Springfield, Massachusetts

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Springfield
nickname = City of Homes


imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Hampden County in Massachusetts


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Massachusetts
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Hampden
established_title = Settled
established_date = 1636
established_title2 = Incorporated
established_date2 = 1852
established_title3 =
established_date3 =
government_type = Mayor-council city
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Domenic J Sarno (D)
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 86.0
area_total_sq_mi = 33.2
area_land_km2 = 83.1
area_land_sq_mi = 32.1
area_water_km2 = 2.8
area_water_sq_mi = 1.1
population_as_of = 2000
settlement_type = City
population_total = 154,082
population_metro = 2,510,000
population_density_km2 = 1829.2
population_density_sq_mi = 4737.7
elevation_m = 21
elevation_ft = 70
timezone = Eastern
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = Eastern
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 42 |latm = 06 |lats = 05 |latNS = N
longd = 72 |longm = 35 |longs = 25 |longEW = W
website = http://www.springfieldcityhall.com/COS/
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 01101 01103 01104 01105 01107 01108 01109 01119 01128 01129 01151
area_code = 413
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 25-67000
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0609092
footnotes =

Springfield is a city in, and the county seat of, Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States.GR|6

In the 2000 census, the city population was 154,082. It is the third largest city in Massachusetts and fourth largest in New England (behind Boston, Worcester, and Providence). Springfield holds two nicknames — "The City of Homes" and "The City of Firsts".

Historically the first Springfield in the United States, it is also the largest city on the Connecticut River (and the largest city in Western Massachusetts and the Pioneer Valley).

Springfield is notable as birthplace of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, as well as the city in which James Naismith invented basketball. It is home to the Basketball Hall of Fame and the Springfield Falcons AHL hockey team. It also holds the western world's largest collection of Chinese cloisonné at the G.W. Vincent Smith Art Museum.

The Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area consists of three counties - Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin. As of the 2000 census, the Springfield MSA had a population of 680,014 (though a July 1, 2007 estimate placed the population at 682,657). [cite web | url = http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2007/CBSA-EST2007-01.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2007 (CBSA-EST2007-01) | format = comma-separated valuesCSV | work = 2007 Population Estimates | publisher = United States Census Bureau, Population Division | date = 2008-03-27 | accessdate = 2008-05-23] It is also part of a larger metropolitan area known as the Northeast megalopolis.

In an economic and cultural partnership with Hartford, Connecticut, the Springfield-Hartford region constitutes New England's "Knowledge Corridor" - the second-largest concentration of institutions of higher learning in New England, after Greater Boston.

History

Colonial settlement

Transportation

Ground

Springfield is often referred to as the "Crossroads of New England" because of the crossing of major east-west and north-south railroads. While the same railways exist and operate today, the city is also served by a number of Interstate Highways including I-90 (Mass Pike) and I-91, which connect New Haven, Hartford, Holyoke, Northampton, and Vermont to Springfield. One of the few spurs of I-91 in Massachusetts, I-291, runs through the city and provides a secondary connection between I-90 and I-91. (There is an unnumbered connector in West Springfield.)

Rail

Springfield also has an Amtrak station served by trains destined for New York City, Washington, D.C., Boston, Vermont, and Chicago. Amtrak operates out of its own station facility built into one of the old platforms of the city's long condemned train station on Frank B. Murray St. with an entrance on Lyman street, which lies on the side of the railroad embankment opposite the station.

Plans exist for redevelopment of the city's Union Station into an Intermodal Transportation facility for both Amtrak and bus lines.Fact|date=April 2007 While significant federal, state, and civic investment has been appropriated for this project, disputes between the owners of the right-of-way and the planners in charge of the project, originally scheduled for completion in 1998, the PVTA, have slowed progress. In 2005, it was revealed that the project and the PVTA had been embroiled in the city's ever-widening corruption probe, throwing its future into question.

