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History of Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Journey back in time to Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
(Florence)
Visit Northampton, Massachusetts, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and genealogy.
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Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA
Northampton is also known as Norwottuck, or Nonotuck, meaning "the midst of the river", named by its original Pocumtuc inhabitants. According to various accounts, Northampton was named by John A. King (1629–1703), one of its original settlers, or possibly in King's honor, since it is supposed that he came to Massachusetts from Northampton, England, as he was born there.
kids.kiddle.co
Northampton includes: Mount Tom, North Farms, West Farms, Bay State, Florence, Laurel Park, and Leeds. netronline.com
Florence, or Broughton’s Meadow as it was originally called, was one of America’s early manufacturing centers. 1n 1837, Samuel Whitmarsh established the area’s first silk mill along the Mill River. historic-northampton.org
There is MUCH more to discover about Northampton, Massachusetts, USA. Read on!
- 1654 - Northampton is settled
Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates - 1656 - Northampton is incorporated
Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates - 1818 - 3 County Fair
The 3 County Fair was established in 1818. 
1823 - FIRE.
On Friday morning last, the Woolen Factory, at Northhampton, belonging to Messrs J. & C. Cook, was destroyed by fire, with all its contents, although ...Read MORE...
Residence of Jos. Bowers, Northampton, Mass.
Source: Print Collection portrait file. / B / Jos. Bowers
Location: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building / Print Collection, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs
NYPL Digital... Read MORE...
Artwork- 1845 - NORTHAMPTON. [Pop. 3,750. Inc. 1654.]
Northampton, whose Indian name was Nonotuck, formerly included East, West, and Southampton, and is the county town as well as the largest in the c...Read MORE... - 1854 - Northampton
Northampton, a beautiful post-village and seat of justice of Hampshire county, Massachusetts, on the Connecticut River railroad, 17 miles N. from Spri...Read MORE... - 1855 - FIRE IN NORTHAMPTON.
The dwelling house, barn and shop belonging to Moses Breck, was burned to the ground at midnight, Monday night, undoubtedly the work of an incendiary....Read MORE... - 1866 - July 10 - Indelible pencil patents by Edson P Clark, Northampton, Mass
historyorb.com - 1868 - Patent Shoe-Pegger
A patent shoe-pegger is being manufactured in Northampton, Massachusetts, which makes the hole, cuts off the peg and drives it home. A workman can eas...Read MORE... - 1870 - Fire
The Warner House, at Northampton, Massachusetts, with ten stores and saloons adjacent, were burned early yesterday morning. The inmates of the hotel b...Read MORE... - 1870 - FIRES - Stores in Northampton, Mass., Burned--Loss $50,000.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., May 20 - The Edwards Church and the Hunt Building, at Northampton, were totally destroyed by fire last night. The loss is about $5...Read MORE... - 1874 - May 16 - The Mill Creek disaster occurred west of Northhampton MA. Dam slippage resulted in a flash flood which claimed 143 lives, and caused a million dollars property damage.
WeatherForYou.com - 1878 - Tornado
NORTHAMPTON, Mass., July 17.- The town is almost despoiled of its beautiful shade trees, mostly large elms, for which it is noted, there being some 15...Read MORE... 
1880s
Crown Sewing Machines and Florence Oil Stoves
The Florence Machine Co.
Florence, Mass.
Just prior to the Civil War, Leander Langdon invented and patented a sewing machine. Just five years later, the Florence Sewing Machine Company... Read MORE...
Advertisement- 1883 - Northampton is incorporated as a city
Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates - Northampton Massachusetts, 1890
NORTHAMPTON is a beautiful city of large territory, situated on the west side of the Connecticut River, in the midst of Hampshire County, of which it ...Read MORE... 
Academy of Music
The Academy of Music Theatre is located in and owned by the City of Northampton, Massachusetts, which received the deed in 1892 from former owner and builder Edward H. R. Lyman. It opened in 1891 and was the first municipally... Read MORE...
Postcard- March 22, 1893: First women's basketball game was played at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts
The Old Farmer's Almanac
www.almanac.com - 1895 - Northampton
Northampton, a beautiful post-village, capital of Hampshire co., Mass., nearly 1 1/ 2 miles W. of the Connecticut River, 17 miles N. by W. of Springfi...Read MORE... 
What Tooth Brush? The Prophylactic of Course
Florence Manufacturing Company
110 Pine Street, Florence, Mass.
The Ladies' Home Journal
January 1898
Advertisement- 1900 - FELL DOWN AN ELEVATOR SHAFT
Serious Accident to J. F. Barry in a Northampton Hotel Last Evening.
