History of West Springfield, Massachusetts, USA

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."

West Springfield, Massachusetts
Hampden county. This town is beautifully situated on both sides of Westfield river, at its confluence with the Connecticut, opposite to Springfield, to which it is connected by a beautiful bridge. Some parts of the town are rough and uneven, and in some parts are stony plains; but the general character of the town in regard to soil is alluvial meadow of an excellent quality. On the summits of the hills and along the rivers a great variety of wild and delightful scenery is exhibited.

There are 1 cotton and 2 woolen mills in the town, and manufactures of leather, boots and shoes; annual value, about $100,000. In 1837, there were 3,374 fleeces of wool sheared in the town, which weighed 8,512 lbs., and sold for $5,107. Good iron ore is found in West Springfield, and a species of limestone used for making water proof cement. Incorporated, 1774. Population, 1837, 3,227.

West Springfield was originally a part of Springfield.

It is divided by Westfield River, and lies on the west bank of the Connecticut, occupying the whole width of the county.

Some woollen and cotton goods are manufactured here, but the town is essentially agricultural, and the soil is generally good.

Distance from Springfield, 6 miles; from Boston, 87.

West Springfield, a thriving post-village of Hampden co., Massachusetts, on the Western railroad. 100 miles W. by S. from Boston, and 100 miles S. E. from Albany. It is situated on the left bank of the Connecticut, opposite Springfield, with which it is connected by 2 bridges, (one for the Western railroad,) and several steam-ferries. The streets are broad and finely shaded with lofty elms. Westfield river, which enters the Connecticut a short distance below, affords water-power. Population of the township, 2979.

An enterprising son of four years, in West Springfield, Massachusetts, told his mother in great glee the other morning that he had made a nice fire in a bureau drawer, and he had. Prompt action, however, saved the house, and rendered unnecessary the presence of the firemen, who were about rushing to the spot.

West Springfield, in the centre of Hampden County, extends along the west bank of the Connecticut River, embracing a rich alluvial valley, flanked by wild and wooded eminences on the west. The West Springfield station of the Boston and Albany Railroad, at the village of Mitteneague, on the Agawam River, is 101 miles southwest of Boston. This place, with West Springfield (northeast of it on the Connecticut) and Merrick, at the north are the post-offices.

In the northeast is the pleasant village of Ashleyville; the paper-mill village is in the northwest; and Paugatuck, Riverdale and Tatham mark other quarters of the town. A noble bridge across the Connecticut, at the southeast, connects this town with the city of Springfield. The boundary on the north is Holyoke; on the east, Springfield; on the south, Agawam; and on the west, Westfield. The assessed area is 9,427 acres; of which 2,294 are wood-land. The Agawam or Westfield River forms the southern line of the town. The other...