) Southworth Paper Company (1839), Agawam Paper Company (1859), Agawam Canal Company, Springfield Glazed Paper Company (1882), Worthy Paper Company (1892), Mittineague Paper Company (1892, más tarde conocida como Strathmore Paper Company y adquirida por International Paper [34] )

El ferrocarril occidental abrió para el servicio de carga y pasajeros en 1841, conectando West Springfield con Worcester, Boston, los Berkshires y el norte del estado de Nueva York. Se convertiría en el ferrocarril de Boston y Albany en 1870. El tiempo de viaje de Boston a Albany se redujo considerablemente de las más de 40 horas que tomó la diligencia en la década de 1820. [35] El puente ferroviario de madera cubierto a través del Connecticut que se inauguró en 1841, fue reemplazado por el actual puente ferroviario de armadura de acero de doble vía en 1874. [36]

West Springfield se convirtió en un importante centro de transporte y el ferrocarril se convirtió en uno de los mayores empleadores de la ciudad durante muchas décadas. También se construyeron talleres de reparación en West Springfield en 1896, [37] y en el pico de las operaciones, había dos importantes patios ferroviarios, uno en Mittineague y otro cerca de la actual Memorial Avenue.

El carro de caballos original , operado por Springfield Street Railway, abrió en 1877 desde Main Street en Springfield hasta Elm y Park Streets, a través de Main Street y el antiguo puente de peaje en Bridge Street. Más tarde se extendió a través de Westfield Street hasta (Upper) Church Street. La electrificación se completó en 1892–3, y el cruce del río se trasladó al puente North End original. A lo largo de los años, se hicieron extensiones al Holyoke Street Railway (vía Riverdale Road, 1895), Tatham (1896), Woronoco Street Railway (en Westfield, 1899), la frontera de Connecticut vía Riverside Park (ahora Six Flags New England ) en Agawam. (1900), Feeding Hills (1902) y, finalmente, Suffield Street Railway en Connecticut (haciendo posible la Hartford-West Side Line, 1905).[38]

La destrucción del antiguo puente North End en 1923 supuso la reubicación del tranvía que cruza al moderno Puente Memorial. Pero el servicio de tranvía de pasajeros se cortó a partir de 1924 y en 1936, se eliminó por completo. El transporte público local e interurbano actual es proporcionado por las rutas de autobús de la Autoridad de Tránsito de Pioneer Valley , Amtrak y los transportistas de autobuses privados. Peter Pan Bus Lines tiene su sede en Springfield.

La conversión de locomotoras de vapor a diesel cerró el taller de reparación de West Springfield en 1956. [39] Con el auge del automóvil, la estación de ferrocarril de pasajeros de West Springfield (Mittineague) cerró en 1957. [40] El servicio de Amtrak todavía está disponible para Springfield, y CSX , el actual sucesor de esta parte de Boston & Albany, todavía está en uso activo para el transporte de mercancías el patio central de ferrocarriles .

La estación generadora de West Springfield , una unidad de picos de servicios públicos

La Entrega Gratuita Rural comenzó a entregar correo postal a los hogares de los residentes a fines del siglo XIX o principios del XX.

A major power plant for the Western Massachusetts Electric Company (now a subsidiary of Northeast Utilities) went online in West Springfield in 1949.[41]

Creation of Holyoke and Agawam[edit]

Even more substantial canal and mill development took place in the "North Parish" or "Ireland Parish" of West Springfield, which was favorably located near Hadley Falls. The parish was incorporated as the independent town of Holyoke, Massachusetts, in 1850.

The area mainly south of the Westfield River, including the parishes of Agawam and Feeding Hills, was incorporated as the independent town of Agawam, Massachusetts, in 1855.

Highway construction[edit]

U.S. Route 5 (currently, also known as Riverdale Road) was modified to bypass the downtowns of Springfield and West Springfield as new segments were constructed on the West Springfield and Agawam waterfronts in 1938, 1941–42, and 1952–53. This resulted in some land takings and cutting off certain neighborhoods from the river, but north–south travel was speeded, and the dike system was reinforced to prevent the flooding of these neighborhoods. The approaches to the North End and Memorial Bridges were modified to accommodate the new traffic patterns.