J. F. Barry of the firm of J. S. Barry & Son, proprietors of the Hampton hotel...Read MORE... - 1900 - Fires at Northampton and Amherst.
The engine-house number was struck on the fire alarm bell at Northampton at 1 o'clock yesterday because of a forest fire near Park hill. Several acres...Read MORE... 
Upper Main Street near Smith College, Northampton, Mass.
Postcard
Main Street
Postcard
Hampshire County Court House, Northampton, Mass.
Postcard
Northampton, Mass. Glimpse of Main Street, showing Draper Hotel.
"Northampton is unusually well-equiped, for a city of its size, with high-class hotels and restaurants. The Draper, the most prominent hotel in Northampton, is favorably known... Read MORE...
Postcard
Northampton, Mass. Smith College. Morris House
Postcard
Carnegie Hall
opened ca. 1905 on Gothic St.
Postcard
Hockanum Ferry
Mt. Holyoke in distance
"The Hockanum Ferry ran from Hadley, Massachusetts, on the East to Northampton on the West, providing a vital connection for farmers and merchants needing to sell their wares and for travelers going to... Read MORE...
Postcard
High School
Postcard- 1906
Northampton, a city, capital of Hampshire co., Mass., on the Connecticut River, 17 miles N. by W. of Springfield, on the Boston and Maine and the New ...Read MORE... 
Connecticut River Bridge, 1906
Postcard- 1907 - RUNAWAY AT NORTHAMPTON - Horses Dash Along Railroad Tracks for a Mile and Scatter People at Union Station.
A sensational runaway, in which a span of horses scattered the people standing about the union station at Northampton and ran for a mile on the railro...Read MORE... 
Bridge Street, 1909
Postcard
First Church, 1909
Postcard
Talbot House, Miss Capen's School
"Built in 1909, Talbot House was originally part of the Capen School, a private school run by Miss Bessie Capen in the early 1900s. The house became a Smith College residence when Smith acquired the Capen School... Read MORE...
Postcard
Cherry Street, East, 1910
Postcard
Public Library
Postcard
Plymouth Inn
Postcard
Main Street, View from City Hall, 1911
Postcard
Hadley Bridge, 1913
Postcard
Edwards Church
Postcard
Post Office
Postcard- 1924 - FUNERAL SERVICES BE TOMORROW AFTERNOON FOR PRESIDENT'S SON
CALVIN COOLIDGE, JR., DIED MONDAY NIGHT AT WALTER REED HOSPITAL
By Associated Press.
Washington, July 8. - Tentative plans for the funeral of Calv...Read MORE... 
Calvin Coolidge Memorial Bridge
Dedicated October 12, 1939
Postcard
Look Memorial Park
"Look Memorial Park, consisting of over one hundred and fifty acres, was a gift from Mrs. Fannie Burr Look in memory of her late husband. She provided the land, funds for its development, and a trust fund to help with upkeep.... Read MORE...
Postcard
Old Photos, Pictures, Advertisements and Postcards from Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Artwork
 - Residence of Jos. Bowers, Northampton, Mass.
Source: Print Collection portrait file. / B / Jos. Bowers
Location: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building / Print Collection, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs
NYPL Digital Gallery)
Residence of Jos. Bowers, Northampton, Mass.
Source: Print Collection portrait file. / B / Jos. Bowers
Location: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building / Print Collection, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs
NYPL Digital... Read MORE...
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Advertisement
 - 1880s
Crown Sewing Machines and Florence Oil Stoves
The Florence Machine Co.
Florence, Mass.
Just prior to the Civil War, Leander Langdon invented and patented a sewing machine. Just five years later, the Florence Sewing Machine Company produced 20,000 sewing machines a year. By the 1870s, it was also producing stoves, becoming the Florence Machine Company... historic-northampton.org)
1880s
Crown Sewing Machines and Florence Oil Stoves
The Florence Machine Co.
Florence, Mass.
Just prior to the Civil War, Leander Langdon invented and patented a sewing machine. Just five years later, the Florence Sewing Machine Company... Read MORE...
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Academy of Music
The Academy of Music Theatre is located in and owned by the City of Northampton, Massachusetts, which received the deed in 1892 from former owner and builder Edward H. R. Lyman. It opened in 1891 and was the first municipally owned theater in the United States. wikipedia)
Academy of Music
The Academy of Music Theatre is located in and owned by the City of Northampton, Massachusetts, which received the deed in 1892 from former owner and builder Edward H. R. Lyman. It opened in 1891 and was the first municipally... Read MORE...
