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36-453: Hampden County Courthouse is a historic courthouse on Elm Street in Springfield, Massachusetts designed by Henry Hobson Richardson . This was the county's second courthouse. The first courthouse was a small meetinghouse structure built in 1740, and the second and was constructed in 1822, but by the 1860s, popular pressure was developing for a new proper courthouse. A grand jury indicted

72-573: Is land and 17 square miles (44 km ) (2.7%) is water. The following are neighborhoods located in Springfield or West Springfield. The following are neighborhoods located in Chicopee. The following are neighborhoods located in Holyoke. As of the 2010 United States Census , there were 463,490 people, 179,927 households, and 115,961 families residing in the county. The population density

108-495: Is no county council or commission. The sheriff became a Commonwealth employee, but remains locally elected to perform duties within the county region and retains administrative and operational control over the Berkshire Sheriff's Office, an independent state agency created after the county government was abolished. The Berkshire Sheriff's Office runs the county jail and house of correction . Local communities were granted

144-602: Is part of the 8th District. The Council generally meets at noon on Wednesdays in its State House Chamber, next to the Governor's Office, to act on issues such as payments from the state treasury, criminal pardons and commutations, and approval of gubernatorial appointments such as judges, notaries and justices of the peace. See also the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts former page on counties (more detailed and with map) and its current page on counties (also useful). According to

180-664: Is part of the Springfield, MA Metropolitan Statistical Area . It is the most urban county in Western Massachusetts . The Knowledge Corridor surrounding Springfield-Hartford is New England 's second most populous urban area (after Greater Boston ) with 1.9 million people. As with most Massachusetts counties, Hampden County exists today only as a historical geographic region, and has no county government. All former county functions were assumed by state agencies in 1998. The sheriff and some other regional officials with specific duties are still elected locally to perform duties within

216-619: Is shaped roughly like the capital letter I , with the main facade emphasizing vertical lines, tall windows, and two tall dormers on either side of the bell tower. The facades were built of light gray Monson granite in rough-faced random ashlar masonry, with smooth-faced trim. The overall design reflects Richardson's evolution as a designer, showing development from the Brattle Square Church . In his 1972 treatise on Springfield history, Town Into City , Dr. Michael Frisch, professor of American Studies at University at Albany , described

252-410: Is the westernmost county in the U.S. state of Massachusetts . As of the 2020 census , the population was 129,026. Its largest city and traditional county seat is Pittsfield . The county was founded in 1761. The Berkshire Hills are centered on Berkshire County. Residents are known as Berkshirites. It exists today only as a historical geographic region, and has no county government, with

288-470: Is today southern Berkshire County. This deal did not include modern Stockbridge , Richmond , and Lenox , or any northern towns. Berkshire County was the western part of Hampshire County until separated in 1761. In the 19th century, Berkshire County became popular with the American elite, which built what they called "cottages" throughout the countryside. The Gilded Age ended in the early 20th century with

324-859: The ARRL , offers training in amateur radio and related technology. Hampden County is served by both bus and rail service, with intermodal connections at Springfield Union Station , and Holyoke station via the Holyoke Transportation Center. Additionally the region is served by the Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport , and Westover Metropolitan Airport . A bike share program, ValleyBike, connects Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke and West Springfield to points north in Hampshire County . Berkshire County, Massachusetts Berkshire County (pronounced / ˈ b ɜːr k ʃ ər / )

360-634: The Massachusetts House of Representatives . Berkshire County comprises only part of one district for the Massachusetts Senate due to its low population. The district consists of all 32 cities and towns in Berkshire County as well as the following 25 communities: Ashfield, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Hawley, Heath, Monroe, Shelburne, Rowe and Whately, in the county of Franklin; Blandford, Chester, Granville, Southwick, and Tolland in

396-693: The Pioneer Valley of the U.S. state of Massachusetts , in the United States. As of the 2020 census , Hampden County's population was 465,825. Its traditional county seat is Springfield , the Connecticut River Valley 's largest city, and economic and cultural capital; with an estimated population of 154,758, approximately one-third of Hampden County residents live in Springfield. Springfield had been Hampshire County 's traditional shire town since its founding in 1636, then in 1794 Northampton

