History of Warren, Massachusetts, USA

1664 - Warren is settled

Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates

1742 - Warren 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 - Warren
Warren, Massachusetts
Worcester county. This town was called Western from 1741 to 1834. It lies 60 miles W. by S. from Boston and 23 W.S.W. from Worcester. Population, 1837, 1,196. It is watered by Chickopee river, and contains one cotton and two woolen mills, a scythe factory and manufactures of palm-leaf hats. The value of goods annually made in the town, is about $75,000. A large portion of the lands in Warren are uneven and hilly, but the soil is warm, and favorable to the growth of grain, and the support of sheep, of which 1,110 were kept in 1837. The village is quite pleasant.
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 - WARREN. [Pop. 1,290 Inc. 1742.]
This town was taken partly from Brookfield, and partly from Brimfield and Palmer, in Hampden county.

It was at first called Western, but, in 1834, its name was changed to Warren, in honor of Gen. Joseph Warren, who fell at Bunker Hill, in 1775.

The river Chicopee runs through the town into Hampden County, affording good sites for factories.

The land is productive, and there are some manufactures of cotton and woollen goods, and palm-leaf hats.

Distance from Worcester, 24 miles; from Boston, 64.
An Elementary Geography for Massachusetts Children by William Bentley Fowle and Asa Fitz, 1845
Get it HERE!

1848 - Warren
This town was taken partly from Brookfield, and partly from Brimfleld and Palmer, in Hampden county. it was incorporated in 1741, by the name of Western. In 1834 its name was changed to that of Warren, in memory of Gen. Warren, who fell at Bunker Hill. The Congregational church was formed here in 1743, and the next year Rev. Isaac Jones was ordained their first pastor. He died in 1784, and was succeeded by Rev. Stephen Baxter, who was ordained in 1791. The succeeding ministers have been Sylvester Burt, settled in 1806; Munson C. Gaylord, in 1816; Oren Catlin, in 1829; Charles Fitch, in 1832; and George Trask, in 1836. Warren is situated at the south-west angle of the county. The land, though rather rough, is productive. The river Quaboag, from Brookfleld, enters this town from the north-east, and, passing through it, goes out at the west angle, and falls into the Chicopee river. Coy’s hill, in the north part of this town, affords abundance of granite, being here valuable for building... Read MORE...

1854 - Warren
Warren, a manufacturing post-village in Worcester co., Massachusetts, on Chicopee river, and on the Western railroad, 73 miles W. by S. from Boston. It contains 2 or 3 churches and several stores. Population of the township, 1776.
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.

1874 - ACCIDENT TO THE "FAST TRAIN."
The New York and Boston Lightning Express off the Track Near West Warren, Mass. - No One Injured - Collision at the Scene of Accident - Trains Long Delayed.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Feb. 6. - Every car of the fast express train from Boston, due in this city at one o'clock, was thrown off the track two miles west of West Warren about noon today, probably by a broken rail. One drawing room car and the smoking car were pitched at right angles to the track, and the trucks were knocked from under three cars and entirely demoralized. Strange to say, no one was seriously injured. The excitement among the passengers was intense. A wrecking train was immediately taken out from this city by Major Nichols, and it was followed by a special train to transfer the passengers and they arrived this evening. The first express train from New York went on as usual at 1:35 as far as Palmer, and was to wait there for the track to be cleared. The return fast train from New York to Boston came in about fifteen ... Read MORE...

Warren Massachusetts, 1890
Warren is an enterprising town of 4,032 inhabitants, and of varied industries, lying on the Chicopee River, in the southwestern extremity of Worcester County, 73 miles west of Boston by the Boston and Albany Railroad; which follows the river across the town, having stations at Warren (centre) and West Warren. These two are the post-offices; and the other villages are East Warren and South Warren.

West Brookfield bounds the town on the north, northeast and east, with Brookfield on the last, Brimfield on the south, and Palmer and Ware on the west. The assessed area is 16,428 acres; of which 3,244 are forest. The town is full of rounded hills, giving beautiful and unusually varied scenery. Mark's Mountain, near the centre, 1,071 feet in height, commands a fine view of the two principal villages and of a large extent of country. Other elevations are Colonel's Mountain, partly in the town at the northwest, 1,172 feet in height, and Coy's Hill, of nearly equal height, and entirely under... Read MORE...

1895 - Warren
Warren, a post-village in Warren township, Worcester co., Mass., on the Chicopee River and the Boston & Albany Railroad, 73 miles W. by S. of Boston, and 25 miles E.N.E. of Springfield. It has a hotel, 4 churches, a high school, steam pump-works, &c. Pop. 1750. The township contains also West Warren, and has a total pop. (1890) of 4681.
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

1906
Warren, a post-village in Warren township (town), Worcester co., Mass., on the Chicopee River and on the Boston and Albany R., 73 miles W. by S. of Boston. The town has manufactures of pumps, woollens, and yarns. Pop. of the town in 1900, 4417.
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

Here's a list of some of the best places to go and things to do in Warren:
Quaboag Pond:

One of the highlights of Warren is the picturesque Quaboag Pond. It's a great spot for boating, fishing, or just enjoying a peaceful day by the water. You can bring a picnic and relax with friends and family.

West Warren Library:

If you're a book enthusiast, the West Warren Library is a cozy place to spend an afternoon. It not only offers a vast collection of books but often hosts community events and book clubs.

St. Anne's Shrine:

St. Anne's Shrine is a serene place for those seeking a bit of spiritual reflection. The grounds are peaceful, and the chapel is a beautiful structure. It's a place to find tranquility and connect with your thoughts.

Warren Town Beach:

In the summer, Warren Town Beach is the go-to spot for locals. Whether you want to swim, sunbathe, or just have a lakeside picnic, it's a relaxing place to spend a warm day.

Hiking at Soapstone Mountain:

Soapstone Mountain is a short drive away and offers hiking trails with beautiful... Read MORE...