78-633: The Goodnough Dike (actually a dam) is on the southeastern end of the Quabbin Reservoir , the largest water body in Massachusetts . It impounds the waters of Beaver Brook and therefore closes that exit to the Chicopee River Watershed . The Goodnough Dike is not as large as the Winsor Dam , but it is equally important as they both trap the waters of the Quabbin Reservoir . This dam is part of
156-452: A colony of endangered timber rattlesnakes to Mount Zion Island on the Quabbin was suspended indefinitely in 2017 after public opposition. DWSP's Watershed Forestry page provides general information regarding the application of forest management at Quabbin and other drinking water supply watersheds. Chicopee, Massachusetts Chicopee ( / ˈ tʃ ɪ k ə p i / CHIK -ə-pee )
234-400: A distinct community. Since then, the city has filled in most of its open space resulting in a number of new neighborhoods. These neighborhoods include Chicomansett, Ferry Lane, Sandy Hill and the geographically isolated Burnett Road neighborhood. The city is bordered by Holyoke to the northwest, West Springfield to the southwest, Springfield to the south, Ludlow to the east, Granby to
312-558: A district of Springfield until after the 1850 U.S. census . On April 18, 1890, the community was granted a charter as a city by the Massachusetts General Court . George Sylvester Taylor (1822–1910) became Chicopee's first mayor on January 5, 1891. Westover Field was created by a war-readiness appropriation signed by president Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939. The site used to be tobacco crop fields east of and part of Fairview, east of Aldenview, and northern Willimansett. It
390-569: A mayor-council form of government, with a City Council for its legislative branch and a Mayor for its executive branch. The City Council consists of nine Ward Councilors and four Councilors-at-Large. One Ward Councilor is elected from each ward. The four Councilors-at-Large are elected by all voters in the city. Ward Councilors serve one-year terms, while Councilors-at-Large serve two-year terms. Mayors serve one two-year term. Since 1941, local elections in Chicopee have been non-partisan. From 1890 to 1914,
468-553: A number of metropolitan areas and its transportation network. Four interstate highways run through its boundaries, including I-90 , I-91 , I-291 , and I-391 , as well as state routes such as Route 33 , 116 , and 141 . "Chicopee" is derived from the Nipmuc language. It is likely derived from chekee ("violently") and -pe (root suffix used in water place names) or chikkupee ("of red cedar"), an adjectival form of chikkup ("red cedar"). There have been several variant spellings of
546-477: A petition to form their own municipality. The General Court approved Chicopee's Act of Incorporation on April 25, 1848. Governor George N. Briggs signed the act on April 29, 1848, creating the Town of Chicopee. Chicopee's first municipal elections took place at Chicopee's first town meeting on May 17, 1848 at 1:00 p.m. When electing State Representatives and State Senators, the Town of Chicopee would be treated as
624-401: A place above the falls on the south side of the river. Colonists built a sawmill as the first industrial site along the river. The mill was built at Skenungonuck (Nipmuc for "green fields") Falls (now Chicopee Falls) in 1678 by Japhet Chapin, John Hitchcock and Nathaniel Foote. In 1786, what was called Factory Village began to develop when two acres of land was leased to 10 local men, with
702-570: A place called Factory Village, an important chapter of the region's industrial history was played out. In 1716, Upper Chicopee, Lower Chicopee and Skipmunk were divided into Springfield's fourth, fifth and sixth precincts, respectively. In the late 1740s, a discussion took place among members of the First Church of Springfield over whether the town should build a new meetinghouse out of brick, which would be more expensive yet durable, or timber, which would be relatively inexpensive. Residents of what
780-598: A year at its Willimansett production plant. Since 2013, Chicopee has been home to the headquarters of the Chemex Corporation , makers of the Chemex pour-over coffeemaker, which has been produced with the same design since 1941. Chicopee also hosts the Buxton Company, which "designs, manufactures, and markets personal leather goods, travel kits, and gifts collections for men and women." Founded as L.A.W. Novelty Co. in 1898,
858-591: Is 540 ft (160 m) MSL. The dam was named after X. Henry Goodnough , who was chair of the Boston Metropolitan Water and Sewer Board during 1921. This dike is part of the Quabbin Reservoir facility. This dike is sometimes called the Quabbin Dike, however its name has never been changed from its original and, in fact, remains as originally named, imprinted on the plaques and signs at the site in
