Mason Square in Springfield in Hampden County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
The Original Site
Photographed by Conrad Ward, March 9, 2025
1. The Original Site Marker
The Original Site
The game of "basket ball" was first played in 1891 in what is today Mason Square, in a small gymnasium located in a building owned and operated by the School for Christian Workers, now Springfield College.
The building, which stood at the northeast corner of State and Sherman streets, also included classrooms, dormitory rooms, and faculty offices for the school.
The school had purchased the land for this building from the McKnight brothers, who later gave their name to the city neighborhood they developed.
The School rented space in the building to the Armony Hill YMCA, which took over when the School moved to its new campus on Alden Street on the shores of Lake Massasoit.
"I want to leave the world a little bit better than I found it."
Erected 2010.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. 42° 6.648′ N, 72° 33.956′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Massachusetts, in Hampden County.
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Regionally, this marker is in Massachusetts’ Knowledge Corridor and in Pioneer Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Springfield College (here, next to this marker); Growth of the Game (a few steps from this marker); The Challenge to James Naismith (a few steps from this marker); Mason Square Viet Nam Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Winchester Square District World War II Memorial (about 500 feet away); The Buckingham Cornerstone (about 600 feet away); Leonard A. Corbin (about 700 feet away); Shays Rebellion (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Conrad Ward, March 9, 2025
2. The Original Site Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. The First Game of Basketball (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . .
1. Springfield College. (Submitted on November 25, 2025, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. The Basketball Monument panels in Mason Square. (Submitted on November 25, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 20, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
