Springfield, Massachusetts, USA (Indian Orchard)
1854 - Springfield

Springfield, a city and seat of justice of Hampden county, Massachusetts, is situated on the left bank of the Connecticut river, at the intersection of the Connecticut Valley, and the New Haven Hartford and Spring field railroads with the Western railroad, 98 miles W. by 8. from Boston, 58 miles S. from Brattleborough, Vermont, 102 miles E. S. E. from Albany, and 138 miles N. N. E. from New York. Lat. 42° 6' 4" N., Lon. 72° 35' 45" W. This is one of the handsomest and most flourishing inland towns in the state. The various railways centring here bring to it an immense amount of travel ; its natural ad vantages also render it one of the most important commercial depots on the Connecticut. The city is pleasantly situated in the midst of varied and delightful scenery. The site comprises the level along the river bank, and the western portion of an elevated plain extending several miles eastward. Main street, the principal thoroughfare and seat of business, is a broad, handsome avenue, nearly 3 miles in length. This and other streets, parallel, or nearly parallel to it and the river, are intersected by those extending from the Connecticut to the plain above mentioned. In the centre is a beautiful en closure, adorned with walks and shade trees. The buildings are generally constructed of brick. Among the public buildings may be mentioned the City Buildings, now in course of erection, and the churches, of which there are 12 or 13 of the various denominations. The condition of the 5 banks of the city, (September, 1852) was as follows: — Amount of circulation, $895,483; amount of specie, $55,060.59 ; proportion of circulation to one dollar of specie, $16.66 ; amount of circulation and deposite, $1,142,445.68; proportion of circulation and deposites to one dollar of specie, $21.06.6. There are a large number of hotels in Springfield, affording excellent accommodation to the traveller. The means of education are liberally provided, especially in the public schools. Two newspapers are issued here. The United States arsenal, established at Springfield in 1795, is the most extensive in the Union. It is chiefly situated on an elevation called Arsenal Hill, about half a mile E. from Main street. The buildings are of brick, and arranged around a fine square of about 20 acres, presenting a handsome appearance. A cupola on one of them commands a beautiful view of the city and surrounding country. The machine shops occupy three different sites on Mill river, called the Upper, Middle, and Lower Water shops. These comprise near 20 waterwheels and about 30 forges. The entire establishment furnishes employment to from 250 to 300 hands, who annually turn out about 15,000 muskets. About 175,000 stand of arms are constantly stored in the arsenal. The water-power on Mill river is also employed for the manufacture of paper and iron, for various mechanic works, mill seats, &c. Besides these there are establishments in the city for the production of locomotives, railroad cars, and various kinds of machinery. Springfield is rapidly improving, especially the western section near the rail road depot. Within a few years gas has been introduced for lighting the streets. Two bridges, one for the Western railroad, and an other, 1324 feet in length, for ordinary travel, span the Connecticut at this point, communicating with West Springfield. Several ferries also ply between the two places, and during the season of navigation, a steamboat communicates with Hartford. Settled in 1635, under its Indian name, Agawam. In 1640 it received the name of Springfield. Incorporated a town in 1646, and as a city in 1852. Population in 1820, 3970; in 1830, 6784; in 1810, 10,958; in 1850, 11,766. Within the last ten years, however, the township of Chicopee, with a population of 8291, has been set off from Springfield. The population of the two places in 1850 amounted to 20,057, thus sustaining a uniform ratio of increase for 30 years. Population of Springfield in 1853, about 14,000.

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.

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