History of Easthampton, Massachusetts, USA

Easthampton was first settled by European immigrants beginning in 1664 and was originally considered part of Northampton.

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

In 1785, the village of Easthampton was formally named its own separate political entity.

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1809 - Easthampton officially became a town.

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1839 - Easthampton
Easthampton, Massachusetts
Hampshire county. This is a pleasant town on the W. side of Connecticut river. The Hampshire and Hampden canal passes through it. In the year ending April 1, 1837, $40,000 worth of lasting buttons were manufactured; also cotton goods, leather, boots and shoes, to the amount of $15,300: 5 miles S. from Northampton. Pop. 1837, 793.
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 - EASTHAMPTON. [Pop. 717. Inc. 1809.]
Easthampton was taken from Northampton and Southampton.

Manhan River enters the Connecticut in this town.

Mount Tom, the head and highest peak of a range of mountains running south into Connecticut, is in this town.

The village was broken up by the Indians in 1704.

The chief manufactures are buttons and woollen cloths.

Distance from Northampton, 5 miles ; from Boston, 90.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1845 - The Gale at Easthampton, Mass.
It is a matter of astonishment that no injury to person or life was the consequence of the disaster to the new seminary building at Easthampton. The upper story of the main building was occupied by students, and the inmates of the rooms were asleep. They were aroused by an unusual noise, and found o their utter astonishment, that their rooms had no other covering than the canopy of heaven! The roof was taken off whole, and carried over the rear projection of the edifice, and precipitated to the ground just over the outer wall, which it apparently touched breaking the falling roof into fragments. - Northampton Gaz.
genealogybank.com
Republican Farmer
Connecticut
January 7, 1845

1847 - The Williston-Knight Button Company, was established in Easthampton by Samuel Williston, son of the town’s first minister, a Congregationalist named Payson Williston.
The company specialized in cloth-covered buttons – a coveted item at the time – and to facilitate the operation of the machinery, a local brook was dammed, creating Nashawannuck Pond.
wikipedia.org

1854 - East Hampton
East Hampton, a post-township of Hampshire county, Massachusetts, on the W. side of Connecticut river, 80 miles E. by S. from Boston. Population, 1342.
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.

1864 - Easthampton's first high school and first national bank opened.

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1869 - Easthampton Town Hall is built.

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1881 - Easthampton Public Library opened.

wikipedia.org

Easthampton Massachusetts, 1890
Easthampton is a delightful and prosperous manufacturing, educational and farming town in the southern part of Hampshire County, on the New Haven and Northampton Railroad, about 90 miles west from Boston, five miles from Northampton. It has Northampton on the north, a dissevered section of the same town (including Mount Tom) on the east, Holyoke and Southampton on the south, and the latter and Westhampton on the west. The territory is triangular in general form, with its base to the north. It has an assessed area of 7,325 acres, of which 1,304 acres are forest, principally of pine and chestnut. Along the well kept streets of the older villages, also, are great numbers of maple and elm, many having a growth of 75 years, and few less than 20 years.

The Manhan River flows northeasterly through the middle of the town, emptying into the Connecticut at a westward curve called "The Oxbow." Broad Branch, coming into the town from the south, and North Branch at the northwest angle, are... Read MORE...

1895 - East Hampton
East Hampton, a post-town of Hampshire co., Mass., on the Connecticut River Railroad (East Hampton Branch), and on the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad £ division), 71 miles N. of New Haven, and 17 miles N.N.W. of Springfield. It contains 5 churches, a national bank, the Williston Seminary, a newspaper office, and manufactures of buttons, suspenders, rubber goods, steam pumps, silk tress-goods, whips, and cotton yarn. The Connecticut River touches the E. border of the township. Pop. in 1890, 4395.
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

In 1899, the West Boylston Manufacturing Company and the Hampton Company, both specializing in cloth production, moved to Easthampton, recruiting a larger immigrant labor force, particularly from Poland and Canada.

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In 1912, a new high school was built in Easthampton.

wikipedia.org

1916
Easthampton, a post-township (town) of Hampshire co., Mass., on the New York, New Haven and Hartford and the Boston and Maine Rs., 4} miles S. by W. of Northampton. It contains the Williston Seminary, and has manufactures of buttons, rubber goods, cotton yarns, etc The Connecticut River touches the E. border of the town. Pop. in 1900, 5603.
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

2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Easthampton:
Mount Tom State Reservation: This state park offers fantastic hiking trails, picnic areas, and stunning views of the Pioneer Valley. Hike to the summit of Mount Tom for panoramic vistas, or explore the serene Lake Bray for a more relaxed experience.

Nashawannuck Pond: Enjoy a leisurely stroll around this picturesque pond, located in the heart of Easthampton. You can feed the ducks, have a picnic by the water, or simply relax and take in the serene atmosphere.

Manhan Rail Trail: This scenic trail is perfect for biking, walking, or jogging. It spans several miles and takes you through beautiful natural landscapes, including meadows and woodlands.

Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary: Just a short drive away in neighboring Northampton, this Mass Audubon sanctuary offers a chance to observe local wildlife and explore various trails. It's an excellent spot for birdwatching and photography.

Emily Williston Memorial Library and Museum: If you're interested in history and culture, this... Read MORE...