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432-558: The U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 946 square miles (2,450 km ) of which 927 square miles (2,400 km ) is land and 20 square miles (52 km ) (2.1%) is water. It is the second-largest county in Massachusetts by land area. The highest natural point in Massachusetts, Mount Greylock at 3,492 feet (1,064 m), is in Berkshire County. Berkshire County is one of two Massachusetts counties that borders three neighboring states (Vermont, New York and Connecticut);

468-412: The 179,927 households, 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 17.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.6% were non-families, and 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.09. The median age was 38.6 years. The median income for a household in

504-407: The 56,006 households 27.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.00% were married couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.30% were non-families. 31.60% of households were one person and 13.90% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.89. The age distribution was 22.40% under

540-723: The Court of Sessions Record Book 1, pages 5-6 of the Hampden County Commissioners' Archives, housed in the Registry of Deeds. Hampden County was named for parliamentarian John Hampden , and is the youngest county by establishment date in the state. To the north of Hampden County is modern-day Hampshire County; to the west is Berkshire County ; to the east is Worcester County ; to the south are Litchfield County , Hartford County , and Tolland County in Connecticut . Hampden County

576-431: The age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.10 males. The county's median household income was $ 39,047, and the median family income was $ 50,162. Males had a median income of $ 36,692 versus $ 26,504 for females. The county's per capita income

612-522: The county borders, but there is no county council, county commission or other county governing body. Communities are now granted the right to form their own regional compacts for sharing services. Hampden County and Hampshire County together are part of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 634 square miles (1,640 km ), of which 617 square miles (1,600 km )

648-451: The county commissioners in 1869 for official misconduct since the courthouse did not have fireproof storage for the registry of deeds and the safekeeping of public records. This forced the county to build a new courthouse. Construction began in late 1871, and the building was dedicated on April 28, 1874. The original building cost $ 214,068. The site, within the middle of a city block and measuring 160 by 90 feet, cost $ 75,716. The building

684-585: The county of Hampden; Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Plainfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg and Worthington, in the county of Hampshire. Paul Mark (D) is the current Senator. The Massachusetts Governor's Council, also known as the Executive Council, is composed of eight individuals elected from districts, and the Lt. Governor who serves ex officio. The eight councillors are elected from their respective districts every two years. Berkshire County

720-497: The county voted for Joe Biden by a 47.1% margin over Donald Trump , 72.4% to 25.3%. The Mahican (Muh-he-ka-neew) Native American tribe lived in the area that now makes up Berkshire County until the early 18th century, when the first English settlers and frontiersmen appeared and began setting up farms and homesteads. On April 25, 1724, "The English finally paid the Indians 460 pounds, 3 barrels of cider, and 30 quarts of rum" for what

756-407: The county was $ 47,724 and the median income for a family was $ 61,061. Males had a median income of $ 50,207 versus $ 37,765 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 24,718. About 13.2% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line , including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over. The ranking of unincorporated communities that are included on

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792-547: The county was 92.5% white, 2.7% black or African American, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.2% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.5% of the population. The largest ancestry groups were: Of the 56,091 households, 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 40.1% were non-families, and 33.0% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size

828-433: The exception of the retirement board for former county workers, and certain offices such as the sheriff and registry of deeds. Of the fourteen Massachusetts counties , Berkshire County is one of eight that exists today only as a historical geographic region; it has limited county government. Berkshire County government was abolished effective July 1, 2000. Most former county functions were assumed by state agencies, and there

864-790: The heat of the lowlands. At the 2000 census there were 134,953 people, 56,006 households, and 35,115 families in the county. The population density was 145 people per square mile (56 people/km ). There were 66,301 housing units at an average density of 71 per square mile (27/km ). The county's racial makeup was 95.02% White , 1.99% Black or African American , 0.15% Native American , 0.99% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 0.59% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. 1.69%. were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.5% were of Italian , 16.4% Irish , 10.8% French , 10.3% English , 8.0% Polish , 7.1% German , 5.8% American and 5.1% French Canadian ancestry, 94.1% spoke English , 1.6% Spanish and 1.1% French as their first language. Of

