History of Granby, Massachusetts, USA

1727 - Granby is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1768 - Granby is incorporated

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Granby
Granby, Massachusetts
Hampshire county. This town lies 90 miles W. by S. from Boston and 9 S.E. from Northampton. Incorporated, 1768. It has good fish ponds and two small streams. There are two woolen mills in the town and 2,067 sheep. The wool, in 1837, sold for $3,670. Population, 1837, 922. It is said that copper ore of good quality is found in Granby.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1845 - GRANBY. [Pop. 971. Inc. 1768.]
Granby, named in honor of the Marquis of Granby, an English statesman, was once the second parish of South Hadley, and, of course, was once a part of Hadley, also.

A small stream, that crosses the town, and runs into the Connecticut, affords some water-power for factories.

Some attention is paid to the raising of sheep, but agriculture is the main dependence of the inhabitants.

Distance from Northampton, 9 miles; from Boston, 90.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845

1854 - Granby
Granby, a post-township in Hampshire county, Massachusetts, 100 miles W. by S. from Boston. Population, 1104.
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.

1859
GRANBY, a township in Hampshire co., in the state of Massachusetts, 9 m. SE of Northampton. Pop. 971.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

Granby Massachusetts, 1890
Granby lies a little east of the middle on the south side of Hampshire County; and is bounded on the north by Hadley and Amherst, east by Belchertown, south by Ludlow and Chicopee, and west by South Hadley, on the Connecticut River. Its nearest railroad stations are at Belchertown (New London and Northern and Massachusetts Central railroads) on the east, and Chicopee Falls, Willimansett, Holyoke Village and Mount Tom, stations of the Connecticut River Railroad, westward.

The town is about six miles square,— equal to something over 23,000 acres; but the assessed area is only 15,591 acres, There are 5,493 acres of forest, consisting of maple, white and yellow birch, chestnut, elm, pine and hemlock. There is a large extent of nearly level upland and meadow varied by several elevations; as of Cold Hill in the northwest, then smaller ones, succeeded by Fox, Bagg and Turkey hills, running southeastward quite across the town. Extending east and west on the northern line is the long ridge... Read MORE...

1895 - Granby
Granby, a post-village and township of Hampshire co., Mass., 10 miles N.N.E. of Springfield. The township has 2 churches, a fire-insurance company, and some manufactures. Pop. 812.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1916
Granby, a post- village and township (town) of Hampshire co., Mass., 10 miles NNE. of Springfield. The banking point is Holyoke. Pop. of the town in 1900, 761.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1944 - WESTOVER FIELD BOMBER CRASH KILLS SEVEN.
PLANE DEMOLISHED, WRECKAGE STREWN OVER GRANBY AREA.

Granby - Seven Westover Field heavy bomber crewmen were killed early yesterday morning here when their plane, in which they were training for night combat flight, crashed and burned in a swampy wooded area two miles north of the field.

Wreckage from the ship was spread over a wide area and second growth trees were sheared clean to the ground at the point where the bomber crashed. Parts of the motor were found up to several hundred feet away from the point of impact.

The motors themselves, charred and damaged beyond repair were hurled about 75 feet. The fuselage was completely disintegrated and after the bodies had been removed, Westover salvage crews were assigned to the scene.

Those killed in the crash were:
2d Lt. GENE R. ASAY, 28, of Lodi, Cal., pilot.
2d Lt. JOHN W. WOODROW, 22, of Huntington, Ind., co-pilot.
Sgt. NEAL W. JOHNSON, 22, of Ashland, Kan., engineer.
Pfc. JACK W. HARISTON, 18, of Atlanta, Ga.,... Read MORE...

Here's a list of places to see and things to do in and around Granby:
Dufresne Park: Start your journey with a visit to Dufresne Park. It's a local favorite for a reason - walking trails, open fields, and a playground make it a great spot for a family day out.

Seven Sisters Trail: If you're into hiking, the Seven Sisters Trail offers stunning views of the Connecticut River Valley. It's a bit challenging, but the scenery makes it worth the effort.

Granby Bow and Gun Club: For those interested in outdoor sports, check out the Granby Bow and Gun Club. They often have events and competitions that might pique your interest.

Smith Family Farm: Dive into Granby's history by visiting the Smith Family Farm. It's a well-preserved farmstead that gives you a glimpse into the town's agricultural roots.

Dakin Farms: A trip to Granby wouldn't be complete without a visit to Dakin Farms. Pick your own fruits in the season or grab some fresh produce from their market.

Amherst Cinema: If you're in the mood for a movie, head over to Amherst Cinema. It's not... Read MORE...