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#1732848539767936-652: Is a city located on the Connecticut River in Hampden County, Massachusetts , United States. At the 2020 census , the city had a population of 55,560, making it the second-largest city in western Massachusetts after Springfield . Chicopee is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area . The communities of Chicopee Center (Cabotville), Chicopee Falls, Willimansett, Fairview, Aldenville, Burnett Road, Smith Highlands and Westover are located within
1014-461: Is home to a variety of specialty manufacturers, as well as Westover Air Reserve Base , the largest Air Force Reserve Base of the United States, built in 1940 with the emergence of World War II . Chicopee today goes by the nickname the "Crossroads of New England " as part of a business-development marketing campaign, one that West Springfield also uses. The name reflects the city's location among
1092-457: Is now Chicopee tended to support a timber meetinghouse, due to the time-consuming four to eight mile journey that visiting the meetinghouse would require. In 1749, residents in Springfield's fourth, fifth and sixth precincts petitioned the Massachusetts General Court to form their own parish, with their own church and meetinghouse. Facing opposition from Springfield, the petition was rejected by
1170-481: Is the northernmost neighborhood (village) in Chicopee and originally included the lands that are now part of Westover ARB. Primarily agricultural, Fairview was known for its tobacco farms. After 1939, Westover helped to rapidly develop the village into a residential and commercial district. Memorial Drive (Route 33) flows north–south connecting Chicopee Falls with South Hadley. On August 18, 1870, Edward Monroe Alden purchased 600 acres of land just east of Willimansett for
1248-617: Is the primary water supply for Boston , 65 miles (105 km) to the east, and 40 other cities and towns in Greater Boston . The Quabbin also supplies water to three towns west of the reservoir and acts as backup supply for three others. By 1989, it supplied water for 2.5 million people, about 40% of the state's population at the time. It has an aggregate capacity of 412 billion US gallons (1,560 GL) and an area of 38.6 square miles (99.9 km ). Quabbin Reservoir water flows to
1326-636: Is water. The Chicopee River flows through the southern part of the city, emptying into the Connecticut River . Many ponds, lakes, and streams are part of the Chicopee River or Connecticut River watersheds. In 1641, Willian Pynchon expanded his 1636 holdings by buying the land from the Chicopee River north to the Willimansett (Nipmuc for "good berries place" or "place of red earth") Brook. Land sales in Chicopee were recorded in 1659, but apparently no homes were built immediately. Winthrop McKinstry writes that
1404-953: The Chicopee River Watershed , which in turn feeds the Connecticut River . The Quabbin Spillway, which follows part of Quabbin Hill Road in Belchertown, allows water to bypass the Winsor Dam and join the Swift River when the reservoir is full. In 1947, the Massachusetts Legislature authorized the construction of the Chicopee Valley Aqueduct to deliver Quabbin water to three communities in Western Massachusetts: Chicopee , South Hadley , and Wilbraham . In 1951, with
1482-509: The Nipmuc word meaning "place of many waters" or "meeting of many waters", and became the basis for naming the new reservoir. The Quabbin was formed by inundating the Swift River Valley , a drainage basin lying entirely within the state, by damming the river and a col , through which Beaver Brook would have otherwise provided another outlet for its water. When construction on the dam began in
1560-655: The Winsor Dam , and the Goodnough Dike, the reservoir is fed by the Swift River , and seasonally the Ware River . Four towns were flooded in the Swift River Valley. Construction of the reservoir remains a great engineering feat and Quabbin is one of the largest unfiltered water supplies in the world. The reservoir is 18 miles (29 km) long and has 181 miles (291 km) of shoreline including 61 miles (98 km) along
1638-574: The 1930s, this tunnel was extended to the Swift River . The complete tunnel is now known as the Quabbin Aqueduct . Although the project was enthusiastically supported by lawmakers in the Boston area, it was opposed by residents of the affected towns. The state of Connecticut sued Massachusetts , claiming waters that were rightfully meant to flow into the Connecticut River , and subsequently through their state, were being illegally diverted. The lawsuit
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#17328485397671716-574: The Chicopee Provision Company, a major producer of Polish sausage kielbasa under the Blue Seal brand, Millie's Pierogi, a producer of those traditional Polish dumplings , and Domin & Sons, the region's largest producer of horseradish , whose largest market was Polish consumers at Easter. Despite changes in the global economy, Chicopee does remain home to manufacturers including Callaway Golf which produces more than 5 million golfballs