900-749: The income tax, World War I, and the Great Depression . In the 20th century, some of these cottages were torn or burned down, while others became prep schools, historic sites, or bed-and-breakfast inns. Today Berkshire is known throughout the East Coast and the country as the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood . It includes attractions such as the Clark Art Institute , Norman Rockwell Museum , Naumkeag , Mass MOCA , and Hancock Shaker Village . County-wide bus service

936-621: The list are reflective if the census designated locations and villages were included as cities or towns. Data is from the 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Although no county government exists in Hampden County, a number of private associations, mainly representing trades remain identified with Hampden County. For example the Hampden Agricultural Society opened Hampden Park in Springfield in 1853. To maintain current training among municipal inspectors, in 2005

972-411: The list are reflective if the census designated locations and villages were included as cities or towns. Data is from the 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. In the 2016 and 2020 U.S. presidential elections, Berkshire County was Massachusetts's third-bluest county behind Suffolk County , which consists primarily of Boston , and Dukes County , home to Martha's Vineyard . In 2020 ,

1008-603: The nongovernmental Hampden County Plumbing & Gas Inspectors Association was formed. The Hampden County Bar Association provides support and resources to the legal community and those seeking such representation. In part a legacy of the Eastern States Exposition , the Hampden County Improvement League, and Hampden County Beekeepers Association, both provide agricultural education and outreach. The Hampden County Radio Association, an affiliate of

1044-627: The other is Worcester County . The two counties are also the only ones to touch both the northern and southern state lines. Running north-south through the county are the Hoosac Range of the Berkshire Hills in the eastern part of the county and the Taconic Mountains in the western part of the county. Due to their elevation, the Berkshires attract tourists and summer residents eager to escape

1080-627: The remodeling, making it difficult to visualize some parts of Richardson's original design. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Today, it houses the juvenile and Western Division of the Massachusetts Housing Court . The Courthouse is part of the Court Square Historic District . Hampden County, Massachusetts Hampden County is a non-governmental county located in

1116-627: The right to form their own regional compacts for sharing services, and the towns of Berkshire County have formed such a regional compact known as the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. Berkshire County has three Registry of Deeds Districts, one for each district. Berkshire County is in the Massachusetts's 1st congressional district , a primarily rural district that makes up most of Western Massachusetts . Berkshire County has three districts and elected Representatives in

Hampden County Courthouse - Misplaced Pages Continue

1152-496: The structure as "the single most impressive building of the period [1840 to 1880], well symboliz[ing] Springfield's new importance in the life and economy of its region". The county's growth eventually pushed the probate court and registry of deeds into another building in 1907, and the county built a large addition to the building between 1908 and 1912. This was designed by Richardson's successor firm Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge . The sloping roof and high dormers were eliminated in

1188-477: Was $ 21,807. About 6.50% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line , including 12.30% of those under age 18 and 7.20% of those age 65 or over. At the 2010 census , there were 131,219 people, 56,091 households, and 33,618 families in the county. The population density was 141.6 inhabitants per square mile (54.7/km ). There were 68,508 housing units at an average density of 73.9 per square mile (28.5/km ). The racial makeup of

1224-488: Was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.82. The median age was 44.7 years. The median household income was $ 48,907 and the median family income was $ 64,783. Males had a median income of $ 47,401 versus $ 35,964 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 28,300. About 7.9% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over. The ranking of unincorporated communities included on

1260-447: Was 751.0 inhabitants per square mile (290.0/km ). There were 192,175 housing units at an average density of 311.4 per square mile (120.2/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 76.5% white, 9.0% black or African American, 2.0% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 9.2% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 20.9% of the population. The largest ancestry groups were: Of

1296-657: Was made Hampshire County's shire town. Springfield grew at a pace far quicker than Northampton, so was granted shire town-status over its own southerly jurisdiction. The southern division of Hampshire County was separated as Hampden County on August 1, 1812, by a prior act of the Massachusetts General Court on February 25, 1812, with Springfield named as the shire town. The agreement of settlement (regarding assets, liabilities, income and expenses) made between Hampden and Hampshire counties in November 1812 can be found in

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