Springfield was founded in 1636 by William Pynchon, the then assistant treasurer of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The town was named after the village near Chelmsford, Essex in England where he was born. Long, narrow plots of farmland were created, extending out from the river, and over time, parts of the settlement were sectioned off to form neighboring towns, including West Springfield.
Facts from Springfield History:
In 1845, the Wason Manufacturing Company, one of the earliest makers of railway passenger coach equipment in the United States, was established in Springfield.
In the late 19th century, the nickname 'City of Homes' was given to Springfield due to its many Victorian mansions, as well as multitudes of single-family houses inhabited by workers.
In 1893, two Springfielders named Charles and J. Frank Duryea built the first ever gasoline powered commercial car in Springfield. The Duryea Motor Wagon was put on the streets of Springfield on September 20, 1893.
Granville Brothers Aircraft was an aircraft manufacturer at the Springfield Airport in operation from 1929-1934. They are best known for the trophy and speed record holding Senior Sportster series of racing aircraft. |