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Advertisement
 - What Tooth Brush? The Prophylactic of Course
Florence Manufacturing Company
110 Pine Street, Florence, Mass.
The Ladies' Home Journal
January 1898)
What Tooth Brush? The Prophylactic of Course
Florence Manufacturing Company
110 Pine Street, Florence, Mass.
The Ladies' Home Journal
January 1898
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Upper Main Street near Smith College, Northampton, Mass.)
Upper Main Street near Smith College, Northampton, Mass.
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Hampshire County Court House, Northampton, Mass.)
Hampshire County Court House, Northampton, Mass.
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Northampton, Mass. Glimpse of Main Street, showing Draper Hotel.
"Northampton is unusually well-equiped, for a city of its size, with high-class hotels and restaurants. The Draper, the most prominent hotel in Northampton, is favorably known throughout the country as a result of its entertaining well the people from almost everywhere who are drawn to Northampton by college exercises and by business affairs. The Draper compares favorably in quality with hotels in large cities. The rathskeller is particularly well known among men who have occasion to visit Northampton. The hotel aims to provide its patrons with whatever they wish and to its excellent dining room and rathskeller has recently been added a “self-service” restaurant and lunch room where one may get a wholesome meal in a short time and at small cost. The Draper offers both American and European rates."
"Industrial Northampton", Western New England (Vol. I, No. 11, October, 1911))
Northampton, Mass. Glimpse of Main Street, showing Draper Hotel.
"Northampton is unusually well-equiped, for a city of its size, with high-class hotels and restaurants. The Draper, the most prominent hotel in Northampton, is favorably known... Read MORE...
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Northampton, Mass. Smith College. Morris House)
Northampton, Mass. Smith College. Morris House
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Main Street)
Main Street
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Carnegie Hall
opened ca. 1905 on Gothic St.)
Carnegie Hall
opened ca. 1905 on Gothic St.
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Hockanum Ferry
Mt. Holyoke in distance
"The Hockanum Ferry ran from Hadley, Massachusetts, on the East to Northampton on the West, providing a vital connection for farmers and merchants needing to sell their wares and for travelers going to Northampton to visit friends, family or to shop. There was a long rope stretched from bank to bank. The ferryman would load up his barge with goods, people, and wagons, and pull it across using this rope. The word "Hockanum" means hook or hook-shaped in the Algonquian language group. The river "hooks" at the point where the ferry ran." americancenturies.ma.edu)
Hockanum Ferry
Mt. Holyoke in distance
"The Hockanum Ferry ran from Hadley, Massachusetts, on the East to Northampton on the West, providing a vital connection for farmers and merchants needing to sell their wares and for travelers going to... Read MORE...
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - High School)
High School
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Connecticut River Bridge, 1906)
Connecticut River Bridge, 1906
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Bridge Street, 1909)
Bridge Street, 1909
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - First Church, 1909)
First Church, 1909
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Talbot House, Miss Capen's School
"Built in 1909, Talbot House was originally part of the Capen School, a private school run by Miss Bessie Capen in the early 1900s. The house became a Smith College residence when Smith acquired the Capen School property in 1921..." smith.edu)
Talbot House, Miss Capen's School
"Built in 1909, Talbot House was originally part of the Capen School, a private school run by Miss Bessie Capen in the early 1900s. The house became a Smith College residence when Smith acquired the Capen School... Read MORE...
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Cherry Street, East, 1910)
Cherry Street, East, 1910
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Public Library)
Public Library
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Plymouth Inn)
Plymouth Inn
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Main Street, View from City Hall, 1911)
Main Street, View from City Hall, 1911
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Hadley Bridge, 1913)
Hadley Bridge, 1913
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Edwards Church)
Edwards Church
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Post Office)
Post Office
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Calvin Coolidge Memorial Bridge
Dedicated October 12, 1939)
Calvin Coolidge Memorial Bridge
Dedicated October 12, 1939
Read more about John Calvin COOLIDGE
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Postcard
 - Look Memorial Park
"Look Memorial Park, consisting of over one hundred and fifty acres, was a gift from Mrs. Fannie Burr Look in memory of her late husband. She provided the land, funds for its development, and a trust fund to help with upkeep. Mr. Look was the chief executive of the Prophylactic Brush Company in Florence from 1877 to 1911. The park was first opened to the public in 1930..." lookpark.org)
Look Memorial Park
"Look Memorial Park, consisting of over one hundred and fifty acres, was a gift from Mrs. Fannie Burr Look in memory of her late husband. She provided the land, funds for its development, and a trust fund to help with upkeep.... Read MORE...