1794-464: The General Court to separate as its own municipality. Once again opposed by Springfield's First Parish, their petition was rejected. In 1848, Springfield began to seek a city charter. Second Parish residents tended to oppose a city charter on the grounds of increased expenditures. In response, 700 residents of Chicopee's neighborhoods of Cabotville, Chicopee Falls, Chicopee Street and Willimansett signed
1872-514: The General Court. In 1750, the petition was filed again by Japhet Chapin, signed by 49 residents of what are now Chicopee and Holyoke , and was approved by the General Court. This created Springfield's Fifth Parish. The boundaries of the new parish were laid out on June 11, 1751. The first service took place on July 21, 1751. This marked the earliest move toward political separation by Chicopee and Holyoke from Springfield. In 1844, Springfield's Second Parish, now containing only Chicopee, petitioned
1950-583: The Metropolitan Water District from 1926 until his death in 1939. He was closely involved in the design and construction of Winsor Dam , Goodnough Dike and the Quabbin Reservoir. Winsor Dam is named for him. He had previously been chief engineer for the building of the Scituate Reservoir in Rhode Island . A 1922 study officially endorsed the Swift River Valley as the next extension of
2028-590: The Quabbin Reservoir reservation. Frank E. Winsor was chief engineer of the Board from 1926 until his death in 1939 and as such was deeply involved in the design construction of Goodnough Dike as well as Winsor Dam and Quabbin Reservoir The Quabbin Reservoir is one of the largest fabricated public water supplies in the United States . Created in the 1930s by the construction of two huge earthen dams,
2106-785: The Quabbin's lands. Many other public buildings were moved intact to other locations. For example, the Prescott First Congregational Church was moved to South Hadley. The North Prescott Methodist Episcopal Church was moved to Orange in 1949, and then to New Salem in 1985 where it forms part of the building complex of the Swift River Valley Historical Society. The former Town Hall of Prescott now sits off of Route 32 in Petersham. Three student housing facilities at Hampshire College in Amherst are named after
2184-623: The Quabbin-Wachusett system sufficient to meet foreseeable needs, the Cochituate Aqueduct was abandoned, and the Framingham Reservoir system was placed on emergency stand-by. The present Lake Cochituate is the so-called Framingham Reservoir and now serves as a major swimming and boating resource but is no longer part of the potable water supply. Metropolitan Boston's demands for fresh water began to outstrip its local supplies in
2262-491: The Quabbin. More complete information regarding access rules and maps of Quabbin can be found on DCR's official public access website. This large block of forested land supports a great diversity of wildlife, and has been the focus for the re-establishment of several species in Massachusetts. Bald eagles, loons, moose, deer, coyotes, black bears, foxes, and bobcats share the habitat, among others. A proposed plan to establish
2340-475: The Smith Highlands section once had its own school (first and second grades), Holyoke Street Railway bus service from Ingham Street across Irene, Factory, and Prospect streets, and two locally owned markets. The former Robert's Pond swimming area was a popular summer attraction, and the fields where the current Bellamy Junior High School is located were a popular sledding and skiing location winters. Fairview
2418-668: The Wachusett Reservoir through the Quabbin Aqueduct . The Quabbin watershed is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation , while the water supply system is operated by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority . The Winsor Dam and the Goodnough Dike form the reservoir from impoundments of the three branches of the Swift River . The Quabbin Reservoir is part of
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2496-419: The age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.96. In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.6% under
2574-458: The age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 35,672, and the median income for a family was $ 44,136. Males had a median income of $ 35,585 versus $ 25,975 for females. The per capita income for
2652-462: The area above the falls was first settled in 1660. The land purchased from the Indians was divided into districts. Nayasett (Nipmuc for "at the small point/angle") was the name given to the area of what are now Chicopee Center and Chicopee Falls. The settlement in the upper district was at Skipmuck (possibly based on Nipmuc Skipmaug, meaning "chief fishing place" or Shipmuck, meaning "big watery place"),