The Massachusetts Turnpike was constructed from 1955 to 1957. Interstate 91 was constructed over a dozen years, from 1958 to 1970, following considerable controversy over whether it should be placed in West Springfield, as originally planned, or in Springfield, as that city's planners wished.[42]

Interstate 91 planned for West Springfield[edit]

The original plan for Interstate 91 – detailed in the 1953 Master Highway Plan for the Springfield, Massachusetts, Metropolitan Area – called for Interstate 91 to occupy an enlarged U.S. Route 5 in West Springfield – the route which had, historically, been used to reach West Springfield and Springfield from both the north and the south. Between 1953 and 1958, Riverdale Road was widened in places, added on to, and numerous businesses were closed and moved back, or to other parts of West Springfield to make way for Interstate 91, which was planned to connect with Springfield via numerous bridges.[43] The original plan for I-91 would have likely benefitted West Springfield, which already had U.S. 5 passing through, causing travelers to patronize many of West Springfield's businesses[citation needed].

In 1958, however, Springfield's city planners campaigned vociferously for Interstate 91 to occupy Springfield's riverfront. Their reasoning at the time was that Springfield, being a more populous city than West Springfield, should have a major highway routed through it. Indeed, Springfield's 1958 city planners advocated that the construction of I-91 on Springfield's riverfront would catalyze economic growth comparable to that experienced during the great railroad expansion of the mid-19th century.[44]

Although West Springfield had a right and legal claim to Interstate 91, Massachusetts highway officials relented to Springfield's intense pressure when confronted with a technicality: a short, existing section of US 5 through West Springfield that was built in 1952-53 failed to meet Interstate design standards. Thus the plans for I-91 in West Springfield were shelved, and moved to the east bank of the river in Springfield, where an elevated highway was designed (as opposed to the planned ground-grade highway in West Springfield.)

After Interstate 91 was constructed in Springfield, that city did not experience anything like the prosperity boom predicted by its city planners in 1958. I-91's construction in Springfield coincided with the beginning of that city's four decades of decline. Unlike West Springfield's U.S. 5, Springfield's I-91 was constructed in an area where there had never been highway traffic or businesses that catered to such traffic. Due to I-91's proximity to both Springfield's densely built downtown and the city's riverfront, there has never been enough space in Springfield to build more than a few of these businesses. Thus Springfield never received the economic benefit that it expected from I-91 – and which, according to recent academic assessments by the UMass School of Urban Design, West Springfield would have.[45]

Geography[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.5 square miles (45.4 km2), of which 16.8 square miles (43.4 km2) is land and 0.8 square mile (2.0 km2) (4.50%) is water. It is on the west side of the Connecticut River, across from Springfield, and on the north side of the Westfield River, above Agawam.

West Springfield is bordered on the west by linear cliffs of volcanic trap rock known as East Mountain. They are part of the Metacomet Ridge, a mountainous trap rock ridgeline that stretches from Long Island Sound to nearly the Vermont border. Both are traversed by the 110-mile (180 km) Metacomet-Monadnock Trail.

West Springfield is located 27 miles (43 km) away from Hartford, 90 miles (140 km) away from Boston, 85 miles (137 km) from Albany, 48 miles (77 km) away from Pittsfield and 139 miles (224 km) from New York City.

Other major geographical features include:

  • Bagg Brook
  • Block Brook (named after a distinctive bridge on what is now Westfield Street)
  • Bear Hole – an approximately 1,700-acre (6.9 km2) wooded area that includes Bear Hole Reservoir. The reservoir, which is very shallow, supplies a minimal[clarification needed] amount of the town's drinking water. The area supports a diversified biological environment; including Great Horned Owl, White Tailed Deer, hawk as well as vernal pools. Hiking, dog walking and nature watching are popular activities year round. The Pioneer Valley Railroad has a railway established along the westernmost perimeter. This is a very low speed railway that hauls primarily commercial freight to local businesses.
  • Crowfoot Brook
  • Goldine Brook
  • Mittineague Park
  • Pawcatuck Brook – from morphemes in local Indian language: pauqua – clear, transparent, or pegwa – shallow; tuck – river [46]
  • Piper Brook
  • Town Common – Formerly used for the town meeting house, church, and militia, the current tree-lined park was laid out in 1866 by Edward Parsons and other townspeople.[47] The surrounding streets were at this time renamed from "Broadway" to "Park Street" and "Park Avenue".[48]
  • White Church Hill – The church which still remains there replaced the Old Meeting House (which was on the Common) as the town's main church and meeting hall in 1802. It was supplemented by a second congregational church, again on the common, in 1872.
  • Schoolhouse Brook
  • Tannery Brook

Neighborhoods[edit]

Main article: Neighborhoods of West Springfield, MA

Transportation[edit]

Roads[edit]

Numbered routes passing through the town include:

  • Interstate 91,
  • the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90),
  • U.S. Route 5 (Riverdale Street), U.S. Route 20 (Westfield Street and downtown),
  • Massachusetts Route 147 (Memorial Avenue).