History, News and Stories of Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Add History/News/Story-
1654 - Northampton is settled
Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
-
1656 - Northampton is incorporated
Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
-
Northampton History
Northampton History (www.youtube.com) -
1818 - 3 County Fair
The 3 County Fair was established in 1818. 
1823 - FIRE.
On Friday morning last, the Woolen Factory, at Northhampton, belonging to Messrs J. & C. Cook, was destroyed by fire, with all its contents, although ... Read MORE...
-
1845 - NORTHAMPTON. [Pop. 3,750. Inc. 1654.]
Northampton, whose Indian name was Nonotuck, formerly included East, West, and Southampton, and is the county town as well as the largest in the... Read MORE...
-
1854 - Northampton
Northampton, a beautiful post-village and seat of justice of Hampshire county, Massachusetts, on the Connecticut River railroad, 17 miles N. from... Read MORE...
-
1855 - FIRE IN NORTHAMPTON.
The dwelling house, barn and shop belonging to Moses Breck, was burned to the ground at midnight, Monday night, undoubtedly the work of an... Read MORE...
-
1866 - July 10 - Indelible pencil patents by Edson P Clark, Northampton, Mass
historyorb.com
-
1868 - Patent Shoe-Pegger
A patent shoe-pegger is being manufactured in Northampton, Massachusetts, which makes the hole, cuts off the peg and drives it home. A workman can... Read MORE...
-
1870 - FIRES - Stores in Northampton, Mass., Burned--Loss $50,000.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., May 20 - The Edwards Church and the Hunt Building, at Northampton, were totally destroyed by fire last night. The loss is about... Read MORE...
-
1870 - Fire
The Warner House, at Northampton, Massachusetts, with ten stores and saloons adjacent, were burned early yesterday morning. The inmates of the hotel... Read MORE...
-
1874 - May 16 - The Mill Creek disaster occurred west of Northhampton MA. Dam slippage resulted in a flash flood which claimed 143 lives, and caused a million dollars property damage.
WeatherForYou.com
-
1878 - Tornado
NORTHAMPTON, Mass., July 17.- The town is almost despoiled of its beautiful shade trees, mostly large elms, for which it is noted, there being some... Read MORE...
-
1883 - Northampton is incorporated as a city
Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
-
Northampton Massachusetts, 1890
NORTHAMPTON is a beautiful city of large territory, situated on the west side of the Connecticut River, in the midst of Hampshire County, of which it ... Read MORE...
-
March 22, 1893: First women's basketball game was played at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts
The Old Farmer's Almanac
www.almanac.com -
1895 - Northampton
Northampton, a beautiful post-village, capital of Hampshire co., Mass., nearly 1 1/ 2 miles W. of the Connecticut River, 17 miles N. by W. of... Read MORE...
-
1900 - FELL DOWN AN ELEVATOR SHAFT
Serious Accident to J. F. Barry in a Northampton Hotel Last Evening.
J. F. Barry of the firm of J. S. Barry & Son, proprietors of the Hampton... Read MORE...
-
1900 - Fires at Northampton and Amherst.
The engine-house number was struck on the fire alarm bell at Northampton at 1 o'clock yesterday because of a forest fire near Park hill. Several... Read MORE...
-
1906
Northampton, a city, capital of Hampshire co., Mass., on the Connecticut River, 17 miles N. by W. of Springfield, on the Boston and Maine and the New ... Read MORE...
-
1907 - RUNAWAY AT NORTHAMPTON - Horses Dash Along Railroad Tracks for a Mile and Scatter People at Union Station.
A sensational runaway, in which a span of horses scattered the people standing about the union station at Northampton and ran for a mile on the... Read MORE...
-
1924 - FUNERAL SERVICES BE TOMORROW AFTERNOON FOR PRESIDENT'S SON
CALVIN COOLIDGE, JR., DIED MONDAY NIGHT AT WALTER REED HOSPITAL
By Associated Press.
Washington, July 8. - Tentative plans for the funeral of... Read MORE...
Read more about John Calvin COOLIDGE
Northampton, Massachusetts, USA Genealogy
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
We currently have information about ancestors who were born or died in Northampton.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
Ancestors Who Were Married in Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Northampton.View Them Now
Ancestors buried in Northampton - Cemeteries in Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
Bridge Street CemeteryGenealogy Resources for Northampton
Hampshire Gazette, Northampton, Massachusetts
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Updated: 9/5/2022 2:32:21 PM
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