Plans also exist for a New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Commuter Rail Line. [cite web | url=http://www.ct.gov/dotinfo/cwp/view.asp?a=2181&Q=295562 | title=New Haven — Hartford — Springfield Commuter Rail Implementation Plan | publisher=Connecticut Department of Transportation | date=June 29 2005 | accessdate=2007-05-09] As of August 2006, the Connecticut General Assembly has committed $146 million to the project, which is considered only a first step. In order to complete the project, the state of Connecticut must provide further funding, as must the state of Massachusetts if the line is to cross the state line. The line could become operational as soon as 2011. [cite web | url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/07/30/conn_looks_into_building_rail_line_from_springfield_to_new_haven/ | title=Conn. looks into building rail line from Springfield to New Haven | author=Reitz, Stephanie | date=July 30 2006 | publisher=Associated Press (through the Boston Globe) | accessdate=2007-05-09]

Bus

Buses running into the city use a facility owned and operated by Peter Pan Bus Lines, located on the corner of Main and Liberty streets. The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority is the regional public transit provider, operating a fleet of buses from the Peter Pan terminal.

Air

The Springfield-Hartford, Connecticut area is served by Bradley International Airport in nearby Windsor Locks, Connecticut and Westover Metropolitan Airport in Chicopee.

Westover Metropolitan borders Springfield and is 5 miles (8 km) from downtown. It is 3 miles (5 km) from the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Springfield and Hartford are located 25 miles (40 km) apart with Bradley International between them.

Notable residents

* Creighton Williams Abrams Jr., U.S. Army general and Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army ("served" 1972 - 1974)
* Travis Best, National Basketball Association professional basketball player
* Derek Kellogg - University of Massachusetts Men's Basketball Head Coach
* Nina Blackwood, original MTV VJ and Sirius Satellite Radio DJ.
* Milton Bradley, games inventor and manufacturer
* Dr John H. Breck Sr, founder of Breck Shampoo
* John Brown, abolitionist
* Nick Buoniconti, professional football player
* Thornton Burgess, children's author
* Thornton Chase, the first American convert to the Bahá'í Faith
* Vinnie Del Negro, professional basketball player
* Charles Duryea and J. Frank Duryea, co-founders, Duryea Motor Wagon Company
* Eddie Fontaine, singer
* Theodore Foley, Roman Catholic priest, Servant of God
* June Foray, voice actress for animated films
* Carole Fredericks, singer
* John Garand, weapons inventor
* Ashley Gearing, country music artist
* Theodor Seuss Geisel ( Dr. Seuss), American writer and cartoonist best known for his classic children's books.
* Mike Gravel, Senator from Alaska
* George M. Hendee and Carl Oscar Hedström, co-founders, Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company
* Alan Kay, computer scientist
* Bob Kudelski, professional hockey player
* Timothy Leary, American writer, psychologist and advocate of psychedelic drug research and use
* Tony MacAlpine, American jazz/rock/fusion musician
* Arthur MacArthur, U.S. Army general, father of Douglas MacArthur
* Taj Mahal, blues musician
* Rabbit Maranville, professional baseball player
* Tim Mayotte, professional tennis player
* Mark Mulcahy, musician
* James Naismith, inventor of basketball
* Tom Newberry, football player
* Larry O'Brien, Postmaster General, Democratic National Committee chairman and Commissioner of the National Basketball Association.
* Robert Parker, author
* Eleanor Powell, actress
* William Pynchon, founder of the City of Springfield
* William Marsh Rice, founded Rice University, Houston, Texas
* Kurt Russell, actor, [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000621]
* Daniel Shays, leader of the Shays Rebellion
* Eddie Shore, professional hockey player and owner
* Tommy Tallarico, video game music composer
* George Tomasini, Alfred Hitchcock's favorite film editor
* Antonio Thomas, professional wrestler formerly with WWE
* Paige Turco, actress
* Daniel Baird Wesson, weapons inventor and founder of Smith & Wesson
* Wanita "D. Woods" Woodgette, one-fifth of Danity Kane.
* Wilbur Fenelon Young, founder of W. F. Young Inc., manufacturers of [http://www.absorbine.com Absorbine and Absorbine Jr]
* Maura West, actress