Airport[edit]

There are no airports in West Springfield, the nearest airport with commercial passenger flights is Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, though there are other military and general aviation airports in the area.

Transit[edit]

As for transportation, several bus lines on the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority bus system service West Springfield from routes crossing over from Springfield:

  • Red 14 – Feeding Hills/Springfield
  • Red 10 – West Springfield/Westfield State University
  • Purple 20 – Holyoke/Springfield via Holyoke Mall – Riverdale
  • Red 24 -Essex/Appleton via Cabot/Sargent/Holyoke Hospital (Saturday only)

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
YearPop.±%
18403,626—    
18502,979−17.8%
18602,105−29.3%
18702,606+23.8%
18804,149+59.2%
18905,077+22.4%
19007,105+39.9%
19109,224+29.8%
192013,443+45.7%
193016,684+24.1%
194017,135+2.7%
195020,438+19.3%
196024,924+21.9%
197028,461+14.2%
198027,042−5.0%
199027,537+1.8%
200027,899+1.3%
201028,391+1.8%
201928,517+0.4%
* = population estimate.
Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data.[49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58]
Source:
U.S. Decennial Census[59]

As of the census[60] of 2010, there were 28,391 people, 11,757 households, and 7,117 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,665.7 people per square mile (643.1/km2). There were 12,259 housing units at an average density of 731.9 per square mile (282.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.68% White, 3.30% African American, 0.22% Native American, 1.97% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.94% from other races, and 2.10% from two or more races. 5.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,823 households, out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.4% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $40,266, and the median income for a family was $50,282. Males had a median income of $38,082 versus $28,079 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,982. About 8.7% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.0% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

Population table source:.[61] Populations for 1800, 1810, and 1830 were not available online from this source.

Government[edit]

West Springfield was originally governed by an open town meeting, and then a representative town meeting starting in 1922.[62] The town meetings were presided over by the town moderator. The city is now governed by a mayor and town council starting on April 1, 2000. West Springfield is one of thirteen Massachusetts municipalities that have applied for, and been granted, city forms of government but wish to retain "The town of" in their official names.[63] The first mayor who held office was Edward Gibson, who stayed in office for five consecutive terms. Greg Neffinger, was elected mayor on November 8, 2011, but lost his bid for re-election in a 2 to 1 landslide to Edward C Sullivan on November 5, 2013.

Mayors of West Springfield[edit]

  • Edward J. Gibson – April 1, 2000 – January 3, 2012 – first mayor and served 5 terms
  • Gregory C. Neffinger – January 3, 2012 – January 3, 2014
  • Edward C. Sullivan – January 3, 2014 – January 4, 2016
  • William C. Reichelt – January 4, 2016 -

Town services[edit]

West Springfield has its own school district, police department, fire department, library, department of public works, health department, and department of parks and recreation.

West Springfield Fire Department was created in 1883[64] and current has 11 apparatus serving out of one fire hall.

The school district has controlled by an independent school committee since 1827[65] and maintains a central high school, middle school, and a number of elementary schools.

The first town funds budgeted for police enforcement were in 1877; the force has gradually become professionalized, motorized, and equipped with and dedicated offices and jail facilities.[66]

Library[edit]

Semi-public "subscription" libraries operated from 1775 to 1807 and 1810–1840. The current collection began in 1854, but was later made free to the public. The West Springfield Public Library was established in 1864.[67][68] It moved from the town hall to a dedicated building in 1915, constructed with a donation from Andrew Carnegie. An addition was opened in 1959.[69] In fiscal year 2008, the city of West Springfield spent 0.91% ($765,760) of its budget on its public library—some $27 per person.[70]

Education[edit]

