Springfield in Hampden County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Hampden County Courthouse

37 Elm Street

— Built 1871-1874 • Renovated 1978 —

Hampden County Courthouse Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 5, 2019

1. Hampden County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. Henry Hobson Richardson, the most famous American architect of the late nineteenth century, designed this courthouse. Although Richardson received commissions for seven buildings in Springfield, only the Courthouse and Grace Baptist Church still exist. The Monson granite structure was extensively remodeled in 1906 by Richardson's successor firm, Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge, due to a fire. The original hipped roof with stone dormers was replaced with a flat floor at that time.

This property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected by Springfield 350th Anniversary.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 42° 6.024′ N, 72° 35.328′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Massachusetts, in Hampden County. Marker can be reached from Elm Street just south of Main Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is mounted at eye-level directly on the subject building, just to the right of the entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 37 Elm Street, Springfield MA 01103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old First Church (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Old First Church (within shouting distance

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

of this marker); United Electric Company Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); United Electric Co. Building / Old "Turnverein" Building (about 300 feet away); The First Meeting House (about 300 feet away); Miles Morgan (about 300 feet away); Springfield Soldiers and Sailors Monument (about 400 feet away); 95 State Street (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.

Regarding Hampden County Courthouse. National Register of Historic Places #72000134. Also a contributing property in the Court Square Historic District, NRHP #74000370.

Also see . . .
1. Hampden County Courthouse (Wikipedia). In his 1972 treatise on Springfield history, Town Into City, Dr. Michael Frisch, professor of American Studies at University at Albany, described the structure as "the single most impressive building of the period [1840 to 1880], well symboliz[ing] Springfield's new importance in the life and economy of its region". (Submitted on October 25, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Hampden County Courthouse (<i>northwest entrance</i>)</center> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 5, 2019

2. Hampden County Courthouse (northwest entrance)

(marker visible just right of entrance)

2. Henry Hobson Richardson (Wikipedia). Richardson is one of few architects to be immortalized by having a style named after him. "Richardsonian Romanesque" was a highly personal synthesis of the Beaux-Arts predilection for clear and legible plans, with the heavy massing that was favored by the pro-medievalists. It featured picturesque roofline profiles, rustication and polychromy, semi-circular arches supported on clusters of squat columns, and round arches over clusters of windows on massive walls. (Submitted on October 25, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Court Square (Wikipedia). Court Square is the City of Springfield's only topographical constant since its founding in 1636. It is bounded by Court Street, Main Street, State Street, East Columbus Avenue, and features Elm Street and a scenic pedestrian-only walkway from the courthouse toward Springfield's historic Old First Church. (Submitted on October 25, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Hampden County Courthouse Bell Tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 5, 2019

3. Hampden County Courthouse Bell Tower

Hampden County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 5, 2019

4. Hampden County Courthouse

Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 204 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 25, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.