Bands and Artists from Springfield

* Shadows Fall, Heavy Metal band
* Staind, alternative rock band
* The Acacia Strain, heavy metal band
* Onslaught, American hardcore band
* All That Remains, metalcore band
* Taj Mahal-Grammy Award winning Blues artist
* Joel A. Munoz (Jowell) Puerto Rican Reggaeton artist

Notes

References

*Lepore, Jill. (1998). "The Name of War: King Philip's War and the Origins of American Identity". New York: Vintage Books. ISBN 0-375-70262-8.
* Swift, Esther M. West Springfield Massachusetts: A Town History. Copyright 1969, Town of West Springfield, Massachusetts. Library of Congress Card Catalog Number 77-96767. West Springfield Heritage Association; printed by F.A. Bassette Company, Springfield, Massachusetts.
* Wall & Gray. 1871 [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_results.asp?ImageType=index&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871 "Atlas of Massachusetts".] [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0010_0011.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Map of Massachusetts.] [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0002_0003.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= USA] . [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0006_0007.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= New England] . Counties - [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0014_0015.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Berkshire] , [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0017.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Franklin] , [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0020_0021.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Hampshire and Hampden] , [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0024_0025.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Worcester] , [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0044_0045.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Middlesex] , [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0058_0059.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Essex and Norfolk] , [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0048_0049.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Boston - Suffolk] , [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0032_0033.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Plymouth] , [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0028_0029.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Bristol] , [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0036_0037.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Barnstable and Dukes (Cape Cod)] . Cities - [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0077.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Springfield] , [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0078.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Worcester] , [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0079.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Lowell] , [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0080.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Lawrence] , [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0081.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Haverhill] , [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0082.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Newburyport] , [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0083.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Salem] , [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0084.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Lynn] , [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0085.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Taunton] , [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0086.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= Fall River] . [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PAGE_0087.jpg&atlastype=MassWorld&atlastown=&atlas=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&atlas_desc=MASSACHUSETTS+1871&pageprefix= New Bedford] . These 1871 maps of the Counties and Cities are useful to see the roads and rail lines.
* Beers,D.G. 1872 "Atlas of Essex County" [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PLATE_0005.jpg&atlastype=Atlases&atlastown=ESSEX+COUNTY&atlas=ESSEX+COUNTY+1872&atlas_desc=ESSEX+COUNTY+1872&pageprefix= Map of Massachusetts Plate 5] . Click on the map for a very large image. Also see map of [http://www.salemdeeds.com/atlases_pages.asp?ImageName=PLATE_0007.jpg&atlastype=Atlases&atlastown=ESSEX+COUNTY&atlas=ESSEX+COUNTY+1872&atlas_desc=ESSEX+COUNTY+1872&pageprefix= 1872 Essex County Plate 7] .

External links

* [http://springfieldope.ning.com/ SpringfieldMass.us] Social Network for Springfield, Massachusetts.
* [http://www.springfieldcityhall.com/COS/ City of Springfield, Massachusetts] Official city website.
* [http://www.myzipcodemap.com/city-zipcode.php?city=SPRINGFIELD&state=MA Springfield, Massachusetts Zip Code Maps]
* [http://www.valleyadvocate.com/ "The Valley Advocate"] (local weekly alternative newspaper)
* [http://www.tommydevine.blogspot.com/ "Baystate Objectivist"] (Valley media personality Tommy Devine)
* [http://urbancompass.net "Urban Compass"] (local city blog) plus
* [http://www.choosespringfieldmass.com "Choose Springfield"] (featuring Springfield neighborhoods)
* [http://wmasspi.blogspot.com/ "Western Mass Politics & Insight"] (local politics blog)
* [http://springfieldintruder.com/ "The Springfield Intruder"] (local opinion blog)
* [http://www.hartfordspringfield.com/ Knowledge Corridor Official website]
* [http://www.jlgs.org/ Junior League of Greater Springfield] (Women's volunteer group dedicated to improving local community)