West Springfield has many schools. Nine of them are public schools, while the rest are private schools. The schools are run by the city's school system (West Springfield Public Schools). The West Springfield High School teaches Grades 9-12. The West Springfield Middle School teaches Grades 6–8. Four of the Elementary Schools teach 1st through 5th grade, while Coburn Elementary teaches Kindergarten and Grades 1–5, John Ashley School teaches Pre-School and Kindergarten. The town's school athletic teams are called the "Terriers" Other schools include:

  • Cowing School (Pre-School and Other Students who are not able to attend regular school)
  • St. Thomas (PK-8)

Preschool[edit]

  • Cowing School

Kindergarten[edit]

  • John Ashley School

Elementary[edit]

  • Phillip G. Coburn Elementary
  • John R. Fausey Elementary
  • Memorial Elementary
  • Mittineague Elementary
  • Tatham Elementary

Middle school[edit]

  • West Springfield Middle School

High school[edit]

  • West Springfield High School 425 Piper Road

Technical/Vocational[edit]

  • Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative

Private/Independent[edit]

  • St. Thomas the Apostle: K - 8
  • Hampden Charter School of Science- West: 6 - 11
  • May Center School

School buildings and closings[edit]

Coburn Elementary School was built in 1923/4 as West Springfield Junior High School and added to in 1928/9, operating as a grade 7-8 junior high school. Cowing School was opened as the town's first stand-alone high school in 1915, and when the new high school on Piper Rd. opened in 1956 it became Cowing Junior High School, serving grades 7-8 as well. As West Springfield moved to the middle-school format, Coburn and Cowing assumed their current functions. Three elementary schools – John Ashley, Memorial, and Tatham – were opened in 1952 to accommodate the post-war baby boom. Additionally, John R. Fausey School was built in 1960 and added to in 1962. West Springfield High School was moved from the Cowing building in 1956 to Piper Road. A significant addition opened in 1966. A new West Springfield High School building is under construction to the north of the existing building and is scheduled to open in February 2014. After the construction of the first high school on Piper Road, Cowing School was originally slated for demolition, but the new high school had been under-built for the surging student population, and 9th graders were moved to Cowing from 1960 until the high school addition opened in 1966. From 1966 to 1981, Cowing School served as a junior high school.

With the passage of the Proposition 2-1/2 referendum in 1980, the school budget was tightened, priorities were reexamined, and numerous schools were closed or consolidated in the fall of 1981.

  • John Ashley School closed but reopened in 1987, due to increased district enrollment, as the town-wide center for kindergarten and early childhood classes.
  • Main Street School closed and was repurposed as apartments.
  • Park Avenue School closed and was repurposed as an office building.
  • Old Tatham School closed and was repurposed as apartments.
  • Margaret C. McDonough (formerly Kings Highway) School closed and was repurposed as apartments.
  • William A. Cowing Junior High School (formerly the High School from 1915 to 1956) was designated an elementary school.

Before the opening of West Springfield Middle School in 1998, the town struggled with increased enrollment.

  • In 1987, John Ashley School welcomed the future class of 2000, consolidating all kindergartens in one building along with the early childhood program.
  • In 1990, Piper Road School opened in a wing of the high school, housing all the town's 6th graders, and creating the grade 1-5 elementary school structure that remains in most buildings. With the opening of the middle school, this space reverted to the high school.

West Springfield Middle School opened in 1998 for grades 6–8.

  • West Springfield Junior High School was designated an elementary school and named the Philip G. Coburn School in memory of a well-loved townsman who was a former educator and longtime editor of the West Springfield Record.
  • William A. Cowing Elementary School was closed and sections of the building were used for different educational purposes until the district adopted full-day kindergarten and early childhood (pre-K) students were assigned to Cowing School.

Economy[edit]

West Springfield is considered to be part of the Springfield-Hartford Knowledge Corridor.

With easy access to the north–south Interstate 91, east–west Massachusetts Turnpike, and various freight railroads, West Springfield is sometimes called the "crossroads of New England".

The Riverdale Road corridor is a major regional shopping center, with a number of "big box" retail stores and car dealerships, including the only Costco location in the Pioneer Valley.

The Eastern States Exposition is a major seasonal employer.

Tourist attractions[edit]

  • The Josiah Day House, which is believed to be the oldest known brick saltbox style house in the United States.
  • The Eastern States Exposition (the "Big E"), a large annual fair
  • The 110-mile (180 km) Metacomet-Monadnock Trail (a hiking trail) passes through the western part of West Springfield on the East Mountain and Provin Mountain ridgeline.

