CHRONOLOGY OF LONGMEADOW, MASSACHUSETTS HISTORY
|
|
The Puritan migration from England to North America, with most settlements at Boston and vicinity. First settlers of Springfield came from the Boston area, led by William Pynchon of Roxbury. |
|
|
"Agawam Plantation" purchased from the Agawam Indians, and founded by William Pynchon. Part of this land (called "Masacksic" by the Indians, meaning "the long meddowe) is set aside as "common land" for grazing of cattle. |
|
|
"Agawam Plantation" is renamed Springfield after Pynchon's home in England. |
|
|
Common land in the "long meddowe" was divided into individually-owned farm lots. |
|
|
Erection of houses began in the "long meddowe." |
|
|
William Pynchon returns to England; leadership of the Springfield Plantation assumed by his son John. |
|
|
The great Indian uprising known as King Philip's War began; Springfield attacked and most buildings were burned. |
|
|
Massacre of the John Keep family by Indians at Pecousic Brook (near the present King Philip's Stockade) while walking from "longmeddowe" to religious services in Springfield. |
|
|
A great flood inundated the "long meddowe." |
|
|
John Pynchon, Springfield's leader and son of the founder, died. The Springfield Town Meeting granted permission for the "longmeddowe" residents "to build upon the hill eastward." (along Longmeadow St. around the present-day Green). |
|
|
Longmeadow residents granted "precinct" status within Springfield, with permission to establish their own religious society. |
|
|
Construction, in the middle of the "commons" or Green, begins on the meeting house; the building is used for all religious, social, and political activities. |
|
|
Rev. Stephen Williams ordained as the first minister of Springfield's "Second Religious Society" (The First Church). |
|
|
The "Great Awakening," a profound and emotional religious revival, occurred. |
|
|
Beginning of French and Indian Wan. Longmeadow men engaged in battle of Louisburg, Crown Point and Lake George - Stephen Williams served as chaplain. |
|
|
First houses were built around this time in the eastern part of Longmeadow (later called the East Village, or Parish, and eventually the independent town of East Longmeadow). |
|
|
"Raising Day" for the second meeting house, replacing the original. |
|
|
April 21: Longmeadow farmers joined Springfield's Minuteman company to assist at Lexington and Concord. |
|
|
Rev. Stephen Williams died. |
|
|
Longmeadow was established as an independent town. |
|
|
Richard Salter Storrs was installed as the second minister of First Church. (His home is now the "Storrs House.") |
|
|
First Federal Census: Longmeadow's population is 738. |
|
|
Major typhus epidemic, resulting in many child and adult deaths, including Rev. Storrs |
|
|
Residents of the "East" Village established their own parish and meeting house. (now East Longmeadow) |
|
|
All the taverns on the Green were temporarily closed in the Temperance Crusade that swept the country. |
|
|
Longmeadow Maternal Association founded. |
|
|
A Hartford to Springfield railroad was completed; the station in the meadows was open until the early 20th century. |
|
|
Total Longmeadow population has reached 1250: the "East" Village is 750, the "West" Village (now Longmeadow) is 500. The greater growth of the East Village was based upon expanding agriculture and the famous redstone quarries. |
|
|
St. Mary's Parish established. |
|
|
The first May Breakfast was held at First Church. |
|
|
The First Church was moved from the middle of the Green to its present location. |
|
|
Centennial observance on the Green. |
|
|
Longmeadow was split into two towns: Longmeadow (the "West" Village) with 570 people; and East Longmeadow (the "East" Village), with 1613 people. |
|
|
First public water system established. |
|
|
Trolley line is extended from Springfield to Enfield along Longmeadow St. |
|
|
Longmeadow Historical Society founded. |
|
|
"South Park Estates" in the northwestern corner of town, across from Forest Park, was developed as the first suburban housing tract in Longmeadow. |
|
|
Storrs Library established in building that is now behind current Library building. |
|
|
American Legion Post 175 (Albert T. Wood Post) formed- now occupied by Council on Aging. |
|
|
The Community House was built by First Church on Church-owned land police force was established and housed in Council on Aging building. |
|
|
St. Andrew's Parish established. |
|
|
Community House was leased to the town, the Church reserving its use on "the Lord's Day." Fire department established as a volunteer system, housed at what is now Longmeadow Garage. |
|
|
Christian Science Church established. |
|
|
The town bought the Community House from First Church. |
|
|
The Longmeadow School Department was established separately from the "union" with East Longmeadow, Hampden, and Wilbraham.. |
|
|
Town Offices building was erected on Williams St |
|
|
St. Mary's Church completed. |
|
|
Hurricane destroyed many of the great elm trees on the Green. |
|
|
Bus service replaced the trolleys. |
|
|
Longmeadow Senior High School opens. |
|
|
Blueberry Hill School is built. |
|
|
Williams Middle School is built. |
|
|
Police and Fire Department buildings completed. |
|
|
Beth Israel Synagogue |
|
|
Population is 15,397 |
Alfred L. Wood/ Michael F. Gelinas