2730-428: The bridge was grandly celebrated. By the 20th century, Willimansett village had developed into quintessential Americana with a high percentage of French Canadian inhabitants. In total, Chicopee became four distinct commercial and political sub-divisions, each with its own ethnic makeup representing its own special interests and, much too frequently, in conflict with each other. Located between Fairview and Willimansett,
2808-590: The city had a bicameral legislature consisting of eight wards, with one member of the Board of Aldermen and two members of the Common Council elected from each ward. The city replaced this system by abolishing the Common Council and adding ten aldermen-at-large to the Board of Aldermen. In 2008, the Board of Aldermen approved a home-rule petition to change the legislature's name to the City Council. The name change took effect in 2009. Chicopee also directly elects
2886-531: The city voted to build the Willimansett Bridge , connecting Willimansett with Holyoke across the Connecticut River. The results were profound. Willimansett and Aldenville would develop close ties to Holyoke; even postal and telephone service were (and still are) tied to the "Paper City." The legislative act ordering the building of the bridge was passed in 1892. L.L. Johnson reports that the completion of
2964-401: The city was $ 18,646. About 9.6% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 19.5% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over. Chicopee is mostly a service economy with a mixture of small, local businesses and national chains. The city is also home to a number of Polish-American food product manufacturers, reflecting the city's history, and include
3042-580: The city was 89.82% White , 2.28% African American , 0.20% Native American , 0.87% Asian , 0.10% Pacific Islander , 4.90% from other races , and 1.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.76% of the population (12.8% Puerto Rican , 0.5% Dominican , 0.4% Mexican , 0.2% Colombian ). Chicopee is the second largest municipality in western Massachusetts , after Springfield (defining western Massachusetts as Hampden , Hampshire , Franklin , and Berkshire counties). There were 23,117 households, out of which 26.5% had children under
3120-589: The city. One of the ventures of the Boston Associates , Chicopee is a city built around several smaller former mill communities on its namesake, the Chicopee River . During the 19th century, the city was home to the first American producer of friction matches as well as a variety of other industries, including the Ames Manufacturing Company , an early pioneer in machining lathes, building upon
3198-564: The creation of a Metropolitan Water District, serving several suburban communities in addition to Boston, and the construction of two new reservoirs: one on the Nashua River northeast of Worcester , and one in the Swift River Valley . The General Court acted to establish the Metropolitan Water District, including 26 communities within ten miles (16 km) of the Massachusetts State House , later in 1895. The Wachusett Reservoir
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3276-418: The discontinued towns of Greenwich, Prescott, and Enfield. In addition, Hampshire College named another facility on its campus Dana House, after the other discontinued town of Dana. Four residence halls at the nearby Eagle Hill School are also named for the four towns: Greenwich, Prescott, Dana, and Enfield. To protect the water supply from the threats from unrestricted motorized vehicle use, most areas around
3354-609: The disincorporated towns was added to surrounding municipalities, including Belchertown , Pelham , New Salem , Petersham , Hardwick and Ware . One additional town on the reservoir is Shutesbury , in Franklin County. Because of New Salem's annexation of the Prescott Peninsula, a large wedge of land shifted from Hampshire County to Franklin County . Today, the majority of the reservoir lies in either New Salem or Petersham. Of
3432-642: The early part of the nineteenth century. Many possible sources of water were explored, including groundwater and rivers, but none were considered adequate in quantity and cleanliness to meet the needs of the rapidly growing city. In 1848, after several years of controversy, the Massachusetts General Court (the official name of the state legislature) authorized the construction of the Cochituate Aqueduct to bring water to Boston from Lake Cochituate in Wayland and Natick . This established three important policies, which remain in force today: By 1875, with demand again on
3510-403: The extended slave economy and King Cotton. By 1831, settlers had developed two giant dams, two waterpower canals, and two manufacturing communities on the Chicopee River. Before and after the partition, eight Chicopee River companies gained product recognition around the globe: Ames , Belcher, Lamb, Dwight, Stevens , Spalding , Fisk , and Duryea . Below the falls, in the bend of the river at