There are only a few parks in the city:

  • Mittineague Park
  • Veterans Field – football field and two baseball diamonds
  • Cook's Park
  • Town Common between Park Street & Park Ave from Elm to Main Streets
  • Ohio Field
  • Old Tatham Field
  • New Tatham Field
  • Clark Field

There are two shopping malls in West Springfield:

  • Century Shopping Center – strip mall with 5 major anchor stores including T.J. Maxx and Big Y
  • Riverdale Shops – 24 store mall with 2 major anchors Kohl's and Stop & Shop

Media[edit]

There is only one local newspaper, the weekly (every Thursday) town newspaper West Springfield Record was founded in 1953 with circulation about 5,500. All other print media are regional papers such as the Republican of Springfield. Television and radio service originates from other cities outside of West Springfield.

ABC's short-lived 2004-05 sitcom Complete Savages used West Springfield as its setting.

Sports[edit]

  • Massachusetts Twisters, American Indoor Soccer League at the Big E.

Notable people[edit]

  • Angelo Bertelli, football player, first Heisman Trophy winner for Notre Dame
  • Amo Bessone, coach, Michigan State hockey (1966 National Champion) and United States Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, 1992
  • Peter Bessone, United States Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, 1978
  • Wilfred Bourque, pioneer race car driver, died in first race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
  • Chris Capuano, Major League Baseball pitcher
  • Tim Daggett, gymnast, Olympic gold medalist
  • Harry Dalton, MLB general manager
  • Luke Day, Revolutionary War captain, leader of Shays' Rebellion
  • Matt Deis, ex-bassist for band CKY and All That Remains
  • Leo Durocher, Hall of Fame Major League Baseball player and manager
  • Eugene Grazia, member of 1960 U.S. hockey gold medal team
  • Horace A. Moses, founder of Strathmore (Mittineague) Paper Company (1892) and West Springfield Trust Company (1919), local philanthropist[71]
  • Joe Ragland, Turkish League professional basketball player
  • Vic Raschi, Major League Baseball pitcher, 6-time World Series champion
  • Brian Scully, television writer and producer for The Simpsons and Family Guy
  • Mike Scully, former co-producer of The Simpsons
  • Stass Shpanin, contemporary visual artist included in Guinness Book of World Records as Youngest Professional
  • Edwin Leonard, Congressional Medal of honor recipient

See also[edit]

