History of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, USA

1730 - Wilbraham is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1763 - Wilbraham is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

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

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

1839 - Wilbraham
Wilbraham, Massachusetts
Hampden county. The people of this pleasant town are principally employed in agricultural pursuits and are remarkable for equality of property. This town is watered by the Chickopee and several of its small tributaries. The surface is agreeably diversified by hills and valleys, and the soil is well adapted to agricultural and horticultural pursuits. The products of Wilbraham are numerous; among others, the weight of 2,292 fleeces of wool, sheared in this town in 1837, was 6,110 pounds, valued at $3,669. There are some manufactures in the town of boots, shoes, leather, straw bonnets, palm-leaf hats, wagons, &c.

The "Wesleyan Academy," in Wilbraham, is an institution of great value, and in high reputation. It has considerable funds, and about 240 scholars attend throughout the year. Scholars are received at this seminary from ten years of age and upwards. The annual cost to a scholar, for board and tuition, is from $80 to $90. This institution was... Read MORE...

1845 - WILBRAHAM. [Pop. 1,864 Inc. 1763.]
Wilbraham was once a part of Springfield, and was called Springfield Mountains till its incorporation.

This town is hounded on the north by the Chicopee, and is watered by several small streams.

It is chiefly an agricultural town.

Distance from Springfield, 10 miles; from Boston, 83.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845

1854 - Wilbraham
Wilbraham, a post-village in Hampden co., Massachusetts, about 3 miles from the Western railroad, and 10 miles E. from Spring field. It contains 2 or 3 churches, and the Wesleyan Academy, an institution of high repute, founded in 1824. Population of the township, 2127.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1857 - FIRE AT WILBRAHAM
The newly erected dormitory of Wesleyan Academy, at Wilbraham, was destroyed by fire on Tuesday evening. It was nearly completed, and was to have been finally taken possession of to-day, (Wednesday.) It was 284 feet in length by 44 feet in width, with a wing running back 140 feet. It cost $70,000, and was insured for $20,000 at one of the Springfield offices. The fire was discovered at about 7½ o'clock, and proceeded from a large pile of shavings stored beneath the main tower, and is supposed to have been the result of spontaneous combustion.
The Pittsfield Sun
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
October 1, 1857

Wilbraham Massachusetts, 1890
Wilbraham occupies a central position in the eastern section of Hampden County, and is 89 miles southwest of Boston. The Boston and Albany Railroad has a station at North Wilbraham in the northeast part of the town. This village and Wilbraham (centre) are the post-offices; and the other villages are Glendale and West Wilbraham.

Ludlow forms the boundary on the north; Palmer and Monson, on the east; Hampden, on the south; and Springfield, on the west. The assessed area is 12,901 acres; and of this 3,403 acres are woodland. The underlying rock is calcareous gneiss and upper conglomerate. A range of hills, entering near the middle of the southern side, extends northeastward past the centre. The local scenery is remarkably beautiful; the land spreading out into winding glades and valleys, or rising into picturesque eminences, from or near which small streamlets flow in various directions through the territory. The Chicopee River washes the entire northern border, and Mill River has its ... Read MORE...

1906
Wilbraham, a post-village in Wilbraham township (town), Hampden co., Mass., 10 miles E. by N. of Springfield. Pop. of the town in 1900, 1595.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1909 - MODOC EXPRESS WRECKED
SPRINGFIELD, MASS., April 29 - The Modoc Express from the West, on the Boston and Albany, was wrecked today near North Wilbraham, the engine, five coaches and a sleeper going down an embankment. One man is reported kill outright and many injured. A special wrecking train, with doctors and nurses, has been sent from this city. The train left Chicago yesterday on the Lake Shore, passing through Buffalo about midnight and reached Albany about 4 o'clock this morning.
Trenton Evening Times
Trenton, New Jersey
April 29, 1909

Here's a list of places to see and things to do in Wilbraham:
Spec Pond: A serene spot for fishing or just enjoying the peaceful surroundings. Pack a picnic and spend a lazy afternoon by the water.

Veterans Memorial Park: A great place to relax, take a walk, or have a family picnic. The park also hosts events and concerts during the warmer months.

Enjoy Local Cuisine: Check out some of the local eateries like La Cucina Di Hampden House for Italian fare or Willy B's for a classic American meal.

The Rice Fruit Farm: If you're there in the fall, this is the place to go for apple picking and enjoying the changing leaves.

Take a Stroll in Fountain Park: A charming park in the heart of Wilbraham. It's a great spot to take a leisurely walk, and there's a playground for the kids.

Shop at Rice's Fruit Farm Country Store: Beyond just apples, they have a country store with fresh produce, baked goods, and local crafts.

Play Golf at the Country Club of Wilbraham: If you're into golf, this is the place to be. A well-maintained course with... Read MORE...