3588-475: The firm changed its name to Buxton Co., LLC in 1921. Chicopee is home to a handful of financial businesses as well including Alden Credit Union, The Polish National Credit Union and Chicopee Savings Bank. Chicopee Savings Bank is run by Chicopee Bancorp, which operates trades as CBNK on the NASDAQ exchange. The Chicopee River Business Park and Westover Business Park are within the city's boundaries. Chicopee has
3666-578: The first gasoline -powered automobile made in the United States, the Duryea . During the late nineteenth century, Chicopee Falls became a major manufacturing center of bicycles. The town was the site of at least two bicycle factories: The Overman Wheel Company (1882 to about 1899), and the Spalding sporting goods company. Albert H. Overman moved his bicycle production from Hartford, Connecticut , to Chicopee Falls in 1883. The Overman company benefited from
3744-567: The first house was bought and built by French-Canadian builder and carpenter Marcellin Croteau. As of the census of 2010, Chicopee was 3.1% black, 1.6% Asian, 18.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race, 75% white As of the census of 2000, there were 54,653 people, 23,117 households, and 14,147 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,389.7 inhabitants per square mile (922.7/km ). There were 24,424 housing units at an average density of 1,067.9 per square mile (412.3/km ). The racial makeup of
3822-550: The following local offices and bodies: The College of Our Lady of the Elms is a four-year liberal arts college offering thirty-three academic majors. It was first founded in 1897 as a girls' preparatory academy in Pittsfield , the Academy of Our Lady of the Elms. In 1899, it moved to Chicopee as St. Joseph's Normal College. A charter for the school to operate as a women's liberal arts college
3900-510: The former Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory , once operated by the University of Massachusetts Amherst . There is a visitor center south of the reservoir, as well as an observation tower, and Enfield Lookout. This area—called Quabbin Park—is accessible by car from the south using State Route 9 . The Park is a popular spot for hiking and other outdoor activities. This area was formerly part of
3978-531: The land used to make the dam, about 60,000 acres were purchased and the rest was seized by eminent domain in 1938. The town of Dana voted to voluntarily give up their land to the project. Around 2,500 residents lost their homes as part of the flooding. In addition, thirty-six miles of the Boston and Albany Railroad 's Athol Branch, the so-called "Rabbit Line", were abandoned (originally the Springfield, Athol and Northeastern Railroad). Route 21 , formerly reaching Athol,
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#17328485397674056-433: The metropolitan Boston's water supply, maintained by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority . The dam was built 1933–38. Its width at the top is 35 ft (11 m) and 878 ft (268 m) at the bottom. It is 264 ft (80 m) above the bedrock and 135 ft (41 m) above Beaver Brook. There was 2.5 million cubic yards of fill used in the construction and the dam contains 31 caissons. The elevation
4134-439: The mid-1930s, the Swift River was redirected from its riverbed through a diversion tunnel. On August 14, 1939, that tunnel was sealed with rock. Over the next seven years, the waters of the Quabbin Reservoir slowly rose behind the newly completed Winsor Dam , an earth-filled structure 2,640 feet (800 m) long, rising 170 feet (52 m) above the riverbed, and the slightly smaller Goodnough Dike . The water gradually submerged
4212-528: The motto "Industriae Variae", which means "Various Industries". Chicopee's industries included cotton mills, woolen mills, textiles, brass and iron foundries, paper making, footwear factories, for leather boots and shoes, the first friction matches, and ship building. In nearby South Hadley Canal, the firearms company Crescent-Davis specialized in producing double-barrel shotguns . The Ames Manufacturing Company made many machines and bronze cannons, and more swords than any other American manufacturer at
4290-522: The name. In 1636, William Pynchon purchased land from the Agawam Indians on the east side of the Connecticut River. He moved from the Town of Roxbury to Springfield to found the first settlement in the area that comprises the territory of today's Chicopee Center (Cabotville). Both Cabotville and the Falls were developed as manufacturing centers (villages). According to local historian Charles J. Seaver,