  • West Springfield Generating Station

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Town of West Springfield, Massachusetts". Town of West Springfield, Massachusetts. Archived from the original on August 30, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  2. ^ Holland, Josiah Gilbert (1855). History of Western Massachusetts; the counties of Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire. Springfield, Mass.: Samuel Bowles. p. 148.
  3. ^ "Office of the Mayor". West Springfield, Massachusetts. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  4. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  5. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  6. ^ Although it is called the "Town of West Springfield," it is a statutory city of Massachusetts. See Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
  7. ^ "Colonial Architecture in Western Massachusetts". The American Architect and Building News. Vol. 47. January 26, 1895. p. 39.
  8. ^ Swift, p. 28
  9. ^ Swift, p.256
  10. ^ Swift, p. 20-21
  11. ^ Swift, p. 25-26
  12. ^ a b Swift, p. 19
  13. ^ Swift, p. 23
  14. ^ Swift, p. 24
  15. ^ History of Agawam - by Minerva J. Davis (c. 1930) - Agawam Historical Association
  16. ^ Holland, Josiah Gilbert (1855). History of Western Massachusetts; the counties of Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire. Springfield, Mass.: Samuel Bowles. p. 70. On the 7th of July, 1786, the part of West Springfield now embraced in Holyoke was incorporated as the Third Parish of West Springfield, and was called 'Ireland,' and 'Ireland Parish,' from the fact that several Irish families were the first settlers of the territory, though there is no record of the date of their settlement
  17. ^ a b Swift, p. 27
  18. ^ Swift, p. 29-30.
  19. ^ Swift, p. 30-31.
  20. ^ Swift, p. 321
  21. ^ Swift, p. 34-35
  22. ^ Swift, p. 96-98.
  23. ^ Swift, p. 100.
  24. ^ Through the Years / West Springfield / 1774-1974. By Donald Brooks Bagg. Photo and caption on p. 22 of Riverdale section.
  25. ^ Swift, p.105-109
  26. ^ Swift, p. 220-221
  27. ^ Swift, p. 110
  28. ^ West Springfield mother dies while shielding 15-year-old daughter from tornado. masslive.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-21.
  29. ^ President Obama's disaster area declaration opens door for federal aid, buoys hopes of tornado-tossed communities in Western Massachusetts. masslive.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-21.
  30. ^ Cecchi, David (2016). The Big E: Eastern States Exposition. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. p. 55.
  31. ^ Swift, p.45-54
  32. ^ Swift, p. 67
  33. ^ Swift, p. 123-125
  34. ^ International Paper | Paper Making Timeline
  35. ^ Swift, p. 281
  36. ^ Swift, p. 99
  37. ^ Swift, p. 283
  38. ^ Swift, p. 290
  39. ^ Swift, p.287
  40. ^ Swift, p.286
  41. ^ Swift, p. 134
  42. ^ Interstate 91-Massachusetts
  43. ^ http://www.bostonroads.com/roads/I-91_MA/
  44. ^ US-5: A Highway To History. Chronos-historical.org. Retrieved on 2013-08-21.
  45. ^ http://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004&context=larp_grad_research&sei-redir=1#search="91+north+end+umass+cut+off"
  46. ^ An Historical Address / Delivered before the citizens of Springfield in Massachusetts at the public celebration May 26, 1911, of the Two Hundred and Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of the Settlement with Five Appendices, by Charles H. Barrows. Copyright 1916, Connecticut Valley Historical Society. Thef. A. Bassett Co. Printers, Springfield, Mass. Appendix A, Meaning of Local Indian Names.
  47. ^ Swift, p. 252
  48. ^ Swift, p.259
  49. ^ "Total Population (P1), 2010 Census Summary File 1". American FactFinder, All County Subdivisions within Massachusetts. United States Census Bureau. 2010.
  50. ^ "Massachusetts by Place and County Subdivision - GCT-T1. Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2011. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  51. ^ "1990 Census of Population, General Population Characteristics: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1990. Table 76: General Characteristics of Persons, Households, and Families: 1990. 1990 CP-1-23. Retrieved July 12, 2011. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  52. ^ "1980 Census of the Population, Number of Inhabitants: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1981. Table 4. Populations of County Subdivisions: 1960 to 1980. PC80-1-A23. Retrieved July 12, 2011. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  53. ^ "1950 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. 1952. Section 6, Pages 21-10 and 21-11, Massachusetts Table 6. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1930 to 1950. Retrieved July 12, 2011. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  54. ^ "1920 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. Number of Inhabitants, by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions. Pages 21-5 through 21-7. Massachusetts Table 2. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1920, 1910, and 1920. Retrieved July 12, 2011. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  55. ^ "1890 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. Pages 179 through 182. Massachusetts Table 5. Population of States and Territories by Minor Civil Divisions: 1880 and 1890. Retrieved July 12, 2011. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  56. ^ "1870 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1872. Pages 217 through 220. Table IX. Population of Minor Civil Divisions, &c. Massachusetts. Retrieved July 12, 2011. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  57. ^ "1860 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1864. Pages 220 through 226. State of Massachusetts Table No. 3. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  58. ^ "1850 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1854. Pages 338 through 393. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  59. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  60. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  61. ^ Census of Population and Housing - U.S. Census Bureau. Census.gov. Retrieved on 2013-08-21.
  62. ^ Swift, p. 174.
  63. ^ http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cisctlist/ctlistalph.htm
  64. ^ Though the Years, p. 1 of "Fire – Police – Postal" section.
  65. ^ Swift, p. 158
  66. ^ Swift, p.181-184
  67. ^ C.B. Tillinghast. The free public libraries of Massachusetts. 1st Report of the Free Public Library Commission of Massachusetts. Boston: Wright & Potter, 1891. Google books
  68. ^ http://www.wspl.org/ Retrieved 2010-11-09
  69. ^ Swift, p.195-197
  70. ^ July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008; cf. The FY2008 Municipal Pie: What's Your Share? Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Board of Library Commissioners. Boston: 2009. Available: Municipal Pie Reports Archived 2012-01-23 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2010-08-04
  71. ^ Swift, p. 132, 137

Common references are made to:

  • Swift, Esther M. (1969). West Springfield Massachusetts: A Town History. West Springfield Heritage Association. OCLC 69843.

External links[edit]

  • City of West Springfield, Massachusetts (Official website)
  • "West Springfield" . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911.