4368-511: The northeast and South Hadley to the north. Chicopee is located 29 miles (47 km) away from Hartford , 89 miles (143 km) away from Boston , 90 miles (140 km) from Albany and 140 miles (230 km) from New York City. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 23.9 square miles (62 km ), of which 22.9 square miles (59 km ) is land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km ) (4.31%)
4446-427: The reservoir are publicly accessible only by foot, with limited parking available at some of the surrounding gates. Large portions of Dana are on higher ground, and its remains, predominantly cellar holes, as well as the former town center (where a historic stone marker was placed) can be visited. Much of Prescott is above water on what is now known as the Prescott Peninsula. However, Prescott cannot be visited most of
4524-477: The reservoir's 60 islands. Quabbin collects an average of one-half of the precipitation that falls on its watershed. When full, the reservoir holds about 412 billion US gallons (1.56 × 10 m) of water. Quabbin Reservoir The Quabbin Reservoir is the largest inland body of water in Massachusetts , United States, and was built between 1930 and 1939. Along with the Wachusett Reservoir , it
4602-634: The roads that had linked the towns. It swallowed all but the peaks of about 60 hills and mountains, transforming Prescott Ridge into Prescott Peninsula. The Quabbin Reservoir was full, for the first time, in June 1946. In 1941, the land that would become the Prescott Peninsula became the Quabbin Reservoir Precision Bombing and Gunnery Range . The range was used by Army Air Forces and later US Air Force planes from both Hanscom Army Air Field and Westover Army Air Field from 1941 through 1951. It
4680-474: The sons of Deacon Samuel Chapin appear to be the first home builders. Henry Chapin is believed to have constructed his at Exchange and West streets (lower Chicopee) in 1664, and Japhet Chapin north of what is now known as James Ferry Road (upper Chicopee) in 1673. It is apparent from McKinstry's book that the Chapin family dominated the area north of the Chicopee River for the settlement's first 70 years. Chicopee Street
4758-400: The sum of $ 9,000 with the intent to create a "little city on the hill," which would become Aldenville. In 1890, he began laying out streets which he named for family members and divided the land up into 60-by-170 feet lots. French-Canadian factory workers from Chicopee Falls, Cabotville (Chicopee Center), and Holyoke began to build up the community. Sold for a selling price of $ 150 with $ 10 down,
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#17328485397674836-558: The surging popularity of the safety bicycle during the bicycle boom of the 1890s. At its height in 1894, Overman's factory employed over 1,200 workers. The boom eventually went bust, as overproduction drove the price of bicycles down. By 1901 the Overman firm was out of business. The Chicopee Public Library developed from the Cabot Institute, a literary society organized in 1846. The society voted on April 4, 1853 to donate its books to
4914-617: The time. Ames cast a number of bronze statues, including Thomas Ball's monumental equestrian statue of President George Washington , installed in Boston's Public Garden. Ames was a major provider of cannon to the Union army during the Civil War. The Stevens Arms plant (later Savage ) was responsible for most of the No. 4 Enfields manufactured for the British under Lend-Lease . Chicopee was home to production of
4992-467: The town of Enfield , which was annexed by Belchertown Fishing is allowed in designated areas in the northern portions of the reservoir. Three boat launch areas are available, and to prevent spread of aquatic invasive species private boats must be cleaned before being permitted on the Reservoir. DCR provides a number of rental boats as well. Current Massachusetts state record lake trout (25 lb 7 oz) and walleye (11 lb 0 oz) were caught in
5070-409: The town. It was the first locally funded public library in Western Massachusetts. The city is made up of several neighborhoods; the result of the city's origin as a collection of four villages in the northernmost part of Springfield, which seceded from it in 1848. Chicopee Falls, Chicopee Center (Cabotville), Fairview, and Willimansett continued to develop. In the early 1900s, Aldenville developed as
5148-421: The towns flooded by the reservoir were removed. Some cellar holes were left intact while others, chiefly in Prescott and below the flow line, were filled in. Old roads that once led to the flooded towns can be followed to the water's edge. Not all elements of the towns were destroyed, however. Town memorials and cemeteries in the four towns were moved to Quabbin Park Cemetery, located on Route 9 in Ware, just off
5226-424: The understanding that they would build an iron foundry within two years. This was accomplished and the business flourished. In 1823, Jonathan Dwight purchased the water privilege at Skenungonuck Falls in Chicopee. He built a textile mill and five years later, it operated 14,000 spindles and nearly 500 looms, making it the second-largest operation in the state. It processed cotton from the Deep South, becoming part of
5304-423: The verge of exceeding supply, the Boston Water Board was established to take over the operations of the Cochituate Water Board, construct five new reservoirs on the Sudbury River in Framingham, Massachusetts , and a new Sudbury Aqueduct to deliver that water to the city, which was completed in 1878. In 1893, the Massachusetts Board of Health issued a report analyzing population and water-use trends, and recommended
5382-431: The water system and created the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), now the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority ( MWRA ), to oversee the construction and maintain the system after its completion. In 1926, the Ware River Act was passed, starting construction on the first stage of the project, a 12-mile long tunnel connecting Wachusett Reservoir with the Ware River . This is called the Ware River Diversion . During
5460-403: The work of Springfield's Thomas Blanchard , and the largest producer of swords and cutlasses for the Union Army during the Civil War. By the start of the 20th century, the city was home to a number of industrial plants, including those of the Fisk Tire Company , one of the largest tire makers of that time, and some of the earliest sporting goods factories of A. G. Spalding . Today the city
5538-413: The year due to state restrictions, although there is an annual tour of the town conducted by the Swift River Valley Historical Society. A few houses and roads exist which were once part of North Prescott (now New Salem ), and there is a town line marker just north of the gates, indicating the former town line for Prescott. Cellar holes have been filled near the center of what was once Prescott to accommodate
5616-636: Was also used for practice landings. In the late 2000s the site was surveyed by state authorities and the federal Formerly Used Defense Sites program for potential unexploded ordnance or other contamination in the area. The Quabbin's creation required the flooding, and thus the disincorporation, of four towns in April 1938: Dana (located in Worcester County ), Enfield , Greenwich , and Prescott (all located in Hampshire County ). The land remaining from
5694-545: Was approved in 1928, and the name was changed to the College of Our Lady of the Elms. It began admitting men in 1998. Catholic schools operated under the Diocese of Springfield include: Saint Joan of Arc School which serves Saint Rose de Lima Church; and Saint Stanislaus School which serves the St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr's Parish . Holyoke Catholic High School was founded in 1963 at
5772-554: Was assigned to the United States Army Air Corps Northeast Air District. It was renamed Westover Air Force Base in 1948 after that Air Force's creation as a separate service. In 1974 SAC leadership turned the base over to the Air Force Reserve. In 1991, St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Church , located on Front Street, was proclaimed a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II . Chicopee adopted
5850-476: Was completed in 1908. The Board of Health study had anticipated that Swift River water would be required by 1915, but this prediction had proven overly pessimistic. The introduction of mandatory water metering in Water District communities, and other efforts to reduce waste and inefficient uses, made it possible to delay construction of new water sources until the 1930s. Frank E. Winsor was chief engineer for
5928-510: Was part of the First Parish in Springfield. By the 1750s, Quabbin Road (now McKinstry Avenue) allowed the farmers to access the meadows and fields on the plains at the top of the hill. The Chapins used the land in common for grazing livestock and built ice houses near several large ponds. The ponds were drained by several brooks which flowed into the Connecticut River. At the end of the 19th century,
6006-420: Was truncated to the south side of the reservoir, and new roads—now US 202 and Route 32A —were built, respectively, on the western and eastern side of the reservoir. The designation of Route 109 was removed in 1933 from the road once running from Pittsfield to West Brookfield and leading into Enfield Centre from the southeast; and a different road southwest of Boston received that designation. The buildings in
6084-660: Was unsuccessful, but Massachusetts was still bound by discharge minimums set under the regulatory authority of the Secretary of War over navigable waters. Specifically, the Swift River needed to maintain a 20 million gallon per day flow downriver from the dam. Before the reservoir's construction, there was a hill in Enfield called Quabbin Hill and a lake in Greenwich called Quabbin Lake. These were from
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